As the ancient capital of Japan and the cultural heart of the country, it is an atmospheric city where you can take a slower pace and immerse yourself in the mysterious yet beautiful city. One of my favourite activities in Kyoto is to visit a tea room and enjoy a moment of tranquillity through 5 senses – definitely a perfect antidote to the hectic pace of modern life.

Nestled inside the Nijō Castle, a World Heritage Site in central Kyoto, Waraku-an is a tea house that serves up traditional Japanese tea in a lovely Japanese house. I like to take a stroll through the castle, enjoy the crisp autumn air of Japan, then walk past the castle moat to Seiryu-en Garden, before walking into Waraku-an, the hidden tea house located within the Nijo Castle.

This quaint and charming tea house overlooking the beautiful imperial garden is located at the northernmost part of the castle ground. This space is strictly reserved for guests who intend to take tea. You’ll be rejected admission if you are only planning to snap a few photos in there. Tea and pairing wagashi (traditional Japanese sweet confectionary) are not overly expensive here. It is not a formal tea house so you can enjoy a cup of tea in a relaxed environment.

Autumn menu is relatively simple here at Waraku-an. You can choose to have traditional matcha with the beautiful wagashi, or coffee with western confectionary. During my visit, there was a wagashi exhibition by Oimatsu Kitano (老松 京菓子) in the castle. So in collaboration with the time-honoured confectionary, Waraku-an was serving their guests one of the wagashi that was served in the imperial palace!

I enjoyed the traditional matcha with wagashi pairing as much as I enjoyed the black coffee with the matcha chiffon cake, clotted cream and azuki bean by the side. The experience of sipping a warm bowl of matcha at the world heritage site, away from the crowd, was surreal. Before my eyes were the beautifully manicured gardens. The leaves were starting to turn yellow. And the early autumn breeze was gentle… It was one of my best casual tea house experience in Kyoto!

Writer’s Note: Waraku-an is a perfect place to enjoy traditional Japan tea after a tour in the stunning Nijo Castle of Kyoto. As one of the hidden gems in Kyoto, this tea house is an oasis of serenity to cultivate a peaceful, relaxed state of mind. However, do note that the tea house might be booked out for event during some time of the year. It is best to check with the ticket office before purchasing your entrance ticket.

Some photos of this blog are from Japan Travel.

Contact Details

Waraku-an
Nijojocho, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, 604-8301, Japan
Tel: +81 75-823-0223

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Kissa ROKKA 喫茶六花 is one of these beautiful surprises I encountered during my trip. I remember how me any my friends discovered this cosy little family cafe on the very first time I visit Kyoto. A quiet, down to earth place that serves up simple and heart-warming Kyoto home cooking, this cafe definitely worth a visit if you’re around Higashiyama station.

It is a simple restaurant without fancy decorations. Some art exhibits and Zakka items are made by the owner’s daughter, who’s an artist. Daily lunch set comes with a main course and a coffee, which costs about 1,150 yen.

The “Kyoto Vegetables” (Kyo-Yasai) is considered superior among the rich variety of Japanese produce. So when the keyword “Kyo-Yasai” strikes on Kissa ROKKA’s daily set lunch menu, you know it is not something you should miss. Three of us ordered the set lunch that comes with Grilled Chicken with Homemade Pesto Sauce, Roasted Kyo-Yasai Salad, and a vegetable side dish.

The presentation of the dish simply does not justify the taste.The chicken is juicy and tender and was intensely flavoured with the homemade pesto sauce. The grilled vegetables were sweet and fresh. It was garnished with the lightest seasoning possible, for us to savour the natural sweetness and freshness of the ingredients. It was a simple home cook fare one would appreciate especially after all the rich meals that does not give your stomach a mercy. It was hearty, healthy and heartwarming.

The coffee that comes together with the set lunch was a typical Japanese fare. The light-medium roast body gives a nice balance of acidity and bitterness. We end the lunch on a sweet note with their chocolate brownie parfait.

Writer’s Note: A homely restaurant located minutes away from the street of Sanjo 三条 and Higashiyama Station東山. This is a place you’ll find yourself returning for its simple, healthy and unpretentious food. It is like returning home to your mother’s comfort food, so humble yet hearty appetising. English menu available.

Contact Details:

Kissa ROKKA 喫茶 六花
577-4 Inarichō Minamigumi, Higashiyama-ku, Kyōto-shi, Kyōto-fu 605-0067, Japan.
Address in Japanese: 東山区稲荷町南組577-4, 京都府 〒605-0067

Directions:

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The market has a fair offering of old and new, from historical stalls selling traditional Kyoto delights, to the new interpretation of classical Japanese street food, all under one roof. Here is the list of must-eat food that I tried, all listed down for your convenience if you’re wondering what to eat at Nishiki Market.

For quick information, you may check out my 1 minute long video below!

Senbei

The first stall right at the entrance was a senbei (仙貝) stall, the very famous senbei house寺子屋本铺. Not a fan of senbei but I got myself their best seller – the seaweed senbei to try. Nice sweetness from the soy sauce, but it was a tad too dry for my liking. I would probably skip this next time, but my friends who love senbei really enjoyed it very much.

A photo posted by ?雞歪毛的假掰人生，人生就是雞歪毛? (@gpnpn) on Dec 30, 2016 at 6:06pm PST

Soy Milk Donuts

As an avid tofu fan, soy milk donuts is definitely one of my favourite snacks in Kyoto. These mini donuts at Fujino Tofu’s (藤野豆乳) are light and fluffy, with a hint of crispness on the outside. While I prefer the ones at 嵯峨とうふ 稲 Arashiyama because of the stronger soy milk taste, Fujino’s are enough to fulfil my cravings for these lovely, cushiony donuts.

A photo posted by Haera-1 (@haerah_ah) on Jan 15, 2017 at 12:20am PST

Chocolate Croquette

Dubious as it may sound, this chocolate croquette from 路井is actually quite tasty! The crispiness of the skin combining the delicious allure of hot chocolate – you’re getting the best of both worlds! Remember to get a piping hot one from them, so that you could enjoy the decadent melt-in-your-mouth, chocolatey smoothness to the fullest. A perfect snack for the chocolate lovers!

A photo posted by Shino♪ 〜紫乃〜 (@shino11027) on Feb 19, 2016 at 4:37am PST

Dashi Omelette

These wobbly dashi omelettes at Miki Keiran (三木雞卵) are my utmost favourite out of all food at Nishiki Market. Cooked with dashi stock, the omelette was so soft, smooth and fluffy that I went speechless after my first bite. If you’re on diet, ditch the rest and go for this life-changing Tamago rolls.

A photo posted by @47lahity on Jan 6, 2017 at 11:07pm PST

A photo posted by ﾎーﾘー (@whrrrry) on Jan 17, 2017 at 8:50pm PST

Roasted Chestnut

I was there during early autumn, just in time for Kyoto’s seasonal favourite: roasted chestnuts. They aren’t cheap, though. I remember it cost us about SGD 20 for a medium packet of Tanba chestnuts (丹波栗). However, it was well worth the money, as all the chestnuts sold here are carefully selected by hands, thus resulted in the big, moist and sweet chestnuts you pop into your mouth.

A photo posted by @m.kagura22 on Jan 6, 2017 at 11:09pm PST

Grilled Dango

If you’re a fan of mochi, drop by at Nishiki Mochitsuki-ya (錦 もちつき屋) as they serve up the freshest mochi in the city. I had their grilled soy sauce dango, which was drizzled in their special soy sauce and char-grilled to the nice, smoky perfection. An instant perk-me-up during the colder season!

A photo posted by Wandering Seouler (@seoul_eats_treats) on Jan 6, 2017 at 2:18am PST

Onigiri/ Inarizushi

I discovered this rice merchant 越後屋嘉兵衛 and decided to try out their Inarizushi. The aburaage (sweet tofu skin) compliments well with the chewy Japanese rice. It was quite filling, but I didn’t regret taking them as it was just THAT good.

A photo posted by Eunwoo Nam (@new_o_____o) on Jan 18, 2017 at 6:06pm PST

Grilled Unagi

I was still in grief for missing the opportunity to try out the legendary Hirokawa unagi bento at Arashiyama the other day. So when I walked passed this 105 years old grilled unagi store 味彩 のと与 in the market, somehow, I knew I had to give this a chance, and the rest is history. Their grilled unagi was coated in their special soy sauce, char-grilled until the slight smokey, aromatic smell of the charcoal infused to the fish and it was just melt-in-your-mouth good. Highly recommended.

A photo posted by Andrey Yu (@imtrvln) on Jan 6, 2017 at 7:00pm PST

Beef Manju Bun

This beef manju bun or Nikuman is a popular snack in Japan during autumn and winter. And if you’re here in Kyoto during the colder season, make sure you try out the Nikuman in Kyoto-style. This local favourite was a creation of Hattori Ebisu Rakuan (服部ゑびす楽庵) in Gion, and is sold in several places in Kyoto, Nishiki market is one of them. The bun is chewy, with gooey braised wagyu beef and burdock roots as fillings. A perfect (and yummy) snack to hold onto during winter time!

A photo posted by Flo Raah (@talesofpolarbear) on Oct 5, 2016 at 7:27am PDT

Sashimi Skewers

Ok, I cheated on this one because I did not try this during the trip. I had some stomach problem and decided to give raw food a miss. However, I decided to include this into the list as it was on my wish list and I really think they look palatable. Tender bite size sashimi marinated in lemon juice and some other ingredient to its greasy, perfect-to-eat state. There were tuna and salmon to choose from, pick your favourite.

A photo posted by @chococomi on Jan 16, 2017 at 3:03pm PST

A photo posted by Eunwoo Nam (@new_o_____o) on Jan 18, 2017 at 6:04pm PST

Pickles

Another must-eat, or rather a must-buy at Nishiki Market is the pickles at Uchida Tsukemono-ten (内田漬物店). We love their matcha radish so much that we brought 6 packets home. This matcha flavoured radish is so rare that I don’t see them in any other Japanese supermarkets. My true-blue Kyoto friend once told me about Kyoto people’s delicate palate that they do not favour pickles with strong flavours. I think the matcha radish is one of the typical taste of Kyoto to bring home.

A photo posted by 김상부 (@keemsangboo) on Jan 18, 2017 at 8:26pm PST

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Daytime at Dotonbori shows off a different temperament. Rows and rows of massive cuteness dangling on the signboards cultivated a merrier image of Dotonbori.

A Gastronomic Mecca of Seafood in Japan, the streets of Dotonbori never fail to please. Street food is always the highlight of each trip down to Dotonbori. Follow your senses and listen to the sizzling sound of fresh seafood and other delicacies on the grills, in the pan, and on the carts thronged along the streets. Fancy some plump and juicy scallops sautéed in garlic sauce? Hell yeah. I can smell the garlic doing some magic to the dish from a thousand miles away.

When the night falls, walk along the south bank of Dotonbori-gawa canal and see pedestrians faces glowing from the gleam of the glittering neon lights from the buildings. Osaka is the true city that never sleep!

Ichiran Ramen

Ichiran (一蘭拉麵), a renowned ramen chain hailed from Hakata area. Operating 24 hours, satisfy your ramen cravings at 1 am is no longer Arabian Nights at Dotonbori. Simply fill in the order sheet and follow the queue. At the entrance, purchase your order from the vending machine. Then, hand the receipt together with the order sheet to the kitchen assistant at your designated seat. A bowl of satisfying ramen will be ready in no time.

Like any other Japanese cities, this symbolic area of Osaka is best seen by foot. It is vibrant, busy and bustling with colourful neon lights, an ideal place for people watching. Plan your trip wisely, if you wish to witness the two different looks of Dotonbori.

As a rough guide: I did a brief tour in the morning at Dotonbori after visiting the Kuromon Ichiba Market, slotted in a cafe visit at the Orange Street, a hipster area nearby, toured around Osaka Castle, joined the Tenjin Matsuri before returning to Dotonbori again.

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My love for traditional clothing continues at Kyoto. I decided to purchase a set of yukata when I was planning my trip. For two simple reasons, I lock on my target at the Yukata rental shops that sell brand new yukata: First, it was a short trip, and we didn’t have the luxury of time to check out the department stores and Kimono making companies; Second, rental shops provide free wearing service if I purchase a Yukata.

I booked a Fukubukuro (Lucky Bag) package with Yumeyakata (夢館), a company that specializes in Japanese traditional clothing rental service in Kyoto. It is also the cheapest service amongst all companies that has an official website.

Wide variety of colours and designs are available in the shop. We spent about 40 minutes and finally decided on a yukata with peony prints. It is a white based yukata contrasted against abstract peony pattern in orange and green.

The flowers and prints on a yukata bear different intriguing meanings. To the best of my understanding, the flower prints on Yukata are simile of women’s beauty. To translate directly of a Japanese saying, 立てば芍薬, 座れば牡丹, 歩く姿は百合の花, it means “As gorgeous as tree peony when she stands, as beautiful as Herbaceous peony when she sits, as elegant as lily when she walks. ” Well, I am not too sure if I possess any of the characteristics above but now as I am wearing a peony pattern yukata I will try my best to maintain its image? xD

The lucky bag package comes with a yukata robe, an obi belt, a pair of geta sandals, a handbag, two waist sash, and an obi-ita shape board. After getting dressed in your yukata, you may choose to pay another 1,500 yen for a hair updo. Additional hair accessories are available at your expense. I will explain more about the service at the last section. For this blog entry, I am going to briefly show you the walking tour plan I took when I dressed in a yukata.

The Route:

Get dressed in Yukata → Kiyomizudera 清水寺 →Sannen-zaka  産寧坂 → Seiryu-en 青龍苑 → Ninen-zaka 二寧坂 → Preserved Historical Streets →  Yasaka Shrine 八阪神社 → Gion 祇園 & Dinner at 美々卯→ Pontocho 先斗町 → Accommodation: Oki’s Inn

To see: Kiyomizudera 清水寺

As one of the most celebrated temples of Japan and a UNESCO world heritage site, Kiyomizudera is one of the popular sites selected by tourists. Part of the temple is currently under constructions (as of summer 2015), but the visitors can still visit the popular attractions in the temple, including the Jishu Shrine and Otowa Waterfall. Do make a sincere prayer at the Jishu Shrine if you are waiting for “the one” because it is a shrine dedicated to the deity of love!

Like most of the Buddhist temple in Japan, Kiyomizudera also has a tea house for you to take a rest and savor a cup of iced matcha before continuing your journey.

To Shop: Malebranche 

Malebranche, one of the most distinguished confectioneries in Kyoto. On your way out from the Kiyomizudera temple, drop by at Malebranche and sample a few of their famous Matcha confections. Their highly celebrated matcha confections are only available in Kyoto. I don’t see their shop everywhere, nor at Kansai Airport so my advice is to get it when you see it, especially at Higashiyama area.

“Cha No Ka” Okoicha Langue De Chat from Malebranche.
One of the Malebranche’s best sellers is Cha No Ka, a matcha and white chocolate sandwich biscuit. I am not a fan of white chocolate, but I am madly in love with matcha. The bitterness of the matcha and the sweetness of the white chocolate was a well-balanced, perfect match. Worth every 127 yen for each piece!

“NAMA CHA no KA” Okoicha fondant Au Chocolat from Malebranche.
This little matcha snack remained my favourite out of all Malebranche products. It is a mini moist matcha chocolate mousse cake that comes in beautiful independent packages. The matcha flavour was so divine. It is dense. It is moist. It is damn good. The delicate mousse is in a creamy but firm consistency. So good, so… glamorous. Pardon me for the usage of my vocabulary, but I find anything matcha in such texture so seductively dangerous. I can finish half a box all by myself in a day.

Horohoro Chocolate from Malebrancheほろほろ佇古礼糖
This Horohoro chocolate bar is another interesting find from Malebranche. Sandwiched in between two thin slices of PVC wood, the package is already a head turner. These chocolate bars comes with five fine flavours: Brown sugar Shichimi; Black Beans; Uji Matcha; Yuzu and White Sesame. I got the Yuzu and Matcha flavours home. I have yet to try out the Yuzu bar, but the Matcha one was a true divine. It melts in your mouth, slowly emitting the fragrance of the tea and discreet sweetness. A beautiful, refine chocolate bars for adults!

To see: Sannen-zaka Street 産寧坂

A historical and atmospheric street in the city. The Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka are two restored neighborhood, lined with beautiful wooden houses, traditional shophouses and cafes. These two streets are one of the main attractions for walking tours in the city. Taking a stroll here in the late evenings is recommended.

To see: Seiryu-En 青龍苑

One hidden gem of Higashiyama is Seiryu-En facing the Sannenzaka street. Its beautiful architecture resembles Kyoto Machiya and Gassho style. The house is a composite for gift shoppings and leisure, consisting seven famous Kyoto brands, including Inoda Coffee, Beauty Brand Yojiya, Traditional pickles house Kyo Tsukemono Nishiri, Traditional tidbits house Izutsu Yatsuhashi Honpo, Scented Incense Shoyeido, high-end restaurants and tea houses. Visitors can enjoy their meals and drinks, with the beautifully manicured garden just before their eyes. The best thing —  you can enjoy shopping and resting at this hidden space away from the crowd!
Address: 〒605-0862 京都市東山区清水三丁目334 | English: 343 Kiyomizu 3-chome, Kiyomizu Sannen-zaka.

Here are some of the pictures of Seiryu-En I got from a Taiwanese blogger’s page. The place look extremely pretty in summer isn’t it. My friend Keunyoung took a few pictures of me at this beautiful private Japanese garden. I love the contrasting effect of my Yukata and the greeneries at the background.

To Shop: Yojiya 

A hometown for the ancient entertainment industry, Kyoto has nurtured many cosmetic brands that represent its pride. These Kyo-cosmetics made of natural ingredients are widely loved by Maiko and Geikos at Gion Hanamachi. One of the best known Kyo-cosmetics brands, would be Yojiya. Many who have been to Kyoto would be familiar with its logo of a Geisha’s face reflecting on a mirror. The size of the store at Seiryu-en is nothing compared to its main store at Gion. However, I believe it is one of the prettiest Yojiya stores in Kyoto.

The oil blotter paper (Aburatorigami) born some 100 years ago is the most popular product from Yojiya. I got myself one, of course. But I haven’t started using it so I can’t tell you if it is worth buying. The paper looks good, I think it makes an excellent souvenir for your girlfriends. I do however regret not getting their Oshiroigami, the face powder paper after all the raves about it.

To see & shop: Ninen-zaka 二寧坂 & Preserved Historical Streets

More preserved historical streets down Ninenzaka.

To see: Yasaka Shrine八阪神社

Known as the Gion Shrine, the history of Yasaka Shrine’s back dates to 1350 years ago. If you are here in Kyoto during summer, this is one of the most important location for the Gion Matsuri Festival. If you’re there in spring, especially during the time during the peak bloom of cherry blossom, remember to check this shrine out since it is rated as the most popular cherry blossom viewing spot in Kyoto!

To see: Gion & Dinner

Night at Gion Shijo area was ideal for a stroll if you like people watching and window shopping. Endless selection of restaurants is available around this area. We saw Mimiu (美々卯)’s menu and decided to give it a try. The interior of the restaurant at the Shijo (Gion) outlet giving off a calm and elegant touch, with small tatami rooms for private gathering. We love the quiet environment. The meal was great too! We ordered a set dinner that comes with noodle (udon or buckwheat noodle), tempura, rice, sashimi and some side dishes. A perfect place to eat slowly and enjoy the meal and accompaniment from the people you love!
Mimiu 美々卯 Address: 〒605-0075  京都府京都市東山区四条通大和大路西入中之町216 

A few pictures of me and one of my travel mate and photographer of  this trip — Keunyoung.

To see/ dine: Pontocho 先斗町

One of the Kyoto’s most atmospheric dining area beside the river. If your budget allows, splurge on one of your summer dinner here at Pontocho, especially at one of the restaurants with the special Kawayuka, a temporary outdoor platform built over the river where visitors can eat on it. The cooling air on the river creates air cond cooling effect, which is pretty interesting. There are many fancy rooftop beer house around the area too! Be sure to check out this area in summer, it is a perfect place to feel the summer vibe here in Kyoto!

Yukata Rental Kyoto: Yumeyakata 夢館

I got my yukata from the Yukata rental shop Yumeyakata. It is a Fukubukuro package (lucky bag) which I get to bring the whole Yukata set back as a souvenir. Since I wanted to expand my collection of traditional clothing, I figured this plan suits me best. The email exchange in English was smooth. However, many of their staffs are native speaker of Chinese so if you speak Mandarin Chinese, I would recommend you to speak Chinese for better communication. The staffs at the Yukata selecting department are bubbly and friendly. One drawback is that I didn’t really like the outcome of my hairdo. Somehow the hairstyle looks like a updo back in 1999. This slightly off-the-trend hair style looks a little awkward on me. But well, I am the one to blame since I was the one that choose the hairstyle. It would have been better if they had shown me more pictures of each hairstyle, including the back and the side view.

Overall I am satisfied with their service. Judging from the amount I paid for everything (including the robe, obi, geta slippers and a bag), the quality of the Yukata was decent. It is the retro style Yukata that I wanted to get in the first place. By the way, if you decided to visit Kyoto during the Gion Matsuri Festival and Gozan No Okuribi Festival, you’ll be able to bring back the Yukata robe (only the robe) as souvenir, at 3,500 yen! Also, do note that Yukata rental is ONLY available during summer (June 6th-September 6th). In other seasons, I am afraid you’ll have to rent a Kimono.

Contact Details:

Yumeyakata うめとビル (Umeto building)
128, Manjuji-cho, Shimogyo-ku Kyoto-shi, Kyoto, 600-8104.
10am-5pm.

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It was a particularly hot and humid mid-summer day in Kyoto when I visited Fushimi Inari Shrine. The main temple ground was as usual, flooded by visitors. As I am heat intolerant, I was already feeling a little worse than normal when we reached the temple. Coming from an equatorial country, I would say the humidity of Kyoto is just amazing. A short 5 minutes walk outdoor in summer will get you well coated with a thin layer of stickiness that you’ll have to endure the whole day. xD Nuff said, due to the heat and crowd, we did a very brief sightseeing at the main temple ground and began our hiking journey through the Torii Gates.

It wasn’t the best day to visit the shrine as the sun was too shy hiding behind a miserable cloud. I’ve probably expected too much from the beautiful movie and the breathtaking pictures taken by various bloggers all over the world. There wasn’t impressive and contrasting colour gradation in the Torii tunnel since the sun wasn’t cooperating. But I do enjoy riding the waves of emotions in my heart as I take my steps up the stretch slowly.

One of the behind-the-scene picture I wanted to include in the post. Most of the Fushimi Inari Torii Gates pictures you see online are hardly crowded but this what you get in reality. In fact, the place is more crowded than this picture. But what you can do is to stay in one spot and wait for that “perfect moment” and snap quickly.

As many bloggers have probably covered every corner of the shrine, I am going to cover something else in the post instead. As a cafe addict, I always gather a list of cafe nearby each and every attraction and try to slot a cafe visit in when opportunities arise. One cafe nearby the Fushimi Inari Shrine is the Vermillion Espresso Bar. It was a brutally humid day, and we needed a spot to cool down and spend some leisure time before heading to Yumeyakata for the Yukata dressing experience.

So we decided to pay this cosy cafe some 2 minutes walk away from the shrine. The cafe is just right on your way to/from Fushimi Inari Shrine. I would say it is a nice location to rest after a tiring hike to the top of the torii gates, or an ideal place to get your daily cuppa boost before making your way up the stairs of Mount Inari.

I ordered their house blend iced coffee. It was rich and fruity, but somehow I think I prefer beans of such flavour served hot. Just a personal preference, though. However, I do look forward to my next trip back to Kyoto, perhaps in a cooler season so that I can give their hot coffee a try!

My friends ordered the Iced Matcha Latte. It was love at first sip. The subtle bitterness and the mellow, lingering sweet aftertaste was astounding. A must-order if you love Matcha. Highly recommended!

The cosy cafe provides nice ambience and tons of books about Kyoto. They carry adorable souvenirs as well. I got two cute Fushimi Inari postcards that I didn’t see it elsewhere.

Writer’s Note: A nice little cafe to chill near major tourist site. Could be crowded depending on season, but we were lucky to have the cafe all by ourselves for two hours! It is conveniently located on your way to/from the Fushimi Inari Shrine, with hipster atmosphere. I would certainly recommend every visitors who wonder around Fushimi Inari Shrine to get your coffee fix here. (The owner of the cafe spent 17 years as a barista in Melbourne btw!)

Contact Details:

Vermillion Espresso Bar & Info. (click me) 
Address: 85 Fukakusa Inarionmaecho, Fushimi Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture.
伏見区深草稲荷御前町85. 京都.
Opening Hours: 9am-530pm

Directions:

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So I booked one sleep pod with Nine Hours Kyoto and spent a night over. The hotel is located right at the busiest streets of Gion (nearest station Karawamachi河源町/Shijo四条), where girls shop ’til they drop. It is also a 20 minutes bus ride away from Kyoto station. I would say it is very accessible in terms of transportation.

Check-in starts at 12 noon. As I planned to check out Kibune Shrine in the north of Kyoto during the day, I could only check into the hotel when the night falls. Luckily the hotel offers its guests to leave baggage with them in the early morning and come back to check-in at night. I am sure many of you are interested to know how is it like sleeping in the small quarters and how does the whole system work. So continue reading!

First, take off your shoes and put on the slippers and proceed to the counter. After check-in, you’ll be given two sets of keys. The shoebox key, and the locker key. Store your shoes in the shoe box and here we go checking out the luggage storage section.

Further into the lobby is a lounge where you can enjoy high-speed Internet and socialize with other guests if you want. Right opposite the lounge is the luggage storage, where you can store bigger carriers. Just for your information, the locker you are given upstairs only fits ONE carrier (up to 24 inches). If you have a huge backpack, you may have to leave your carrier downstairs and only carry your backpack upstairs.

This is how the lobby looked like when I checked in. By the way, many of the capsule hotels in Japan cater traditionally for businessmen. Some of the trendiest capsule hotels in Japan, however, aim business opportunity for both sexes.

One thing I love about the hotel is that other than offering accommodation for male and female guests separately, they even go extra miles in providing a separate elevator for female guests! A very thoughtful gesture to keep their female solo traveler’s mind at ease!

Separate facilities are provided for both sexes in the hotel. The ladies will be using level 2-5, while gentlemen will be using level 6-9. Simple and clean.

So here we are at level 3. Basically, other than sleeping, you do everything else you would do in a conventional hotel here at the level 3. Restrooms, Lockers, Showers, Washroom and Sauna are all provided here at level 3. Just lock your belongings into the locker and have a happy bath time! Tooth paste, tooth brush, hair dryer and sleeping gown are provided as well!

Here am I donning the gray sci-fi sleeping gown I was talking about earlier. It is quite a memorable sight here at the washroom as you see every guest is wearing the same thing. Under the minimalistic background, everything including the atmosphere is just so futuristic, like a film set for the movie Matrix.

After you are done with your sauna and shower, you can proceed to your sleeping pod. Mine is located at level 5. The sleeping pods is stacked into two levels. These pods do look like a bee hive or some MRI scanning machines or time travel machines appeared in science fiction movies.

The pod that I stayed for a night. Guests are supposed to rest here so please refrain from talking whenever you are in the sleeping pod.  I got the lower level pod and crawl into it. It is way bigger than I expected, which is a pleasant surprise. I can sit up straight inside the pod without bumping my head to the ceiling.

Some of my friends ask if it is “open display” while you’re taking a rest? kkkkkk Once you’re inside, you can pull down the blind and enjoy your privacy. However, do remember that the walls are not as thick as a real wall so do not forget to carry courtesy. The bed and pillow are very comfortable. I have my backpack with me throughout the night and didn’t find the place cramp at all.

Another interesting facility of the hotel is their intelligent sleep ambient control system. Once you set your desired wake up time, the system will adjust the lighting in your pod to help you sleep. When it is about time for you to wake up, the system supports your sleep-wake rhythm and prepare the best lighting to aid you in getting up.

Verdict: No doubt it is one of the more expensive places I pay for my trip (5,600 yen including tax. ) but I would say it is totally worth the experience. What I like most about the place are their system and facilities. Their sleeping pods are bigger than I imagine as well. Super innovative sleeping and wake up technology. A great way to end my trip!

Contact Details:

9hrs Nine Hours Kyoto (click me)
Japan, 〒600-8031 京都府京都市下京区貞安前之町 下京区寺町通四条下る貞安前之町588

Direction:

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We only have a  few hours at Dotonbori before leaving to Osaka Castle for the fireworks of Tenjin Matsuri. So we brave the scorching sun and heat to pay this little area a visit. A simple search on the internet brought us to Granknot Coffee, a cafe that serves one of the best coffee in Osaka.

We ordered 2 ice original blend, and an affogato. With the harmonious blend of the aroma and acidity, the ice drip coffee is good. But I prefer ice coffee made from espresso. Just my personal preference, though. The affogato was great! I love the strong aroma, and the caremelly, syrupy taste — A good companion for vanilla ice cream. Personally I prefer their espresso based coffee — solid and powerful texture, bold and aromatic flavour. Thumbs up! Currently, they are serving a summer limited edition drink called “Sparkling Espresso”, a dreamy and interesting combination of chilled, sparkling water, espresso shot and flavours of orange peel! Sounds refreshing. Please let me know how it taste like if you get to order it this summer!

After the coffee break, we decided to walk around the vicinity and found many unique shops with interesting interior and exterior design. Now that I am writing about this place, I regret not spending more time exploring the area and snapping more pictures of the streets. But well, I believe I will be back someday. I love this neighborhood. It is peaceful yet full of surprise. If you have enough of the hustle and bustle of Dotonbori and Shinsaibashi, just escape to this artsy and tranquil little area call Orange Street in Osaka!

Contact Details

Granknot Coffee (click me) 
Japan, 〒550-0014 大阪府大阪市 西区北堀江１丁目２３−４
Operating Hours: 8am-6pm
Tel.+81 6-6531-6020

Directions

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So I flew to Kansai Airport on 24th July and since the Tenjin Matsuri, one of the top annual festivals in Kansai Area was going on the next day, me and my friends have no choice but to schedule Universal Studio on our arrival date. It wasn’t the best choice since it shorten the visiting hours we will have in the theme park but considering I was still suffering from the stomach flu, I guess it is a fair judgement. Come to think of it again, the park is just 40 minutes away from the airport. If we were to check out Osaka city first before going to the Universal Studio Japan, we’d have to travel 1hr from the airport to Shinsaibashi, and spend another 35-40 minutes from there to the park.

Since I am not in the condition to take all the exciting rides, our plan was just to check out the new Wizarding World of Harry Potter located in the Universal Studio Japan. (yes! ONLY checking out the park and call it a day) We reached the park at about 4 pm, and paid about 5,600 yen for the half day tickets — no much difference from the regular one day ticket and the visitors in the park did not seem to decrease despite the summer heat out there. Now, here comes the important question:

Is there a need to purchase Universal Express Pass?

Many of my friends asked if an express pass is necessary. To my understanding, the Express Pass is an additional ticket option on top of the 7,200 yen regular adult entrance fee one should pay when you enter the park. That would mean you’ll be spending 7,200 + 5,200 = 12,400 yen for the total package per person + Express Pass for 5 rides. I would say if you have no choice but to visit the park in summer, you might want to consider the express pass, as waiting under the heat for about 40 minutes per ride could be quite unpleasant. If you are a big fan of the amusement park and enjoy taking all the rides, consider the Express Pass. But these passes comes in a limited amount so please plan early and act fast.

For my case, however, we decided to go for the regular ticket simply because we’re only targetting the Harry Potter Theme Park, and there are only two rides in the Hogwarts castle! Since we have no intention to check out the rides out of Hogwarts, we figured a half-day ticket is the best plan for us!

Are there luggage storage/lockers in the Universal Studio Japan?

There are plenty of them, so don’t worry if you are planning to check out the Universal Studio Japan right after touching down at Kansai Airport!

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter  is divided into two parts: The Hogwarts Castle and the Hogsmeade. The Hogwarts consist of the two iconic rides, and you can dine and shop all the Harry Potter related souvenirs at the Hogsmeade.

You can get all the interesting sweets appeared in the Harry Potter stories, including Berty Bott’s Every Flavour Beans and Chocolate Frogs from the shop Honeydukes. Since I already visited the Harry Potter exhibition years ago at ArtScience Museum and got myself a box of Every Flavour Beans then, we spent about 5 minutes in the store and escaped from the crazy crowds.

Dervish and Banges, where you can get to see all the Quidditch equipment and even try on Hogwarts Uniforms!

Of course I did put on the Gryffindor Uniforms! You should try it on when you’re here at the USJ too! Super fun and satisfying for a Harry Potter fan like me : D

You may also fulfill your wizard dream by visiting Ollivanders to purchase the replicas of all the wands appeared in the Harry Potter movies! A wand cost about 3,200 yen here at Ollivanders.

The Hogwarts Castle at day. I especially love the view at this corner before crossing the bridge from Hogsmeade to Hogwarts Castle. Two rides are available here in the castle area, including the Flight of the Hippogriff and Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, a 4K3D show. We waited for about 30 minutes for the Flight of the Hippogriff and 40 minutes for the 3D rides. The Hippogriff is a kids-friendly roller coaster, I have nothing to brag about the ride. If you have to choose only one ride here in the Hogwarts castle, I would recommend the Forbidden Journey. It is like stepping into Hogwarts for real once you get into the castle — a dream come true for all Harry Potter fans.

The ride was a very immerse thrill-ride about Quidditch Game. I was amazed by the technology, and the 3D effects at first but soon after a minute of twists and turns I had to close my eyes and practise some mind control in the middle of the exciting Quidditch game where Dragon whirled by me.  I can feel that few sip of the frizzy Butter Beer I had right before the ride was emerging from within. All I want was to end the ride. The remaining 2 minutes feels like eternal. It was a relief I did not puke during the ride, but it took me about 30 minutes to recover from the motion sickness. So I would say if you are not feeling well and is sensitive to motion sickness, avoid taking this ride. You may still queue with your friends and tour around the castle and tell the staff you do not wish to board the ride.

The extremely popular drink in USJ — The Butterbeer. It is a non-alcoholic drink suitable for kids. To me it is just sweetened, vanilla flavoured root beer with butterscotch-like toppings. Not a fan of this, but drinking it did increase the overall  atmosphere at Hogwarts. : )

It was a 35 minutes journey from Universal Studio Osaka to Nagahoribashi Station, where our Airbnb apartment is located. It took us some time to locate the apartment as it was dark. My handphone battery went flat so I couldn’t access the detailed directions from the Airbnb app. After wandering on the streets for about 20 minutes we managed to get into the apartment and went out for our first food hunt. We settled down at a cosy little Tsukemen (つけ麺 Japanese Dipping Noodles) restaurant nearby the apartment — Nanatsuki なな月

Tsukemen ramen is a type of Japanese ramen where the noodles and soup are served on separated bowl. The soup is usually stronger and saltier than usual ramen since it serves as a dipping sauce. DO NOT drink the soup on its own. Just take a few strands of noodles and dip them in the soup bowl.

Nanatsuki’s tsukemen noodles. Cooling, fresh, and springy in texture, but easy to slurp down smoothly!

The beef broth. It has a very dense flavour, with some sweetness infused from the beef and perhaps onion. The texture of the broth was lightly pureed and very, very palatable. If the soup is too strong for your likings, you can always ask the shop to weaken it down

I am considered an illiterate in Japan. lol. I don’t speak, nor I can read their language. Although my understanding of Kanji and Korean language provide me a very rough idea of what is going on in the surrounding, when it comes to Katagana, I am just helpless. So what this illiterate can tell you is that since this is a very local environment (no English is spoken at all), everything including their menu is strictly Japanese. And when their guests are 99% Japanese, this place is pretty authentic. I was hoping to go back for more springy and thick noodles, but our limited time in Osaka doesn’t really allow us to do so. Their Tantanmen 担々麺 looks extremely appetizing on the menu as well!

I feel the urge to book my next trip to Osaka and Kyoto again whenever I write about my food hunt of the trip. Stay tuned for more updates about my trip to Kansai region, Japan!

Nanatsuki Contact Details:

Nanatsuki なな月
1-6-10, Higashishinsaibashi, Chuo-ku, Osaka
大阪府 大阪市中央區 東心齋橋 1-6-10

Opening Hours: 
Mon-Fri: 7pm-5am
Sat: 8pm-6am
Close on Sunday.

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