A coworker recommended a place when we were overseas in Japan but apparently in the two years time he was gone they implemented a rule that no non Japanese could go into their little restaurant so no gyudon for me, so whoever ruined that restaurant for us I hate you
Many thanks to your video. I've got driving experience in Japan some ten years ago, and will do it again in coming May. Your self refueling gas station is something new that I didn't have experience with last time I drove in Japan
Gion is best at night I feel. Most visitors have gone home so streets are clear and the lighting is perfectly. A bit dark but mysterious too. Walking at night in Kyoto is wonderful and totally safe. Nanzenji at night or the evening rather is very special.
Ah great tips. I would also add that some of the places you mentioned are open 24/7 and that the hours of operations varies by season. Example: Some temples are have illumination events during autumn to view the leaves. Also places like Fushimi Inari are great at night! I had read about it and made sure to have a good flashlight with me for my visit. The change between day and night visits were amazing. I wouldn't try to hike the entire path at night but the grounds are so peaceful and quite at night. I only saw maybe 5 other people at night. Of course you miss out on actually going inside of the temples and the food stalls so I would say do both if time permits. Kyoto requires the use of buses for public transport for many of your trips. There is a system for getting on and paying for your fare which I cannot recall but you can find that and TONS of good info on Japanguide.com it was my go to site for planning my trip. Google maps is your best bet on getting around but even that can lead you awry. Some of the bus routes seemed to change on us mid route...I'm sure it was my fault but still- it's something you should plan for as getting lost is just one of those things. Keep an eye on Maps to ensure you are heading in the right direction all the way to your destination.
Can you make one of these for the automatic bathtubs? 😅 Even though I could read Hiragana/Katakana and knew a decent amount of Japanese, I had a really hard time figuring mine out at a high-end hotel! So much Kanji, and so many systems I didnt know if it was working or not!!
Love it! My wife and I spent 4 days in Kyoto on our honeymoon and did lots of these things. Here’s a few of my tips: Try wandering and exploring for shops/restaurants, Yelp will 100% lead you back to the Kyoto station (as Japan doesn’t use Yelp like we do in US, though they do use TableLog, its still far less info) and many times you will find yourself stuck there wishing you could plan how else to find the kind of food you want. Your JR Pass will only work for the Shinkansen, and expect to pay extra for all the MANY other lines to get around Kyoto (Arashiyama, Gion, Nishiki, and the Station are all quite far from eachother!) As the locals/your hotel staff if any markets or events are happening during your stay- there are many local farmer’s markets and swap-meet like events you can get some wonderful omiage & snacks! Fushimi Inarii is more about the gates and the walk rather than the view! Theres one nice view about 85% of the way up, but be aware that at the peak is a graveyard and giftshop covered in thick trees, you can’t see the city from there and you’re not allowed to sit down there either (its disrespectful of the graves), so if you’re wanting a mountain hike with a view of the city, i’d recommend elsewhere. But the forrest was still beautiful and it is awesome to see all the gates and lamps and temple kittens along the way! Look for experiences you can’t find in your country! In the Nishiki market we stumbled upon an Otter Cafe, and that was one of my wife’s favorite things about our trip!!
My boyfriend and I messed up last time we went to Japan and are trying again, but we wanted to have access to strawberry items without going in the dead of winter. Last year we went in July, but next year for our trip we wanted to go in April. Can we find strawberry items like sandwiches and such at the beginning of April?
The four seasons of Japan, change in the nature at the season, Which season do I like? I would say, each season is fabulous. 😅 The beauty of the nature that each season weaves is wonderful in winter, autumn, summer, spring. The good eating that can be done at each season is the enjoyment. The good harvest of rice is pleased to do enjoying the moon to look at cherry blossoms in spring, and to see the festival and Yukata, fireworks, pool, sea, in summer in autumn, and it warms ourselves in Kotatsu in the family, and it eats the pan in winter. This is a Japanese style.
I plan to go in the summer to go to Amusement parks along with sightseeing but I also want to avoid the rainy season entirely. I was thinking late July and August. Is that a good time to visit? I would love to know!
Sorry if this is super late, Kyoto has an incredible subway system, there are many busses too, that will being you very close to where you need to go. But as far as I know it is pay-per-ride so it can add up! The JR Pass doesnt work much in Kyoto, but is great to get you in or out of Kyoto. (From Osaka, or to Nara etc)
@@thejason8er Thanks! I never went back to Japan b/c of Corona-chan, so this is will help me decide where it is i want to go when it is all finally over.
Useful video. I suggest you to add a little info about who you are and why you have knowledge about Japan, as I was wondering why the infos provided should be reliable. Thanks!