Well, there is no better time to start blogging about a trip, than the present. We just got back a few hours ago and after downloading our photos, I realized I already have forgotten some things! YIKES! Here goes nothing...
To get to Kyoto we first flew from Naha, Okinawa to Osaka. Kansai International Airport is probably one of the nicest airports I have been in to date (although I still love Seoul the most). We got in just around lunch time and landed on a man made "island" airport. A little surreal as you land (think San Diego among all the buildings or just landing on an island anywhere...). The whole airport is contained outside of Osaka (the second largest city in Japan). We got off of our flight, picked up our bags and (with a little tidbit from my friend Nicole) hit the fabulous food court. After a yummy lunch of Japanese food (complete with sushi and some pork buns) we were off to figure out how to get to Kyoto.
The best (and fastest option) TRAIN. The public transportation system in Japan is said to be one of the best in the world. It is quite incredible the sheer number of people who are using the system daily (yes, I have been to New York, but this is the WHOLE country!!).
We took a form of the Shinkasen (Bullet Train) from Osaka to Kyoto. (Not the fastest in the world, yet, we will save that for another day). Simply the express train to Kyoto. 5 other stops and we made it to Kyoto.
(Alessandra on the train)
After our arrival at the Kyoto Train Station (this was my first view looking out of the station - that's the Kyoto tower behind the building in the background) we had to transfer to the subway to get to our hotel. 1 more stop.
We made it to our hotel. The Citadines Apart Hotel is a chain that specializes (from what I understand) in executive hotels all over the world. I think Citadines is a subsidiary of another larger company. Anyway, our hotel room was very clean (most places in Japan are) and nice. A little small (compared to American standards), but worked for a 3 night stay.
After we got in and settled, we decided that we needed to get the girls out for a walk. We went out on a little adventure and hoped we would find some dinner along the way (another good thing about Japan, you never seem to have to go too far for good food).
To get to Kyoto we first flew from Naha, Okinawa to Osaka. Kansai International Airport is probably one of the nicest airports I have been in to date (although I still love Seoul the most). We got in just around lunch time and landed on a man made "island" airport. A little surreal as you land (think San Diego among all the buildings or just landing on an island anywhere...). The whole airport is contained outside of Osaka (the second largest city in Japan). We got off of our flight, picked up our bags and (with a little tidbit from my friend Nicole) hit the fabulous food court. After a yummy lunch of Japanese food (complete with sushi and some pork buns) we were off to figure out how to get to Kyoto.
The best (and fastest option) TRAIN. The public transportation system in Japan is said to be one of the best in the world. It is quite incredible the sheer number of people who are using the system daily (yes, I have been to New York, but this is the WHOLE country!!).
We took a form of the Shinkasen (Bullet Train) from Osaka to Kyoto. (Not the fastest in the world, yet, we will save that for another day). Simply the express train to Kyoto. 5 other stops and we made it to Kyoto.
(Alessandra on the train)
After our arrival at the Kyoto Train Station (this was my first view looking out of the station - that's the Kyoto tower behind the building in the background) we had to transfer to the subway to get to our hotel. 1 more stop.
We made it to our hotel. The Citadines Apart Hotel is a chain that specializes (from what I understand) in executive hotels all over the world. I think Citadines is a subsidiary of another larger company. Anyway, our hotel room was very clean (most places in Japan are) and nice. A little small (compared to American standards), but worked for a 3 night stay.
After we got in and settled, we decided that we needed to get the girls out for a walk. We went out on a little adventure and hoped we would find some dinner along the way (another good thing about Japan, you never seem to have to go too far for good food).
Here is the river (blanking on it's name) that was a block or so down from our hotel. this was the worst weather we had the whole week. A little drizzly (which felt amazing after the oppressive Okinawan humidity).
A funky sign on a building in Gion.
We made it (on our walk) over to Gion. We were so close to the time of the day where the Geisha and Maiko are out and getting started on their evenings, but the girls were cranky and hungry, so we couldn't explore more here. Instead we made our way back into the main part of the city and found some food.
2 comments:
Looks great-can't wait for more...
More more more!!! So exciting!
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