My husband and I started our day by leaving the Travelodge Honmachi in Osaka around 9:52 AM, excited to explore Nara and Kyoto. We didn’t have a detailed plan, other than wanting to visit Nara Park and Fushimi Inari. We hopped on the train at Honmachi Station headed for Nara Park. The ride was smooth and easy; just follow the maps at the station or check your Google Maps for the train schedule. By 10:33 AM, we stepped off at Nara Station. As we walked from the station, I couldn’t help but peek into the little shops lining the streets. Each one had something unique, just waiting to be discovered.
Our first stop was at a shop with at least 20 people queuing for something delicious. I peeked inside and saw they were selling green tea mochi. A sign outside claimed, “Taste that only a mochi master can make.” After enjoying the mochi, we continued our walk toward the Kōfuku-ji Temple. While I was buying the admission tickets, a deer approached my husband. It was a bit aggressive but still cute! Eventually, it calmed down after someone fed it.
The last time I visited Nara Park was in February, and it was quite cold. This time, in autumn, the crisp weather felt nice and refreshing, perfectly balanced. Even with the change in season, visiting the temples here remains equally fascinating. We continued our walk to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Tōdai-ji Temple. I always appreciate how well-mannered the people are here. Transactions are quick and efficient, even if there’s a line. After just a few minutes, it’s your turn, whether you’re waiting for food, tickets, or photo opp!!! I LOVE JAPAN!!!!!!
We continued our walking tour and spent some time exploring Nara Park. It was amazing to see the deer roaming around everywhere. Did you know they’re considered sacred in this area? I fed one of the deer some crackers (JPY100), and it playfully nudged my hand. It made me smile and reminded me how special it is to connect with nature like that. My husband was thrilled to feed one deer after another, sharing in the joy of these friendly creatures.
After feeding the deer, it was time to eat. We struggled to find a place not because there weren’t any options, but because everything we passed offered Japanese food, and my husband won’t have breakfast without eggs. Fortunately, we stumbled upon a charming little French café-restaurant called Monsieur Pepe. I even met the owner, who is Japanese but has a deep love for French cuisine. The food was as delectable as you can imagine, and the photos speak for themselves. The prices were similar to what you’d find at a brunch spot in BGC; it wasn’t expensive, just right for the quality. Plus, the portions were generous. It was such a treat to enjoy French food while surrounded by a beautiful Japanese landscape.
By noon, it was time to head to Kyoto, so we made our way back to the station and hopped on a train, arriving at Fushimi Inari around 1:30 PM. This is one of my favorite temples in Japan, featuring the famous 1,000 toriis (or traditional Japanese gates found in Shinto Shrines). While there are a lot of people walking through, don’t worry—once you reach the top, the crowds thin out as the hike becomes more challenging. It’s definitely not for the faint of heart!
Walking through the thousands of vermilion toriis felt surreal. Each gate is donated by individuals or businesses, and I loved imagining the stories behind each one. I can’t help but wonder if students in the area have assignments to find out which Torii was donated by whom. Regardless of those thoughts, it’s easy to spend hours wandering the trails, taking pictures, and soaking in the stunning views. I and my husband took a lot of photos for sure!!!! If you get tired, hungry, or thirsty, there are rest stations along the way where you can take breaks and even pick up some food and souvenirs.
The view from the top is breathtaking, overlooking the city below. There are four main stops, with two that are less frequented, so keep an eye out for the signs and don’t miss any trails. You’ll find the experience as rewarding as I did—it truly felt like an adventure!
Around 4 PM, we returned to the train station and headed to Gion. As soon as we walked out of the station, I spotted the vast Kamogawa River, which brought back memories of my last visit with friends. We continued our walk to the Minamiza Theatre and decided to try our luck at getting Kabuki tickets (7,000 yen), even though it said online that everything was sold out. Fortunately, we secured some for the 6 PM performance. While waiting, we explored the charming streets of the Gion district, where the essence of Japanese culture was all around us. If you bring a tripod, you’ll find plenty of amazing backdrops reflecting the ancient setting of the Edo period. The traditional wooden buildings made it feel like we had stepped back in time (of Kenshin Himura from Samurai X!!! LOL) By 5:30 PM, we made sure to head back to the theater.
The Kabuki performance, “Journey into Kabuki,” was a great introduction for someone like me who had never seen Kabuki before. It was so immersive that the audience participated in some parts before, during, and after the show. I believe they have performances running until February, but I’m not entirely sure. Regardless, it was an incredible experience!
After the show ended at 7:30 PM, the night was far from over. We set off in search of sushi, eager to treat ourselves to something delicious. We found a sushi restaurant across from the Minamiza with more options nearby. Sushi Kizaemon caught our attention, but we had to wait about 15 minutes to get in. It was definitely worth the wait—there’s nothing like having great sushi in Kyoto!!!
On our way to the station, I caught a whiff of Ben’s Cookies. The smell was just too good to ignore, so of course, I picked up a few to take home.
At 9:30 PM, we are on a train back to Osaka, feeling completely satisfied. The ride was easy, giving us time to ponder on the day’s adventures. Once back at the Travelodge Honmachi Hotel, I topped off the night with a relaxing bath.
Every moment in Nara and Kyoto was better than I expected. We didn’t have a detailed plan and just went with the flow, but it turned out to be even better than I could have imagined. It’s all about enjoying each moment. Isn’t it amazing how travel can lead to the best experiences? I can’t wait to see where my next adventure will take me, my husband, and my son!
