Ultimate Japan Trip 🇯🇵 | EP 2: Temples, Deer & Street Food in Kyoto, Nara & Osaka

Ultimate Japan Trip 🇯🇵 | EP 2: Temples, Deer & Street Food in Kyoto, Nara & Osaka

Hello and welcome back to my channel. This is 
Travel Rhapsody and this is my Japan series! In the last episode, we took you on a breathtaking journey through the serene landscapes of Akita and the enchanting Sado Islands. We witnessed the amazing sakura season, stunning coastlines, and even uncovered some hidden gems. If you have missed it, I am putting the link down in the description below! So do not miss 
that episode.
But Today, we’re are going to be traveling to the soul of Japan. We are going to be exploring the most famous tourist spots of Osaka, Nara and Kyoto. Each of these cities has its own unique charm, culture and history, and I can’t wait to share them with you. So what are we waiting 
for, lets dive straight right into this episode. I flew into Osaka from Niigata airport and made this region my base for the next few days. I will make daily trips to different locations from here to stay in the glamorous part of Osaka or you want to live in the cultural part of Kyoto. Kyoto is the soul of Japan, the nations cultural capital. A city that beautifully blends the old with the new. It’s so easy to spend days wandering in this beautiful town. After arriving in Osaka we drop our bags and head to south Kyoto to climb up the city’s most famous Shrine Fushimi Inari With its 10,000 tori gates in the middle of lush green forest this iconic shrine is a must visit location and a really crowded one too. The gates are donated by businessmen and people from all across Japan with their names inscribed on each and every one of them. It’s a bit of a hike to the top, but the views and the atmosphere are totally worth it & you can easily spend 2-3 hours here. But over here there is no real destination, it’s the breathtaking journey through the gates – that’s the reward.
After visiting the ancient shrine it was time to head back to our hotel and rest because tomorrow it’s another early morning. The next morning we head to Arashiayama which is 1 hour from where we are staying in Shin Osaka. Our first stop is at the Bamboo Grove, 
following the winding path through the trees. This social media crazy place can have a lot of travellers so pick your time very wisely. Walking through these towering bamboo stalks feels like stepping into another world. As you walk through the forest you will soon come across the world heritage site of Tenryuji, one of Japan’s greatest Zen temples. The beautiful garden and 
pond have been untouched for over 500 years and is a place to sit, relax and enjoy a very calm moment. From here we head to Higashiyama to walk uphill through the busy streets of Kyoto reaching the famous Kiyomizu-Dera temple from where you can get the aerial view of Kyoto. The journey through the maze-like streets is really half the appeal of exploring the area. As we continue to walk towards Kiyomizu-Dera we increasingly find ourselves side-lined by the many shops that line 
the streets selling confectionery, pottery, crafts  and food. Talking about food, well when you are 
in Kyoto cannot miss visiting the next location which is the famous Nishiki Market known as 
Kyoto’s Kitchen. With its 400-year-old history, a downtown covered pedestrian arcade lined with 135 open-fronted shops selling seafood, produce, souvenirs, crafts, and Japanese snacks. Nishiki Market has a pleasant but busy atmosphere that is inviting to those who really want to explore the variety of culinary delights that Kyoto is famous for. While we have only scratched the surface of Kyoto, given how truly overwhelming the Kansai region is for its site, it’s time for us to head to our next location, the ancient capital of Nara. Nara is a much more relaxed city compared to the frenetic streets of Kyoto mainly because most of the city’s treasures are located in the Majestic Nara park As you make your way towards Nara Park you come face to face with the local deer’s, admittedly not that hard to find given almost 1200 of them reside here. The deer are remarkably friendly especially if you have a cracker biscuit in your hand but things can get out of hand pretty soon so be careful. Well, If there is anything to see or experience in Nara then it’s the temple, but not just any temple but the famous ‘Todaji Temple’ one of the largest wooden structures on the planet with one of the largest bronze statues of Buddha in all of Japan and it is spectacular. Todaiji means Great Eastern temple built as the head Buddhist temple in all of Japan. A colossal 49 ft tall statue awaits you inside and weighs an astonishing 500 tons. While you explore Nara you can indulge in some mouth-watering tender beef and finish it off with the famous mochi rice cakes at one of the most famous shops of Kyoto Yomogi Mochi, deliciously fluffy parcels of rice cake that have been relentlessly pounded down dusted with soybean flour and filled with the gooey red bean paste. You know after the chaos of the Kyoto and the busy streets it’s really damn pleasant to walk the quiet streets & the mountain side temples of Nara. But it is time head back and dive straight back into the grit and glamor of Osaka. Osaka the nation’s kitchen and the party capital of Japan, this place comes to its own once the sun goes down and the city’s billboards burst into life at the Dotonbori canal. Walking down these neon lit streets and sampling some of the best food options available across Japan this truly is a place you do not want to miss. From the sizzling Takoyaki to the savoury okonomiyaki, Osaka’s street food scene is absolutely unbeatable, so I would say go all out and experience the best kitchen available out there. No visit to Osaka is complete without seeing the iconic Osaka Castle.So the next morning it’s time to visit this enormous castle. This historic landmark offers a glimpse into Japan’s feudal past and provides stunning views of the city from its top floor. The surrounding park is perfect for a leisurely stroll, especially during cherry blossom season. While most of the castle is renovated, what impresses the most is how the traditional looking castle stands tall in the middle of the busy street with the high walls and the spring garden. As we wrap up this incredible journey through Osaka, Nara, and Kyoto, we hope you’ve enjoyed exploring these vibrant and historic cities with us. Each of these cities offers a unique blend of cuisine, culture and amazing scenery that brings the true essence of Japan in the forefront. But in my next episode I am going to be diving deeper into the southern gems of Japan covering Kagoshima, Fukuoka, Kochi, and stunning Okinawa From volcanic mountain to the pristine beaches, the bustling city life and even the famous yuzu lemons I have covered it all and you do not want to miss this episode, because these are the places which are very less travelled and visited by tourists but they are truly hidden gems. If you missed our first episode on the tranquil beauty of Akita and the enchanting Sado Islands, do not worry I will put the link in the description! Stay tuned to Travel Rhapsody & hit the like button & the bell notification so that you do not miss out on my upcoming video coz that is the really beauty of Japan that you will want to see.

Hello and welcome back to Travel Rhapsody! In Episode 2 of our Ultimate Japan Trip series, we take you through three of Japan’s most culturally rich cities, Kyoto, Nara, and Osaka, all explored as short trips from our base in Osaka.

This isn’t a guide full of generic suggestions; this is what I experienced in real time, and you’ll come with me to:

• Kyoto – visiting the iconic Fushimi Inari Shrine, walking through the magical Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, exploring Tenryu-ji Zen Temple, and tasting local flavors at Nishiki Market
• Nara – meeting the friendly deer in Nara Park, and visiting the majestic Todai-ji Temple with its massive bronze Buddha
• Osaka – walking through the electric energy of Dotonbori, tasting sizzling street food like Takoyaki and Okonomiyaki, and exploring the historic Osaka Castle

What you’ll see:
• A real Kyoto day trip experience starting from Osaka
• Why Nara Park in Japan is so peaceful (and full of deer!)
• Osaka’s nightlife and food culture from the streets, not a tour brochure

Featured locations:
Fushimi Inari Tori Gates
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
Tenryu-ji Temple
Kiyomizu-dera Street Walk
Nishiki Market
Nara Park & Todai-ji Temple
Osaka’s Dotonbori & Osaka Castle

Watch the full series
► Episode 1 –(Visited: Akita, Hirosaki Castle in Aomori, Sado Island – Shukunegi Village, Sado Kinzan Gold Mine)

► Episode 3 –(Visited: Kagoshima – Mt. Sakurajima; Takachiho Gorge in Kyushu; Beppu Onsen; Okinawa – Churaumi Aquarium, beaches; Kochi – Yuzu Lemon Farm)

► Episode 4 – (Visited: Tokyo – Senso-ji, Shibuya, Akihabara, Odaiba; Hakone – Owakudani, Lake Ashi, Mount Fuji viewpoints)

Want more real, practical Japan travel tips?
Hit the Subscribe button and turn on the bell. Upcoming episodes will cover hidden gems, costs, and location hacks that save time and money.

Like | Comment | Subscribe to follow the full adventure.

FOLLOW THE ADVENTURE
► Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travelrhapsody.in/
► Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/travelrhapsody.in/
► YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsdDymjuxyO2rzyGOO8wsCA

TimeStamp:
00:00 – Welcome to Episode 2
00:11 – Recap: Episode 1 – Akita & Sado Island
00:34 – Overview: Kyoto, Nara & Osaka in One Trip
01:00 – Episode 2 Intro
01:22 – Journey Begins: Arriving in Osaka
01:51 – Exploring Kyoto Begins
02:09 – Fushimi Inari Shrine & Tori Gates
02:58 – Heading to Arashiyama Next Morning
03:07 – Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
03:16 – Walking Through Towering Bamboo
03:23 – Tenryu-ji Zen Temple
03:45 – Climbing to Kiyomizu-dera Temple
04:29 – Exploring Nishiki Market: Kyoto’s Kitchen
05:10 – The Ancient Capital of Nara
05:30 – Entering Majestic Nara Park & Feeding the Deer
05:54 – Todai-ji Temple: One of Japan’s Largest
06:21 – The 49 ft Bronze Buddha
07:03 – Quiet Streets & Temples of Nara
07:08 – Back to Osaka: The Party Capital
07:30 – Best Street Food in Japan: Takoyaki & Okonomiyaki
08:03 – Visiting the Iconic Osaka Castle
08:31 – Wrapping Up Kyoto, Nara & Osaka
08:50 – Sneak Peek: What’s in Episode 3
09:01 – Teaser: Kagoshima, Fukuoka, Kochi & Okinawa
09:26 – Missed EP 1? Watch the Link in the Description

JapanTravel | KyotoNaraOsaka | JapanTrip2024 | KyotoTravelGuide | NaraDeer | OsakaStreetFood | JapanTravelItinerary | JapanTravelTips