Ask me any questions - Part 2

twosix

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tjkb230

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Want to seek some advices/tips...

Will be in Kyoto for 5D4N in early April to catch sakura. This is my first time to Kyoto, in fact first time to Kansai.
Heard that it is encouraged not to put too many places to visit at one go, due to the crowd leading to longer waiting time for everything.

Listed out these places probably want to go to see nice sakura. Any comment? Welcome to add/remove.
  1. Kiyomizu-dera (清水寺), Fushimi Inari Taisha (伏見稲荷大社)
  2. Arashiyama (嵐山)
  3. Nijō Castle (二条城)
  4. Philosopher's Path (哲学の道)
  5. Maruyama Park (円山公園)
  6. Possible to do a half day trip to Uji?


For night illumination, I know Maruyama Park has. Which one would be the most recommended?

Thanks in advance!
 
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thwysg

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tjkb230 said:
Want to seek some advices/tips...

Will be in Kyoto for 5D4N in early April to catch sakura. This is my first time to Kyoto, in fact first time to Kansai.
Heard that it is encouraged not to put too many places to visit at one go, due to the crowd leading to longer waiting time for everything.

Listed out these places probably want to go to see nice sakura. Any comment? Welcome to add/remove.
  1. Kiyomizu-dera (清水寺), Fushimi Inari Taisha (伏見稲荷大社)
  2. Arashiyama (嵐山)
  3. Nijō Castle (二条城)
  4. Philosopher's Path (哲学の道)
  5. Maruyama Park (円山公園)
  6. Possible to do a half day trip to Uji?
Click to expand...

Not familiar with most, except Philosopher’s Path and Nijo Castle for cherry blossoms. Not bad for me. There’s cafes and shops along the sides of Philosopher’s Path. Stayed a few hours in Nijo’s Castle, but not sure for you and your party (if any).

Can also consider Keage Incline and Lake Biwa Canal Cruise (more popular during spring due to flowers, requires advance reservation).

Disclaimer: my Kyoto spring visit was done more than 10yrs ago, and we stopped visiting in spring/autumn due to ugly actions of foreign tourists we saw then.
 
twosix

twosix

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tjkb230 said:
Want to seek some advices/tips...

Will be in Kyoto for 5D4N in early April to catch sakura. This is my first time to Kyoto, in fact first time to Kansai.
Heard that it is encouraged not to put too many places to visit at one go, due to the crowd leading to longer waiting time for everything.

Listed out these places probably want to go to see nice sakura. Any comment? Welcome to add/remove.
  1. Kiyomizu-dera (清水寺), Fushimi Inari Taisha (伏見稲荷大社)
  2. Arashiyama (嵐山)
  3. Nijō Castle (二条城)
  4. Philosopher's Path (哲学の道)
  5. Maruyama Park (円山公園)
  6. Possible to do a half day trip to Uji?


For night illumination, I know Maruyama Park has. Which one would be the most recommended?

Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
have u booked accommodation yet? better booked now. kyoto is super very crowded.
 
exterminazn

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Hi can I know what is the best way to travel from Shinjuku hotel to narita T1?

my plane departing at 9am

I check the skyliner I think operate like 730am, which is impossible?

anyone able help?
 
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ctan84

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tjkb230 said:
Want to seek some advices/tips...

Will be in Kyoto for 5D4N in early April to catch sakura. This is my first time to Kyoto, in fact first time to Kansai.
Heard that it is encouraged not to put too many places to visit at one go, due to the crowd leading to longer waiting time for everything.

Listed out these places probably want to go to see nice sakura. Any comment? Welcome to add/remove.
  1. Kiyomizu-dera (清水寺), Fushimi Inari Taisha (伏見稲荷大社)
  2. Arashiyama (嵐山)
  3. Nijō Castle (二条城)
  4. Philosopher's Path (哲学の道)
  5. Maruyama Park (円山公園)
  6. Possible to do a half day trip to Uji?


For night illumination, I know Maruyama Park has. Which one would be the most recommended?

Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
I hope you won't see the ugly sight that I saw during my first (n it became my only) Sakura trip to Kansai years back - Ah Tiong tourists climbing up the Sakura tree.
 
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thwysg

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ctan84 said:
I hope you won't see the ugly sight that I saw during my first (n it became my only) Sakura trip to Kansai years back - Ah Tiong tourists climbing up the Sakura tree.
Click to expand...
Oh dear, I saw the same thing as well back in 2012.

It put me off going to Kyoto for years until 2023, went to visit small temples in autumn instead. Way more peaceful. As for sakura, I went Izu Peninsula instead.
 
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ctan84

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thwysg said:
Oh dear, I saw the same thing as well back in 2012.

It put me off going to Kyoto for years until 2023, went to visit small temples in autumn instead. Way more peaceful. As for sakura, I went Izu Peninsula instead.
Click to expand...
Havent been to Kyoto since 2023. My wife and I are not into temples, so we found Kyoto to be quite meh
 
tjkb230

tjkb230

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thwysg said:
Oh dear, I saw the same thing as well back in 2012.

It put me off going to Kyoto for years until 2023, went to visit small temples in autumn instead. Way more peaceful. As for sakura, I went Izu Peninsula instead.
Click to expand...
I guess after touching the more famous Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, people now venture into smaller cities and towns where there are not so many tourists...
 
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thwysg

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ctan84 said:
What are the food places u will recommend?
Click to expand...
Just for Kyoto?

My selection is from Tabelog. Overall is still quite good.

1. Assemblages Kakimoto - we had desserts and cakes. Quite atas, only bar counter seats. Not a typical cafe.
2. Patisserie S Salon (main store does not have eat-in area) - can try its millefeuille if available (main store only sells this on weekends and PH). Very understaffed.
3. grains de vanille - we had seasonal cake (mont blanc) which was quite good. A lot of staff and more tourist-friendly (able to give suggestions when looking at the cookies/pound cakes).
4. Kyoto Wakuden - pocket friendly courses, but the environment was not really what I experienced in other kaiseki places in Tokyo.
5. Muku - interesting breakfast place. A bit troublesome to reach there: walk from Arashiyama station.
6. Unagi Hirokawa - excellent service at reception and the staff spoke fluent English. Would I go again? Maybe yes, maybe no. Booking was a pain (stood by the system but was fully booked within minutes; then there was cancellations just a few days before we flew, so I managed to book a table).
7. Yamamoto Menzou - good service from the boss. Will go back to try its regular menu if we managed to get a seat, we ordered the seasonal udon dishes. Chicken fillet tempura was quite good.
8. Takayasu - tonkotsu ramen, humongous karaage and free spicy chives (help yourself to it). My hb liked everything there. The only down side was the long queue.

Other than that, I still have a long list of eateries I have yet to try.
 
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thwysg

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tjkb230 said:
I guess after touching the more famous Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, people now venture into smaller cities and towns where there are not so many tourists...
Click to expand...
Actually Tokyo has a lot more to offer, my purpose is usually for festivals, books, exhibitions, home and kitchenware, food, and parks.

Most of the time the places I go to have more locals than tourists. Plus too many neighborhoods to visit with so little time.
 
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