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On the eighth day of our Japan trip, we slept in, savored one last incredible breakfast at Fraser Residence, and checked out by 11. We said “see you later” to Osaka and embarked on another thrilling adventure, returning to the train station as we moved into the second half of our trip – on to Kyoto.
Kyoto, Japan, is renowned for its rich cultural heritage, historical significance, and well-preserved traditional architecture. This region is known to be most visitors’ favorite place in Japan, and we had a feeling it would be one of ours, too.
In earlier posts, I have compared the vibe of Tokyo to NYC on steroids, and Osaka felt more like Las Vegas, whereas Kyoto felt more like a historic city that I could compare to something like St. Augustine. Slower paced and more traditional. Kyoto was Japan’s capital for over a thousand years, from 794 to 1868. This long history has left a profound cultural and architectural legacy, making Kyoto a repository of Japan’s ancient traditions and customs. We were so excited for the change in pace!
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Traveling from Osaka to Kyoto
Japan has many types of trains, including high-speed trains, express trains, and local trains. We’d spent a lot of time on local trains in Tokyo and Osaka and had recently been on our first Shinkansen (high-speed bullet train), but this was our first time on a Limited express train. Limited express trains are designed for high-speed travel with fewer stops and are a good choice for intercity travel. Sitting on the second floor, just watching the scenery fly by, it was really cool to be in a double-decker train.
Once again, we sent most of our luggage ahead of us to travel lighter. The crowded train stations from Osaka to Kyoto were a whirlwind of excitement, with the entire trip lasting about an hour. We arrived at Kyoto Shiyakusho-mae Station just outside our next hotel, Solaria Nishitetsu Hotel Kyoto Premier.
Arriving in Kyoto
It was only 1 PM, and standard check-in is 3 PM. Checking into hotels early in Japan is almost nonexistent, but they will store your luggage and deliver it to your room so you can sightsee and explore while you wait.
The lobby had signage updated daily to let guests know where they had the best chance of seeing Sakura (cherry blossoms), so we decided to check it out and hopefully see one of the most famous reasons people come to Japan in the spring.
It was another dreary, off-and-on rainy day, but for the first time, the temperatures were mild and even getting warmer, so we decided to grab an umbrella and explore this new area. Since the Sakura sign said the Imperial Palace might be the best place to see more than just Sakura buds… that’s where we headed first!
Cherry Blossoms
A short train ride away, we arrived to the Imperial Palace in Kyoto and FINALLY – Cherry Blossoms! Japan has hundreds of cherry blossom trees, including over 300 species, varieties, and hybrids. The trees come in different shapes, such as triangular, columnar, V-shaped, weeping, and flat-topped, and their blossoms can be white, light pink, dark pink, yellow, or green. Some blossoms may even change color while they are blooming! Up until this point, we had only seen a couple of buds opening and were thrilled to finally see several unique types starting to flourish all around us.
Most of the blooms were in the surrounding gardens of the Imperial Palace. We wandered for a bit and took lots of photos before heading inside the Imperial Palace grounds to take a closer look at all the history we were standing in the middle of.
Exploring the Kyoto Imperial Palace and Gardens
The Kyoto Imperial Palace (京都御所, Kyōto-gosho) stands as a testament to Japan’s cultural and historical heritage. Once the residence of the Imperial family, this majestic site offers visitors a glimpse into the opulent lifestyle of Japanese royalty and the intricate craftsmanship of traditional Japanese architecture. The surrounding gardens, with their serene beauty, provide a peaceful retreat from the bustling city. Today, the grounds are open to the public and free to enter, and the Imperial Household Agency hosts public tours of the buildings several times a day.
A Glimpse into History
The Kyoto Imperial Palace’s history dates back to the late 8th century when Emperor Kanmu established the capital in Kyoto, then known as Heian-kyō.
As you approach the palace, the grandeur of its architecture becomes evident. The Shishinden (Hall for State Ceremonies), Seiryōden (Emperor’s Residence), and the Kogosho (Court Building) are among the key structures within the complex. The Shishinden, with its impressive vermilion pillars and intricate carvings, served as the venue for important state ceremonies, including enthronements.
Architectural Marvels
The Seiryōden, used initially as the Emperor’s living quarters, exemplifies the simplicity and elegance of traditional Japanese residential architecture. Sliding doors (fusuma), tatami mat flooring, and minimalistic design elements create a harmonious and serene environment.
Like many of Japan’s oldest and most important buildings, the palace has been destroyed by fire and rebuilt many times throughout its history. It has been destroyed and rebuilt eight times, six of them during the 250-year-long peace of the Edo period. The version currently standing was completed in 1855. Over the centuries, the palace underwent numerous reconstructions due to fires and other disasters.
Oikeniwa Garden
Surrounding the palace is the Oikeniwa Garden, a masterpiece of Japanese landscape design. With its meticulously arranged ponds, bridges, and sacred greenery, this strolling garden allows visitors to immerse themselves in nature’s beauty. As you wander the winding paths, you’ll encounter picturesque scenes at every turn. Truly a magical place.
Kyoto Imperial Palace
“The Kyoto Imperial Palace Kyoto Gosho) had been the residence of the Japanese Emperors until 1869, when the capital was moved to Tokyo during the Meiji Restoration. Its origin dates back to the late 8th century, when Emperor Kanmu moved the capital from Heijo-ky (Nara) to Nagaoka-ky in 784, and then to Heian-ky (Kyoto) in 794.
The boundaries of the ancient capital city of Heian-kyo formed a rectangle measuring 5.2km from north to south and 4.5 km from east to west. The central Suzaku-öji (today’s Senbon Avenue) ran from south to north and divided the city into the Sakyo and Ukyo districts (the “Left” and “Right” districts, from the viewpoint of the Imperial Palace). The main roads and secondary streets were laid out in a grid pattern.
The Emperor’s residential inner palace (dairi) was located inside the greater palace (daidairi), a large, walled complex that included the ceremonial palaces, government offices and the inner palace. On occasions when the inner palace was damaged or destroyed by fire, the mansions of the aristocracy would provide temporary accommodations for the Emperor, as temporary Imperial Palaces (sato-dairi).
The present Kyoto Imperial Palace was originally one of these temporary residences, called Tsuchimikado Higashinotin-dono. This site has served as the permanent Imperial Palace for over 500 years, since Emperor Kögon was enthroned in 1331, until the capital moved to Tokyo in 1869. During those 500 years, the palace was plagued by fire and was reconstructed several times. The original palace occupied an area less than half that of the present grounds. It was subsequently enlarged during the rule of Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1537-1598) and the Tokugawa shogunate (1603-1867). The architectural style and the general layout of the palace buildings was frequently altered over these years. However, after the fire of 1788, the most important buildings, including the Shishinden, Seiryöden and Higyosha were reconstructed in accordance with the original design of the Heian period (794-1185), based on the study of the original Imperial Palace of Heian-ky by Uramatsu Mitsuyo. On this occasion, some buildings that had been long lost, such as the Higyosha, were reinstated. The reconstruction project was carried out by the Tokugawa regime, with shogunal elder (roji) Matsudaira Sadanobu acting as general supervisor of the works. The construction was completed in 1790, however, the palace was destroyed again by fire in 1854.
The present structures were reconstructed in 1855 following Uramatsu’s design. This palace was not only the residence for Emperor Kômei (1831-1867) and his successor, Meiji, but also the site of significant historical events during the Meiji Restoration such as the promulgation of the “Decree for the Restoration of Imperial Rule’, the “Charter Oath”, and the “Kogosho Conference”.
The present Kyoto Imperial Palace is a walled rectangle measuring 450m from north to south and 250m from east to west, covering an area of 11 hectares. Today, on the grounds, the traditional architecture of the palace buildings can be admired and seasonal flowers and trees can be enjoyed at the Oikeniwa and Gonaitei gardens.”
Add this to your Kyoto Itinerary
A visit to the Kyoto Imperial Palace and its gardens is a journey through Japan’s imperial history, and we highly recommend it. The blend of architectural grandeur and natural beauty offers a unique and enriching experience. Whether you’re a history enthusiast like my husband, a nature lover like me, or simply seeking a peaceful retreat, the Kyoto Imperial Palace and Gardens were a great place to check out as our first stop in Kyoto.
Solaria Nishitetsu Hotel Kyoto Premier
We headed back to the hotel to officially check in, get settled, and clean up in the room before figuring out dinner and the rest of the night. I knew I was excited about this hotel when I booked it, and oh man, it lived up to my hopes! It had great reviews and gave us the mix of modern, traditional, and serene vibes we wanted. We booked a Garden Twin room, and it had my dream bathroom. I will make a detailed post for this hotel next, but it was perfect!
After we recharged for a bit, we felt excited to be in Kyoto, so we decided to explore some more. We were ready for a snack and a drink, so we Googled places to get cocktails in Kyoto and started reading reviews. That’s when we saw The Common One Bar Kyoto and decided to check it out. It was a 20-minute walk from the hotel and a beautiful walk along the Kamogawa River in the drizzling rain.
Common One Bar
The Common One Bar is located in the bustling area of Pontocho, known for its narrow alleyways lined with traditional wooden buildings. It’s a little tricky to locate, almost hidden down a narrow pathway with very little signage, and it looks like a traditional Japanese ryokan. Upon entering the sliding doors, it was very modern, and we were promptly greeted and seated at a beautiful bar.
They serve speakeasy-style cocktails in a beautiful and tranquil setting. The light rain pouring down the glass into the center zen garden made us want to stay there forever. Incredibly peaceful and relaxing. This was the moment Mark and I knew we were in love with the pace of Kyoto.
Common One Bar offers an impressive selection of drinks, from expertly crafted cocktails to a curated list of whiskies, sake, and local craft beers. The bartenders are skilled mixologists happy to recommend drinks or create something unique based on your preferences and who love to put on an artful show. Everything they served was top notch, and the service was 10/10, easily one of our favorite establishments of the trip.
Upit Burger
Now that we were all warm, fuzzy, and full of cocktails, we decided to devise a plan for dinner. The rain continued to get heavier, so we wanted to stay close to the hotel. Kyoto is famous for its temples, shrines, and traditional tea houses and boasts a vibrant food scene that actually includes some fantastic burger joints. One standout among them is Upit Burger, which happened to be directly next door to our hotel—not much walking in the cold rain? – Yes, please!
Mark and I can typically eat sushi or ramen almost daily, but at this leg of the trip, we thought it would be fun to try a local burger place and see how it compared to some of our favorite gourmet burger joints in the US. I’m just going to say it – Upit was Epic. Delicious.
The restaurant exudes a cozy and casual vibe, perfect for a relaxed meal on a rainy night. The interior is modern yet warm, with comfortable seating and a welcoming ambiance. The friendly and attentive staff contribute to the overall enjoyable dining experience. You could tell these young and vibrant owners loved what they were doing! It was a really great meal, and it gave us the energy to take a stroll after dinner.
Evening stroll in Kyoto
Solaria Hotel and Upit are located on the Western shore of the Kamogawa River. This prime area of Kyoto is near plenty of shopping and dining options. We wanted to scope out the neighborhood and make note of anything we hoped to do in the next couple of days. We absolutely loved this convenient location; it was such a cool area.
Before turning in for the night, we stopped in Yamaya Oike Takasegawa – a liquor store directly across the street from the hotel- for drinks and midnight snacks for the room.
Fun fact: Dedicated liquor stores are known as sakaya (酒屋), while establishments for drinking on premises are called izakaya (居酒屋).
Yamaya Oike Takasegawa is one of the largest liquor stores I’ve ever been to and certainly the biggest I’d seen in Japan. As two people who love a good bottle of wine or cocktail, it was interesting to stroll the aisles and see what they have in Japan. We mostly grabbed interesting snacks and a bottle of bubbly for that incredible bathtub back in the room. At this point in the trip, I knew my body would be screaming for some relaxation, and I purposely booked this room (tub) for that reason, lol!
On Day 9, we had an absolutely huge day planned, and we would need some sleep to get through it! Stay tuned!
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The cherry blossom garden looks stunning. What a place to recharge and gain some inner peace in nature’s healing arms.
Still jealous🤣🤣🤣
Hang in there LOL still have quite a few posts to go!