Day 2: Nara deer park

10am-12noon Take train JR line from Osaka station to Nara

Nara is linked to Osaka by the JR Yamatoji Line and Kintetsu Nara line. With the Japan Rail Pass, you are able to take the JR line.

For Yamatoji Line: It will cost you 800 Yen and 50 minutes between Osaka station to JR Nara station. For Kintetsu Nara Line: It will cost you 560 Yen and 39 minutes between Osaka Namba station and Nara.

1pm-6pm Walk around Nara deer park, feed deers

Nara park is an interesting place where tourist get to feed deers that roam around the street. Deers are considered to be the national’s treasure and symbol of the city. Even though those horns on the deer looked intimidating, they are generally quite gentle and like to laze around. You can buy deer biscuits to feed them (150yen) and they would immediately swarm over in bid to get the food from you.

Be careful though, once the food is in your hands, you have no place to run and the herd of deer would probably chase you. I got bitten in the stomach by one of the deers because I gave the food to another deer instead of him.

While you are here, do check out the really yummy handmade mochi. It was the most delicious mochi I have ever eaten! You can check out the video here.

7pm: Dinner at Nara station Direction: Nara Park is a five minute walk from Kintetsu Nara Station OR 20 minute walk from JR Nara Station

Day 3: Kyoto: Nishiki market, Fushimi Inari Shrine

9am to 10.30am: Train from Nara to Kyoto (JR Line or the Kintetsu Railway) Approx 70 minutes. 11am to 1pm: Nishiki market Nishiki market can be reached from Shijo station on the Karasuma Subway Line 4 within 5 minutes by foot. Stores open from 9am to 6pm. They have really great matcha mochi and ice cream here. You can also find many traditional food stores. My favourite was the chewy dango!

1 to 2pm: Travel to Fushimi Inari Shrine

2pm to 5pm: Fushimi Inari shrine

Fushimi Inari Shrine is famous for its thousand orange torri gates which spans from the main gate to the forest of sacred Mount Inari. Mount Inari stands at 233 meters. If you want to complete walking the whole trail, it is advised to go earlier because the hike to the top can take you 3 hours!

5pm to 7pm: Kichi Kichi Omu Rice Kichi Kichi Omu rice is said to be the best Omu Rice in Kyoto. Reservations have to be booked in advanced if you would like to save a spot for yourself in its cozy 8 seater only restaurant. It is only opened from 5pm to 9pm so make the best of your time here! You could order yourself the small portion (halved) or the large one.

Address:

185-4 Zaimokucho, Sanjo Pontocho-dori Kudaru, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture Nearest station: Keihan Sanjyou

8pm: Travel to Gion and have dinner there Gion is a place where Geishas can be seen. There are also nice places for food around this district. It is awesome for its night life and pretty vibrant light

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