After experiencing the full buzzing city experience in Osaka, we set off to Kyoto by Japan Railway (JR). Took the train from Namba Station to Umeda Station (red line), walked a short distance to Osaka Station. From there, we took JR Kyoto Line JR Special Rapid Train direct to Kyoto for ¥560 per person. Children under six travel for free as they are expected to sit on your lap, not taking a seat although you may do so if the train is not crowded JR For Children. The journey took about half an hour.
Kyoto is also known as 'the thousand year capital' as it was the former imperial capital for Japan for more than a thousand years. Here we received the rental car Nissan we had booked in advance. Self driving is not difficult at all. Our car is equipped with GPS in Japanese and English.
Mummies, if your children love train, they would be excited to sit inside the classic Sagano Romantic Train, powered by diesel locomotive. The Sagano scenic train chugs along the track surrounding the beautiful landscape of Hozugawa Ravine from Saga Torokko Station to Kameoka Torokka Station in Arashiyama. We bought return tickets. We managed to take the last train of the day and witnessed the sun setting in the midst of lush greenery of the surrounding mountains. The golden rays brought smile to our faces.
To get there, we drove to Saga Torokko Station and parked the car at the nearest public carpark, one of the many easily found carparks around Kyoto. There is no need to do anything until you come back for the car (Go to the payment machine. Key in the lot number and pay the due amount. Once paid, the automatic barrier which locked the car would be released).
Saga Torokko Station is located beside JR Saga Arashiyama Station for those interested to take train to get there.
After a fun train ride, we drove to our ryokan, a traditional Japanese inn in the mountainous area in Tanko. Located about 15 mins from Arashiyama, the stay was a new experience for our family. The friendly staff taught the children how to wear Japanese summer wear called yukatas and the wooden clogs. Dinner were delicious Japanese cuisine by the river stream under the moonlight and some garden lights around the wooden hut.
Kids' meal presented in a wooden boat.
We love the fresh air from the mountains and feel refreshed and rejuvenated by the warm hot spring experience. The harmonic tunes played by cicadas is the best lullaby at night.
View from our room
Another region worth mentioning is Miyama which is located about 50 kilometres to the north of Kyoto city. Paddy fields and small vegetation farms dots the foot of the mountains. Here, one village Kayabuki no Sato is a heritage site where traditional thatched houses are still preserved in good condition, retaining the old Japanese architecture and legacy. Being in this village feels like one is being transported to the old Japan where life is slow pace and time is at a standstill.
A bouquet of wild flowers given by a local aunty :)
We also took trishaw for the first time in Arashiyama bamboo forest, much to the delights of the little ones. The guide brought us to the towering bamboo trees in the picturesque bamboo forest, old Japanese houses and famous shrines.
At the old district Higashiyama, we love quaint wooden shophouses fronting both sides of the hilly pavements selling souvenirs, local products and traditional Japanese desserts. We took the chance to try red beans shaved ice and dango, mochi dumplings made from rice flour dipped in sweet sauce.
Soon it was time for dinner, we drove to Kawa River to a restaurant with wooden stilt balcony on the river. We thoroughly enjoy the grilled meat on charcoal, Matsusaka marbled beef, salads and other side dishes while absorbing the beautiful and calming panoramic river view.
Other attractions in Kyoto worth visiting is the geisha district Gion besides Higashiyama, golden temple Kinkaku-ji, UNESCO World Heritage Site Kiyomizu-dera, and the seemingly never ending vermillion torri gates at Fushimi Inari.
At Fushimi Inari with my son :)
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