Japan Diaries 4: Day 434
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Day 434: January 9, 2023
Monday – Coming of Age Day – Kyoto
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| It's a beautiful day here in Kumatori, Osaka |
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| Mr. Toshi drove us to Hineno Station |
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| Waiting for the train to our first destination today |
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| Off to Kyoto for Team Nicerio |
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| Transferring trains at Osaka Station |
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| We saw the Meiji Naruhodo Factory Osaka |
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| Arrived at Kyoto Station |
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| We saw the Kyoto Tower when we left Kyoto Station |
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Mr. Toshi drove my family and me to Hineno Station. From there, we boarded a train heading for Osaka Station before transferring to a train bound for Kyoto Station. Our journey did not end there, as we will still ride Bus #9 to the Horikawa Gojo bus stop. However, before we did, we purchased a Kyoto City Bus One-Day Pass to allow us unlimited use of the Kyoto City Bus for the day.
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| Before exploring the city, we bought the Kyoto City Bus One-Day Pass |
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| Urban Hotel Kyoto Gojo Premium |
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| This will be our accommodation for 4 days |
From the Horikawa Gojo bus stop, we crossed the street going to Urban Hotel Kyoto Gojo Premium which is our home for 4-days. Since we were too early for the check-in time, we just left our luggage for safekeeping and then headed out again to tour Kyoto City.
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| Walking through Shimizu Shindo going to Kiyomizudera |
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| There were plenty of souvenirs along the way. My mom would surely love these. |
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| Kiyomizudera Nishimon |
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| We cleansed ourselves at the temple's chozuya before exploring its grounds |
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| I tried lifting Benkei's Staff |
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| Team Nicerio revisits Kiyomizudera after almost a decade |
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| Kiyomizudera |
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| Kiyomizudera goshuin |
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| Otowa Falls |
Our first stop was Kiyomizudera. Despite visiting Kyoto numerous times, it was only our second time visiting Kiyomizudera as it underwent restoration in the past years. The first time that we visited the temple was way back in 2014 during our 1st trip to Japan. This time, I made sure to get the goshuin of Kiyomizudera for my collection.
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| Back to Shimizu Shindo |
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| We passed by the historic Shinpuku-ji Dainichi-do |
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| We passed by the famed Sannenzaka District |
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| The history of Sannenzaka |
From the temple, we followed the sea of people going through Higashiyama Ward. We passed by the historic Shinpuku-ji Dainichi-do then walked to Sannenzaka which is one of the most popular streets in Kyoto.
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| Sugi Bee Garden Outlet |
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| Next stop: Maccha House |
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| I tried the Uji Matcha Tiramisu |
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| Maccha House facade |
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| Inside Maccha House |
Just beside it was the Maccha House. It is one of the places that I wanted to try before but always miss visiting. I tried one of its most popular products which is the Uji Matcha Tiramisu.
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| Hokanji |
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| We were lucky that it wasn't that crowded in this area when we passed by |
From there, we continued until we reached the area of Hokanji. This place is one of the most photographed places in Kyoto as the pagoda of the temple makes a good backdrop to the street in Yasaka Kamimachi District.
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| Pokemon Center Kyoto |
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| We bought the Traditional Japanese Bride Pikachu plushie |
We then walked towards the Higashiyama Yasui bus stop and rode Bus #207 to the Shijo Karasuma bus stop to revisit the Pokemon Center Kyoto. My daughter bought the Traditional Japanese Bride Pikachu plush toy. I have already visited the Pokemon Center Kyoto last December 22, 2019. Today is special as I have finally visited it with my daughter and wife.
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| Passing through Inokuma-dori Street going to Urban Kyoto Gojo Premium |
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| Here's our key card and our breakfast stubs |
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| Welcome to our home for four days - Room 8003 |
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| Time to rest our tired feet... |
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| After resting for a bit, I went on a solo trip to Kyoto Station |
It was already around 5 PM when we went back to Urban Kyoto Gojo Premium. It was only then that we checked in. We were given Room 8003. I wasn’t ready to call it a day so I invited my family to Kyoto Station to watch the Kyoto Station Illumination 2023. However, they were already tired from all the walking and just wanted to rest.
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| Kyoto Station at night |
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| I was able to watch the Kyoto Station Illumination 2023 |
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| Kyoto Station Skyway |
Regardless, I didn’t want to waste the opportunity and the Kyoto City Bus One-Day Pass so I headed out on a solo trip to Kyoto Station and enjoyed watching the Kyoto Station Illumination 2023. This isn't the first time that I have witnessed the enchanting Kyoto Station Illumination as I have seen the Kyoto Station Illumination 2019 with my siblings.
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| Time to head back to the hotel |
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| Crossing the Horikawa Gojo Overpass |
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| Urban Hotel Kyoto Gojo Premium as seen from the Horikawa Gojo overpass |
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| Urban Hotel Kyoto Gojo Premium |
When I got back to the hotel, I went to the 9th Floor to take a dip in its onsen. It was a perfect way to relax and refresh. Before calling it a day, I made an itinerary for tomorrow’s trip to Shiga Prefecture.
Welccome back to Kyoto Team Nicerio.
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