Dream trip 2

Day 4

Woke up and packed for check out..ask the hotel to courier our big luggage to Tokyo! They use Yamato kurone which cost about Y1700.. Definitely worth when think back how we have to carry it walking flights of stairs and crossing roads..
We then proceed to Osaka jo for sightseeing.. I sacrifice my cup noodle museum visit for this because I was unwell on the first day arrival in Osaka. Place our luggage in a locker at osakajo koen station. Have to walk quite a bit to get to the castle. Due to baby has to get to the washroom we coincidentally passby a plum tree garden!! It was so pretty!! My first time seeing bloomed plum trees..very unexpected because as we know there aren't much plants to see during winter.. Glad we were there..
When we were about to reach the castle, it started to drizzle..we left our umbrella at the locker >< , so we took shelter at a nearby restaurant. After for about 10min we decided to make a move n ran ourselves to the castle
Main building which is call 通天阁. Once inside it was fully air-conditioned and I registered for my free audio guide. Entrance fee is 600Y. We follow the route and toured a few floors. I put quite an effort to learn about the builder of this castle - toyotomi. Of course I have a good lecturer who guide me through all the floors !! We earned a few 'stamp' before leaving the place.
We then travelled back to Osaka station to look for a post office near umeda, en-route we chose to have lunch in a smoking cafe :( waiters were helpful although he doesn't speak English. I guess he must be surprise why foreigner can found his shop in this corner! Lol .. Lunch was omelette rice as there aren't many choice and I'm lazy to translate.. Bleh! Had a relaxing post card writing time at post office! They provide chairs and table for usage, so nice yo! After settling postage we proceed to take the JR super rapid to kyoto because we're lazy to get to shinosaka for Shinkansen. It took 30 min to reach Kyoto! What an express! It was near 5pm..
Kyoto station is not hard to walk around.. First thing we did was to get a day bus ticket for next day. Then we use our limited knowledge to look for our ryokan which is about 10 min from the station. I guess luck were always with us, we find it using our instinct ! Geng or not?? Lol! Check in was a breeze.. The guy showed us our room and explain a little on the operation of aircon etc..shortly after he left, another personnel send us some Ginger tea.. very nice touch! The room was the biggest during whole trip.. Futon were great! Large bathroom n separate toilet..only curfew is they lock their entrance after 12pm and it's advisable not to shower or use the hairdryer after 10pm :) there is a big bath downstairs we did not use..
We went out to hunt for food at Kyoto station..walk around isetan and found the roof top is a great place for dating <3 after taking a night view there we continue to search for the ramen street. Finally decided to settle down in a ramen shop named 宝屋. It's a Kyoto local name. Our first time playing with vending machine to order. As it was early we were given a place immediately. I saw on forum that these ramen shop need to queue for a while :p Me ordered a classic while bb ordered a thick soup type. I wasn't able to finish up as they gave quite s generous portion of noodles. Cost us about 800Y per bowl. Tasted quite ok but I prefer Kyushu style ;)
After the meal we went shopping in isetan and some shops around the station.. Did not get anything as it was quite expensive! I was surprise that chocolates are freaking popular in departmental stores approaching v-day! Ladies grabbing it like no tomorrow!! Crazy!! I realise that isetan in japan is damn high class one lor... They even sell Burberry bedsheets or Celine's towel wtf! -_-ll
Decided to rest early so we tapau-ed some supper and breakkie from lawson on the way back to ryokan. My first day in Kyoto ended...

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