Kansai Travelogue: Kyoto Edition

📆【Travel Strategy】 This trip to Kansai is my first visit to Japan, and I've long heard that Kyoto is the place where Chinese culture is most preserved in Japan, so I made it my first stop. 📆Itinerary: Day 1: Kiyomizu-dera, Kinkaku-ji, Arashiyama, Nijo Castle; Day 2: Sanjusangendo, Gion, Hanami Koji, Shijo Kawaramachi 🚗Transportation Strategy: After arriving at Kansai Airport, take the Haruka train directly to Kyoto, which takes about 80 minutes. There are buses and subways from inside Kyoto to the scenic spots. I joined a one-day tour on the first day to visit the farther spots, and on the second day, I just strolled around the spots accessible by bus. 🌟Highlights of the trip: 1. The small train in Arashiyama offers a breathtaking view during the cherry blossom season, but tickets are hard to get and should be purchased in advance. Car No. 5 has a panoramic sunroof, which is the best for viewing the scenery. 2. Sanjusangendo is impressive, with 1001 statues of the Thousand-Armed Kannon enshrined inside. Since photography is not allowed, it's hard to describe the visual impact in words, highly recommended. 3. I ate at a Michelin-starred restaurant called Kawakami, serving kaiseki cuisine. The dishes felt like opening a blind box, but reservations are needed for better restaurants in Kyoto, so it's advisable to plan ahead, or it would be a pity to miss out. 💰Average Spending: Transportation: Buses and subways start at about 10 RMB, I didn't take a taxi, but I heard they are expensive; Accommodation: At the end of March during the cherry blossom season, hotel prices generally rise, I booked early at about 500 RMB per night; Dining: Average ramen shops and rice set meals cost between 1000-1500 yen; barbecue and specialty cuisine are more expensive, usually starting at 4000 yen; drinks can be bought at convenience stores and vending machines for 100-200 yen. Tickets: Scenic spot tickets are generally between 300-700 yen. 📌Little Tips: Many restaurants use vending machines for ordering, then you give the ticket to the waiter and find a seat to wait; Tourist spots generally use cash, it's good to exchange some, or you can withdraw directly from ATMs after arrival, with a fee of about 10 RMB each time; The local transportation card Icoca can be very convenient for bus rides and can also be used in convenience stores, Apple phones can add a virtual card directly, or you can buy a physical card at the station;