Decoding Kansai Transportation Lines, Exploring Ancient Architecture and Culture

Family trip: total cost 30,000 RMB (including shopping, excluding luxury items), carrying Canon DSLR EOS-7D and Canon 24-105mm f/4L IS lens.

Travel tips: Bring a multi-port charger, as hotel outlets may be insufficient; bring a pen (foreigners need to fill out a landing card); rent a pocket WiFi (can be picked up at the Ubanban service counter at Pudong Airport).

Essential mobile apps: Google Maps, Chu Guo Fan Yi Guan (Travel Translator), Japan Transit Planner, etc.

Morning: 6:00 depart from Shanghai Pudong International Airport on Air China CA921 (Terminal 2) 9:10 – Kansai Airport (Terminal 1) 12:10.

Noon: After about 2 hours of flight, arrive at Kansai Airport. I would like to point out two things: First, Japan has a 1-hour time difference, so all times from now on are local Japanese time. Second, there is no need to worry about traveling independently in Kansai; airport staff can mostly speak a few words of Chinese, so communication is not a problem. After clearing customs smoothly, since tomorrow we plan to take the Sagano Romantic Train (to take the Sagano Romantic Train in Arashiyama, it is recommended to book online to avoid queuing at Kameoka Station; choose reserved seats when purchasing), pick up tickets at the counter on the 1st floor of Kansai Airport, which has Chinese service. Then go to the 2nd floor to purchase a combo ticket: JR one-way ticket + ICOCA card (combo ticket offers a discount) (Note: You can choose a nice design when buying the ICOCA card on-site).

Afternoon: 14:10 go to the railway departure entrance on the 2nd floor and take the JR Limited Express (towards Kyoto) (First, JR trains are infrequent; during peak season, it is recommended to purchase reserved seats, otherwise you might have to stand for 75 minutes on the JR line. Second, if your itinerary is to go to Osaka Prefecture first, you must take the Nankai Line because the JR line does not go directly) – ride 3 stops to Kyoto Station (from the starting station to the terminal station); walk 8 minutes, arrive at Hotel Keihan Kyoto Grande at 15:40, check in (Japan's subway transportation is very developed; I chose a hotel close to the subway station for easy travel). If you encounter Japanese people in the hotel elevator, they will greet you and bow, so when in Rome, do as the Romans do; it is important to understand etiquette.

Evening: Near Kyoto Station there is a "Don Quijote" drugstore, where prices are slightly cheaper than at other stores. Nearby food recommendation: Ramen Koji (Ramen Alley).

Morning: 8:40 head to Arashiyama to visit the ancient capital (Arashiyama, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto City) (recommended 1 day). From Kyoto Station (starting station) take the JR Sagano Line Rapid Service (towards Sonobe) (Note the sign: Platform E 31-33) – ride 8 stops to Umahori Station, walk 10 minutes to the Sagano Romantic Train Kameoka Station. (Footnote: The JR Sagano Line is also called the Sanin Main Line). 10:29 board the Sagano Sightseeing Line Car No. 4 (the car number varies depending on the booking time) – to Saga Station, which is the terminal station of the train. From there, you can go north to Daikaku-ji, central to Tenryu-ji, and south to Togetsukyo Bridge. However, if you want to stroll through the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, it is recommended to get off at Arashiyama Station.

Noon: Food recommendation: Nakamura-ya Main Store (I must say their beef is superb).

Afternoon: Visit Tenryu-ji Temple. Built in 1339, the temple has many magnificent buildings and is now one of the World Cultural Heritage sites in the Arashiyama area. Further south is the legendary Togetsukyo Bridge, one of the most representative landmarks in Arashiyama. However, due to the season, without cherry blossoms or autumn leaves, it looks a bit lonely, with only the Katsura River beneath guarding its solitude. Crossing the Togetsukyo Bridge, you reach Arashiyama, known as "Kyoto's number one scenic spot." Climb to the top to overlook Kyoto Tower and the city of Kyoto—beautiful, simply beautiful.

Evening: 18:00 from Saga-Arashiyama Station take the JR Sagano Line Rapid or Local (towards Kyoto) – ride 6 stops to Kyoto Station, stay at Hotel Keihan Kyoto Grande.

Morning: 8:30 head to Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine (68 Fukakusa Yabunouchi-cho, Fushimi-ku, Kyoto City). From Kyoto Station take the JR Nara Line Local (towards Joyo) (Sign: Platform D 8-10) – ride 2 stops to Inari Station (recommended 2-3 hours). Fushimi Inari-taisha is one of Japan's oldest places of worship, most famous for its Senbon Torii (thousands of vermilion torii gates). The movie "Memoirs of a Geisha" was filmed here. Many locals come to pray. Arriving early is better than late; I happened to witness a grand ceremony and was lucky to observe local customs, but photography was prohibited inside.

Noon: Food recommendation: Kitsune Udon (Fox Udon).

Afternoon: 12:30 head to Shijo Kawaramachi area, Gion area including Kamo River, Hanamikoji Street (Hanamikoji-dori, south side of Gion-machi, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto City), etc. From Inari Station take the JR Nara Line Local (towards Kyoto) – ride 1 stop to Tofukuji Station, transfer to Keihan Main Line Semi-Express (towards Demachiyanagi) – ride 3 stops to Gion-Shijo Station. A region nurtures its people. The Kamo River is a first-class river in Kyoto, a mother river for the locals. In their leisure time, many locals bring their children to walk and sit by the river, leisurely. While strolling, I encountered an interesting incident: a middle-aged man first took out a note and asked me for my address and such. When he learned I was from China, he took out a small booklet from his pocket. At first, I was puzzled! But when he wrote a few lines and showed me, I suddenly understood! He actually wanted to write a letter to his Chinese friend and begged me to help revise it... Haha, unbelievable, I actually helped someone in a foreign country. After about an hour, I headed to Hanamikoji Street, the most famous historic flower district in Japan and a renowned geisha street. If you're lucky, in the early evening, you might encounter geisha hurrying to work. I was unlucky. Food recommendation: Sukiyaki (eternal classic unagi rice).

Evening: 18:00 wander to Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka (2-chome, Kiyomizu, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto City). Wandering through the streets and alleys gives a unique feeling. 19:00 from Kiyomizuzaka stop take Kyoto City Bus 206 – ride 7 stops to Kyoto Station, stay at Hotel Keihan Kyoto Grande.

Morning: 9:00 check out; luggage can be stored at Kyoto Station. Head to Nijo Castle (Nijo-jo-cho, Nijo-dori Horikawa Nishi-iru, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto City) (Admission: 600 yen/person). From Kyoto Station take the JR Sagano Line Local (towards Sonobe) – ride 2 stops to Nijo Station, walk 13 minutes to Nijo Castle (recommended 2 hours). Nijo Castle is a castle that witnessed the rise and fall of the Tokugawa family and historical changes. It is said that during the Edo period, under the Tokugawa shogunate, only two shoguns (Tokugawa Iemitsu and Tokugawa Yoshinobu) resided here; no other shogun stayed here during those 230 years. The Ninomaru Palace consists of the Tozamurai, Shikidai, Ohiroma, Kuroshoin, and Shiroshoin. One distinctive feature inside the Ninomaru Palace is the "Nightingale Floor" (Uguisubari), where the floorboards chirp like nightingales when walked upon. This is caused by the friction between metal clamps and nails driven into the supporting beams. However, photography is prohibited inside the palace.

Afternoon: 14:00 from Nijo Station take the JR Sagano Line (towards Kyoto) – ride 2 stops to Kyoto Station. Thus, the Kyoto trip comes to an end. 14:45 head to Osaka. From Kyoto Station take the JR Kyoto Line Rapid Service (towards Himeji) (Sign: Platform A 6-7) – ride 3 stops to Osaka Station (Note: it stops at Shin-Osaka Station en route, which is different from Osaka Station). Walk to Umeda Station and take the Midosuji Line (towards Tennoji) – ride 4 stops to Namba Station. Walk 10 minutes to Hotel Sunroute Osaka Namba, check in (I chose this hotel because it is close to shopping areas such as Shinsaibashi, Dotonbori, Midosuji Avenue, and Namba Station, making it convenient for travel). (Footnote: The JR Kyoto Line is also called the Sanyo Main Line).

Evening: Stroll along Midosuji Avenue. Food recommendation: Isomaru Suisan.

Morning: 10:00 head to Shinsaibashi, a 5-minute walk from the hotel, kicking off the ladies' shopping spree. Food recommendation: Kinryu Ramen.

Afternoon: 15:40 head to Kuromon Market (2-4-1 Nipponbashi, Chuo-ku, Osaka City). I have to mention that Japanese watermelon is extremely expensive, and I ordered a bowl of vegetable and crab leg hot pot costing about 185 RMB, but I still wasn't full! In Japan, not only are fruits expensive, but vegetables are also a luxury.

Evening: Stay at Hotel Sunroute Osaka Namba.

Morning: 10:15 head to LEGOLAND Discovery Center Osaka (3rd floor, Tempozan Marketplace, 1-1-10 Kaigandori, Minato-ku, Osaka City) (Ticket price: 2300 yen/person). From Nipponbashi Station (Osaka Prefecture) take the Osaka Municipal Subway Sakaisuji Line to Sakaisuji-Hommachi Station, transfer to the Osaka Municipal Subway Chuo Line – ride 6 stops to Osakako Station, walk 8 minutes to LEGOLAND Discovery Center Osaka. It is the second "LEGOLAND" in Japan and the twelfth in the world.

Afternoon: 15:00 return to the hotel. From Osakako Station take the Osaka Municipal Subway Chuo Line – ride 6 stops to Sakaisuji-Hommachi Station, transfer to the Osaka Municipal Subway Sakaisuji Line – ride 2 stops to Nipponbashi Station (Osaka Prefecture).

Evening: Stay at Hotel Sunroute Osaka Namba.

Morning: 10:20 check out, store luggage at the hotel front desk, then head to Dotonbori for lunch. Food recommendation: Ichiran Ramen. I highly recommend: When in Osaka, you must have a steaming bowl of Ichiran Ramen—it's a totally different taste from the one in Hong Kong!

Noon: 12:00 walk 14 minutes to Nankai Namba Station, take the Nankai Line Airport Express (towards Kansai Airport) – ride 11 stops to Kansai Airport (railway). Air China CA858 Kansai Airport (Terminal 1) 16:25 – Pudong Airport (Terminal 2) 17:50.