Japan Diaries 4: Day 434

Day 434: January 9, 2023

Monday – Coming of Age Day – Kyoto

It's a beautiful day here in Kumatori, Osaka
It's a beautiful day here in Kumatori, Osaka

Today is the Coming of Age Day (成人の日) holiday here in Japan. It means many young adults would be in the streets wearing traditional Japanese clothes. It also means that it would be traffic or crowded in some places.

Hineno Station
Mr. Toshi drove us to Hineno Station

Waiting for the train to our first destination today
Waiting for the train to our first destination today

Off to Kyoto for Team Nicerio
Off to Kyoto for Team Nicerio

Transferring trains at Osaka Station
Transferring trains at Osaka Station

Meiji Naruhodo Factory Osaka
We saw the Meiji Naruhodo Factory Osaka

Arrived at Kyoto Station
Arrived at Kyoto Station

Kyoto Tower
We saw the Kyoto Tower when we left Kyoto Station

Kyoto Station

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.

Kyoto City Bus One-Day Pass
Before exploring the city, we bought the Kyoto City Bus One-Day Pass

Urban Hotel Kyoto Gojo Premium
Urban Hotel Kyoto Gojo Premium

This will be our accommodation for 4 days
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.


清水新道
Walking through Shimizu Shindo going to Kiyomizudera

There were plenty of souvenirs along the way
There were plenty of souvenirs along the way. My mom would surely love these.

Kiyomizudera Nishimon
Kiyomizudera Nishimon

We cleansed ourselves at the temple's chozuya before exploring its grounds
We cleansed ourselves at the temple's chozuya before exploring its grounds

Benkei's Staff
I tried lifting Benkei's Staff

Team Nicerio revisits Kiyomizudera after almost a decade
Team Nicerio revisits Kiyomizudera after almost a decade

Kiyomizudera
Kiyomizudera

Kiyomizudera goshuin
Kiyomizudera goshuin

Otowa Falls
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.

Back to Shimizu Shindo
Back to Shimizu Shindo

Shinpuku-ji Dainichi-do
We passed by the historic Shinpuku-ji Dainichi-do

We passed by the famed Sannenzaka District
We passed by the famed Sannenzaka District

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.

Sugi Bee Garden Outlet
Sugi Bee Garden Outlet

Since there were lots of stores in Sannenzaka, we made several stops to check out what they offered. The first one was the Sugi Bee Garden Outlet. We were drawn into it because of the juice-free taste. We weren’t able to resist as bought several bottles of their juice.

Next stop: Maccha House
Next stop: Maccha House

Uji Matcha Tiramisu
I tried the Uji Matcha Tiramisu

Maccha House facade
Maccha House facade

Inside Maccha House
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.

Hokanji
Hokanji

We were lucky that it wasn't that crowded in this area when we passed by
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.

Pokemon Center Kyoto
Pokemon Center Kyoto

We bought the Traditional Japanese Bride Pikachu plushie
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.

Passing through Inokuma-dori Street going to Urban Kyoto Gojo Premium
Passing through Inokuma-dori Street going to Urban Kyoto Gojo Premium

Here's our key card and our breakfast stubs
Here's our key card and our breakfast stubs

Welcome to our home for four days - Room 8003
Welcome to our home for four days - Room 8003

Time to rest our tired feet...
Time to rest our tired feet...

After resting for a bit, I went on a solo trip to Kyoto Station
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.

Kyoto Station at night
Kyoto Station at night

Kyoto Station illumination 2023
I was able to watch the Kyoto Station Illumination 2023

Kyoto Station Skyway
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. 

Time to head back to the hotel
Time to head back to the hotel

Crossing the Horikawa Gojo Overpass
Crossing the Horikawa Gojo Overpass 

Urban Hotel Kyoto Gojo Premium as seen from Horikawa Gojo overpass
Urban Hotel Kyoto Gojo Premium as seen from the Horikawa Gojo overpass

Urban Hotel Kyoto Gojo Premium
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.

Read more:

Japan Diaries 4: Week 63

Comments

Post a Comment

Book your hotel thru KLOOK

Klook.com
Subscribe and get updated with the latest travel articles of The Backpack Adventures

Popular posts from this blog

Japan Diaries 4: Day 437

Kamay ni Hesus Shrine - Quezon

Arashiyama Bamboo Grove Revisited 2023 - Kyoto

Imus City Plaza - Cavite

Todaiji Revisited 2023 - Nara

Sanjo Bridge - Kyoto

10 Things to Do in Uji City

Akabira Tokugawa Castle - Hokkaido

Bonifacio Shrine in Indang - Cavite

Nijo Castle - Kyoto