My tips travelling to tourist attractions

Many City buses are crowded and often over crowded. Do you want to experience facing such crowds on your holiday when you want to relax and enjoy?

Kyoto City Council is examining collecting fares on board on the Express 100 buses that are busiest bus route in Kyoto. But in my opinion such movements won't ease travel times, unless prepaid services like all Melbourne public transport services with Myki card.

I was about to write more about this issue here, but instead give you some tips to make your trips to your favourite tourist attractions easier and more comfortable.

To be honest riding a bike is the best way to explore Kyoto. I am providing tips for travellers who want to use public transport to explore Kyoto.

Arashiyama - JR Sagano Line's local or rapid train is the best from Kyoto Station as it's much faster than bus. If you are in the city centre such as Shijo Kawaramachi or Shijo Karasuma, catch Hankyu train to Umeda. Transfer at Katsura for an Arashiyama bound train.

Kiyomizu Temple - Long queues are formed at the bus dedepot at Kyoto Station for services going through Gojo Zaka, the closet stop to the temple. Walk to Shichijo Station on Keihan Railway for ten minutes from Kyoto Station and catch a Demachiyanagi bound local train and get off at Kiyomizu Gojo. Then walk to the temple.

Fushimi Inari - Even the shrine is covered with a one day bus pass, never catch a city bus. You will end up waiting ages to board a bus after visiting there. Local train on JR Nara Line or Keihan Railway is the easiest, fastest and most comfortable way to travel from Kyoto Station or city centre.

Nanzen-ji and Eikando - Travelling on the Route 5 bus is for nightmare as it's travelling through the congested Shijo Street and buses are packed during peak seasons. Catch underground train / subway / metro from Kyoto Station to Keage on the Tozai Line (transfer at Karasuma Oike) and walk to the temple. It's much faster and more comfortable.

Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion) - City Bus Route 17 is the least crowded to get there from Kyoto Station, comparing with the Express 100 and Route 5 services. If you get fit, you can walk to the Keihan Shichijo Station getting a train to Demachiyanagi and then walk to the temple.

Gion - If you want to avoid over crowded Express 100 or Route 206 bus, try Express 110 or Extra bus services. Alternatively take a Keihan Railway train to Gion Shijo and walk.

Do you have any suggestion? Or want further advice?

Please comment below and I am happy to take your advice or answer your questions.

Happy travel planning!!

Event Information - Kyoto Nippon Festival

Hi Kyo Sensational fans,

I apologise for not updating the blog for a while and my laziness.

Recently I have found an event post on the community notice board near my home.

It is called Kyoto Nippon Festival being held from 21st October to 3rd December. The event is the mixture of traditional culture, art, foods and music.

Their slogan is handing over Japanese beauty to the future (younger generations).

You will feel the traditional and unique Japanese culture by attending the event in the world's popular and unique tourist city of Kyoto.

The main programme is the solo exhibition of kami no Mani Mani. drawn by the modern artist of Chihiro Nagashima. Other featuring events include the exhibition of Marika Ito, an exclusive restaurant run by Kyoto Kiccho and flower arrangement workshops.

Ito is a member of the girls band of Nogizaka 46 and creates the mixture and unique crafts of fashion, art, movie and radio. Her exhibition is a collection of her crafts made of views of her brain with her talents.

Kyoto Kiccho offers traditional Japanese foods with ingredients harvested and grown in Japan. They also create unique atmosphere and services so that their customers enjoy meals with five human senses.

You will have autumn Japanese flowers at the flower arrangement workshop. Joining the workshop would be your wonderful Japanese experiences with unique flowers as a memorial present.

The venue is Kitano Tenmangu Shrine in the north west suburb of Kyoto.

City Bus is the best way to get there. Catch Route 50 or Express 101 at Kyoto Station Bus Terminal stop B2. If you are in the city centre (Shijo Kawaramachi), the Route 203 (the anticlockwise) is convenient.

Their official website (www.kyotonippon.com) is only in Japanese, so please don't hesitate to ask me for further information.