Day 1 Itinerary
Places visited: Hong Kong International Airport (HKG)
Hong Kong International Airport (HKG)
Pop-up store of Museum Context ~Edinburgh~ in the airport, which sells Harry Potter merchandise. Didn’t expect to see this here 🧙♀️
Places visited: Incheon International Airport (ICN) - Jeondeungsa Temple - Deogjinjin
Incheon International Airport (ICN)
In transit, getting ready for the Temple Tour. Can’t believe that Asiana still have the 747 in service - the queen is still as gorgeous as ever😌
Jeondeungsa Temple
Transit tour...start!
First stop is to Jeondeungsa Temple, which is considered to be the oldest temple in Korea (built in the late 4th century and rebuilt in the 13th century).
Deogjinjin
The final stop of our transit tour was at Deokjinjin Fortress, which was a strategic point of the outer castle wall used for defending the Ganghwa straits during the Goryeo Dynasty.
Places visited: 嵯峨野 竹林の道 - 金崎宮 - 敦賀赤レンガ倉庫 - Kyoto Station - Gion
嵯峨野 竹林の道
Taking a stroll in the early morning through the bamboo grove. It was a good idea to stay nearby after all, feeling the cool morning breeze and avoiding much of the crowd.
金崎宮
Travelled further west to Tsuruga and took part in the flower-exchange festival. It’s supposed to bring me luck for love, wonder if it’ll really work 🤣
敦賀赤レンガ倉庫
Had no idea, but Tsuruga used to be a busy town in the past serving as the gateway to Europe via Russia on the water route. People will arrive here via rail then transfer to steamship and continue their journey.
Kyoto Station
The best curry I’ve ever had!
Gion
The rainy weather brought me back to Kyoto for a bit more sightseeing (I guess the fireworks at Oumi-Hachiman will be cancelled...😢). The sight of sakura in the rain does make it seems more melancholic.
Day 4 Itinerary
Places visited: Kinkaku-ji Temple - 河原町通り - Arashiyama
Kinkaku-ji Temple
Went to Kinkakuji in my rented kimono after the photoshoot :) Thankfully it wasn’t that difficult to navigate around and I survived wearing the geta :D
河原町通り
Had late lunch/early dinner then shopped at Animate ;)
Arashiyama
The kimono illumination at Randen’s Arashiyama station is so gorgeous and breathtaking.
Day 5 Itinerary
Places visited: Arashiyama - Nijō Castle - 一蘭 京都河原町店
Arashiyama
Took the Sagano Romantic train up Arashiyama and then journeyed down the Hozu river. The crew were especially funny and shared interesting anecdotes throughout the ride :)
Nijō Castle
Seeing the castle brought memories of Katsugeki! Touken Ranbu back. It’s the first mission for Hori-chan after all, and takes place right before the lightning struck the tenshu.
一蘭 京都河原町店
Ichiran Ramen!!!
Tasted it at last!
Day 7 Itinerary
Places visited: Kobe Nunobiki Herb Gardens - Kobe Port Tower
Kobe Nunobiki Herb Gardens
Isn’t this beautiful?
Seeing all the flowers blooming in the cool spring is just so mesmerising.
Kobe Port Tower
They have all the Anpanman statues lining the streets >.< they’re so adorable (yes, even the villains)