Japan 2013: Kyoto & Nara Tour (Part 1)

On this trip, we spent one of our days touring Kyoto and Nara through an arranged tour c/o JTB Sunrise Tours. This is the same trip that hubs and I took three years ago for our honeymoon, only that I booked that tour through a travel agent. This time, I booked directly with JTB and I was happy because coordinating with them was so easy, and they reserved slots for us even without a credit card guarantee.

Our day started super early as the sun greeted us super early too!

Japan won't be The Land of The Rising Sun for nothing! Here's the view from our room, taken at 5AM (4AM PH time).

Since we are staying in Osaka, and the bus tour actually starts at Kyoto, we had to take two train rides and fetch people from two other hotels in Osaka before finally reaching the meeting point in Kyoto where the tour officially starts. A Sunrise Tour representative met us at the Swissotel Namba and came with us all the way to Kyoto JR Station. It was more or less two hours of walking, train ride and waiting unlike last time when hubs and I just needed to walk less than five minutes from our hotel in Kyoto to the meeting point.

Kyoto

Kyoto served as Japan's capital and the emperor's residence from 794 until 1868. Over the centuries, Kyoto was destroyed by many wars and fires, but due to its historic value, the city was dropped from the list of target cities for the atomic bomb and spared from air raids during World War II. Countless temples, shrines and other historically priceless structures survive in the city today. (Kyoto Travel Guide)

Nijo Castle
This is one of my favorites stops on this tour, specifically because of the nightingale floors of Ninomaru Palace that squeaks like birds when stepped upon. This serves as as security measure of the samurais against intruders during the old age. Since this place is considered a national treasure and a Unesco World Heritage site, cameras and shoes are not allowed inside. You can read more info here.

Just outside the Ninomaru Palace is a traditional Japanese landscape garden with a pond, ornamental stones and well arranged and manicured trees.

Now, spell serenity.

If you wish to be able to spend more time at the palace and garden, I suggest to visit during non-peak seasons. It was winter (and snowing) when hubs and I first went there so we had all the time to take lots of photos and explore the house of the samurais. Spring is one of the busiest seasons so during our recent visit, aside from foreign tourists, there were lots of students doing their educational tours. Kawaii!

Golden Pavillion (Kinkakuji Temple)
Another Unesco World Heritage site and another one of my favorites -- a temple that is literally covered in gold leaf! Reaching the site will be a little challenge as you have to walk up and down the trail but all the walking will be all worth it! Read more info here.

Photos of The Golden Pavilion doesn't need too much editing or filters! It is picture perfect already and will drop your jaw when you see it in actual. One of my favorite couple photos of hubs and I was taken at this site.

2010

In one of the articles at work, where I was featured, I mentioned that it's my dream to bring my daughter in this beautiful place and then have a family photo taken with the Golden Pavilion at the background.

Jaraaaan! Dream come true! :)

2013

Kyoto Imperial Palace
This used to be the residence of Japan's imperial family before the emperor and capital were moved from Kyoto to Tokyo. We weren't able to visit this last time because the palace is close on weekends. Before gaining an access, each guest will be asked to register his/her full name, nationality, gender and age. You will only be allowed to roam around the gated, not to mention HUGE, area but won't really have a chance to take a peek inside. Read more info here.

The afternoon part of the tour in my next post :)


JTB Sunrise Tour Website