The last time I went to Japan was when I was 17 years old, my parents brought me and my younger sibling to the capital state - Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto and Nara.
My happiest moment was when I went to Tokyo Disneyland, unfortunately, we couldn't understand any of the contexts because almost most of them were conducted in Japanese, I did have fun at the parade where all the Disney characters came out in their floats to greet the people who came to see them.
Eight years later, we are doing it all over again, this time it's Kyoto and Osaka!
Day 1 & 2 (4/11/2022-5/11/2022): Overnight flight, Nijo Castle, Nishiki Night Market and Temangu Shrine
It's Friday! Time to kick off the weekend to start a trip to Japan! We did some last-minute packing and made sure everything was in place. After we had done all the necessary check-ins once we are at the airport, I decided to do a little transition video take which I was inspired by a friend when he was on a trip with his friends.
I was really excited because this is my first overseas trip in seven years! The last one was being in the UK, we went during the late fall and early winter seasons. Back to my Japan trip! Luckily for me, I have a friend, named Satsuki, she is an Osaka native and recommended me a list of food. As for the places, I did some research for myself on the areas I was interested in going to.
After an early lunch, the first stop we headed to was The Nijo Castle - a world heritage site approved by UNESCO in 1994, it used to be one of the official residences of the Imperial Family (aka The Japanese Royal Family) in the 1600s. My favourite part of touring the castle was the inner part of the building (photography and videography are not allowed. Please remove your shoes before entering).
There is also a huge garden for you to explore and take some social media pictures. 😉
As it was about to rain, we quickly rushed back to our hotel near the castle, we passed a shrine when we were about to head back. The best part of travelling is we will always have something surprising along the way.
I decided to go in and have a lookout and brought an amulet (which represents a good direction in our lives). At night, we headed to the Nishiki Night Market - which is a must-see in Kyoto. Unfortunately, most of the shops were closed when we arrived, didn't feel any liveliness.
Luckily for me, one of the shrines on my top list, while I'm in Kyoto, is visiting the Temamgu shrine. I didn't know it was at the end of the market but I did recognise the lanterns hanging at the shrine's entrance. I touched the cow statue for good luck because I was born in the year of the Ox. (one of the main attractions of the shrine and acted as messengers of the main deity - Sugawara Michizane).
Day 2 (6/11/2022): Byodoin Temple and Kinkaku-Ji
As with Nijo Castle, Byodin Temple is also another world heritage site approved by UNESCO. Our tour guide, Rei is bringing his trainee with him. We waited for them at the Kyoto station. Rei introduced his trainee- Momoka, to us and off we go to Byodoin Temple, the train ride took 30 minutes.
I told Rei and Momoka that I'm learning Japanese and have a few Japanese friends too. I have met most of them at university and during MUN conferences. As we reached our destination, we hopped off the train and headed straight to Byodoin Temple.
We had to change my carriage aka the stroller to the wheelchair that is provided by the temple's facilities. The Byodoin Temple is in the middle of the lake and some people were inside the temple conducting prayers, we have to wait for two hours if we were to go in, that will take too long just to get in. We decided to visit the museum instead to learn the history of the temple.
There is a replica of the inside of the temple inside the museum, so I can imagine what is it like in the real one. I was viewing the statues of the bodhisattvas accompanying Amitabha, Momoka came by my side and asked me which figure was my favourite. I told her the first row in the middle is my favourite because it looks like it's dancing to music.
I told Momoka that I love singing, turned out she loves singing too! I showed her the videos that I sang with my singing buddies during the Mooncake Festival in September. In Malaysia, we always use the mighty hand" to stop a car (which is really dangerous) but here in Japan, they really follow the rules.
After that, we took a train to stop by Kinkau-Ji Temple and I loved its gold colourisation that brings out the contrast of the temple. We took a stroll along the trail and we passed by a lucky pot. If you are fortunate to throw it in the middle, that means you'll be rich! I almost aimed it but my mummy hit the target!
Day 3 (7/11/2022): Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, Nonomiya Shrine and Tenryuji Temple
Find your true zen, when you stepped into the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest. The moment I entered the forest, I definitely felt the zen in me, it was all so peaceful as if you are transported into another dimension. In the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, it's the well-known
Nonomiya Shrine, where it said it can help single people to look for love. Besides that, it also covers the shrines for the arts, safe driving, and childbirth. There is a stone which is shaped like a turtle it's called the
Kame Ishi, if you rub the rock while making your wishes, they will come true within a year.
As we walked down further, there is another UNESCO heritage site - Tenryuji Temple. For me as a special needs, it was pretty challenging because there were a lot of steps, Luckily, I was with my parents, and they helped me most of the time during the visit when it came to the steps. A beautiful lake is located when went further into the temple, and it was tough to get a good shot because there were many tourists also taking pictures.
I also bumped into some students who were wearing traditional kimonos and took a picture of them when I held out my camera. After a long walk from Tenryuji Temple, we stopped by to have some ice cream. There is always room for dessert.
Day 4 (8/11/2022): Bye Kyoto and Hello Osaka
It was our last day in Kyoto and we headed for the train to Osaka. After dropping off at the station, we took a taxi to the Air BnB where we were staying. The owner of the hotel, Ms Jessica, welcomed us. Once we have drooped our luggage in the room, we took a short rest before heading to the shopping centres nearby the hotel.
When you're in Osaka, the Glico billboard is one of the most iconic on the Osaka bridge. After shopping, we stopped by to have some desserts.
Day 5 & 6 (9/11/2022 & 10/11/2022): Osaka Palace and Kuramon Market
Osaka Palace - it had to be my top favourite place throughout the trip. The moment we entered the grounds of the palace, there were maple leaves everywhere! The trees were all covered in bright red which gives out the vibrant look. I, who grew up in a tropical country, have never seen autumn could be so beautiful! We also paid a visit to the museum as well.
The next day, we went to the famous Kuramon Market. I'm not a big fan of markets so there was nothing much to see but it was a good place to practice my very first street photography (I'm also a budding photographer by hobby). I also bumped into some people who were at the market recording a food show. My parents did buy some grapes and strawberries, as well as some long beans.
Day 7 & Day 8 (11/11/2022 & 12/11/2022): Shopping and Bye-bye, Japan!
On the second last day in Japan, we checked into the Kansai Airport Nikko Hotel. We took a train and went shopping at the Premium Outlet, we spent the whole day there. The last time I went was eight years ago and it was also the last day when we went to the same shopping centre. I also heard some Disney songs in between shopping, it has a mini Disney-themed Christmas right in the middle of the shopping centre.
On the final day, we packed up everything and it was time to head back home to Malaysia. We stayed at the airport hotel so it was easier for us to have everything checked in with the luggage. As the plane took off, I made a silent vow that I will visit Japan again!
