A Thought Sparked - Kansai Japan Trip

This entire trip came from a photo in the Moments of a friend who is a graduate student at Hokkaido University in Japan. It stirred my heart, and without much further thought, I decided on this trip and locked in my travel companion—a close friend of nearly twenty years. (Because of the captivating scenery, I even managed to overcome my chronic motion sickness and fear of airports.)

With inexplicable confidence, I believed that in any Asian country, traveling freely and experiencing a foreign land without a tour group would be absolutely fine—so I immediately chose independent travel (even in Japan, the country with the most terrifying urban rail systems).

Independent travel route:

I had never imagined I would fly to Japan one day, so aside from Hokkaido and Tokyo, I knew nothing about the country. After everything started from a thought, I quickly absorbed a lot of relevant knowledge about Japan. I learned that the Tokyo line is called the Kanto line, which is all about Disney and shopping. Personally, I felt that line was very similar to a Shanghai trip, so I chose the Kansai route for historical sightseeing. (The buildings there often date back to the Tang Dynasty.) Later I heard that Kyoto is a city very different from Tokyo or Osaka—it seems to have been forgotten by time, slowly telling the history it has witnessed in its own way.

Expenses: I think the budget was well controlled. As long as I didn't buy skincare or makeup (which are like a bottomless pit, once you start, your wallet is gone), just a little shopping for pleasure.

Food: To be honest, the food was not that impressive. I didn't even see a single green leafy vegetable (unless you count green onions as vegetables, which I don't). And I don't eat raw food. So for the whole trip, apart from filling my stomach, I didn't really eat much else.

Takoyaki (octopus balls) were everywhere with various fillings. Since I didn't understand the language and the menu had no English or Chinese, I always ordered the recommended option, which was fine. (The drinks in pretty bottles from convenience stores all tasted bad.)

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

I was really craving vegetables and felt like my teeth were aching, so I found a Korean restaurant in a small alley—seeing kimchi felt so familiar.

Tianjin Binhai International Airport - Kansai International Airport

8:15-12:30 (local times)

Kansai International Airport - Kyoto City

JR transportation card (booked online, bought as a card + coupon)

Kyoto JR Station - The Westin Hotel Kyoto

The WiFi I rented domestically didn't work, so I rented one at the airport, which was a bit more expensive but worked very well. I returned it at the airport before leaving.

After landing, I also got a Suica card (usable in Kansai) at the airport, which could be used for subway, bus, and even convenience store purchases.

Others' Kiyomizu-dera Temple is all green mountains, clear water, and red temples, but ours was overcast with heavy rain. However, it was Christmas break, and the enthusiasm of the young students at the park deeply touched me (they were really wearing short skirts with bare legs).

At the Westin Hotel in Kyoto, we happened to arrive on Christmas.

Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka

Wakaoji Shrine (Wakao-oji Shrine?)

Kyoto - Nara (Kintetsu Station)

Premier Zhou Enlai's Poetry Monument

Fushimi Inari Taisha

Arashiyama Small Train Station: Inside the station, staff held signs in Chinese, English, and Japanese to explain how to buy tickets (single or round trip). Don't rush, read carefully, and it's all fine.

It is said that the bamboo grove here is where Chow Yun-fat filmed 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon'.

Nara Park: feeding the deer.

Shopping day

Osaka International Airport - Tianjin Binhai International Airport

13:00-15:30 (local times)

If I have the chance, I will go to Kyoto again to slowly experience the leisurely pace of life.