A Whim: Kansai Journey in Japan

The entire trip stemmed from a single photo posted on WeChat Moments by a friend pursuing graduate studies at Hokkaido University. It stirred my heart, and without much thought, I decided on this trip and locked in my travel companion—a close friend of nearly twenty years. (To embrace the captivating scenery, I even managed to overcome years of motion sickness and airport phobia.)

With inexplicable confidence, I believed that in any country in Asia, experiencing a foreign land freely without a tour group would be absolutely fine—so I immediately decided on an independent trip (even to Japan, the country with the most terrifying urban rail transit).

Independent travel route:

I had never thought I would fly to Japan one day, so aside from Hokkaido and Tokyo, I knew nothing about Japan. After the initial whim, I quickly absorbed a lot of knowledge about Japan. It turns out that the so-called "Jingdong" line is the Kanto line, all about Disneyland and shopping. Personally, I felt that line overlapped heavily with Shanghai's offerings, so I chose a Kansai route to explore historical sites. (Buildings there can even date back to the Tang Dynasty.) Later I heard that Kyoto is a city vastly different from Tokyo or Osaka—it seems forgotten by time, slowly narrating the history it has witnessed in its own way.

Cost: I think the budget was well controlled. As long as I didn't buy skincare or cosmetics (once you dive into that, your wallet becomes a stranger), so just small purchases were enough for pleasure.

Food: Honestly, the cuisine didn't impress me—I didn't even see a single leafy green vegetable (unless green onions count as vegetables, which I exclude). And I don't eat raw food. So basically, I only ate to fill my stomach; I didn't have much else.

Takoyaki (octopus balls) were everywhere, with various fillings. But due to the language barrier and menus without English or Chinese, I usually ordered the recommended option, which was fine. (The various beautifully bottled drinks from convenience stores all tasted bad.)

Tofu soup was touted as pure and natural, but it had no flavor except when dipped in soy sauce—yet it cost more than ramen with meat.

Thinking I had no vegetables to eat, my teeth ached. Then I found a Korean restaurant in a small alley, and seeing kimchi felt so comforting.

Tianjin Binhai International Airport - Kansai International Airport

8:15-12:30 (local times)

Kansai International Airport - Kyoto City

JR transportation card (reserved online and purchased with coupons)

Kyoto JR Station - The Westin Miyako Kyoto

The portable Wi-Fi I rented in China didn't work, so I rented one at the airport—it cost a bit more than in China but worked well. I returned it at the airport when leaving.

At the airport, I also got a Suica card (usable in the Kansai region) for subway, bus, and convenience store purchases.

Others see Kiyomizu-dera with green hills, clear water, and red temples, but we saw dark clouds and heavy rain. However, it was Christmas break, and the enthusiasm of the young students deeply moved me (they really wore short skirts with bare legs).

We stayed at The Westin Miyako Kyoto, just in time for Christmas.

Sannenzaka & Ninenzaka

Jakuoji Shrine (Wakioji Shrine?)

Kyoto - Nara (Kintetsu Station)

Memorial Stele for Premier Zhou Enlai

Fushimi Inari Taisha

Arashiyama Small Train Station—staff at the station hold signs in Chinese, English, and Japanese to guide tourists on buying tickets (one-way vs round-trip). No need to rush; just read carefully, and you'll be fine.

They say the bamboo grove here was the filming location for Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon with Chow Yun-fat.

Nara Park: feeding the deer

Shopping day

Osaka International Airport - Tianjin Binhai International Airport

13:00-15:30 (local times)

If I have another chance, I want to return to Kyoto and slowly experience the slow-paced life.