Day 5: Kyoto Part 2 - Gion

Tomorrow is the last day of my first try out for national exam. Ah... Like finally. I've been so exhausted this week, that's because I go home at 3.30 everyday and need to study for the try out at night. The try outs didn't go that well actually.. Well, we couldn't possibly have finished studying all the materials from grade 11-12 within a night. So, I've prepared myself to hear my mom's screamings at my score sheet next week. LOL. I promise to study harder for the upcoming exams!!

As I was so tired this noon, I decided to skip the extra class and sleep at home. Everytime I take a nap, i'll be wide awake at night. So, it's perfect for tonight's studying time. I can study the last subject for the try out, Biology freshly tonight. xD

Now, let's continue the last part of my Japan trip! After I and my parents had our tummy filled up with yummy Japanese street food, we went to Gion. It's also a place we had never been before.
From JR Inari Station, I had to go to Tofukuji Station first, then moved to the Keihan Main Line Local to Gion Shijo Station.

In Gion, I planned to visit the Hanamikoji Dori , which they said is a popular 'traditional' district there. As soon as we got out from the station's exit. We saw a very beautiful side of Kyoto. It's a mix of traditional and modern architecture with a touch of European! It's very different with Osaa & Kyoto. We should've spent more days in Kyoto!

I didn't know where the Hanamikoji Dori was and I was also confused with my google map. So we only walked along the way where most people were heading to.

A beautiful & modern salon spotted in the small vintage alleys in Gion.

Since I was totally didn't know where to go, we kept on walking . If we're lost, it didn't matter because we could see many beauituful things there! For example is this vintage alleys. It's full of small bars & authentic japanese restaurants. I was there at around 3pm, and most of them were closed after the lunch time was over. Some of them will open again for dinner.

We also stopped by the side of the river (2nd photo) and I sat on the swings! ;)

After a while, I finally figured out the routes in my google map to Hanamikoji Dori, which was actually the opposite way. So we went back and finally found the right way!

My parents actually wanted me to rent a yukata , but I couldn't since it'd take so much time & wasted money if I didn't wear it to stroll around the streets  T_T.  We were only on a day trip and planned to go back to Osaka before 5pm since we wanted to have our last shopping in Shinsaibashi, Osaka before we went back to Indonesia. So yeah, let's go back to Japan again, mom & dad! xD

This is the Hanamikoji Dori! It felt so unreal to see those traditional shops & houses. I like them very much!

We kept on walking along the Hanamikoji Dori, and it lead us to Kenninji Temple. The temple was quite empty and very quiet. It's big, CLEAAANNN (I didn't spot any single trash), and peaceful!

After we got out from the Kenninji Temple,  I didn't forget to stop along the way to take more beautiful pics! These cauliflowers bouquets were so beautiful!!

Before we left Gion, we stopped by at Tsujiri Tea House (Gion). We bought matchas to stock up my dad's teas at home, and also tried their matcha ice cream & latte! Yummmmmmmmmm!!

Ahh... it's sooo hard to move on from my Japan trip. I really really miss Japan a lot, and to tell you the truth, it's the best Japan trip ever. The first time when I went to Japan with a tour service, it wasn't this fun / memorable even though I went to Disneyland, Disneysea, and even Universal Studio. The memories when we got lost, the random food stalls we tried, the train rides, the beautiful small streets, the cute stuffs at the shops, the boutiques, and the very kind citizens in Japan who helped us.

I want to visit Japan in Spring very much. It'd be in March - April. I'll have finished my national exam by April 15th. Can I still make it to witness the sakura blossoms? I also haven't found any affordable tickets T___T. *start saving my money more religiously* *God please grant my wish*

If you have any questions regarding my trip to Japan , don't hesitate to leave your question on the comment box below! :)

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P.S: I'll go to Jakarta tomorrow and be present at METROPOLIS MARKET's BLOGGERS AVENUE (Garage Sale) on SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 8th 2015 from 10am - night! Do come , say hi to me, and shop at my booth. Lots of cool stuffs are waiting for you! :P