[Kyoto: Gion] Jouvencelle, a one of a kind cafe.

after reading about this amazing cafe on kyotofoodie where he said is his favourite cafe, I told myself that I HAVE to come here one day despite how expensive it looks. Jouvencelle, which I believe means young (girl) is a cafe located at Gion, it isn’t located at the brightest place but because it is next to Yakasa Jinja, it makes it a little bit more easier to find.

Directions : basically, just get into Yasaka Jinja (or Yasaka Shrine) and head right and look for an exit on the right side. upon exit, walk straight and you’ll see Jouvencelle.

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Jouvencelle is located on the second floor to this pottery/porcelain shop. see that green cloth? that’s the entrance to Jouvencelle. Continue reading “[Kyoto: Gion] Jouvencelle, a one of a kind cafe.”

[Osaka] Dotonbori

what’s coming to Osaka without visiting Dotonbori? since where I was living was pretty near, Dotonbori’s now my favourite spot despite the crazy amount of tourists and sky-high food prices. but I am sure those of you on budget are smart enough to dodge the tourist traps and hunt down for the cheaper ones.

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the famous street of Dotonbori. with the huge crab. there’s two huge crabs by the way. this one’s just more central and and attractive. there’s also a humungous REAL crab inside which is the hugest king crab I’ve ever seen in my life. just pop inside and take a picture. I had a picture with it but my face was awful so.. Continue reading “[Osaka] Dotonbori”

Cheapest way of travelling from Namba, Osaka to Gion Shijo, Kyoto.

I thought I should not tell anyone so that Hankyu can be filled as always and I can have Keihan all to myself. to a tourist, what is 50yen for the extra hassle (which isn’t. but ONE minute longer)? but since I was on budget and I travel to Kyoto pretty frequent, getting to know about this method is like saving me enough to buy myself a bowl of Gyudon with 4 trips down to Kyoto from Osaka. Continue reading “Cheapest way of travelling from Namba, Osaka to Gion Shijo, Kyoto.”

[Kyoto] Popular Japanese Cafe in Gion Shijo

you’ve got to admit that the cafe is a popular one when locals tell you they are and when the whole cafe is packed with local Japanese people waiting in line to get seated.

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this cafe is located on the left row of shops beside the Shijo Dori road towards Yasaka Jinja Shrine. Continue reading “[Kyoto] Popular Japanese Cafe in Gion Shijo”

[Kyoto] Ryoanji, the Zen temple near Kinkakuji

just a short bus ride away from the famous Kinkakuji is the most famous zen temple, Ryoanji. Also listed as one of the UNESCO wolrd heritage sites, this was put on my list when I first went to Kyoto.

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the whole area is very calm to begin with. despite having a lot of tourists (mostly from visiting Kinkakuji), the beauty of the area did not subside. Continue reading “[Kyoto] Ryoanji, the Zen temple near Kinkakuji”

[Kyoto] Kinkakuji, The Golden Pavilion

there are so much I’ve heard about this place. while most say it’s spectacular some commented that it’s far too over-rated. but being already here in Kyoto, I had to check it out right?

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Kinkakuji was one of the first tourist attraction I’ve visited in Kyoto and I was already taken aback by the beautiful landscape outside the attraction. the green moss (?) grew so beautifully I thought a magically deer was going to pop out of somewhere. Continue reading “[Kyoto] Kinkakuji, The Golden Pavilion”

[Kyoto] Kiyomizu-dera

perhaps one of my favourite places in Kyoto would be the great Kiyomizu Temple. it is indeed a very very touristy spot. but the thing is, its beautiful! that’s why it’s so packed with foreigners. I have yet to visit many hidden temples/shrines since I am not quite much of a temple or shrine person. but I will! slowly.

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took a bus here. did I mention it costs only 500yen for unlimited bus rides? Continue reading “[Kyoto] Kiyomizu-dera”

[Kobe] Kobe Beef at KOBE!!!

having two weeks spent at Kansai, how could I not go to Kobe?! to have Kobe beef of course. but no matter where you have it, it seemed like these beer-fed (rumoured) cows are just expensive everywhere. we searched the web for a cheaper and popular place and ended up in a Korean restaurant which serves Kobe beef hahahaha. my Japanese friend didn’t know it was Korean. I was just.. speechless since I live in Korea hahaha.

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hello. Kobe station! Continue reading “[Kobe] Kobe Beef at KOBE!!!”

[Kyoto] Ginkaku-ji, the Silver Pavilion

in Kyoto, the most iconic place would definitely be the Golden Pavilion– Kinkaku-ji. but it’s really sad how Ginkaku-ji’s so under rated. it is even more beautiful than Kinkaku-ji in my honest opinion. super beautiful. it isn’t just what pictures can express; you just have to go there yourself.

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and the great thing about Kyoto, the buses. if you’re interested in traveling to Japan I bet you’d notice how crazy the transportation costs. like madness. but in Kyoto, you can purchase a bus card for 5o0yen and you can ride AS MUCH AS YOU WANT! in places like Fukuoka one way might cost you that much already >_>. Continue reading “[Kyoto] Ginkaku-ji, the Silver Pavilion”