Since I had a three-year multiple-visit visa at the time, and also had to deal with time off and coordination/live lottery, I didn’t make the itinerary until early October. Based on the prices of air tickets and hotels in Kyoto, we decided on a 6-day itinerary from November 27th to December 2nd. Only the last day of accommodation was in Osaka, and the rest were in Kyoto. In addition, I went to Kyoto to see the cherry blossoms in the first half of the year, so some attractions were Skip.
A7R3+24-105G and mobile phone shooting.
Day1. Shanghai==>Kyoto
For Air China and Pudong, it would be much faster to print the boarding pass first and go to the self-service counter to check in. However, I am unlucky and have to deal with delays for various reasons every time I fly to Japan due to heavy fog.
Landed at Kansai T1, took the express train, exited customs, and then bought a HARUKA ticket. I already have ICOCA, so I bought the ticket directly and it cost 1,600 yen to reach Kyoto in 80 minutes.
This special ticket is for unreserved seats. If you find that everyone is still queuing after you go downstairs, you will basically have a seat. If you judge that there is no seat, it is best to wait for the next bus. If you are not lucky, it will be too much to stand in Kyoto.
The hotel I stayed at this time was the Kyoto Budget Hotel, which is close to Gojo. It is really economical and private. It is not cheap during the red leaves period. It is a bit noisy on the street. Breakfast is not provided, but coffee and limited-time bread (very delicious) are provided.
In the evening, after checking in and renovating, I went out and passed by the Kamogawa River.
I went to take a look at Shenglin Temple. It is super small. Although the absolute number of people is not large, the density is not low.
Afterwards, we went back to Kyoto Station and found a place to eat at the ramen alley. I was as salty as ever. Then I walked around the sky corridor next to it and then returned to the hotel.
Day2. Rurikoin/Renkaji Temple/Osaka Castle/Utada Hikaru live
I bought a Keihan Eizan one-day pass (1,500 yen) at Kyoto Station the day before, so I started my trip around this pass.
First, I went to Rurikoin Temple. I got up late in the morning and arrived at Yase Hiei Mountain Pass after 10 o'clock. I bought a ticket. The designated time period was 11:30. In 2019, I saw that my friend went there early and it was much better. The light was much better. It's also a little softer. I'll still have to get up early in the future, which is just enough time to go to Lianhua Temple.
Encountered the special carriage of Eizan Electric Railway.
This time I arrived in Japan at a good time. It happened to be a good time when most places were red. Renhua Temple is a very quiet temple with not many people. If you have time, you can sit and have a good time. Later, I heard from a friend that you can go directly to Liuli. In the past, I took the tram one stop over.
After shopping, it turned out to be cloudy when I went back to Liuliguangyuan... Alas, free tea is provided in Liuliguangyuan, so you can sit for a while and enjoy the scenery slowly.
After shopping, I went back to Demachiyanagi Station and took the Keihan Main Line Express to Osaka. The sky was still cloudy, and it even rained later... We first walked around Nakashu Island.
In the middle, we passed the Osaka Prefectural Police Headquarters, which was really impressive.
After that, I went to Osaka Castle Hall to watch a live show. Facial recognition was used to enter the venue. During the live show, Xiong Guang specifically said that you can take photos with your mobile phone, but not with your camera.
After listening to the live, I walked to Kyobashi Station and took the Keihan Line back to Kyoto to sleep.
(To be continued...)