Ohayou Osaka, Konnichiwa Kyoto (Day One)

Meet our gracious host in Osaka, Jeanette. Arigato gozaimasu :D

and these are what we had for breakfast, the meal was so delicious that when I returned to Pinas, I looked for sausages and found similar tasting ones at Family Mart :)

That concluded our first morning in Osaka. We went to Kyoto on our second day of vacation.

From Osakajokitazume, we walked to Kyobashi Station and rode the train to reach Shichijo station via Keihan railway. This route required us to walk from Shichijo Station to Kyoto station (JR). It is on our way back to Osaka on our fourth day of vacation we discovered that we should've crossed the street and rode a bus to reach Hostel Haruya, the hotel where we'll stay for two days.

 

Inside the train, though there is public announcement on what station the train stops, it is helpful that you track also where you are by using a Japanese travel app. We used the Japan Travel app by Navitime Japan Co., Ltd.

Delighted with the scenery like this.

The bus that we're supposed to ride to reach Kyoto station (JR) or straight to our hostel.

  

The train station at 10 am.

Ja and I cannot concentrate on the beauty of Kyoto Tower since we're looking for the right transportation that would take us to our hostel. I am so sad that the go-pro I brought didn't work too. Tough luck on day one of our tour.

 Ja took that beautiful photo. By the way, some of the pics here were hers.

 

The reason we wanted to reach Kyoto station first is to locate the Kyoto Tourist Information Center  so that we'll be able to get information and tips first hand on places, transportation and passes.

Just a sample photo on what you'll see in the information center.

These were the passes we bought: First, we bought  two All-day Sightseeing Kyoto pass (yellow tickets)  which according to locals can be used on an average of four rides but Ja and I enjoyed using it almost eleven times within the day. By the way, the pass'  validity cannot be extended the next day wherein you count the usage on the hour you used it. It can be used until 10pm wherein the buses are still available. I highly recommend this pass for people who would like to visit temples. It is very convenient and the traffic is ten times tolerable than what we have at EDSA on a Sunday morning. :) We saved a lot using this pass since one train ride costs 210 JPY and we bought this all day pass for 500 JPY only. However, this pass is only available for tourists :)

 

The blue ticket is the Osaka Amazing pass which we bought at 2300 JPY. It is also an all day pass; practical to use if you got lots of places to visit in Osaka. We were not able to use this pass much since we were trapped in the magic spell of Shinsaibashi :) which is not on our itinerary :D

There were maps given too when you buy those tickets which are really helpful.

 

Lastly, that document is our studio pass for Toei Kyoto Studio Park. The representatives in information center were amazed that we're going to visit that place because that place is for kids. Well, Ja and I will always be young at heart :) One studio pass is worth 2,200 JPY but we were given discount at the information center and paid 2000 JPY only. Such a great deal right :)

After spending  most of our morning looking for our hostel and we're already a bit frustrated though we anticipated already that we'll get lost and our plan will not be followed religiously, she made our trip to the information center totally comforting.She even gave us a printed copy with PHOTO of the hostel location we're looking for. She is  really warm and kind. Arigato Fujiki :D

There are lots of shops and restaurants at the station but Ja and I decided to save the ramen experience at Dotonburi.

I you've watched Lupin he 3rd, you know who Goemon is :D

We had a simple lunch on our first day in Kyoto.. Chicken karaage and gyoza with the amazing matcha water :) I came from a no rice diet hence this is very sumptuous for me. Gimme more rice please :D

Hello kiddos! When Ja took a picture of them, I taught they'll be angry but I was totally surprised when they said hello and asked where we came from in English, p're!

So we rode Bus 205  from Kyoto station to Nanajo Omiya-Kyoto Aquarium. Voila, the search is over!

This building leads you to Kyoto Aquarium hence this must be your view when you get off the bus. There is a 7/11 store on the right side.

If you have seen this building, you have to walk back and check the alley on the next photo.

This alley reminds me of Harry Potter's Diagon Alley :D

There are three Hostel Haruya rooms: Aqua, Book and Terrace. Ja chose to get reservation at Book.

The reception area is at Hostel Haruya Aqua.

The receiving area

 

And this my friends is Hostel Haruya Book!

  

 

I tried to scan some books but they were all written in Kanji. :)

I enjoyed unlimited coffee and tea :D It's available 24/7 :D

The bikes are for rent...

There's a special way of using these keys so pay attention when they teach you how :D

The bed I imagined the Grudge for a night hahaha but even if this place looks a hundred years old, it is very homey and cozy. I fell asleep that our plan to go to Nishiki market was cancelled. The market is already closed at 5pm. 

The most amusing thing in this hotel is this pair of slippers, very lovely :D