Day 1: Touch down + Osaka
(Kuromon Ichiba Market + Instant Ramen Musuem @ Ikeda + Ichiran Ramen)
Took Vietnam Airlines with transit and reach Japan the next day on the 10th of May morning! When I stepped on Kansai International Airport, I was thrilled with two main reasons because I am in Japan for holiday & new Malaysia history is made. Yay! From the airport to the city centre, there are many ways, and I definitely use the cheapest way which is the Airport Express train for just 920 yen. Take note that there are 2 different types of train to Namba (Nankai Line Limited Express & Airport Express). Airport express trains slightly slower, with more stops but more frequency. Check here for the train timing. Opt for a bus if you want to have a city view on the ride.
After we left our luggage in our hotel, it is time to start our Osaka journey! I purchase my ICOCA card from Klook in advance before I came to Japan & it was super duper convenient and easy to use. This ICOCA card acts like our Touch N Go Card; you need to tap in and tap out to use for buses, subways etc.
After collecting the card, we headed to Kuromon Ichiba Market! So many fresh foods for you to try. I splurged on scallop on the first day itself ><
After filling our hungry tummy, we took a train to Instant Ramen Museum @ Ikeda. Since I am the one who plans the Japan trip, my bf can’t say no to this instant ramen museum. Haha. Surprisingly, he felt that it is worth to explore the museum and learn the history of instant ramen, very interesting. There are no entrance fees but if you want to do your own cup noodle just pay for 300 yen. We drew and design the cup noodle for each other and bring back home the cup as memories.
Back to the hotel, check in & took a long nap. I book my hotel (APA Hotel Namba Ekihigashi) through Traveloka this round, and I love the hotel so much although the room is tiny. Weather was unexpectedly cold for the first day, and it was the perfect timing to have the legendary Ichiran Ramen for dinner. It was so delicious.
Day 2 : Kyoto
(Arashiyama Bamboo Forest + Fushimi Inari Shine + Kiyomizu Temple)
Day trip to Kyoto! We took a very early train from Namba to Arashiyama Bamboo Forest to avoid the crowd. Glad that we made that decision because a lot of people keep asking why my bamboo forest pictures no one photobomb behind me. So for those who want beautiful pictures, please go as early as 7 am. We reach there around 7.30am.
To immerse in the Japanese culture, we book kimono from Yumeyukata, one of the cheapest if not mistaken. You can opt for just normal kimono or with hairdo & makeup or more premium kimono. Be mind that you may experience feet pain from the long walking wearing their wooden sandals. So be prepared, but it was a good experience though!
Next, Fushimi Inari Shine! Thousands of Torri gates, choose the stretch of Torri gates that you want to snap a photo.
I’m telling you an awful experience I have in Japan. The bus in Kyoto is super delayed and not punctual especially to & fro Fushimi Inari Shrine. We wasted a lot of time waiting for the bus and ended up reach our lunch place very late at 3.05pm. The even sad part is that the restaurant does not allow us to go in anymore because they close at 3.30pm & the last call is 3 pm. Can you imagine, just 5 mins! I was extremely sad about it even I talked to the owner to let us in, she still refused. Left with no choices, we will need to search restaurant nearby and found this oldest soba restaurant in Kyoto, Honke Owariya. The soba noodle was okay, not too bad as I seldom eat soba noodle.
Quickly, we head to Kiyomizu Temple. It was such a difficult task to walk up the hill in kimono. Pay for the entrance fee and was so sad that the main part was under construction. Would love to come back again! Didn’t get to explore much of the shops along the Kiyomizu temple because when we are out it is almost 6 pm and most of the shops are closed already.
Returned the kimono, and then we were back to Osaka. I would highly recommend anyone to stay at Kyoto at least 1 night. Wish we had stayed at Kyoto one night and wouldn’t have to rush. Besides that, please ensure you go any place/restaurant 1 hr before closing time. Like REALLY. If not it would be a waste. I would highly recommend you to buy the transport passes or book your pocket wifi in advance via Klook because it is super convenient and will save you a lot of hassles. Sign up using my link here, and you will be entitled to RM12.70! Click here for Part 2 – 6 Days Itinerary Osaka+Kyoto+Nara for only RM 3300 (USD 800).
