Kansai Trip : Sayonara Kyoto

Where were we?

Ah, we bid farewell to Ueda-san after we had toast and coffee for breakfast.

That what she wrote for us, in case you can read Huruf Kanji.

Then dragging our luggage back to Kyoto Station, and put them in locker. We need two lockers and paid with our Icoca Card. That was my first time storing my luggage in locker, and no worry, the direction is very clear.

Then we proceed to next destination, Fushimi Inarii, famous with thousand Torii up to Mt Inari! Yes, what I just knew, it is actually trip to the mountain not only shrine! Train stops exactly in front of this tourism spot, I love watching the officers yelling/navigating the people in station. just like those caricature I read in Kariage-kun comics!

Since it was New Year Holiday all I see is peopleeeeeee! Lots lots of them! Anyway, there are 7 stages to the top of Inarii, most of my friends only went to second stage (one with double Torii) but we made it to the third stage where the Sinto Cemetery is. slight snow fell, and I was sooo happy! Finally, I saw snow again!

#2 insisted that we should climb to the top, I was too tired, the boots are not suitable to hike the mountain of course, and we (I) still wanted to stop at Kiyomizudera. It was also on winter, and I promised him we’ll be back on Autumn when the weather suppose to be nicer (for these tropical kids).

We walk down the Torii, enjoyed the quite shrine (until second stage). Before taking train, we bought a lot of snacks! Oh em gee, Japanese Snack is the best I told you! Sweet and savory, all tasteful! Nothing failed so far!

PS : bulatan yang saya tandai itu, orang orang nyebrang rel. dari kereta saya sempat liat, mereka buat 3-4 baris teratur sekali dan membiarkan sisi sebelah kiri mereka kosong, untuk membiarkan orang dari sebrang lewat. Pernah baca sih, orang orang Jepang ini memang sangat memikirkan kepentingan orang lain juga. Kalo di Tanah Abang, lintasan tersebut penuh dengan motor, menutupi ruas jalan! So sad!

Anyway, I stopped at the next station, figuring out a bus stop to take us to Kiyomizudera. I got confused and….

Me : sumimasen ( excuse me), where is it? *showing a bus stop in my handphone*

Her : etoo…ano…hmmm, no English! come with me!

She took us to the desired bus stop. Domu Arigato Ghozaimasu Mina-chan!

It took around 25 mins to the closest bus stop, 15 mins up hill walk to reach Kiyomizudera. We had lunch near by…Thanks God, my dad was all good with all those walkings! Alhamdulilah Ya Allah!

PS : kalau ke sini sekeluarga, sekali makan bisa 3000-4000 yen (for four people) termasuk pajak. Saat saya di Jepang 1 yen = 121 – 122 Rupiah. Saat saya menulis ini 1 yen = 130 Rupiah 😦 oh btw, ini tidak termasuk jajan ya! Duh!

And Thanks God, it was light snow rain when we were there! Seeing snow again for almost 30 years made me happy! Hahahahah! I asked dad to take my picture. Those who lives or often travelled to where the heavy snow must be laughing at me! ya maap, nih anak Tangsel norak! Last time I saw snow was in Colorado! Hahahahah.

Too bad we had no time to rent Kimono and walk around Gion District. I cant believe 3 days were not enough. Then we took bus again, back to Kyoto station, picked up the luggage back and headed for Osaka.

I realize I ran out of money – kebanyakan jajan, ngga dihitung pas kalkulasi biaya- and I withdrew Cash in 7 ATM (same group with 7 eleven)

Later on when I checked my account, exchange rate was actually cheaper via ATM rather than money changer in Jakarta. Oh well! Good for me! Hahahahh!

When the train left, I was sad! This town is soooo beautiful. I was in awe with its beauty.

Sayonara Kyoto! See you in Autumn!

We took commuter train (not Shinkansen / JR rail trains) lucky the boy got the seat. Train was full. He was tired I guess :))

Travel time with bullet train took 15 mins while it took 30 mins for us arrive at Osaka Station and another 10 mins to Namba Station, where our Air BnB was.

Kansai Trip : Golden Temple and Bamboo Forest

January 2nd 2018

Ueda-san, our host in Kyoto prepared miso soup for breakfast. she also allowed us to use the tea, coffee, those Japanese snacks and candies that taste sooo great.

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Miso Soup a new Year Tradition

She gave us Kyoto Bus Map, for us to get around the city. Kalau yang dulu sering ke Bandung sebelum era Grab, Uber, Gojek, inget peta Angkot Bandung ngga? kira-kira mapnya kayak gitu deh! Hahahha

Ueda-san took us to the closet bus stop, and the bus baru keluar dari pangkalan. So it was only the four of us, until it arrived at the Kyoto Station!

I highly suggest to use Kyoto Bus Pass for 500 JPY ( IDR 60,000). In case you get lost, or found interesting spot, you can stop on your desired bua stop. Jadi ngga rugi jek!

I purchased from the bus driver. And let me tell you, unlike supir Kopaja or Metromini, a bus driver is a very respectful job! Galak dan tegas lho mereka!

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Kyoto Bus Pass

Kinkakuji Temple

Kinkakuji Temple

Our first stop, the golden Temple! Kinkakuji Temple. It took around 30 mins to get here from Kyoto Station. A picturesque place, the must visit place in Kyoto, people said. The top two levels are covered by Gold! Mak…pengen gegoleran di sana!

We met a Indonesian family from Tokyo, the father works as a PNS dan dapat tugas belajar. We made small conversations while they have their lunch on lunchbox, and we were busy munching green tea latte and whatever.

Pas pamit berpisah, ayah saya terlihat jalan kembali ke arah mereka. Trus ngobrol bentar. Lalu suami istri asal Majalengka itu melihat saya tersenyum dan kasih jempol. Saya iya iya aja. Hahahah.

We took bus again to our next destination, the famous Bamboo Forest.  I saw many beautiful temples along the way. I should have stopped a long the temple.

It took 800 meters before we really arrived in Bamboo Forest, Arashiyama! Geee….people are everyyyyywhereee! New Year holiday! hmphhhh….

#2 in bamboo

Bamboo Forest

We took a walk until the very top (yes, it’s a hill!) then instead of turning back, we continue the walk to Arashiyama Park! And believe me, it’s huge and BEAUTIFUL!!!!

“Nikmat Tuhan Mana yang Kau Dustakan”

At the end of Arashiyama Park

My initial intention visiting this area, to have a sip in the famous  like my sister did in the famous %Arabica Kyoto Arashiyama.  Not too far from this place, right in front of this lake.  Cem inilah…

https://www.instagram.com/p/BMLT25GjdwT/

or this

https://www.instagram.com/p/BMLPzRzDIMZ/

and in my case…!

It’s CLOSED! #CRAYYYYYYYYYY

TUTUP MALEHHHHH!!!!! #kzl! The owner travelled to Finlandia when I was there! SEBAL! how do I know?  from their Instagram account! nyiahahahhahahahhaha

Well anyway, just a little suggestion if you travel in budget (like…hmm me!) you can buy lunch in Lawson and have your meal in Arashiyama Park! There were also a lot of shops, cafe and else! Man, I love this place so much! I bought some souvenirs and eat a lot of snacks a lot! Japanese snacks are the best, I might tell you

We waited in coffee shop near by until about 5pm because I wanted to have dinner in Ayam Ya Karasuma Kyoto. !

Btw, we traveled by bus again. And from Arashiyama to the restaurant, I saw two factory outlets of sport attires (Adidas, Asics, etc) and Uniqlo! Though I’m not into shopping, akik agak lemah iman with those two! Uniqlo tuh gampang matching-in nya, ngga perlu diseterika lagi baju-bajunya!

Anyway, the restaurant runs by my high school friend who know lives in this city! The restaurant opens at 6 pm until 9.30 pm. To note, it was winter, so sun set at 5 pm! Man, saya kriyep kriyep. Winter is tiring and depressing for me, in some extent! Glad I was born and raised in tropical country!

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My friend, Nola of course was very busy cooking for the guests, which mostly students from Indonesia and Malaysia students. We didn’t talk much! Matane Kudasai Nola-San! Ada rejeki kita jumpa lagi ya!

Then, taking a bus again to go back to Kiwa Guest House. Anak-anakpun bolak balik ke Lawson jajan! As long as Ueda-san hasn’t locked the door, I allowed them to do so. This city is one of the safest in the world!

Earlier that day, I saw a young man, leaving his shopping bag near the toilet, besides the vending machine. He was doing “the business” around 10 mins, after he got out the toilet, his shopping bag was still besides the vending machine! Di Jakarta mah, dah lenyap pasti.

Later the day, I asked my dad.  What convesartion took place in Kinkakuji Temple with that Indonesian Couple.

“Ngobrol apa emangnya?”

“Papa bilang waku kakak kecil, papa bawa kamu ke Tokyo. Sekarang giliran papa dibawa sama kakak ke Jepang”

Hati saya nyessss gitu! Happy that for once, I made him happy 🙂

Konichiwa Kansai!

Lanjutan cerita ini

January 1st, 2018

So, around noon, our flight finally arrive in KIX, Kansai International Airport. After almost 28 years, I came back to this land of Sunrise!

Proses Imigrasi lancar, hanya kendala sedikit pas isi kartu. Alamat Guest House tempat nginap harus clear. Sudah itu proceed ambil luggage, keluar terminal untuk beli tiket kereta api ke Kyoto.

Sebelnya, saya sudah berkali kali nonton di youtube, what to do in KIX airport. Sudah hapal mati harus ngapain. tetap aja salah :-/

Harusnya beli ICOCA card dan Haruka express train itu untuk turis bisa satu paket dan jatuhnya murah. Bah! Beginner mistake! But hell yeah! This is what one of my ABG did when we first arrived

Vending Machine

Jajan di Vending Machine maleh!!!

Karena saya bekerja di perusahaan Jepang, banyak banget kan rekan kantor yang bolak balik ke sini. Lumayan, ada yang ongkosin koin. Hahahahah! Ada kali 2000 yen koin semua.

On the pic is my dad and us (me and my siblings) when we first arrived on this country via its capital city! Alhamdulilah, keinginan saya untuk rekonstruksi foto macam di Paris untuk saya dan papa dikabulin juga. Well, sort of! Hahahah! Dimirip-miripin aja lah. Mau booking ticket ke Tokyo saat itu sudah mahal sekali. Sama dengan kalo ke Eropa. Semoga ada rejeki lagi.

Anyway, setelah on board, naik kereta, THIS IS JAPAN! Oh em geee, train schedule is very precise to its second!

Belum yang orangnya tertib tertib sangat itu!!! Dan sepanjang perjalan,

on the train that took me to Kyoto, I cant stop smiling!

This train stop at 3 stations, Tenoji, Shin Osaka and Kyoto. Sekitar 1 jam sampailah saya ke Kyoto Station. keluar station cari Kintetsu Line yang Hadehhh …ini station rame betul! Cemana lah Tokyo Central Station ya? Akik pusing. Padahal pentunjuk sangat jelas sih.

Dari Kyoto Station, saya turun di Toji Station karena penginapan dekat sini. namanya Guest House Kiwa! Lalu saya…nyasar!

Dan ketemu orang Lokal sampai dua orang yang bantuin nyari! Masya Allah, baik baik bener ya mereka eventhough they dont speak English.

In short, setelah setengah jam nyasar, kita dapat aja guest housenya. Sholat, sikat gigi (karena belum sikatan hahahahah) kembali keluar cari makan malam.

Cheese cake

Cheese Cake di Kintetsu Line

Flaovored Cheese cake

Sebelum berangkat, saya kan browsing di Youtube, kayak apa stationnya. One of the youtuber said, it’s sooo huge that you forget it’s a train station!

Kota kesukaanku! meine Lieblingsstädte

Taken in Prague Havlani Nadrazi, 1st October 2015 on the train that would take me to Wien, Austria. Something was missing, may be I was in this beautiful city without my loved ones. I whispered and I hope, I’ll come back to this city again. Yet, My eyes weren’t wet.

Randomly taken, January 3rd 2018 when my train was leaving Kyoto Station for Osaka.

And my eyes were wet. i really love this city, quite, beautiful and the nicest local people I met. My heart warm, though the temperature was between 5-8 degrees.

I didn’t travel a lot. Yet, these are my favorite cities so far!

Dan buat teman teman yang belum pernah kesini, saya doakan segera!!!