A must do when you are living in Japan is to ride the Bullet Train (Shinkansen). Kyoto is also a location within Japan that everyone says you must see so we combined the two to check that off our list in mid-November. We went to the ITT office on base to help us plan the trip. They took care of booking our train tickets and hotels. We would ride the bullet train from Tokyo Station to Kyoto to spend two nights and then train on to Osaka to stay for one night before taking another bullet train home. The boys were excited to ride one of the fastest trains in the world. We caught a ride to the local train early in the morning...it was 2 hours to Tokyo Station and then another 3 hours on the bullet train to get to Kyoto.
The boys at Tokyo Station
Checking out the trains and looking for our boarding location
Ready to ride
Lincoln did not require a seat/ticket so we squeezed in 4 across in our 3 seats
Eric was tracking our speed....175 miles per hour!
Once we made it to Kyoto we took a local train to reach our hotel, Karasuma Kyoto Hotel. We dropped our bags and we were off to see Fushimi Inari Shrine known for its 10,000 Tori Gates. The trails behind the main buildings lead into the wooded forest of the sacred Mount Inari, which stands at 233 meters. It was a beautiful Fall day and we enjoyed walking through the trails and seeing maybe about half of the Tori Gates. We also enjoyed sampling some beer and snacks at the end of our trek!
Me and the boys in front of Fushimi Inari Shrine
Tori Gate photos
It's been a long day! Let's stop here for a beer. Good thing they sell icecream too!
The best Japanese snack I have tried....bacon wrapped rice!
Day 2 we had a busy itinerary so we set off early after breakfast (from the Starbucks which was right next to the hotel). We mostly used the bus system to get around all day. Its pretty easy once you figure out how to read the bus schedules.
The boys outside the hotel...looking so handsome! Mommy must have plans to get a good family photo today.
Our first stop was to the Golden Pavilion (Kinkakuji). It is a Zen temple in northern Kyoto whose top two floors are completely covered in gold leaf. This was probably my favorite location in Kyoto to see. The grounds were beautiful with the leaves changing and the reflections on the water.
Golden Pavilion Selfie....we really must invest in selfie stick
Vaillant family photo success!
Our next stop was to the Bamboo Forest. Another must see spot in Kyoto. We enjoyed walking through the bamboo groves but this was a quick visit as the boys were getting restless with all the walking and sites.
Last scenic stop of the day was to Ryozen Cannon (another big buddha!) This statue is a war memorial commemorating the War dead of the Pacific War. Also on site there is memorial hall in honor of the unknown soldier of World War II.
The streets leading up to the temple
They gave the boys burning incense!
Inside the shrine...soil or sand dedicated from the military cemeteries all over the world
The boys were troopers walking 8 miles over the entire day! We had a fun dinner planned that night and they decided it was their favorite part of the day. Eric had heard about a Fire Ramen place unique to Kyoto. Upon arrival they were full so we checked in on a computer and waited outside in the cold with some others for the tables to open up. Luckily it was only about a 20 minute wait before we were allowed in. We sat up to the bar where we we given full body bibs. They took my phone and hung it behind the bar to record our fire ramen experience. The owner spoke very good English and chatted with us a bit before the official start of the cooking process. It was fun to watch how the ramen was made. Once they sit the ramen in front of you they go down the line of the bar setting them on fire. Lincoln was increasingly concerned as it got closer and closer to him....he was last. He cried as you will see in the video but recovered quickly. It was the first time he ate and enjoyed ramen so it was a hit all around! It was probably one of my favorite ramens I have had in Japan as well, and Hayden agreed! The owner also made everyone take a funny photo eating the ramen.
Kyoto Fire Ramen Restaurant
Family photo before the fire
Best Ramen ever!
The next morning we took a short train ride to Osaka. We dropped our bags at our hotel, Hotel Granvia Osaka, which was connected to the train station. It was a rainy morning so we decided to check out an in indoor waterpark called Spa World. Some of the indoor slides were an extra fee which we felt were too expensive so it was sort of a bust but we made the best of it.
Lincoln had fun in the kiddie play area
The boys in the lazy river
After we had lunch at the cafe in Spa World we headed back to the hotel to check in and get settled for our evening out. The hotel was also attached to a large mall. I enjoyed shopping for a bit and the boys were excited to shop in a Pokemon Center!
After shopping we took another train to Dotonburi Street to explore, shop and eat dinner. Eric had a spot in mind for dinner that was a unique Japanese restaurant that served okonomiyaki. After looking at the menu, we decided we would probably just watch daddy eat, but we were in for the experience. The boys are always happy to eat yakitori (chicken on a stick) from the street vendors. I ended up getting a snack from the Family Mart near the hotel when we returned. :) Street meat is just not my thing.
Street view
Yakitori
Mizuno - we were lucky to beat the rush
The concept is cool with the server cooking on your own personal griddle
Lincoln tried a few bites
Headed back to the hotel....the boys are so over the train!
Our last day in Osaka we only had until noon to get back to catch our bullet train back to Tokyo. We decided to check out the Osaka Aquarium. We all really enjoyed the aquarium...just about as much as the one in Okinawa. We got to see more whale sharks in their huge multi-level tank.
Outside the aquarium
Feeding time!
Lots of Nemo's and Dory's
Monster crabs
Touching a shark
Linc too
Overall we had a great time. It was a lot of training, walking, and busing for the kids. At one point when the boys were melting down I realized that there weren't all that many children around any of the areas we visited. I jokingly said to Eric in a moment of frustration, this would be a great trip as a couple. Being in Japan means being together....all the time. It has its moments but we are so grateful we have each other on this adventure.
