Hikari Bullet Train

Date: 25th March, 2015

After the morning disappointment of visiting Himeji Castle, I decided to explore Himeji city a bit more before leaving for Tokyo. I considered visiting one more attraction, and chose the Nadagiku Shuzo Sake Brewery (sake is a Japanese rice wine). Looking at a map of Himeji city, it didn’t seem that far from the JR station.

Himeji city pavement trees Japan — Loved seeing well designed sidewalks

Traditional dress couple Himeji Japan — And seeing the traditional with the new

JAL office Himeji Japan — I walked past the other side of the JR station, which has some hotels like Tokyo-Inn.com and a Japan Airlines building

Himeji city pavement design Japan — I kept admiring the pavements because all this good planning is a rarity back in India

I tried to locate Nadagiku Shuzo Sake Brewery on Google Maps but I still ended up a bit lost after I followed the route the app showed me.

Continue reading “Japan: Nadagiku Shuzo Sake Brewery, leaving Himeji for Tokyo — and my last bullet train ride” »

Date: 24th March, 2015

After half a day spent at charming Arashiyama, I took the train back to Kyoto Station. Instead of rushing back to Shiori-an Guesthouse to collect my bags, I decided to explore the station.

Inside Kyoto station terminal Japan — Because Kyoto Station looks pretty cool

Kyoto station interior design Japan — Built at a cost of $1.25 billion, the station building complex houses a shopping mall, hotel, movie theater, Isetan department store, and several local government facilities

Inside Kyoto station design Japan — Kyoto Station is a tourist attraction by itself

Kyoto train station Skywalk Japan — This is the Skywalk

Kyoto tower from station rain Japan — Kyoto tower, right opposite Kyoto station

Kyoto train station tracks Japan — The train tracks below

Kyoto rail station Skywalk Japan — The Skywalk is simply one long path taking people from one end of Kyoto station to another

Restaurants Kyoto station Japan — You have restaurants and other stores on this side

Rooftop garden Kyoto station Japan — There is a rooftop garden and viewing deck at this end as well

Helipad Kyoto station Japan — And a helipad

Outdoor Kyoto station Japan — It was time to go back down

Kyoto station roof design Japan — I wouldn’t call Kyoto Station’s architecture beautiful or anything

Interior design Kyoto station Japan — But it is definitely unique

Bus stop Kyoto station Japan — The bus station outside. You can board buses going straight to Kiyomizu Dera from here.

I went back to Shiori-an Guesthouse, collected my bags and checked out. It was time to say goodbye to Kyoto and head to Himeji. I really wished I could spend at least a day or two more in Kyoto, or use it as my base and go to Nara and Osaka, which aren’t too far away. But I had to stick to my schedule. Continue reading “Japan: Kyoto Station, and arriving at Himeji by shinkansen” »

Japan: Nadagiku Shuzo Sake Brewery, leaving Himeji for Tokyo — and my last bullet train ride

Japan: Kyoto Station, and arriving at Himeji by shinkansen

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