Kansai Day 9 Part 2: Nara

It was last min shopping at Kyoto station before hitting the train for Nara - our last stop for our Japan trip.

There were so many varieties of sourvenirs and the wrappings were all so pretty. The only problem is that we cannot remember what we had bought bcos everything was nicely wrapped up. Then I had a brilliant idea - take picture of the sample and wrapping. I is cleber.

There were not many trains to Nara and the app told us to take this express limited train. We boarded the train with our Icoca cards like usual. As the train was empty, we happily chose our seats and settled down. Then, we kept hearing this announcement about the train being express and would only stopped at limited stops plus all the seats in the train were allocated and free seating was not allowed. We figured out that it would cost more to take the train and special tickets were needed.

We felt like guilty school kids who didnt do their homework and hoping that we wouldnt be found out. The train took off without a hitch. The train was even equipped with toilets, just nice bcos the untimely boy needed one soon after the train took off. Heng ah.

The conductor did come by and we caught him to pay our due fares. Now we can sit comfortably without worries.

Bcos it was expressed service, it only took us about 30 mins to reach Nara.

The moment we arrived at the station, I felt that I like Nara. Osaka is very much hustle and bustle, Kobe just feels like an old town, Kyoto is plain crowded but without Osaka's liveliness. Nara feels very peaceful yet with a tint of liveliness. I just like Nara.

We would be staying in a hostel for the final night and hostel sounded dangerous to Daddy Lim after our last hostel experience in HKG Lantau island. Hahaha. But I checked and double checked that it was a family room that can fit all of us comfortably and that it comes with a private bathroom.

There was a big lobby at the reception.

Our room was ready and it was really good! Big and spacious with 4 beds!

Even though it was a hostel, there was bathtub.

The handwash, shower foam and stuff look as luxurious as the other hotels.

Free coffee was also provided at the lobby.

We had to pull the kids out to explore Nara and to purchase the bus tickets to the airport the next day.

After some aimless walking, we decided to go to Nara Park for the deers. We didnt quite know where exactly the deers were, especially when Nara Park isnt small. The sun was about the set too. Then, somewhere under the trees, we saw them.

The deers didnt want to have anything to do with us until we got hold of the deer biscuits. It was Y150 for 1 stack.

I had thought that the deers would be full by now but they still came after our biscuits.

The deers were so cute! Most of them bow to ask for biscuits. Daddy Lim was very busy, trying to selfie with the deers.

The kids could feed the deers forever and spent whatever money we had left to buy deer biscuits. It was getting chilly and we rushed the kids back to the hostel. Along the way, we saw the pagoda basking in the setting sun.

Christmas carols were everywhere. We shopped at Daiso after dinner and bought cakes to celebrate our Christmas eve.

That marked our last night in Japan.

Mummy Lim

Kansai Day 9 Part 1: Fushimi Inari

The other must go place in Kyoto is the Fushimi Inari. Again, it is another place that you mist go early to beat the crowd. 

The makeshift bed was alright and Daddy Lim woke up without breaking his back. We bought triangle rice the night before and had those for bfast, as well as Zaky's instant noodles.

Without a doubt, instant noodle is always nice. I also like. Haha. Even the soup was gone.

We checked out after bfast and left our luggage at the concierge before making our way to the train station. We didnt get lost this time and made it to the destination. 

What greeted us were many foxes statues, which is iconic to Fushimi Inari.

And of course the red overhead posts. 

The moment we entered, we saw the water cleansing well and we did what others were doing for an experience. 

Then, it was time to start exploring and climbing. 

Like I said, it was a must go place and so there was a big crowd. There was no need to worry about getting lost; just follow the crowd. 

The crowd started to thin as we climbed higher, which allowed more picture taking without being photo bombed. 

Oh yes, we decided to dress the kids lighter as they had been complaining that it was freaky hot with the big ass jacket. Just when we did so and despite checking the weather forecast, I thought that it was quite a chilly day.

Fyi, the overhead beams were constructed based on the amount of donations. Not cheap leh.

It was about 30 mins climb to the top. This time, Daddy Lim and Lil Shauna got bored and we turned back but not before another jump shots.

At the bottom (also the start), there were plenty of stalls selling souvenirs. Lil Shauna went crazy. The kids brought their lunch allowance savings to do shopping during the trip. As it was the last 2nd day, Lil Shauna went into a shopping frenzy. Her 258th keychain/ ornament of the trip. Haha. 

A last picture before we left. 

The road continued to a path full of street food. 

This pork belly was delicious! 

I know I looked super tired in this picture. Strangely, I actuallu didnt feel as tired as I look. I suspect it was the weather, it was so freaking dry. All my wrinkles were extremely obvious. I had been putting on almost nightly mask but they dun seem to help. My poor face. 

On the way back, it was too cold and we hid in a shop for some warmth the hot cold. 

With that, we went back to the hotel to pick up the luggage. 

Mummy Lim