Kansai Day 8 Part 2: Toei Kyoto Studio Park

That was our final destination for the day - Toei Kyoto Studio Park. We read mixed reviews about this place, generally about it being too expensive and limited activities. We still went ahead bcos the kids wanted to.

We took a bus from the Arashiyama and arrived safely, right outside the studio park.

This studio park is the only theme park in Japan where one can view the 古代 filming.

The 

The entrance cost us Y6,600. The moment we entered, we busied ourselves with pictures taking.

The kids went for the 1st activity - some maze thing. Each activity comes with extra charges. They took a long time at this activity, which was a good thing for us bcos we wanted to relax one corner. The kids came out perspiring and telling us how difficult it was. 

The time was just right for a ninja show. The 1st part was action packed and we were all captivated. Then there was a lot of talking in Japanese and the kids lost interest and dragged us out.

We roamed the park. 

The kids went for more activities - the laser escape game and some other amazing maze stuff. These took much shorter time than the 1st activity. 

We took plenty of silly pictures.

The most popular activity was to learn some ninja skills. We skipped that one bcos there was a long q. 

The last activity that they partook was the haunted house. Daddy Lim was encouraging the kids to join him; I stand far far away bcos I am a scardy cat. Daddy Lim afterall only have 2 hands to allow 2 persons to hold on.

The staff warned the kids that it would be frightening and there is no stopping midway. They went ahead. Come, I clap for them.

Daddy Lim said that they were 1st shown this video of the dos and donts. He said that the video was eerie, the video trailed off eventually and the presenter looked funny, like zombified or possessed. That video started the walk through the haunted house. 

So how did they do it? Lil Shauna was leading the way and was pulling Daddy Lim. He had thought that she was so brave until Lil Shauna told him that she had the other hand half covering her eyes and she just wanted to get the walk done. Lol. Zaky was hugging Daddy Lim's other hand. The house was dark with eerie decorations and some children crying in the background. Intermittently, some character would jump out from somewhere to scare them. Hohoho. I am so glad that I chose to skip it. I was totally zen in the nearby shelter waiting for them.

They survived the haunted house alright and it was a great experience. It got them talking about it for a long time. 

With that, we ended our trip to the studio. We spent about 3 hours in the park. We would probably be able to spend longer time if the kids were more interested in the set. We ended off with more silly pictures. Lil Shauna is so good or Daddy Lim must be super heavy.

It was quite a walk to the station. 

We were all tired and had a simple dinner at Kyoto station before hiding in our mini room. Daddy Lim had the privilege to sleep on the makeshift bed this time. Actually, I wouldnt mind too but I was sure that he preferred the makeshift bed than sleeping with 2 kids. Haha. 

Mummy Lim

Kansai Day 8 Part 1: Arashiyama Bamboo Grove and Monkey Park

So how was the makeshift "bed"? Lil Shauna didnt complain about the bed but that it was freaking cold in the night. Next pls...

I read that we should go to the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove early to avoid the crowd but waking up early had become super difficult by day 8. The hotel provides bfast but warned about thd crowd. It was a tiny eating hall. There was a q when we arrived at 7.30am. We saw that it was simple bfast food and reckoned that we would be better off with 7-11.

Off to the train station. According to the app, it was the train on platform 3 2. We had assumed that it was either 3 or 2 and found the platform that was in between track 2 and 3. We also saw that the train was coming at the exact time as per the app. There a small restuarant on the platform. So cute.

We boarded the train without a hitch and even found seats together. Yeah.

The app said that it would take about 15 mins. Soon, the gadgets came out and Daddy Lim stole a cap nap. When I finally looked up from my phone, the station name didnt look familiar. Oh no! I think we missed our stop!

We got off and the app told us to take the train all the way back to Kyoto station and to start again! We suspected that it was bcos the train system isnt like our mrt, where we can simply cross the platform to take the train in the opposite direction to the missed stop. Without any other option, we rode back to Kyoto.

Back at Kyoto station, the app said that it was the same 3 2 platform but we couldnt find the train at the stated time. Luckily, we opened our golden mouth to ask, only to realise that it had always been platform 32, not 3 or 2. Why the hell do they put the 3 so far from the 2? And there are over 30 platforms??? We had taken the wrong train from the start! Zzzzzz...

We did eventually arrive at the right platform, took the correct train and arrived at the right station. The 1st thing was to have a pretty looking ice cream to compensate the heartache.

The colorful little balls were so pretty but Lil Shauna said that they were tasteless. Ok, at least they had some aesthetic value.

Then in search of the bamboo grove! It was a short walk away, somewhere.... there!

Along the way, we saw a little temple and its yard was full of stone piles. The kids wanted to make one too but changed their mind when I mentioned that it looked like some fertility related shrine. Haha.

Finally, the bamboo grove!

Daddy Lim and the kids were like, we came all the way here to see bamboo? Hello, not any bamboo hor, Arashiyama bamboo. Actually, I was a little disappointed as well. From the many pictures that I saw on the web, I had expected it to be a lot more magnificent.

Still, pictures must be taken to mark our presence.

The bamboo didnt captivate us too long. Errr...this one looks the same as that one... and that one... It was time for part 2 of the program, the Monkey Park. Animals never fail to excite the kid. On the way, we found food! This strawberry red bean mochi thing was nice.

And pictures!

The Monkey Park!

The monkeys lived on top of a little hill. WHY???!!! It would take about 20 mins of ascent to get to the monkey. The kids were very motivated by the monkeys, we didnt quite share their enthusiasm.

Almost at the top, there was a little playground.

Then a short climb to where the monkeys were. The monkeys were free roaming and definitely enjoying life.

This monkey is enjoying life too.

While the monkeys were free roaming, there were rangers to make sure that the monekys dont get into too much mischief. The rangers paid particular attention to kids, in case the monkeys attack the kids. Zaky got the rangers very uptight bcos he purposely walked very near to the monkeys. Lol.

To feed the monkeys, we had to go into a little hut.

The feeds - banana, apple and peanuts, were available at Y100 per pack. We had to feed the monkeys from behind a fence. That didnt stop the kids' enthusiasm.

When the feeds were gone, it was also time to feed the human monkeys. The descent was so much easier and there were plenty of food options. I like.

Mummy Lim