Day 2 started with an early wakeup call at around 8am. Well mum is always early and came knocking at my door even before i started styling my hair and putting on some SPF 50.
For today, we are going to Arashiyama and Fushimi Inari Shrine. Having heard much about it, I decided that we must go since I missed it the last trip.
One of the must have handy Japan Travel apps to use is Hyperdia. With simple operation, I am able to gather all the available travelling options from 1 station to another. The type of train, time of departure to time of arrival, train transfer, transfer time and track & platform information.
Just 16mins away from Kyoto station by JR Sagano Line. We reached Sagaarashiyama Station at around 9.16am. We have in fact bought the 11am 1-way Sagano Scenic Train tickets at the JR office from Kansai Airport and upon arrival we decided to add on the boat ride down the stream back to the Togetsukyo Bridge which is Arashiyama’s well known, central landmark.
Since we still have some spare time, We decided to walk over to Tenryuji Temple. Along the way, we there were some shops, cafe and beautiful house with bonsai plants. We were tempted to find a cafe to have our breakfast but they were all closed.
At the serene Tenruji Temple, we bought more blessed charm.
We stroll for awhile and even bought soya ice cream.
Slow stroll and ppl watching….what a nice morning.
Over at the Arashimaya Station, preparation were in progress for an Ume wine festival.
At 11pm sharp we were back at the Sagano Scenic train station waiting for our romantic touristy train ride.
Mum was mesmerised by the beautiful famous Hozugawa River (保津川).
And we will be like these ppl when we take the boat ride later.
Stopping at Torokko Kameoka Station, the terminal station of the sightseeing train. With beautiful padi fields and mountain views.
From here, we transfer via taxi to the boat terminal.
By now we were famished so Sebas offered to buy some yummy snacks for us.
The boat ride took slightly more than 1 hr along the Hozugawa River. We were accompanied by 3 boatmen with each of them taking turns to row the boat while another as tour guide with the 3rd steering.
Along the way, we saw interesting rocks formation, animals and waved to passing trains.
It was a scorching hot day so after riding a 12 noon boat ride, we were totally exhausted and dehydrated. It ws such an unbearable sight looking at these ppl eating their ice cream near Togetsukyo Bridge. In the end, we stop by a family restaurant near the river for lunch before heading back to the train station to go to our next destination. In my original plan, we were suppose to be heading to the bamboo forest but looking at all the tired souls, I decided to give it a miss.
After lunch we went to the nearby shops to buy some famous green tea snack before catching the next train back to Kyoto station. Thinking mum will be too tired to carry on, I was prepared to bring her back to the hotel before the rest if us continue to Fushimi Inari Shrine, a shinto shrine and famous for the thousands of Torii gates trail behind the temple. To complete the torii trails up to the mountain and back will take at least 3 hrs.
Well, mum was so sporting and decided to carry on the journey with the boys. So from Sagaarashiyama Station, we tool the 16mins train ride back to Kyoto station, change to JR Nara Line to Tofukuji station and finally change to Keihan Main/Nakanoshima Local to Fushiminari Station. From the train station we followed the crowds and walked for about 5 mins before reaching the Shrine.
Before tracking the torii trails, we offer our prayers for good luck and health. Took lots of pics as the bring red colours look exceptionally good on pictures.
Bro brought his fav canon and iphone while I used my Olympus Pen and Samsung Andriod phone.
Like a marathon event, this is the starting point.
These torii gates was also featured in the scene from the movie Memoirs of a Geisha. I was so glad to capture a beautiful lady in kimono at the torri gate trails.
Since mum and bro can’t really walk for too long, we decided to stop at the 1/3 mark where there is a small pond and after some rest, backtracked to the bottom of the hill.
Back to the temple area, I took a pic with mum looking like a super model. hehhehe
On our way back to the hotel, bro suggested going back to Shijo area as he wanted to check out Burberry Black Label. The train stop at Pontocho area. As we walk across to Takashimaya we saw lots of ppl enjoying their evening leisurely along the river. I really wish I could be like them but I have some shopping to do before all the shop close at 8pm.
Finally, its dinner time.
We had a fulfilling day around Kyoto so we need a fulfilling meal too. And I have to say we had the most awesome yakitori ever at the Kintetsu mall. The crispy chicken skin is to-die-for….. it is soooo good that we even order a 2nd round. So if you are round the corner do go try:
Japan
Afrer dinner, we comb the family mart n 7 11 yet again.
Look at our supper loots. I must say I am totally addicted to the pineapple beer.
