Day 3 & 4 - Kyoto's Philosopher's Path + Kiyomizu + Fushimi Inari + Mount Yoshino + Nara Park

(The beautiful Philosopher's Path)

Recommended by a childhood friend and super Japan lover alike, he told me Kyoto's Philosopher's Path is a MUST visit during the Spring Season! How can I miss that out when the internet images are flooded with these.......

(Blooms galore!)

So on the 2nd day of our Kyoto leg, this was our first stop followed by Kiyomizu & Fushimi Inari Taisha. I strongly recommend travelers to wake early when you're visiting places like Kyoto. Temples and shops close relatively early and sun sets pretty quick during winter / spring season. And these places will take you hours to explore so if you want to make the most out of it, get out early.

(Fell in love💓)

The long stretch of pathway that has a small lake in between were strewn with beautiful blooms and local craft shops. You can also visit the famous Ginkaku-ji which is also a popular spot along the path. Never thought internet images can be so real!

(Matching hair color thanks to Evolve Salon!)

(Even though it wasn't 満開 but still SO PRETTY; eyelash extension thanks to Emerald Allure! )

(My suave Bubs having a cone in 15 degree weather; Suit from Assemble)

(My single friend, Alvin admiring sakura cause nobody to admire IRL......)

(Brandon having a go at drawing love lots)

(I'd say its looking pretty good!)

(Inside Ginkaku-ji, peaceful and tranquil if there's lesser tourist)

(Monkey see monkey do. See pond? Throw coins)

(I think compared to the other temples, Ginkaku-ji is relatively smaller and probably less awe-inspiring than some of the temples in Kyoto)

(Bubs getting us some epic cream puffs. IT WAS SO GOOOOOOD)

(Sakura Mochi! Looking at it makes me so happy ^^)

(Our lunch spot just a few mins walk after Ginkaku-ji's visit, it was super cozy and authentic!)

(The obvious tour guide, translator and nanny lol)

(My tempura soba!!!)

Unfortunately, due to time constraints we couldn't finish the whole of philsopher's path and we took a cab to Kiyomizu Dera. Cabbing in Kyoto is pretty easy considering that they're almost everywhere. We took cabs as a group and after dividing the cost, it's still pretty affordable ($30/pax for the 3.5 days in kyoto).

Why cabs? Because in Kyoto, the metro or subway is not like Tokyo. It's not as convenient and I'll definitely recommend taking the bus as an alternative as well. Google maps was my best friend! Just punch in your destination and it will list down all the buses and nearest bus stops you should go to. Fares to be paid just before you alight! 👍

(Taxi driver dropped us outside and we found this!)

Even though I've donned on Kimono/Yukata countless times, I have yet to try one on in Kyoto and take pictures with the amazing sights and historic buildings. The guys were pretty psyched to try as well! There were plenty of shops renting Kimonos but this particular one closes much later (9pm). The rest was like 6pm.. too rush for us considering that we reached around 2pm.

Typically, Kimono rental costs between 3000 yen and above, should you need makeup, hair arrangement or a matching bag you can request with a minimal fee as well. No time limit imposed, just come back before the shop closes!

(Found something that goes so well with my hair! And yes, that's an actual wedding gown for rental)

(They have 4-5 different hair designs to choose from for 2000 yen!)

(TADDAAHHH! I was really satisfied with the whole process and hairdo especially! Though I think they weren't that pro in tying the Kimono properly)

(You can also choose to match your own Obi at the store!)

(HAHAHA the guys looked damn incredible and super UNCOMFORTABLE)

(After all of us were done, we took the path up to Kiyomizu which took us about 10 mins)

(All of us just outside Kiyomizu, with hordes of tourists)

(Someone requested for a photo, supposedly a magazine editor but not sure who)

(Unfortunately, Kiyomizu is undergoing some renovation works till March 2020 for its 100th Anniversary. Was kinda sad the guys couldnt see its full glory)

(Bubs with his traditional dark purple Kimono in a befitting location)

(The cherry blossoms in Kiyomizu was in such a pretty shade! Also, cute couple behind)

(Really love Catherine's look as well! Glad she enjoyed her first Kimono experience!)

(Captured this really beautiful sunset)

(Last picture in Kiyomizu before we leave for Fushimi Inari!)

As we have only 3.5 days in Kyoto, everything was a tad rash and by the time we reached Fushimi Inari it'd gotten pretty dark. Well known for its 1000 red tori gates, you can also ascend Fushimi Inari Mountain (if you have enough strength) but its best to do it in the morning! Although some travel sites do recommend to do at night as it can be quite relaxing (if you're not afraid of spiders and nature noises).

(Its actually quite a grand sight even at night)

(Different kind of 伏見稲荷大社 from the one I've seen previously)

(When is my girlfriend coming?)

(Before we leave...)

(An Instagram vid recap of our Day 3 in Kyoto!)

DAY 4

Probably the earliest day throughout our trip, we are going to Mount Yoshino today! Recommended by Kee Teng again, Mount Yoshino is actually Japan's most famous cherry blossom viewing spot. It features almost 30,000 planted cherry trees along the slope that goes up the famous mountain. Located in Nara Prefecture, the trip there can take pretty long (took us 4 hours!) due to its rural location.

(The amazing Mount Yoshino during spring. Taken by Tak Iwayoshi)

(It's a pleasure to walk in Japan's streets everyday. Something that I really love)

(Eki Bento!!! Crazy selection for your travels)

(Uncle, you think this one hailing cab ah?)

(Off we go to Mount Yoshino!)

(We have tones of each other's sleeping pictures after 11 days together)

The trip to Mount Yoshino from Kyoto was an ardously long one. We had to change several trains just to get there (with beautiful scenery to go with!). I'd strongly recommend people to travel to Yoshinoyama from Osaka instead of Kyoto (should you be coming from the major cities).

We were sorely disappointed after finally arriving in Yoshino Station. Blooms were scarce and we were told that we are 1 week early :((((((((( Sakuras aside, this place is still so so sooooo gorgeous. The mountains, air and rustic structures seemed like they came out of all my favorite childhood anime. And best of all, not many tourists!

(Souvenirs and eateries stalls)

(Matcha and Sakura Ice cream!)

(They have all kinds of flavors and mixtures!)

(Mount Yoshino is a relatively big place with many historic temples, restaurants and the map states where the blooms will be; where you can take a bus and tour the grounds if you like!)

(Lucky for us, there were still some really pretty blooms after going further in!)

(Grabbing a bite before we got on the cable car ride)

(Actions befitting his shirt prints)

(Noticed this really pretty stall selling Sakura colored popcorn!!!)

(Lunch with an awesome view and crazy cold weather)

(One of my favorite things in the world; JAPANESE RICE)

(And PRETTY SNACKS!)

(The guys found their postal mascot)

(Bubsie and Sakura = 💓)

(Still pondering over where his girlfriend is...😆)

(My favorite picture out of the lot! Thanks to Bubsie, we got alot of pretty neat pictures the whole trip 😍)

(Shy-est and weirdest of the group but I had alot of fun traveling with you for the first time Damon! XD)

(Such an idyllic sight)

(Can't imagine how beautiful it'll be during full bloom 🌸🌸)

(Hope I'll have a chance to come back to Yoshino again!)

Although disappointed, the beautiful sights and sounds of Yoshino still captured my heart. I noticed alot of elderly visiting Yoshino and all of them were in groups. It seems like they were a tad early too. My friend apologised profusely about us not being able to catch the blooms but hey, we can't predict the weather can we? And the spring weather this year in Japan was awfully weird.

Nevertheless, I can't get over how incredbily beautiful Japan can be. Along the train ride from Kyoto to Mount Yoshino, we caught plenty of Sakuras along the way and everytime I see them, I held my breathe. So thankful and grateful to be able to do trips like this. Can't wait to try my luck and come back here again during Spring!

(Our next stop, Nara Park!)

(Alvin incredibly amused by the deers roaming freely along the park)

With another 2 hours ride to Nara, sun was close to setting when we arrived and I panicked when I couldn't see any deers in sight (who told me once I step out of the station there will be deers?!). We took a quick 10 mins walk to Nara Park and there they are, casually laying on the grass patches, without a care in the world.

(Such a good looking one!)

(They were not shy at all. Especially when you have their crackers in hand)

(You can buy these senbei around the area for only 250 yen! And I'm not sure why their fur looked so rugged though :()

(Bowing to them because they will bow back? Only when you have food in your hand)

(Am I feeding the deer or feeding you guys?)

(They aren't afraid of trying to munch threads off your clothes as well)

The major shrines and temples were already close after our time with the deers and it was getting really dark in the park so we had to leave. Thats why when in Japan, start all your activities early. I believe in Nara, there's alot more to explore other than these beautiful deers! Though I can't seem to find one with dotted fur and horns.