So, on our last day in Kyoto, we packed and left our awesome Airbnb stay (do you know it's finally legalized in Japan now?) to go to ARASHIYAMA! Our final stop before heading to the big city. Was my first time in Arashiyama, didn't get to visit during my previous Kyoto trip so I was pretty psyched to see the Bamboo Forest!
(Just outside Arashiyama Station, only 15 mins away from Kyoto Station!)
(You can find guides like these just outside the station to help you figure out how to go about Arashiyama)
(And we rented bikes!)
There are plenty of options to explore Arashiyama. There are bike rentals, buses, trishaws with hot men in nothing but a shirt and hot shorts or just simply go by foot! We decided to rent a bike and its relatively cheap! I've always wanted to ride a bicycle through the streets in Japan so I was really glad all of us could ride bikes XD
Manuvering and going about in our bicycles can be a little tough with all the tourists around. But the main spots are near to the station so you don't need that much effort to locate the bamboo forest, main streets or the temples!
(Blooms were aplenty in Arashiyama!)
(πΈπΈπΈ)
(π)
(First stop: into the Bamboo Forest!)
(All of us trying to get a shot without the massive crowd)
(Now you know what I meant by massive)
(πππ)
To be honest though, I wasn't very bothered by the amount of tourists. They were probably more annoyed by our bicycles (lol) but I digress. I fell in love with Arashiyama deeply, with the bamboo grove, the temples, the main streets and the beautiful Katsura river. There's just something unexplainable that I love about this place. Although packed with people, the lushness and serenity of Arashiyama lingers deeply in my heart.
Out along the main street, there's plenty of restaurants, cafes and even massage places for you to rest and rejuvenate your feet but don't expect it to be cheap. Read on for more visuals!
(Stopped by a small temple, forgot to take down the name of it)
(π)
(The famous 倩ιΎε―Ί Tenryuji Temple, a world heritage site and it has been around since 1339!)
(Where flowers bloom and ponds were pristine clear)
(πΌ)
(What are these?! They are gorgeous!)
(Tenryuji Temple Garden Grounds)
(The brothers had a ball asking Alvin to carry them for shots)
(Bubsie being photographed for a change)
(Guess how much I got my coat for?)
(Thanks to Dr. Wong from Kowayo for keeping my skin in tip-top shape before the trip!)
(Group shot before we move off to the main streets for lunch!)
(Flocks and flocks of tourists out in the main street)
(They have an owl cafe!)
(My favorite spot in Arashiyama)
(The area around togetsu-kyo bridge is so beautiful I got so emotional ππ)
(We'd wanted to go for the boat ride but weather wasn't cooperating)
(Lunch by the river!)
(Finally had my sakura mochi!)
(Our coffee break after lunch! Huge crowd outside % Arabica Arashiyama, famous for its coffee!)
(Yes, obviously you can rent Kimonos while touring Arashiyama)
(Last picture before we leave)
(Bye Kyoto! Thank you for the beautiful scenery once again π)
Armed with the JR Passes, we took a train to Tokyo with much ease. The train ride took about 3 hours if you're taking the Hikari trains, DO NOT board the Kodama trains. For that will take you even longer to reach Tokyo! JR Passes doesn't cover Nozomi trains, the fastest out of the 3. Which will take you to Tokyo in less than 3 hours! And if you still choose to take the Nozomi Trains, take note that there's no discounted ticket for JR Pass users.
DAY 6
Our itinerary for the first day in Tokyo was Tsukiji Market - Ginza - Roppongi - Tokyo Tower! In the whole group, no one was crazy enough (even for me) to wake up at 5am for the Tsukiji Market auction so I can't recommend if that's worth going or not. But before anything, check out our awesome Airbnb apartment located in Yoyogi!
A quick 10 minutes away from Yoyogi station, that is if you walk fast. I realize they give quite misguided timings when it comes to their apartment and the station. So do factor in extra walking time when you book apartments in Japan lol. I don't mind the walks though, cause there's always something to see when you're in Tokyo! And sometimes, you might even find some rare gems along the way ;)
A quick 10 minutes away from Yoyogi station, that is if you walk fast. I realize they give quite misguided timings when it comes to their apartment and the station. So do factor in extra walking time when you book apartments in Japan lol. I don't mind the walks though, cause there's always something to see when you're in Tokyo! And sometimes, you might even find some rare gems along the way ;)
(Credit goes to: https://www.airbnb.com.sg/rooms/12012458)
Take note to give some discounts to the images provided on Airbnb. Especially when space is a huge concern to your travels. It was a tad squeezy for us all but all of us had a lot of fun bunking in with each other every night. Everyone gave way to each other, helped with the laundry, recycling, cleaning up and huge credit to the boys for having to sleep with each other in the big couch so that the couples can have comfortable sleep π
(Outside our apartment)
(Mostly shivering during the whole trip)
(Spotted a beautiful pink Tsubaki on the way!)
(My virgin visit to Tsukiji as well!)
(Missing all the glorious food in Tsukiji!)
(#ootdintsukiji)
(I was lured by the queue for TAMAGOYAKI!)
(SO AWESOME on a chilly day)
(FRESHHHHHHHHHH MEAT *growls like pug*)
(Rows and rows of fresh seafood!)
So obviously, you'll be quite lost when it comes to choosing a restaurant in here (well yes, you can use google) but thanks to my godsend memory (poor bubsie), I recalled Rozz showcasing this unique Sushi place in Tsukiji on her instagram before and I started mad scrolling her past posts to verify if the one I found was the one she recommended.
(AND YES IT IS!)
(Tsukiji Shutoku Honten - A whooping 4.7 stars on google review)
Due to limited seatings (less than 10 in the restaurant!) and with the 7 of us in tow, we had to split up for lunch and in the end, 3 of us waited 2++ freaking hours just to get in!!! But I can safely assure you, this is SUSHI HEAVEN. Be prepared for an extraordinary experience in here. Not only are you in for a culinary treat, but the chefs will take you down on a SUSHI educational trip; where he'll guide you on what's being served, where 'em fishes from and more! Totally NO RAGRETS for waiting this long!
(Cold and HUNGRY)
(FINALLY OUR TURN!)
(Can't emphasize how fresh and succulent the fishes were)
(Verified by the Foodie King in the group, Mr. Damon)
(Happy stuffed faces)
(One with the head chef!)
Despite exuding this really strict and no-nonsense aura, the chef was kind enough to let us do our touristy stuffs like taking photos, asking questions and finding out more about the restaurant. We in turn, try our best to upkeep to their culture by being extremely polite, keeping our voice level down and ensuring we left no leftovers but hey, that was the easiest task of all. At the end of the whole experience, he was so warm and seemingly glad that we asked for a photo together! And this out of the world meal only cost us freaking $60!!!!
Tsukiji Shutoku Honten
Closed on Wednesdays
Tel: 03-3541-4015
4-14-16 Tsukiji, Chuo 104-0045,
Tokyo Prefecture
(Out in the streets of Tsukiji)
(LOOK AT THAT AMOUNT OF ROES)
(Everything is upsized in Tsukiji)
(The brave Food King chomping down on fresh EEL)
Brought the gang to Ginza after Tsukiji since its of walkable distance (15-20 mins). My second time to Ginza but it's not really my place to be honest. Other than a few themed cafes to explore like the Shiseido Parlour. We went to Uniqlo's Flagship store in Ginza but was mostly disappointed cause prices were the same but we were pleasantly surprise to discover GU! Wide variety and definitely more affordable compared to Uniqlo. You can find GU at https://ginza.kokosil.net/en/place/00001c00000000000002000000222491
(The now ENGAGED COUPLE! πππ)
(Out in the streets of Ginza; closed from 12:00 ~ 17:00 during weekends!)
(The Kabukiza Theater; a famous landmark in Ginza)
(Just window shopping for the latest Nissan model)
(Super delicious spring dessert; Ichigo Daifuku!)
(And in some corner lies a....... ηΎηι¦)
(MA' GANG)
And after getting some shopping done and exploring a little bit more of Ginza, we took our butts to Roppongi! Only 10 mins away from Ginza by Metro. Have you seen how beautiful Roppongi can be in Spring? Because it totally took our breaths away....
(πΈπΈπΈ)
(This is Midtown Roppongi, a super popular spot for viewing of Sakuras!)
(Can't take my eyes off the beautiful blossoms despite 'em tall financial buildings looming behind)
(Perfect spot for photo taking too! Wonder how its like to see it in the day?)
(My favorite landmark in Tokyo)
(Sakura-themed drinks and food available!)
(After Midtown Roppongi, Ichiran for dinner!)
(Not sure if it's just me but the first time was so much tastier)
After spending some time exploring Midtown Roppongi, going around the area and enjoying the blossoms; we took our hungry, starved stomachs to Ichiran Roppongi (super near Midtown!) and lucky for us, the queue was short! My second time having Ichiran but strangely, it didn't wow me like the initial try. And when in Roppongi, this will probably be in everyone's itinerary. The Tokyo Tower!
(Still as majestic as the first time I saw it)
(LEZZZGOOOOOO!)
(Cafe Mugiwara - One Piece Cafe in Tokyo Tower!)
(ζ±δΊ¬γΏγ―倧ε₯½γπ)
(Ending the night off with a group shot of us!)
(Quick recap of Day 6 in IG Video!)
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