Of Temples and Glico Running Man

Osaka and  Kyoto in 3 days

Day 0

15:20    Depart Manila on Cebu Pacific Flight 5J 828

20:30    Arrive at Kansai International Airport / Immigration /    

             Customs / Baggage Claim

22:00    Retrieve ICOCA and Haruka CARD from JR Station

*ICOCO / HARUKA CARD costs 3,000 Yen for one way airport transfer and 4000 Yen for two way airport transfer,  both include 1,500 Yen loaded for bus / train tickets and purchases at select convenience stores and 500 Yen deposit

22:15    Depart for Kyoto via HARUKA Airport Express

23:45    Arrival at Kyoto Station / Walk to Piece Hostel Kyoto

00:00    Check-in at Piece Hostel Kyoto / Freshen up
                    *Rates vary from 2,600 to 3,500 yen /night/person

00:15    Late Dinner / Midnight Snack at Nakau Fastfood
                    *Meals vary from 300 to 550 Yen

01:00    Drinks at the Hostel / retire for the night
                    *Buy drinks at 7-11 (located at Kyoto Station)
                      Drinks vary from 190 to 500 Yen

Day 1

07:00    Shower / Bath and morning necessities

08:00    Breakfast at the Hostel

                  *Breakfast includes flavoured rice, miso soup, bread and spreads, coffee and tea

                  **if you prefer to have something else, purchase food on day 1 at 7-11, 

                     a refrigerator is available at the hostel, just put your name and departure date.

09:00    Buy a one-day bus pass at the Tourist Information Office, 
             Kyoto Terminal
                  *Get maps (City and Bus) from this office 
09:15    Board a JR Train to Inari, 2 stops from Kyoto Station, 
             departure at 09:18
                  *140 Yen, you can use the ICOCA Card
09:24    Arrive at Inari Station, cross the road to see the 
             Fushimi Inari Shrine

Entrance to the Fushimi Inari Shrine

10:30    Head to the nearest private railroad to catch the next train 
             to Sanjusangendo Temple
                  *Fushimi Inari or Keisatu Gakkomei stations, not the JR Station, 200 Yen, use ICOCA

10:50    Visit the Sanjusangendo Temple

                  *600 Yen entrance fee

Sanjusangendo Temple, home of 1,000 statues of buddha

11:20    Ride Bus 100 or 206 to Gojozaka station to visit the 
             Kiyomizu Temple
                  *Bus Station at Sanjusangendo is across the street, after alighting at Gojozaka, 
                   walk to the Kiyomizu Temple, use Bus pass
11:45    Wander around the Kiyomizu Temple
                  *700 Yen for the main hall and its surroundings

Kiyomizu Temple, Biggest Temple complex in Kyoto

13:30    Head out towards the bus station having lunch on the way
                  *We had lunch at Gojo Zaka Road

Tofu and Tempura Ramen at 850 Yen

15:00    Ride Bus 100 to Ginkakuji Mae Station to see the 
             Ginkakuji Temple and Philosophers Walk
                  *Ginkakuji Temple(Silver Pavillion) is open up to 17:00, the Philosophers walk is only 
                  important when Cherry blossoms are in bloom

The last few Cherry Blossoms in bloom

17:00    Ride Bus 100 going to Gion
                  *Use Bus pass
17:30    Wander around Gion and have dinner
20:00    Watch out for Geisha roaming around the area

Look for the real thing!

21:00    Return to Piece Hostel or hang out near Gion
                  *Use Bus pass
22:00    Drinks at the Hostel or at a nearby bar / retire for the night
                  *Buy drinks at 7-11 (located at Kyoto Station)
                    Drinks vary from 190 to 500 Yen

Day 2

06:00    Shower / Bath and morning necessities

07:00    Check out of Hostel, leave bags at the Reception
07:10    Buy a one-day bus pass at the Tourist Information Office, 

             Kyoto Terminal
07:17    Ride Bus 5 to Shijo Takakura
                  *Use Bus pass
07:30    Breakfast while walking at Nishiki Market

Have breakfast while walking..

09:30    Ride Bus 101 to Kinkakuji-Michi at Shijo Karasuma
                  *Use Bus pass
09:55    Visit the Kinkakuji Temple (Golden Pavillion)

                  *500 Yen entrance fee

The Golden Pavillion

10:40    Head towards the exit and ride Bus 59 to Ryoanji mae
                  *Use Bus pass
10:55    Visit Ryoanji Temple (Stone / Zen Garden)
                  *500 Yen entrance fee

Zen Garden at the Ryoanji Temple

11:40    Ride Bus 59 to Kinkakuji Michi, transfer to Bus 101
                  *Use Bus pass
12:00    Ride Bus 101 to Nijojo Mae
                  *Use Bus pass
12:30    Visit the Nijo Castle
                  *600 Yen entrance fee

14:00    Ride Bus 101 to Kyoto Station
                  *Use Bus pass
14:30    Late lunch at Kyoto Station
                  *There are several restaurants with different cuisine. Try their Rotoyaki, 137 Yen/plate

Rotoyaki at Kyoto Station, cheaper than the ones in Osaka.

16:30    Pick up luggage at hostel / freshen up
17:10    Head to Kyoto station for transfer to Osaka
17:29    Ride Train to Osaka (Special Rapid Service)
                  *540 Yen, use ICOCA Card
17:58    Arrive at Osaka Station
18:00    Walk to Umeda Sky Building to have a view of Osaka
                  *600 Yen to go up the Umeda Sky Building

View of Osaka at Night

19:20    Head to Umeda Station, Midosuji line
19:40    Ride Midosuji line to Namba Station
                  *200 Yen, use ICOCA Card
20:00    After alighting at Namba, Walk to hotel at 
             First Cabin Midosuji-Namba
                  *4,216 Yen per night, per person

20:30    Spend the night wandering around Dotonburi Area

                  *look out for the Building designs and the Glico Running Man

Dotonburi St

Glico Running Man

Day 3

07:00    Shower / Bath and morning necessities

08:00    Breakfast in the Hostel 

                  *500 Yen

08:40    Check out of Hostel, leave bags at the Reception

08:50    Ride Midosuji line to Hommachi Station, Transfer to 

             Chuo Line to Tanimachi 4-chome

                  *Buy 1 day Train pass, 500 Yen

09:20    Visit the Osaka Castle

                  *600 Yen entrance fee

taken from www.osaka-info.jp 

10:30    Visit other parts of the city or 

             spend time buying pasalubong.. :)

16:50    Pick up luggage at hostel / freshen up

17:00    Ride Midosuji line to Tennoji Station
                  *Use Train pass
17:32    Ride Haruka Express to Kansai Airport
                  *Use Haruka Express Ticket given at the Airport (if you bought a two way ICOCA card)

I'll sure be back..