Family Trip
2003 to Japan
DAY 7: Kyoto/Osaka Tour
|
 |
| Osaka Subway |
This was another early
morning wake up for Mark to get some railfanning in. He left the
Ryoken at about 7am and took the Kamasuma Subway Line to Shijo. He
transferred there to the Hankyu Line for one stop to Omiya. The purpose
was to get photos of one of the few remaining interurban/tram
operations in Kyoto, the Keifuku Railway.
 |
| Keifuku
Tramway |
From here he took the Hankyu and the
Subway back to Kyoto Station. Here more photography was done, as well
as a visit to the Kyoto Tourist office for maps. By 9:00am he was back
at the Ryoken.
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| East Honganji
Temple |
The family cleaned up
and packed as we had to go to Osaka later. We checked out of the
Ryoken, but left our bags in the cramped lobby. We hopped on the
subway to Goju station. We walked to where the Costume museum is. But
it was closed for renovation. A big disappointment for Cyn. We walked
across the street to visit the large West Honganji temple complex. It was under
heavy renovation. The next walk was back towards the subway, passing
the East Honganji temple on the way.
 |
| Silk Fashion
Show |
We boarded the subway
and headed to Imadegawa Station. We were hungry so we stopped at a MOS
Burger for lunch. This is the Japanese equivalent to McDonalds, but
with a bigger variety menu. After lunch we walked over to the Nishijin
Silk Center. They had a wonderful store on the top level filled with
silk items. Then there was a wonderful Kimono show with live models
showing the beautiful modern kimonos that use the Nishijin silk.
Cyn purchased few items
for friends and herself. Now it was nearly 1pm and we wanted to get to
Osaka. We walked back to the subway to head back to our Ryoken. We
picked up our luggage and went to the train station. We got the first
JR Rapid train to Osaka. 30 minutes later we were at Osaka Station.
The next walk was to the Nishi-Umeda station of the Yotsubashi Subway
line. 2-stops later we were at Hommachi Station. It was pouring rain
now. We walked 10 minutes to our hotel, a Holiday Inn Express.
 |
| Holiday Inn
Express |
Our room turned out to
be exceptionally nice. It was a very large room with 2 full
double-beds. There was plenty of room to move around in. It had a view
of Utsubo Park and Tennis Center across the street. Not bad for a
$100/night room rate that included continental breakfast!
 |
| Osaka Castle |
It was still raining,
but we wanted to see Osaka a little bit. We borrowed 3 umbrellas from
the hotel front desk. We walked back to Hommachi Station to ride the
Chuo Subway line. We went several stops to Tanimachi 4-Chome station.
We walked from there in the rain to Osaka Castle. Osaka Castle has
been destroyed 3 times in its lifetime due to fires and wars. It is in
the middle of a huge park, a refuge from this very busy city. From the
top of the castle you have great view of Osaka.
 |
| Universal
Studios |
From here we walked
back down the hill to the JR Morinomiya Station. We took the Osaka
Loop line to Nishi-Kujo Station. We transferred there to a Sakurajima
Train to Universal Studios Japan. It was 6pm when we arrived. The park
closes at 8pm so we decided not to enter the park, but we did want to
eat. First we stopped at the Hard Rock Cafe there to pick up souvenirs.
Second we browsed the other restaurants on CityWalk. We decided upon a
Japan/Korean BBQ restaurant.
At this style restaurant
you order the type of meats you want, beef, chicken or pork. Then you
cook them yourself on the grills imbedded into your table. This is
fun, and the meats are just wonderful tasting. We most like the Kalbe
beef.
Cyn was getting very
tired so we headed back to the hotel after dinner. We took a
Sakurajima train to Nishi-Kujo, changed to a Loop train to Bentencho,
and lastly took a Chuo Line train to Hommachi. About 10 minutes later
(9pm) we were back at the hotel and relaxed for the rest of the
evening.
Total Walking today,
about 10 miles, Mark about 12 miles.
Continue to
Day
8
|
Kavanagh
