Any qt3ers familiar with the Osaka/Kyoto area?

Everything else
21

Hey, was Kinkakuji any fun? I’ve been to Kyoto twice now, and both times I visited the same 2 things, Nijo Castle (MUST GO, I never get sick of this place) and Kiyomizaderu (primary+middle school trip destination #1…come here you loli fans; fantastic view…both meanings…). But my “quote” stands. Kids are super annoying when they are on a class trip.

Oh, and if you’re girl-watching, I believe that 99% of the most beautiful Japanese girls/women are gathered in Tokyo. The best time I had was to sit in a cafe at the corner of one of those Ginza traffic crossings (all cars halt, then people crosses in all directions) watching people. Coffee was like 2-3 times Starbucks price; totally worth the view. I had a chance to visit Kyushu–>Osaka, and I just didn’t see as many cute girls as Tokyo. I hope you have better luck, though.

But the thing I miss the most? Walking around in the city at night. Japan is completely safe, so I would just wander around streets, maybe dropping into every open convenience store to browse the goods. A different kind of zen.

22

Hmm…that sounds like Excelsior Cafe in Ginza :)

Kinkakuji’s the better half of the Kin/Gin(Gold/Silver)Kakuji combo set but the temple itself is only so-so IMHO. The area that surrounds it is just beautiful though, and it’s very close to a number of other historical places…but the names sorta escape me right now.

23

Awesome trip! Can’t wait to go back again. (Flickr photoset)

Through an incredible strike of luck we met a local guy, Shuji, who was more than happy to guide us around. There are tons of cool places that are impossible for tourists to find by themselves.

24

I see the mandatory 100Yen umbrella. Did you bring that back?
And the bottles were only 100Yen? I thought the price went up to 120 or 150 Yen?

25

Awesome pics shang! Finding a local guide was a stroke of luck. We relied on a rough guide and random chance. Here’s my flickr photoset (Tokyo mostly, with 1 day in Kyoto).