Thursday, June 25, 2026

Japan - Kansai Summer Holiday Kyoto Leg 8-18June26 Part1 (Fushimi Inari Taisha, Sagano Scenic Train Ride, Arashiyama, Kiyomizu-dera,Hanamikoji Street, Pontocho Alley, Sagano Scenic Train Ride, Hozugawa River Boat Ride, Arashiyama, Adashino Nenbutsuji Temple, KYOTO SUMO CLUB, Kiyomizu-dera, Pontocho Alley , Kyoto Railway Museum, Hydrangea Garden, Mimuroto-ji Temple, Byodo-in temple)

Japan Osaka - To Stay
Japan Osaka - To Do
Japan Osaka - To Eat 

Things we reserved and did in advance:
> E-Sim 5GiG total for 15days on Klook SGD5.45
> Apply for your IDP before your Japan Trip
- For international car rentals for Japan, do your international driver's license and bring it along. Its valid for 1yr. Process takes about 30mins with low crowds in Singapore. They will take the picture and all at the Automobile Association for SGD20.
- Pre-fill your immigration declaration and tax free admin via Visit Japan Web.
08Jun26
- JR Haruka Kansai Airport Express ticket. Click here for redemption process. Bought via Klook SGD54.08
09Jun26
- Sagano Scenic Train (Reservations only and 1month before)*Does not operate on most Wednesdays.* SGD21.80
- Hozugawa Boat River Boat Ride SGD169.88
- Kyoto Sumo Dining experience SGD433.96
14Jun26
- Osaka Aquarium (Pre-purchased directly) ￥7,700/SGD62
Car Rental 16-18June26
- Car Rental SGD201.15
ABBATips:
- Bring some cash. Most places still uses cards but things like gacha machines, Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) manual payments and small dining/road side food stall deal in cash only.
- Taking taxi for short distances maybe more worth it traveling in a group. Pre-check the routing. Sometimes hailing a cab from another road a short walk away can cut travel costs and time. For about ¥1500-1800 gets covers about 1.5-3.0km roughly pending time and traffic. The flag cost is already ¥500-700 and covers you about 1-1.1km.
- Knowing some health drink suppliments to keep going. Click here for some of the more popular ones.
*These were some of the frequent one we got. The vitamin C for keeping your immunity up. The fibe-mini for good bowl movement. The C and D are for energy boost, while the bronze colored ones has turmeric boasting anti-hand over properties.*
Click here for some of the more popular ones.
- Useful Apps to Download (Klook,Tabelog, GO)
*Klook prices are pretty much the same as buying direct. Klook has cashback and coupon options and make cancelation or change of plans easy. 
Tabelog - Eat like the locals. 3.8/5 is considered very good and it what the locals use mostly in Japan. Operates in English and you can make reservations via the app. This was good however switching between google maps and Tabelog was a hassle of good restaurants often require reservation and bookings.
Go - Easy app to calling taxi transport. Nice to have but there were taxis everywhere. Its great to have when you are in less touristy areas. Would still recommend to have just in case. 
- Visit Taxfreeshops.jp for additional discounts on-top of tax free. A must. Just show the staff before checkout and you get tiered discount depends on how much you spend. i.e Tax off + 5/7/8% extra depending on the vendor.

For supermarket deals:
- The best time is 7-8pm and close to closing time about 8-9pm. High end stuff disappear fast so get in about 7pm.
SQ618 
01:25 Dep 08:50 Arr
Haruka Express trains departs about 30mins from 0916/0946/1016/etc
Estimated Travel times reflected are from door to door.
- As most eats in Japan are really good, will only be sharing the ones that had been book marked to try.

*Kyoto flag*

<<<Day1 - 8June(Mon) Dinner and Fushima Inari Taisha walk>>>
Kyoto Prefecture Leg 
Haruka Kansai Airport Express


*Eating is allowed and encouraged especially longer rides. They've got a nice side table that fits a bottle and a small bite perfectly.*
Take the train especially with heavy luggages. It comes every 30mins and brings your straight to Kyoto station. Reserved seating and there's a convenient marts inside and outside the station to grab some bits while onboard. There's some admin to go through but its fairly easy to link and pre-purchase tickets. You could also do it at the station itself.

Applying for a child's transport pass.

*Arriving at Kyoto Station and applying for the kids transport passes.*
Applying for children's transport pass at Kyoto Station. 50% price over adults tickets.
- Go to the main station office and collect a ticket. Waited about 5mins.
- Present passport and bring cash for top up.  We paid ¥3000. The cards costing ¥500 with a pre-loaded value of ¥2500
Fushimi Inari Taisha

Fushima Inari Taisha founded in 711AD is famous for the dedicated torii gates and fox guardians, believed to be messengers of Inari, the Shinto deity of rice, prosperity and business sucess.
The place is open 24hrs and best times are in the early morning before the crowds. After a pre-check-in we arrived at about lunch time and crowds seen were from 2-3pm onwards. It still allowed for some great photo opportunities!
There's plenty of snacking and food options just outside of the temple, but no eating within the temple grounds. Nice to take a look but did not hike all the way.
Click here for ABBA location of Fushimi Inari Taisha

<<<Day2 - 09June(Tue) Arashiyama train and bamboo>>>
Kyoto Prefecture Leg
Sagano Scenic Train Ride
Leave at 730am
(Travel time from Accommodations 30mins)

(Departs 0902 every hour after.)
Ride time is about 25mins from Saga Station -> Torokko Kameoka Station
*Note check schedule. DOES NOT Operate on almost all Wed*
Booked for 0902 train. Klook: SGD21.80 (Free cancelation 24hrs before)


ABBATip:
- It is highly recommended to pre-purchase in advance. Tickets go one sale on at midnight one month in advance on the same day of the previous month. Click here for official website. & Click here for schedule from Saga Station. Perhaps for the early train, walk-ups weren't a problem but to avoid disappointment its best to arrive early. 
- On the way up to Torokko Kameoka Station, better to sit on the right side. You prob get 65% being on the side of the river view. 
Click here for the ABBA location of the train station up to Torokko Kameoka Station.

Torokko Kameoka Station Area

*Qi River and Uketa shrine in the background.*
*Nice to watch farmers tending to their crop.*

*You can have a nice country side horse ride for a fee as well.*
A slice of country side life enjoying the river before taking the return train back. Train comes about hourly.

Hozugawa River Boat Ride
(Canceled due to the rainfall the night before)
(starts 09:00 and every hour. Boarding is about 30mins from time of booking.)
A¥6000, C¥4,500
 (Free cancelation 24hrs before. If operator cancels on the day off, they will cancel booking and you will also be refunded. So book with confidence.)
(1.5-2hrs return journey which ends back at Arashiyama)
Most people pair the train ride and the River boat ride together. Note the distance between station and boat ride start point. So you may need to cater some time or take some transport over. The river ride is heavily weather dependent so check if their status is still running. 
What's great is that even with a booking within 24hrs, as the operator cancels the day off, we were refunded fully for the tickets. 

Waygu Volcano-Steak OAGARI Arashiyama

One get to enjoy Waygu rice three ways. Similar to how one would enjoy Eel, Hitsumabushi style. As is, with toppings and with dashi. 

Nice sweeping views available of the Katsura River. A little pricy so we just ordered one and moved on for other eats in the main shopping stretch. Looks great, taste good.
Click here for ABBA location of Wagyu Volcano-Steak OAGARI, Arashiyama

Togetsukyo Bridge
(Moon-crossing Bridge)

The bridge was built in 836AD, making it nearly 1,200yrs old. It's especially famous during cherry blossom season (spring) and autumn foliage season.
Click here for ABBA location of Togetsukyō Bridge 

Kimono Forest

An modern art installation featuring various designs of Kimono prints. A nice by-the-way attraction with shops, train station and stamp-chops to get. The footbath located within however is a paid entry and not free.
Click here for ABBA location of Kimono Forest

Adashino Nenbutsuji Temple & Alternative Chikurin bamboo forest
(15min bus ride or 30min 2km walk from Arashiyama shopping area)
(closes 4.30pm so reach before 3:30/4pm)
Adashino Nenbutsuji Temple is a peaceful, atmospheric Kyoto temple known for 8,000 stone statues and pagodas memorials honoring unclaimed souls.
Chikurin bamboo forest (Included in ticket entry to Temple)
The Chikurin located within the temple grounds, is a hidden more quiet experience as opposed to the more famous and often reported over crowded Arashiyama forest. It is a very intimate and a relatively short segment of the bamboo forest. What you see around the bend and that was it.

Very picturesque and has a calm about it. Nice but no real comparison to the actual one for which is better to visit.
Click here for ABBA location of Adashino Nenbutsuji Temple

京都相撲部屋-KYOTO SUMO CLUB
Kyoto Sumo Dining Experience
A¥16,000, C¥12,000
Booked via Klook total SGD433.96 (Free Cancellation 24hr notice)
Leave Arashiyama area 1630hrs latest (Travel time 1hr. To reach by 1730hrs)
Catching the 18:00hrs show


Absolutely worth it!
ABBATip:
- Arrive about 20-30mins early. I believe the seating is a first-come-first-serve basis as they fill up the front rows, just behind the VIP seating. You're closer to the action!
Entertaining, educational, interactive and high energy! 
The food was fairly decent and way better than we had at the now defuncted Shinjuku Robot Show. All you can eat and drink chicken hot pot with re-orderable sides including, fried chicken, what's not to enjoy.


*The two wrestlers on the roster that evening. We were assigned to team Kyouroman!*
You get a glimpse into the world of Geisha and introduced some traditional games played. A great intro to how Sumo wrestling is done and the basic rules.
The main show is done in a fun, interactive way and encourages participation. Think wrestling atmosphere with some light hearted joke, fun and later fan interactions.
Well worth it and would recommend for families or just wanting the experience of Geisha and Sumo. The Sumo wrestlers were ex-active wrestlers who retain that love for sumo and find a second home here.
Click here for ABBA location of 京都相撲部屋-KYOTO SUMO CLUB-

<<<Day3 - 10June(Wed) Kiyomizu-dera & Gion Pontocho>>>
Morning
Early start leaving at 7.30am
(40min travel time via bus)
Kiyomizu-dera (UNESCO World Heritage site) 
& Sannen-Zaka Path

ABBATip:
- Be there between 6-8am for the quietest window. Alternatively 4.30-6pm for slightly fewer crowds. The shops along Sannenzaka opens from 9am onwards.
You maybe interested in a similar must visit iconic Fuji shot from Arakurayama Sengen Park (Click for full write up of Tokyo Autumn Visit)

Kiyomizu-dera's iconic wooden stage was built without a single nail and is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site dating back over 1,200 years. It stands about 13m tall and supported by 168 giant wooden pillars.
The flowing water at the bottom, grants Health & Longevity, success in studies and career and love in relationships. You can only choose one and is considered greedy to drink from all three considered greedy and said to reduce blessings.
Click here for ABBA location of Kiyomizu-dera

Sannen-Zeka Path

Sannenzaka mean "Three-year slope." Local superstition says that if you fall or trip on Sannenzaka, you'll have three years of bad luck. So walk carefully!
The paths are home to many eateries, tourist shopping and the iconic Starbucks which finds it home in a traditional Japanese machiya. Surprisingly small on the inside.
*The newer trending Mochi Maker in Kyoto*
Touristy price eats in the area but its nice to enjoy the various shops along the way. It's also home to another trending mochi maker (click for exact location) in the area, similar to original one in Nara.
Pontocho Alley and Kamo River
(The Classic Kyoto riverside experience)
Known for riverside dining, lantern-lit restaurants and enjoying the views along this iconic river. It's a whole vibe and really pleasant. Spotting of Geishas is located nearby at Hanamikoji street. Highest chances of spotting them are from (around sunset) 5pm-7pm.
Click here for ABBA location of Pontocho Alley

Gion Ashida
(Suppon restaurant) Soft shelled turtle course
¥20,000 for a multi course experience and meal. Feeds 2


Suppon is considered a luxury delicacy in Japan rather than an everyday food. It has been eaten for centuries and is especially associated with traditional high-end cuisine in places like Kyoto.

<<<Day4 - 11Jun(Thur) Train Museum,Hydrangeas, Uji>>>
Kyoto Prefecture Leg
Ito Okashi
Breakfast/brunch place that's reservations only.
(8am reservations made via Tablecheck. Free Cancelation within 24hrs before)
50mins dining max
¥2,500 extra-thick grilled salmon set.
¥5,500 with grilled eel set.


*Each person must order and no sharing is allowed. There's a kids menu option.*
Kyoto Itookashi serves a “ full sensory Japanese morning experience” in a 100-year-old machiya, famous for its extra-thick charcoal-grilled salmon and perfectly cooked clay pot rice. 

A hearty, complete dining experience. You can have the remaining rice and salmon with Dashi. Thoroughly enjoyed. The fish could be done a little more under but its the overall experience that made it enjoyable.

Kyoto Railway Museum
A¥1,500, C¥500 (6-12yrs)
Closed on Wed. Opens (10-5pm)
*The outside where the older trains were kept.*

*Series 0, the first shinkansen pictured on the left.*
As one would expect of the strong train culture in Japan. The first shinkansen with some of the exhibits were perfect for kids full-on hands-on interactions. Only some trains were open for free exploration.

Located on the second floor, there's a fantastic view of the tracks to watch the frequent shinkansen and other trains pulling in and out of Kyoto station. Similar experience to another dining view point for planes at Narita Aviation Museum.

Hydrangea Garden, Mimuroto-ji Temple
(Opens 830am-1510hrs)
(Take to Obaku station and taxi to Mimuroto-ji.
40mins travel time from Kyoto Railway Museum.)
Leave at about 1300hrs latest)


(Considered one of the best large-scale flower temple experiences in the Kansai Region)
Mimuroto-ji, a 1,200-year-old flower temple in Uji, is famous for its seasonal gardens especially its breathtaking hydrangea hillside with over 20,000 blooms. 

Maybe the season came earlier this year, so it fell shot on that delivery. Nice but can skip and go to the main attractions to enjoy Uji (the home of Matcha) and visit Byodo-In Temple. 
Click here for ABBA location of Hydrangea Garden, Mimuroto-ji Temple

Nakamura Tokichi Byodo-In
(Matcha dessert and enjoying the river side)
(Opens 10am-5pm)

*L pic indoor 2nd level sitting area. On the R pic, the outdoor shop for Uji
which faces the scenic river.*

All for the vibes, views of Uji river and trying some top quality Matcha desserts and drinks. A quick rest stop before heading to Byodo-In temple which was just down the main shopping street. 
Great views of the river with nice chilling vibes in the cafe. Charging ports at the table too!
Click here for ABBA location of Nakamura tokichi Byodo-In

UNESCO Byodo-in temple
(Opens 845-closes 1730hrs. Last entry about 4.30pm)

The temple which is featured on the back of the 10cent coin and the Phoenix on top which is featured on the back of the ¥10,000 note! Iconic!
Built in 1052 and home to the iconic Phoenix Hall. The building is designed to be like a bird with wings spread when viewed above. No photography allowed in the Phoenix Hall. 

Really beautiful and iconic with a museum included in the ticket entry. Interestingly, there is a Hawaii full-scale replica of Byodo-in, built in 1968, mostly concrete and modern materials.
Click here for ABBA location of Byodo-In temple

<<<Day5 - 12Jun(Fri)Namba Area and Cruise. Click here to continue to part 2 in Osaka>>>
<<<(Travel day from Kyoto ----- Osaka)>>>>>>>>>>>>
Kyo-Train Garaku
(FYI could not ride due to the date of travel. Only available on SAT&SUN)
The Kyo-Train Garaku is a specially designed sightseeing train. No reservations required.
Passengers pay a regular fair.
Day1 08Jun26 - Arrival and Settling In. Dinner and Fushima Inari Taisha
Day2 09Jun26 - Arashiyama train, bamboo forest, Sumo Dinner Early Start 7:30am
Day3 10Jun26 - Kiyomizu-dera & Gion Loop Early Start 7:30am
Day4 11Jun26- Train museum, Uji, Hydrangeas, Byodo-In
<<<<<<<<<<<<<Continued: Click here for part 2 in Osaka 6D5N>>>>>>>>>
Day5 12Jun26 - (Kyoto-->Osaka)Namba Area and Cruise
Day6 13Jun26 - Morning Market, American Village & Shin Sekai Early Start  7:30
Day7 14Jun26 - Otaue Shinji (Rice Planting Festival) 
Day8 15Jun26 - Nara & Osaka Aquarium Early Start 7:30am
Day9 16Jun26 - Himeji (Castle & Kobe Sunset) Early Start 7:30am leave pick up car at 8am
Day10 17Jun26 - Amanohashidate (Car, Rides, Lift, Boat) Early Start 7:00am leave
Day11 18Jun26 - Reptile Cafe Dining Rock Star & Home
<<<<<<<<<<<<<Continued: Click here for part 2 in Osaka 6D5N>>>>>>>>>
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