The day before we head off to Kyoto, we headed to Ikebukuro Station, and at the JR office we exchanged for our JR Rail Pass, which is only available for foreigners. We also reserved our seats to Kyoto. We bought the JR Rail Pass just before April 2014 when the tax went up, we got it for ¥28900 (~$300 CND - the exchange rate was really bad) and this is the ordinary 7-days pass. You must exchange for the pass at the JR office in Japan because it is there that they attach the validity period on the pass. It is better to reserve your seats if you are traveling long distances because sometimes all the seats are taken and you would have to stand the whole way.
For breakfast, orange juice and a donut. I have to put my breakfast on my suitcase everyday cause there was no room on the table. Our checkout time was 10AM, but we had to leave before then so that we could walk to the station and take the train to Tokyo Station (~25 minutes) in order to catch the JR train to Kyoto. And the seats we reserved was for 11:03AM, so you can imagine how early we had to wake up, 8:30-9AM!
Once we got to Tokyo Station, we had to check-in and find our platform. Good thing they have a waiting room, so we waited there instead. There is an announcement thing just outside the waiting area, so we could see which platform to board the train. Our train was the "HIKARI 469" @ 11:03AM and we would be in Kyoto by 1:47PM. Don't have to worry about any bladder problems or going hungry because the train have a toilet and also snacks. The seating area are spacious enough to put your luggage in front but there is no leg room if you do this. I very much appreciate the comfortable seats that takes me to dreamland.
Ready for take-off! The bullet train really is the bullet train, it is so FAST. The train does have multiple stops in-between so beware.
Mt. Fuji!!!!! in the far off distance.
Once we arrived at Kyoto Station, I must say, Kyoto station is SO BIG and PRETTY! SO PRETTY! The architecture is just out of this world. I mean, inside is so clean, so shiny, so big, so technologically advance, and so unique. It's like being in a upscale mall.
Kyoto Station - outside
See the massiveness of Kyoto Station.
The place we chose to stay in Kyoto was "Econo-Inn Kyoto." The price per night wasn't too bad, we stayed 4 nights in this place for $260.32 CND (pre-paid 2 months before). It is also a ~15 minutes walk form Kyoto Station, look at the amount of exercise we get from walking to and from the station everyday.
This hotel is family-owned so the reception area is usually the father (perhaps 70 years old) and sometimes the mother and less often, the son (30?). The father and mother don't really speak English that well, but it's manageable. Nevertheless, they are super duper friendly and nice, they go over the rules with you and help you as much as they can. The hotel also provide free access to the computer in the lobby area and also they have tea for you to drink. The room itself has free wi-fi, air conditioning, a balcony, a private bathroom and individual beds. The negative is that there's no fridge and the toilet has no functions.
The appearance of the hotel may turn you off at first cause it looks very old and perhaps run-down. Also, the inside, gives of the old feeling too, and the elevator is very very old. But good thing this place provides a free light breakfast every morning, got to take advantage of that. LOL. It's just the same varieties of bread every morning. I try to stuff myself every morning before heading off.
Econo-Inn Kyoto
Econo-Inn Kyoto
The bathroom door - looks like a secret room
Tiny space to do your business.
Balcony View.
Kyoto exploration begins.We walked around downtown, perhaps the Shijo area? Lots of expensive looking department stores. We grabbed a Popsicle at the grocery store and people-watched while sitting outside 7-11.
Saw some Gachapons in the hallway of the food court so I decided to spin one for ¥200 since I quite like "Natsume Yuujinchou."
And then we got dinner - noodles for me ¥669.
Shopping at "Termachi Shopping Arcade and Shinkyogoku" - a great place to shop! There's a lot of cute stuff, souvenirs, food, cosmetics, and just about EVERYTHING! When we arrived, most of the shops were already closed or closing. SO SAD. We did come back another day though, there's just so much to see here. Products are definitely cheaper here than in Tokyo (eg. cosmetics).
Shirakawa District, Gion - though this part of town at night does make it seem a bit creepy. There was barely anybody here except for some drunk middle aged men and we were a bit lost too.
Japan have this interesting parking lot where cars are lifted up to be parked. It's a great way to save space, but so time consuming especially for patrons. I mean, they have to sit in the waiting area and the machine have to pickup the car and then bring it down slowly.
Actually we got really lost when heading back to the hotel, it was a bit after 11PM by the time we got back. It was actually kind of scary because unlike Tokyo, Kyoto doesn't have as many people and lights. It was very dark when we were walking. At least we got back safe and sound.
