Kyoto Nara | Bowing to Deers

 

8D7N - Osaka Kyoto Japan Day 3 | Nara Park, Todaiji Temple and eat Kyoto style beef cutlet rice

From Fushimi Inari, we made our way down to Nara Park via JR train. Once we reached the JR Nara train station, there are shuttle buses to Nara park and they even have deer printed on the covers of the buses' seat. How cute is that!

The bus ride to Nara Park is quite fast and soon before you know it, you would be able to spot deers from your bus ride and naturally know where to stop. Nara Park is home to hundreds of freely romaing deer. After my visit, my friends were also asking where the deers were savages. Rumours that during Covid, the deers had no food and so were very fierce? Anywhere, my answer is they are all very mild and lazy looking. Unless you have a packet of deer biscuits, then a few will start to follow you around.

There is a row of souvenir shops just outside Nara Park where you can buy "poop" looking chocolate and biscuits to feed the deer. 

Pro-tip: In my opinion, if you really want close up shots with the deer, just buy the packet of deer biscuits and they will all come running after you.

one packet of biscuits to feed the deer costs 200Yen.

Above: My closest encounter with a deer, only made possible with hubs trying to feed it with a biscuit.

These deers are considered messengers of the gods. Nara's over 1000 deer have become a symbol of the city and have even been designated as a national treasure. 

Remember to bow to these cute deers and they will bow back to you!

It was drizzling slightly but it is really very fine rain in Kyoto. Singaporeans like us as so used to torrential tropical rains that this sort of drizzle is really nothing at all! We made our way to Todaiji temple. To be honest, today had been such a long day where we started early at Kiyomizu Dera Temple, walked ninenzaka, sanenzaka, climbed up Fushimi Inari, by evening time, don't say the kids, even I myself was quite tired and had little energy to enjoy the view of Todaiji Temple.

620pm: our frantic search of the famous Mochi store at Nakatanidou. Finally found it. This famous mochi shop is located in the heart of Nara City and specialises in yomogi mochi. Despite close to closing times, there were still people hovering around the store to buy leftover mochi! and we were one of these people. hah!

One mochi costs ¥130, and payment is cash only. You can also buy them in larger boxes, and if you buy a pack of 8 or more the price per mochi is slightly cheaper. 

630pm: Quick bite at Melon de Melon.

9pm Dinner: Gyukatsu Kyoto (beef cutlet)

Hubs found another franchise shop inside a building that sells electronic goods. 

it was so good that the kids finished their beef cutlet almost immediately.

8D7N - Osaka Kyoto Japan Day 3 | Kiyomizu Dera and Fushimi Inari

Good Morning Kyoto!

Today's itinerary at a glance.

1. Kiyomizu Dera Temple

2. Osaka Starbucks Tatami style store

3. Stroll along Sannenzaka and Ninnenzaka

4. Hike up Fushimi Inari

5. Nara Park to pet deers

Above: Last night supper from Lawson Convenience store and this morning's breakfast. So sumptous!

Japanese convenience stores here have a different variety of beers compared to Singapore. Last night we tried the Kirin Green apple 5% alcohol beer (limited period) and Shrimp flavoured fluffy rice flour chips which even had a small note that it is using local rice grains. Nice, always good to support local whenever we travel.

Taking a train to Kiyomizu Dera Temple.

Stopped by a Ghibli store and bought myself a tea towel and a rice scoop

Walking Kyoto street, reaching Kiyomizu Dera temple soon!

930AM: Into Kiyomizu Dera Temple! Bought ourselves the entrance ticket.

Couldn't resist these little good-luck schoolbags for my kids and bought 1 colour of each and just nice, it comes in 3 different colours for my 3 kids. 

Above: wash your hands with the water and you have good luck!

Hydrangeas are in season (June)

Bought a Kyoto Fridge Magnet for 500 Yen. So expensive yah.

1130AM: Along Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka, in search of the Starbucks Tatami store. Along the way, I chanced onto this sweet shop Sou Sou! OMG, bought 2 sticks for the kids to share. Each stick 500Yen.

12noon: Finally, hubs found the quaint old Starbucks store. I had the seasonal lemon frap.

140PM: Reached the foot of Fushimi Inari!

Underestimated the climb up to the top. we took about 1 hour hike up  the 233m high mountain. Leisure hike is about 2-3 hours but we were in a rush as after this hike, my plan was to visit Nara Park which closes at 5pm. And the train from here to Nara is about 1 hour.

230pm we reached the top and 350pm we were at back at the foot.

240PM we reached the top of Fushimi Inari, the view from here isn't what I was expecting after climbing 233m up.

[to be continued, stay tuned for our visit to Nara Park and our adventures with deer petting]