TR - Kansai Sakura Trip 2017

[limweeli]

Hiya,

Sharing my recent 9D trip to catch sakura in Kansai. I was there 4 years ago around the same period and managed to catch only the end of the season. This time, I was hoping to see the mankai. 人算不如天算, the season in Kansai started really slowly this spring. However, I did manage to see mankai (or near mankai) on the last 2 days of the trip.

This trip didn't start very well. First, the season started late. Then, my elder daughter started puking at the boarding gate and we had to get ANA to get our checked-in luggage from the plane, get out of the Singapore Customs and go to our peditrician. The whole process is painful, took 2 hours just to get out and get our luggage. On the day we arrived, our AirBnB room is taken so we had to stay at some hostel with shared bathroom/toilet facilities. Despite all these unfortunate events, it was quite a good trip - good family bonding time and we get to see mankai at a few places.

[Flickr Album]

Day 1 (Fri)
- Day flight to Kansai Airport

Day 2 (Sat) [link]
- Depart for Kyoto Station
- Get the keys to our AirBnB and dump our luggages
- Head to Nishiki Market
- Head to Shimbashi Geisha District

Day 3 (Sun) [link]
- Head to Kyoto Imperial Palace Park
- Head to Kamo River
- Head to Kiyomizudera (清水寺) for night illumination

Day 4 (Mon) [link]
- Head to Arashiyama (嵐山)
- Went to Togetsukyo Bridge area
- Took Sagano Romanace train (1-way)
- Went through the Bamboo Grove

Day 5 (Tue) [link]
- Head to Kinkakuji (金閣寺)
- Head to Philosopher's Path (哲学の道)
- Head to Heian Shrine (平安神宮)
- Head to Kiyamachi Dori
- Head to Maruyama Park for night illumination (円山公園)

Day 6 (Wed) [link]
- Returned AirBnB room keys at office
- Picked up our MPV
- Drive to Daigoji Temple (醍醐寺)
- Drive to Kinosaki Onsen (城崎温泉)
- Checked in to Kiraku Ryokan (喜楽)
- Onsen!!

Day 7 (Thu) [link]
- Drive to Amanohashidate (天橋立)
- Drive back to Kinosaki Onsen and explore the town

Day 8 (Fri) [link]
- Checked out the ryokan
- Explore the sakura spots as it's near mankai
- Drive to Kyoto Imperial Palace to catch mankai
- Drive to Philosopher's Path to catch mankai
- Returned car
- Head to Osaka and checked into AirBnB room

Day 9 (Sat) [link]
- Head to Kamosakuranomiya Park
- Walked to Osaka Castle

Day 10 (Sun)
- Flight back to Singapore

Other Japan TR
- 7D Osaka/Kyoto Apr
- 11D Hokkaido/Tokyo Aug/Sep
- 17D Eastern/Central Hokkaido May

 

[limweeli]

Day 2

We got the key for AirBnB from their office near Kyoto Station. Compared to the Osaka ones, Kyoto AirBnB operators seems to be more organized. They followed up with me before my arrival and provided me all the necessary information to get around the city. So, we head to our new "home" for the next 4 nights.


Our first glimpse of the sakura tree in Kyoto outside an elementary school along the way to our AirBnB. Seems it is still not blooming yet.


This AirBnB is clean and spacious. Location is pretty good - 10 mins from Shijo station, 5 mins from Shijo street.


6 of us (2 young kids) are squeezing into 1 tatami room.

Next, we head to Nishiki Market for a late lunch.


Our usual mochi store. We came late so most of the nice things are out :/


Next, is to satisfy our sashimi craving. We got from the same store during our last trip too.


Lastly, oysters and beer.


It's this big.


I like the roasted ones more.

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[limweeli]

Day 2 continued

Next up is the Shimbashi Geisha District. The temperature drops to below 10C and the wind is quite strong. With 2 young kids, we didn't explore much.


We didn't go deep into the street nor try anything.


The Kamo River at Shijo is quite nice at night. Sadly, the sakura trees have not bloomed yet.


We managed to catch a few trees that are blooming.


It's quite crowded at here. There are cars moving occasionally too.

 

[limweeli]

Day 3

Next day, we went to the Kyoto Imperial Palace Park. The place consist of many smaller parks and we went to the Children Park at the north-western corner which has some weeping sakura trees.


We can see some blooming trees when we reach the park.


Closer look shows it's still in the starting stages.


These weeping sakura trees is popular here.


Going under the canopy of the sakura trees ...


There are some other variety like these darker pink ones.

After the children had their fun on the slide, see-saw, swings, we proceed to our next destination - Kamo River. It's a short walk (about 15 mins) from the north-east entrance of the palace park.


People are walking across the river through these rocks.


Hanami party/picnic under the sun


Most of trees are not blooming yet. We actually drove pass this place on the 2nd last day of our trip when most of Kansai is near mankai and the river is beautiful.

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[limweeli]

Day 3 continued


We stopped for a break at this mochi store near the bus-stop. It seems popular with the locals.

We took a bus to the Yasaka Shrine/Shijo area for dinner, in preparation for our next destination - Kiyomizudera night illumination.


Walking through these preserved old streets is nostalgic.


Near Kodaiji, there are some trees that hasn't bloomed. The guy at the entrance told us we need to pay to see the Kodaiji night illumination but seeing that the trees are not blooming and the cold night, we didn't take the offer.


A blooming sakura tree along the shopping street to Kiyomizudera.


We stopped for the cream puff, a "tradition" for us We were a bit disappointed not to find the previous store.


Finally reaching ....


This is the only illumination that is free. We have to pay to enter the temple grounds for the rest. We didn't do it as it's late, cold and the kids are tired.

 

[limweeli]

Day 4

We head to Arashiyama next. Based on our experience last trip, we catered a full day for this place as it's huge.


The trees are not blooming in Arashiyama


Everyone is taking pics of the only one that is blooming after the Togetsukyo Bridge.


I can see more people, not just Japanese, dressed in kimono/yukata here. Along the way, there are a lot of rental shops so it's good business for them.


This arabican coffee place is popular. My sis said it's has good reviews. She wanted to queue for it but gave up as the queue is rather slow.


Another tree belonging to a private property that is blooming.


There is also the Kimono Forest that showcase various kimono textiles.

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[limweeli]

Day 4 continued

We took a train to JR Umahori Station and took a short walk to Kameoka Torokko Station to take the Sagano Romantic Train back.


Popular as usual ...


Say hello to those taking the boat ride.

We got off at Arashiyama Torokko Station and walked the Bamboo Grove back to the JR Saga-Arashiyama Station.


This is the best part of the bamboo grove IMO.


Colourful kimono/yukata stands out in the crowd.

We had dinner in Porta at Kyoto Station. Originally, we wanted to look for the store we had patronized 4 years back but it seems they had a reno and the shop is not there. Anyway, food from any shop in Japan is nice so we just randomly selected one.


After dinner snack. The takoyaki is very nice.

 

[limweeli]

Day 5

I wanted to go Kinkakuji before the crowd but we woke up late and reached the place past 10am. It's very crowded then. My wife, mom and sis held on to the 2 kids and I ventured forth to take some pics.


Without water reflection


With water reflection and a bit of framing

With the aim of taking the golden temple achieved, we took a short walk around the place and moved on to Philosopher's Path. We had planned to visit this place on our last day in Kyoto in hope that the trees will start to bloom. It's blooming but still a few days from mankai.


One of our favourite place for viewing sakura. It's very nice the last time we were here.


Starting to bloom. We decided to try again after our Kinosaki Onsen trip before we returned the car.


Small shops along the path gives it a nice tourist feel.


One of the trees that is on full bloom.


Under the mankai sakura canopy is very, very nice! It's like snowing ...


Needless to say, this tree is very popular with the visitors here.

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[limweeli]

Day 5 continued

Next up, we head to Heian Shrine which I read has some blooms.


The trees outside are not blooming yet.


Heian Shine has a nice big compound which my kids enjoys running around.


One of the trees that is blooming. Looks like it just started like Philosopher's Path too. We didn't pay to get in to see more.

Next, we head to Shijo for early dinner and went to check out Kiya-machi Dori.


The trees here are in a more advanced stage of bloom.


Most of the buds are opened already. This is promising for the next few days.


Lots of people taking pics here.

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[limweeli]

Day 5 continued

Next, we head to Maruyama Park for the night illumination and hanami festival.


We can see how big the festival is here at the entrance. Lots of street food and drinks.


Bloom here is at it's infancy but the people don't really care. They just enjoy themselves.


Hordes of executives with suits sitting on the ground.


A lot more people here. They are all seated on the ground. The mats are similar so I guess it's placed there by the authorities.


The famous tree in the centre of the park. It's illuminated at night.


Drinking under the sakura at night is nice! The "benches" are charged 500yen per head IIRC. I guess the mats are free so the people booked the mats early.

 

[limweeli]

Day 6 continued

We woke up early to return the key to the AirBnB office.


On our way to the Shijo Station, we passed by the elementary school where we saw the sakura trees the first day. They starting to bloom today.

After returning the key, we went to collect the car. I had booked an MPV with Times Car Rental (through Tocoo) as Nippon and Toyota seems to be out of stock for this period. They assigned me a Nissan Serena. It's spacious but the 3rd row cannot move forward so we had to incline one of the seat to accommodate one of our large luggage.

First stop, we head to Daigoji where I read is on mankai. The parking is full and we couldn't find any carpark along the way. After making a U-turn and crossing the template the 2nd time, one of the guard directed us into the carpark. It seems there is some space finally. Damn heng man!


First tree we see is a full bloom one. A sign of good things to come??


This place is crowded and many of the tree are starting to bloom. I wouldn't call it in full bloom, maybe in a day or two it'll be there.


Close-up on one of the more promising tree branch


Crowd is everywhere to the temple.


Maybe it's better inside? We didn't venture in as we intend to stop for an hour or 2 only to catch the sakura. The entrance fee is also quite steep, 1500yen per adult.


We managed to peep through a low wall. The trees seems to be in mankai inside.

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[limweeli]

Day 6 continued

Next stop is Kinosaki Onsen where we booked a ryokan for 2 nights. So looking forward to the relaxing time there! As the travel time is 3 hours or so, we stopped at the outskirts of Kyoto to have lunch.


We had some random Chinese fusion food for lunch. It's not bad.


Here's our car for the next 2 days. We managed to find a free parking lot for lunch. This would be impossible if it's in Kyoto City.

We visiting a few shops and stayed at the town too long. So, I had to rush to Kinosaki Onsen. Good thing is we reach just at 5+pm before the 6pm dinner time.


The place is nice. Besides the big tatami room that can house 7 people, there is this section for chilling and washing. One limitation is there is little space to put our 3 lugages, they don't like us to put on tatami floor.


This is the private toilet. We didn't notice it at first as it's "hidden".

We didn't have time for onsen so we head to dinner straight after a short rest.


Dinner is quite a lot ....

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[limweeli]

Day 6 continued

After that we head out to look around the town. The draw of Kinosaki Onsen is her 7 public bath houses. Unlike most onsen hotels we stayed where everything is provided in the hotel, the crowd comes out to the town rather than to stay in the ryokans. It's probably because there are amendities are outside like cafes, restaurants, souvenir shops. The ryokans does accommodation, bath houses the onsens and shops provide the amenities. This eco-system seems to work well in the town. It's a nice town to chill in.


Our hotel Kiraku 喜樂


One of the public bath house, Gosho Hot Spring 御所の湯, is just opposite our ryokan. We visited this one after the walk.


The lower canal area has rows of sakura trees which seems to be early in the bloom.


Ang mo couple walking in yukata and cogs.


Upper canal part has no sakura trees but has the iconic weeping trees.


View of the street leading to our ryokan.

 

[limweeli]

Day 7

We are heading out to Amanohashidate in the morning.


Breakfast at the ryokan is quite a lot.

After close to 2 hours drive (we had a short stop at one of the towns along the way), we reached the place. There is limited parking so some of the residents offered to let us park at their place for 500 yen. We took it and the auntie gave us 4 x 50 yen discount tickets for the ropeway ride up to the observation deck.


There is an option of a cabin or seat up at the ropeway station. We chose the cabin.


The ascend ...


At the top, there is this children wonderland besides the observation deck.


My kids enjoyed a hour here.


There are sakura trees at the top too. The children playground has quite a few.


These are the seats. Quite scary as I don't see any safety mechanism.

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[limweeli]

Day 7 continued

Back at Kinosaki Onsen, we walked the town again before heading to our afternoon bath. In the day, the shops are opened and many of the tourists are out for food, shopping and bath.


The alley along the lower canal is a nice walk.


Tourists in yukata posing with sakura trees.


The sakura tree buds seems to have bloomed. Tomorrow will be nice.


We managed to catch a few mankai ones.

After the bath in the late afternoon, we headed back for dinner.


Dinner looks similar to yesterday with some slight changes in the small dish and shabu shabu.


My mom don't eat beef. After yesterday dinner, we feedback to the host and she gave her this big abalone today!

 

[limweeli]

Day 8

Today, we are heading back to Osaka. It's been a great, relaxing 2 days here and we really like the ryokan, town and experience. It's sad to be parting ways so soon On the positive side, it seems most of Kansai is start mankai today so sakuras, here we come!


Same alley as yesterday but in mankai. Under the slight sunlight, it's very nice.


Branches that arch over the canal


Again, the same view from yesterday but in mankai. The difference is huge!


This is another section of the sakura trees in the lower canal which we did not explore before. They are blooming too.

After close to 4 hours drive with a short stopover, we are in Kyoto where we need to return the car before 5pm. Since we are early, we decided to head to the Kyoto Imperial Palace Park and Philosopher's Path for a quick look. We were not disappointed


Some of the other variety in the palace park are blooming too.


The big weeping tree in the center is in mankai. Very nice!

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[limweeli]

Day 8 continued

Next up is Philosopher's Path. I would say it's one of the highlights of our trip. We wanted to see mankai and it's showing us how mankai is like.


We are greeted with this very promising scene when we arrived.


It's very crowded here in the upper part. There are people everywhere and you have to move carefully as the canal is just beside the pavement.


Crowd taking pics at the bridge.


Water reflection of the sakura canopy


I managed to catch a couple taking their wedding photos. It must be damn nice.


One of the hanami is to chilli at a cafe and just look around lazily.


The crowd thins after the actual start of the path (past the shops and the stone).

 

[sleeping]

Nice report! Am now travel haruka express bound for airport. Unreserved seat all fully taken. Many of us needs to stand. Reserve seat cannot sit although there are empty

 

[limweeli]

Nice report! Am now travel haruka express bound for airport. Unreserved seat all fully taken. Many of us needs to stand. Reserve seat cannot sit although there are empty

You know ah, on my first trip to Osaka, my wife and I mistakenly seat in the reserved seat cabin of the Rap:T to Namba. The conductor nicely told us and we paid the reserved price. You can try that??

 

[Wood41]

That's why many Japanese in non-reserves
queue up early at train stations to chiong seats.

When I was taking Hakodate-Tokyo Shinkansen last May, there were a few sitting outside the toilets as it was full .

Nice report! Am now travel haruka express bound for airport. Unreserved seat all fully taken. Many of us needs to stand. Reserve seat cannot sit although there are empty