Hello everyone.
I will be travelling to Kyoto in mid-May for 7 days with my mother, and will be arriving at Kansai Airport. It’s the first time in Japan for both of us; I have a couple of questions while planning the itinerary, and would like to seek recommendations/advice:
* Where would you recommend for purchasing art supplies? I have **Gwasendo** on my list, and Arc Oasis in AEON Mall has ceased operations. Some of the items my mother is looking to get are watercolour paints, paintbrushes and sketchbooks.
* My mother loves crafts, and I’m a huge fan of coffee/tea. I am looking to book a dye workshop and a tea ceremony workshop for us, but am open to suggestions on what other interesting activities we can do together.
* We’re huge foodies (but unfortunately, don’t eat any seafood except fish). I have plans to eat at **Shigetsu** (at Tenryuji Temple), **Tousuiro** (for Yudofu), **Kyogoku Kaneyo** (for unagi) and **Musashi Sushi** (of course, for sushi). If anyone else have any other recommendations, I’d love to hear them! Was looking for vegan/vegetarian options because we’re not huge fans of red meat, and **TowZen Vegan Ramen** looked good, but is a little too out of the way.
* Would also love to hear cafe recommendations! My mother is looking to sit in a cafe/shaded area that has nice views and start sketching. I don’t draw, so I’m probably going to search for coffee while she’s at it. I have seen many online recommendations, but many popular cafes selling artisan coffee seem to only do takeaways?
* I’m from sunny island Singapore where it’s hot and humid all year long, with the occasional thunderstorms. Websites are telling me that temperatures are an average 25°C with a couple of days of rain between 17th May to 23rd May. I know that it is too early to say for certain how the weather would be like, but I just wanted to know what this stats would mean – would a normal cardigan/pullover be enough, or should I be packing something warmer? Is the rain in May usually long and heavy, or can I simply open an umbrella and carry on with outdoor activities (e.g. visiting temples, shopping in downtown Kyoto and the Higashiyama district)?
* Am I correct to assume that I would only need tickets for the Haruka Express from/to Kansai Airport, and the Sagano Romantic Train? I would like to take the JR Sagano Line and the Keifuku Line (Randen) to/from Arashiyama. Can I simply use an ICOCA card and hop on/off the trains on these two lines?
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Here’s my planned itinerary so far. My mother is healthy and can walk, but I’d rather not tire her out so I’m trying not to pack too much into a single day. Also, if we start early, I try to end the day early (or vice versa) so that she can have a good night’s rest.
Any advice would be much appreciated. Am I going for too many temples? Are some of my days too packed/free?
**Day 1 (Wedneday)**
* Travelling to Kyoto from Kansai Airport
* I expect to only have time to do one thing before dinner, so I’m thinking **Gwasendo** before heading to the Shijo area for dinner.
**Day 2 (Thursday)**
* Arashiyama
* Sagano Romantic Train (from Kameoka Torokko Station -> Saga Torokko Station)
* Tenryuji Temple (then having lunch at Shigetsu)
* Arashiyama Bamboo Groves
* Togetsukyo Bridge
**Day 3 (Friday)**
* Northern Kyoto
* Tea Ceremony KOTO (for Tea Ceremony Workshop)
* Golden Pavilion
* Ryōan-ji Temple
* Ninna-ji Temple
**Day 4 (Saturday)**
* Kyoto Shibori Museum (for Dye Workshop)
* Central Kyoto (for shopping)
* Nishiki Market
* Teramachi + Shinkyogoku Shopping Arcades
* Gion (in the evening)
* Tatsumi Bridge
* Yasaka Shrine
* Shirakawa and Hanamikoji Streets
**Day 5 (Sunday)**
* Philosopher’s Path
* Silver Pavilion
* Nanzen-ji Temple
* Higashiyama District
* Ichinenzaka Hill
* Kiyomizu-dera
**Day 6 (Monday)**
* Ippodo Tea Kyoto
* Fushi Inari Taisha
**Day 7 (Tuesday)**
* Tousuiro
* Travelling to Kansai Airport
Thank you!
