(^ ^) I Luv Capturing Pix (^ ^): 8D7N Japan trip with 3y2m & 1y8m toddlers (11-18 Jul 15)

It was tough. It was so tough that my hb declared that he would not go for another trip. But guess what... We are still going for the next trip in Sep 16. Hahaha.

Here is the travelogue to Osaka-Nara-Kyoto-Osaka.

Preparation:
1. Air ticket from SQ @ SGD760 per adult for 7hr flight. We needed a comfortable flight for such a long distance.

2. Airbnb for accommodation as we need kitchen and hotel is simply too expensive for 4 adults and 2 toddlers. Japanese hotel can only accommodate 4 pax per room regardless of adult or kids by law.

3. Pack milk powder in disposable one-time usage tube.

4. Order the ICOCA and Haruka Round Trip Ticket @ 4060 YEN from the website. Return empty ICOCA for 500YEN deposit. Valid for 14 days. It allows round trip to Osaka, Kyoto or Kobe. In total, 2 cards will be issued when you showed them the confirmation letter. Payment will be made on the date of collection.

Adventure started:
Day1-5: 11 Jul @930pm from Kansai - Osaka @ Namba Station
Lodge: Airbnb @SGD700

Day 1: Rest.
We met the host and 12 midnight. She gave us a portable wifi so that we can navigate ard. As supper, we tabao from nearby convenience store. The bolognese was so good that my hb wanted to have more.

Day 2: Eat the famous Kobe streak
Since I came to Japan twice, I was brave enough to guide my family around the train stations.
Pix along the way to different train operators.

Arrived at Streakland.

Day 3: Visit the legendary Ramen Museum, then eat & shop along Dotonbori

H&M is must buy. Cheaper and more trendy!

Day 4: Sightseeing at Osaka Castle & Shopping at Umeda station

Day 5: Check out and head to Nara park for deers

We deposited the luggage at the information counter at a cost, since all the storage lockers were full.

We bought some ready food from the supermarket then took a bus to the park.

My kids didn't enjoy it as much as I thought. They were scared. The poo poo was too smelly...

We headed to our next Airbnb.

Day 5-8: 15 Jul
Lodge: Airbnb Kyoto @SGD696

Day 6: Arashiyama, Kinkaku-ji Temple (金閣寺道). Followed by food Shopping @京都二条車站 (〒604-8874 京都市中京区壬生天池町35-1) (Yen210 @17min)

Day 7: More temple and Gion event
Raining & Raining. My iPhone was cracked. No one has mood to go out except my sister and I. Here, we went and covered the Kiyomizu-dera Temple. Additionally, I chose this period as there is GION Festival in the week. The main parades took place in the evening of July 17th as shown.