Kyoto & Nara (3 days)

Hello, travelers. This is Kumi. Picturesque Japan Blog welcomes you to Kyoto and Nara.

This blog post is about a rush family tour. You can get some idea about what you can do for three days in Kyoto area.

We left Tokyo early morning by Shinkansen (bullet train) for Kyoto. Our first stop was Kiyomizudera Temple.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3901.html

The shopping street to the temple is lovely.

The next place was Yasaka Shrine.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3903.html

We explored Gion area.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3902.html

Day 2. We took a train to Nara.

This is Kasuga Taisha (shrine).
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4102.html

This is Nara Park.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4103.html

Wherever you go, you see deer. They might steal your map, so be careful!

This is a deer food stand where you can buy some snacks for them. 

They know very well about the system.

So once you get the food, they'll run after you!

You can't miss Todaiji Temple when you go to Nara.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4100.html

You can meet Daibutsu (Great Budha) who's been there since 752.

We also visited Kofukuji before going back to the station.

Then we took JR line from Nara station to Uji station to visit Byodoin Temple.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3923.html

And then Ginkakuji Temple.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3907.html
(*This was in August 2008 when it was being renovated)

The view from the garden was nice.

The garden itself was also beautiful!

We came back to Kyoto station.

And went up to the rooftop garden!

Kyoto is a very traditional area, but the station looks very modern.

Day 3. Finally, we visited Kinkakuji Temple.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3908.html

We enjoyed matcha there.

Then we visited Ryoanji Temple.
https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3909.html

And then Arashiyama area.
https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3912.html

This is a very popular bridge called Togetukyo.

We rented bikes and visited the bamboo forest.

Our final stop was Toji Temple.
https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3919.html

Then we went back to Kyoto station, got on Shinkansen, and went home. Well, this wasn't relaxing at all, but we were all very greedy back then and felt so happy about our accomplishment.

*I've been posting about past trips chronologically and now it's actually 2017. As Kyoto has way more tourists than before (2008), things may not go as smooth as our greedy tour. Therefore I suggest making more relaxing plans. :)