Japan Diaries 2: Day 8

Day 8 May 24, 2018

Farewell Kyoto

Greetings from Kyoto City! Today is our fifth and final day in Kyoto City. Today is also the only day that I had no itineraries to follow. Well, there is a reason behind it...

Last night, my wife and I discussed the possibility of spending half-day touring other parts of Kyoto City but that involves the dilemma of where to leave our belongings. First, we contemplated asking our friend Gil if it's OK to bring our stuff to her house and leave it there for half a day. Our other option was to ask permission from our Air BnB host to leave our stuff in the house for half a day so that we could go around Kyoto one last time. We decided to push through with the plan to go to Gil's place. 
Farewell to our room, it was an awesome 5 days

A very memorable place

Until next time! Thanks to our kind hosts.

 Well, there are some plans that are not meant to be. We woke up a little past 9 which meant that we only had three hours to explore not including the travel time to Gil's place and preparation time. So my wife and I decided not to push through with the plan but head home to our Japanese family in Osaka instead. In that way, we'd still get some time to rest. 
Got our tickets to Osaka Station

Train home!

After preparing our stuff we said farewell to our generous hosts and generous as they are, the owner of the house even gave us a free lift going to Kyoto Station. Aside from that, they also gave my daughter some toys as a farewell gift. 
Gotta love the view

Meiji Chocolate Factory

 From Kyoto Station, we rode the train to Osaka Station via the JR Tokaido Sanyo Line. It costs 560 yen per head. Our daughter Ella was free as she was still 5 years old. The view from the train was superb. I even saw a giant building shaped like a bar of chocolate which I later found out to be the Meiji Chocolate Factory.

Kumatori Station

Upon arrival at Osaka Station, we went on a toilet break before transferring to another train bound for Kumatori Station. The fare was 710 yen per head. From there, we hopped on a bus going to Mr. Toshi's house in Tsubasagaoka reaching it a little past noon.
Looking for the bus stop 

Check out the manhole cover of Kumatori!

 We spent the day resting and in the afternoon Mr. Toshi made me practice my driving skills around the subdivision. I consider this the highlight for today. Sadly, I was not able to document it as my wife was not with me during my first drive. 
Ahh, home at last...

Missed this view.

Overall, we wrapped up our 5-day Kyoto Adventure today. It was truly a memorable trip. Not only did I get to bond with my wife and daughter in the most historic city of Japan, but I also managed to visit 9 of the 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites and several popular destinations in the city. 

PREVIOUS: Japan Diaries 2: Day 7

NEXT: Japan Diaries 2: Day 9


Location: Kumatori, Sennan District, Osaka Prefecture, Japan

Comments

  1. UnknownDecember 13, 2018 at 7:59 AM

    You had a great post about Kyoto Prefecture. I heard a lot of good places too from my Japanese students. Keep inspiring your readers. Good job!

    https://mysweetpromises.com/quick-trip-around-siquijor-island/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Neil Alvin NicerioDecember 13, 2018 at 9:11 AM

      Thanks so much Boney Smile. I checked your blog too and found it very informative.

      Delete
    2. UnknownDecember 16, 2018 at 6:26 PM

      Kyoto looks cool !!! Mesmerising views !!! You seemed to had a great adventure !!!

      Delete
  2. melissalucy21December 14, 2018 at 10:43 PM

    I love the manhole cover and the view from the train ride looks nice too. Great post!

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Neil Alvin NicerioDecember 18, 2018 at 12:52 PM

      I agree. The manhole covers in each town is really worth checking out.

      Delete
  3. NohailaDecember 14, 2018 at 10:52 PM

    Thank you so much for sharing your trip with us 💗 it is really helpful for people that would like to visit Japan 😍

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Neil Alvin NicerioDecember 18, 2018 at 12:52 PM

      Please do check out my previous posts. You'd surely love our trip to Kyoto.

      Delete
  4. nancy_ycnanDecember 15, 2018 at 12:45 AM


    Wonderful sharing! Thank you very much for this amazing article, will go Japan next year!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Neil Alvin NicerioDecember 18, 2018 at 12:53 PM

      Thanks so much! I do hope you check out my next posts about our 2nd adventure in Japan.

      Delete
  5. Rbaiano22December 15, 2018 at 3:42 AM

    Love these pictures! I felt like I was really there even though I've never been anywhere near there. Thanks

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Neil Alvin NicerioDecember 18, 2018 at 12:54 PM

      Thank you so much Rbaiano22. Please do check out my other adventures in Japan.

      Delete
  6. chadden2001December 15, 2018 at 5:34 AM

    More images than I thought there would be but made for an easy read. Keep it up.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Neil Alvin NicerioDecember 21, 2018 at 10:41 AM

      Thanks Chadden, I do hope you get to visit Japan too.

      Delete
  7. GiGi EatsDecember 15, 2018 at 7:48 AM

    Japan is 100% on my list, however, probably wont get there for a few years since a little one will be joining our family very soon!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Neil Alvin NicerioDecember 21, 2018 at 10:42 AM

      Congratulations Gigi! I hope you could bring the little one with you when you visit Japan someday. =)

      Delete
  8. DariaDecember 15, 2018 at 11:13 AM

    I love traveling by train, especially when the scenery is amazing. I imagine this was also the case for your trip? I have never been to Japan, but the country fascinates me so much I am sure to visit sometime in the future :)

    P.S. Your daughter looks very sweet : Did she also enjoy Kyoto?

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Neil Alvin NicerioDecember 22, 2018 at 6:07 PM

      Hello Daria, my daughter really enjoyed her 5-day adventure in Kyoto. I agree, you should try Japan's railway system. You'd surely enjoy the view.

      Delete
  9. debbieDecember 15, 2018 at 12:09 PM

    So detailed! if i ever go to Kyoto i´ll know some things already! thanks

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Neil Alvin NicerioDecember 22, 2018 at 6:08 PM

      Thanks so much Debbie. Thanks for following our adventure in Japan.

      Delete
  10. MayszDecember 15, 2018 at 4:12 PM

    Wow! I really love the view! I hope I have a chance to visit in Japan someday. My dream place :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Neil Alvin NicerioDecember 22, 2018 at 10:33 PM

      I'm very excited to see your post about Japan. I do hope you get to visit Japan soon.

      Delete
  11. EmilioDecember 15, 2018 at 7:27 PM

    I really want to visit Kyoto so badly! Thanks for sharing your article it makes me want to visit even more haha

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Neil Alvin NicerioDecember 22, 2018 at 10:34 PM

      I do hope my article inspired you to travel to Japan.

      Delete
  12. Samantha ImmerDecember 16, 2018 at 12:45 AM

    Wow that chocolate building is so cool! And all the train traveling looks so fun. It would be nice to be able to experience the scenery that way!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Neil Alvin NicerioDecember 27, 2018 at 2:46 PM

      Japan has one of the most comprehensive train system. These has plenty of beautiful views. =) You should try it out.

      Delete
  13. RoneshaDecember 16, 2018 at 12:31 PM

    I've always wanted to go to Japan. Thanks for a great post.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Neil Alvin NicerioJanuary 3, 2019 at 4:28 PM

      Thanks for visiting my blog Ronesha. I hope you do get to visit Japan someday.

      Delete
  14. MatijaDecember 16, 2018 at 6:43 PM

    The pictures you took are amazing, and I am glad to hear you finished the trip on a high note, the memories from this trip will be always with you. The city is so beautiful I can't wait to visit it, but for now I will need to be content with the pictures provided by the bloggers.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Neil Alvin NicerioJanuary 3, 2019 at 4:30 PM

      Hello Matija. Thanks for the positive feedback. You should come visit. Make sure to spend at least a week in Kyoto City to enjoy it. =)

      Delete
  15. StrongIslandSocialDecember 17, 2018 at 1:56 AM

    Kyoto City seems like a great place to visit. I have to say that I’ve never seen a decorative man hole cover. So cool. Keshia Richmond

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Neil Alvin NicerioJanuary 3, 2019 at 4:46 PM

      I agree. I have noticed that each city / town has their unique manhole cover. I should probably blog about them someday.

      Delete
  16. UnknownDecember 17, 2018 at 3:58 AM

    That manhole is so cute! Is it normal or was that the exception?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Neil Alvin NicerioJanuary 3, 2019 at 4:48 PM

      It seems like every city has their unique manhole cover. =)

      Delete
  17. Old TomDecember 18, 2018 at 1:05 AM

    This looks a great place to visit. I’ve always been fascinated by Japan.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Neil Alvin NicerioJanuary 3, 2019 at 4:50 PM

      Kyoto is really a great place to visit. You should visit it someday Old Tom.

      Delete
  18. aisasamiDecember 19, 2018 at 3:22 AM

    Love Kyoto Station and love rural Japan. <3 Great that you enjoy your trip, come to Nagoya someday!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Neil Alvin NicerioJanuary 3, 2019 at 4:52 PM

      Oh my! Nagoya has always been in my bucket list. I will surely visit it someday (soon). =)

      Delete
  19. Eliz FrankDecember 19, 2018 at 3:48 PM

    Kyoto remains my most favorite city in Japan. Reading your post made me want to go back for another visit. I hope to do that when my daughter goes there to study next year.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Neil Alvin NicerioJanuary 3, 2019 at 4:54 PM

      I'm excited for you Eliz. I just came back from Japan but I felt that I wanted to go back again.

      Delete
  20. ElizabethDecember 20, 2018 at 9:00 PM

    Oh wow, it sounds like you had an amazing time! I've never stayed with AirBnB before and I have my reservations, but you make it sound easy :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Neil Alvin NicerioJanuary 3, 2019 at 4:59 PM

      Hi Elizabeth. I highly recommend AirBnB when traveling in Japan. However, staying in a ryokan still remains the best accommodation around.

      Delete

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