Japan trip day 5 ~ Expo 70 Commemorative park/Tsurumi Ryokuchi park

Today's itinerary for sightseeing was to visit Expo 70 Commemorative park and Tsurumi Ryokuchi park.  These are popular parks to view cherry blossoms but too bad, timing not right for us this time round.  However, we can still go since they are parks and can go as leisure walks.

We reached Expo 70 Commermorative park and started to walk around to find the flower garden.  The park is so huge that we can either take 3, 5 or 8 km route to walk around.  Of course we chose 3km.

Walked for some time and it was kind of relaxing and great to breathe fresh air in the morning.  Many old people walked in the park too.

We took some pictures of tulips.  As we had taken too much in the past, we decided not to take too many this time round.  Realised that we had in fact walked part of the 8 km route unknowingly.

Saw a playground with many kids playing.  Spent some time there.  Stayed for a few hours in the park and we proceeded to our next park.

Took a picture of the seat of the subway train.  Very nice green.

Arrived Tsurumi Ryokuchi Park and we walked around the park and had snacks for short break.  Great to sit and watch people walking/jogging.

We found a few late blooming sakura trees and started to take "artistic" photos.  :)

Stayed till evening time and went for shopping.  Bought some stuff tonight and had dinner at Namba walk area.  Most restaurants were closed by the time we finished our shopping.  Glad to find one still accepting us.  Hahaha...

Japan trip day 4 ~ Arashiyama

This morning, we went to Arashiyama.  Took JR train there and when we reached there, we purchased tickets for the scenic train at 12.07pm.  As we had some time before the train time, we walked to the tourist spots.

The train was a very leisure trip and we liked it.  Too bad cherry blossom was over.  Otherwise, the view will be very nice.

After the train ride, we went to the bamboo grove.  Too bad there were too many people and we could not take very nice pictures of the quiet bamboos.  Overall, it was a very relaxing trip.

We took train back to Kyoto station and went for a walk around the station.  Went to the Sky garden and Sky way.  Followed by shopping at The Cube and Porta.  Bought some comestic stuff today.

The shoyu cuttlefish was super nice.  Yummy!  Had chocolate parfait as dessert.

Had ramen for dinner and headed back to hotel.

Legs are very pain.... Hope tomorrow will recover.

Japan trip day 3 ~ Inari, Kyoto

Pain uh!!!  My legs are breaking!!!

Today, we went to Fushimi Inari Shrine.  This shrine is famous with its thousands of Torii gates.  We decided to climb to the top since we had time. 

Initial route was ok but it began to have lots of steps.  After climbing for about an hour, I was so tired and had to catch my breathe frequently.  My stamina was very bad.  In the end, the 4km journey which people took 2hrs, we took 3hrs.  Thanks to me lah.  Hahaha.

We had tako balls and pancake after we left the shrine.  Then took a train to Kyoto station.  Since it was still early, we decided to visit Kiyomizudera Temple.  We walked fm the station to the place and it was so tiring.  Our morning walk was exhausting and this walk worsen my legs condition.  My legs are very aching.

After the visit, we took bus back to the station and had dinner there. Nice dinner made us forgot the tiredness for a while. Decided to go back hotel to rest as we really have no strength to walk anymore. Back in hotel at around 8.45pm. Super early. :)

Japan trip day 2 ~ Osaka & Himeji

Woke up at 7.30am this morning.  Had a very deep and good sleep hence feeling fresher today. 

We had our breakfast and left for Himeji.  Breakfast was good.  I liked the potato salad and the pickles.  Sausages too.

Left hotel at about 9.45am and took a rapid train to Himeji station.  We took a nap in the one hour plus journey.  Walked to Himeji castle and we were happy to see a few sakura trees which still had flowers blooming.  Took some pictures of them and glad to see at least some.  We ate ice-creams too.  They were very very nice.

While taking pictures of the castel, we met Shiromaruhime and chasing after her to take pictures.  The staff must be wondering what were we doing.  Hahaha.

Took a short break at the garden before heading back to the station.  Initially we thought we will make a fast one since no more cherry blossom.  In the end, we spent a few hours there before going back to Osaka station.

We walked around Osaka station and the shopping area are so big till we lost our directions.  We can actually spent about 4 hours in just 2 malls and not even walked the whole area.  How to finish all???

I bought quite a lot of things today and they are heavy.  Hope rest of the days, I will not buy too heavy things.  :)

Had Okonomiyaki and Yaki Soba for dinner tonight.  Very locally made and super delicious.

My legs are very aching ah.