Japan Day 9: Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Arashiyama Monkey Park, Conveyor Belt Sushi, Kinkaku-ji

Arashiyama is so beautiful. So lush, with lots of water. Our first stop was the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove which didn't have as many people as we thought. The bamboo forest was so pretty -so tall, and enveloping. Afterwards, we went to see the monkeys, and was definitely not prepared for another hike in the heat. I wondered to myself how differently-abled people would be able to access the Arashiyama Monkey Park.

Japan Day 8: Fushimi Inari Shrine, Nanzenji Temple, Okonomiyaki with Fu, Okazaki-Jinja, Ginkaku-ji

We woke up early (5:00am) to see Fushimi Inari without the crazy amount of tourists. The hike was definitely more than we bargained for. The heat was pretty intense. We walked up many stairs, and prayed at every shrine that the Gods take our souls. We also walked up alongside a group of businessmen, and bowed to them when we'd all stop at a shrine. Props to them for having done this hike in long-sleeved button ups and slacks. There were many shrines. It was hot. It was moquito-central. But there were no tourists, and the view from the crossroads was something else. Along the way down Mt. Fushimi Inari, we passed by a cool shrine with all the zodiac animals, and we prayed to the Rooster, as our birth year zodiac, and to the Pig for this year's animal.

Japan Day 7: Mt. Kurama, Kurama Onsen, Ramen Factory Kyoto to Make Ramen

We began the day with breakfast, and a lovely travel to Mount Kurama where one of the trains we rode had seats facing the window. Had we gone to Japan a little later, I'm sure the foliage would've made for a beautiful train show.

When we got to Kurama Station, we knew the truth: it was freakin' hot, and humid.

Getting to the mountain was easy peasy, but getting up the mountain made me want to die. Eventually we got to the main temple, patted ourselves on the back, and decided we needed to reward ourselves by going to Kurama Onsen, so we took the cable car down and saw the devastation of what I'm assuming was from the recent typhoon.

Japan Day 6: Nara Deer Park, Kasuga Taisha Shrine, Todai-ji, Dotonbori, Namba Yasaka, Osaka Castle, Shinsekai

We travelled to Nara, early morning, and walked across the giant forest park to Kasuga Taisha shrine (and was not prepared to climb up stairs again), and met (and were screamed at) by many deer along the way. We fed them cookies, and prompty ran away when we didn't have any more to give them because they definitely do eat any dangling straps or clothing. When they ask for cookies though, they're very polite, and they bow at you!

We passed by what seemed to be the central area, as there were a ridiculous amount of tourists running around harrassing deer, and being harrassed by deer. Good on you, deer. It's good that the deer can defend themselves. We saw different kids of deer. Cute, spotted, female ones. Teenage bucks play fighting. The younger ones don't seem as used to humans quite yet, and Moose got head-butted by what seemed to be the Boss Deer.

Japan Day 5: Fushimi Inari Food Street and Base, Pontocho Alley, Yasaka Shrine, Sousei's Kimono Class, Yasaka Koshindo, Yasaka No Tou, Ninenzaka, Entoku-In, Kodai-ji, Ichibei Koji, Fushimi Inari at Night

We woke up early after a much needed long sleep, so we decided to walk down towards Fushimi Inari to check out the food stalls. On the way, we passed by Cafe Goo and decided to try out fluffy pancakes. It was A++ will recommend, and the coffee gives you better energy than that of vending machine coffee for sure.

When we got to Fushimi Inari food street after first breakfast, we found the stalls were still setting up so we explored the Fushimi Inari base, watched shrine priests do their morning rituals and chats, and scoffed at tourists so unashamedly taking photos in front of No-Photo signs.

Japan Day 4: Journey To Kyoto, Fushimi Inari Shopping Street, Amazake, Kyoto Imperial Palace, Nishiki Market

We rode the Shinkansen to Kyoto and made the mistake of getting on the Nozomi train, which our JR Pass doesn't cover. We only heard the announcement 30 seconds before the train departed, so we got off at the next stop, and then got on the Shinkansen Hikari instead. I like that the train we were on, on one side, there was a gentleman reading manga, and on the other, a gentleman watching anime.

Japan Day 3: Nikko

On this day, we went to Nikko and rode our first Shinkansen. We decided to try ekiben (train bento). While delicious, it was definitely way more expensive than getting a bento from the konbini. We also got a box of kakinoha (sushi wrapped in persimmon leaves).

Japan Day 2: Gotokuji Temple, Meiji Jingu, Imperial Palace, Nezu Shrine, Shinjuku Golden Gai, Omoide Yokocho

Another early day for us. We head off to see Gotokuji Temple. The area with the little lucky cat statues are off to the side. We learned from a shopkeeper at Nakamise-dori that a lucky cat with its left paw up is waving for money, and right paw up is for happiness. Unfortunately, the lucky cats didn't give us much luck, as we ended up being devoured by mosquitoes. The area surrounding Gotokuji Temple is quiet and residential, like the backdrop of anime we watch. As we walked along the streets, we bowed to the people sweeping the front of their house.

Japan Day 1: Asakusa Temple, Kanda Myojin Shrine, Akihabara, Harajuku, Shibuya

We begin our adventure to Japan. We flew Singapore Airlines, and I really hyped them up to Moose because I knew they had amazing food and service. We had Japanese meals on the flight! Curry and soba noodles!

We landed in Narita Airport at around 7, activated our JR Passes and took the JR line to the nearest station to our hostel, Bakurochou Station. The train floors are so clean. We stayed at Planetyze Hostel. Very cool AirBnb. They have events going on on the main floor. One night was movie night and they were showing Howl's Moving Castle (in English!)