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Yukatas are Japanese kimonos made of cotton and other lightweight materials. They do not include a interior lining like regular kimonos. This makes them breathable and great for warmer temperatures. Yukatas are worn by men and women. They are worn for summer festivals, special events, and ceremonies. Sandals are the preferred footwear with yukatas. They are also quite popular in the modern fashion world. Woman are wearing traditional and non-traditional styles as a statement piece in multiple ways. Where to Buy a Yukata Yukatas are relatively affordable and make a great souvenir or gift. There are plenty of boutiques, department stores, and other retailers selling yukatas. You can also find second-hand shops selling them at discount prices. When purchasing one in Japan, pay particular attention to the length of the garment. You do not want to buy one that is too short; especially, if you are tall. Clothing in Japan runs smaller than what you would find in the United States. If you are a tall male, it can be difficult finding larger sizes that fit correctly. There are multiple online stores that sell affordable yukatas in many styles, patterns, and sizes. You will want to purchase a obi (sash for tying a yukata) as well. How to Wear a Yukata Yukatas are worn in the same way as a kimono. The most important part of wearing them is to wrap the left side over the right and use a obi to tie it securely. Tying an obi into a bow can be a little challenging. Here is a video for women that can assist with putting on a yukata. If you are looking for assistance with putting on a male yukata, this step-by-step guide offers simple instructions.
Nara, Japan is a wonderful place to visit that is full of rich culture, history, and activities. It is a great place to visit for a day trip away from the larger cities of Kyoto and Osaka. There are a number of temples, parks, restaurants, shops, and other places to visit that will fill up an entire day. Best of all, Nara is easily accessible if you are staying in Kyoto or Osaka. How to Reach Nara by Rail Line from Osaka If you are staying in Osaka, you can travel by rail to Nara in less than an hour. There are two rail lines that connect to Nara from Osaka. If you have an active JR Pass, the Yamatoji Rapid Service from Osaka Station is free and under an hour to reach your destination. However, it will drop you off further away from the main tourist attractions. The other method to reach Nara is by using the Kintetsu Nara Line from Namba Station. The Rapid Express version is half the price of the Limited Express and only about five minutes slower. This is the recommended route to reach Nara as it will drop you off in an ideal location to explore the area.  Heading to Nara from Osaka How to Reach Nara by Rail Line from Kyoto There are two rail line options departing from Kyoto Station. Using an active JR Pass, you can take the Miyakoji Rapid Service for free and arrive in about 45 minutes. The other option is the Kintetsu Nara Line. Like Osaka's Namba Station, the Rapid Express train will take about 50 minutes and is half the price of the Limited Express train. If you want to save about 15 minutes or the departure time is more convenient, the Limited Express train is a better option. Recommended Activities for a Day Trip to Nara One of the top attractions in Nara is Todai-ji Temple. The main hall is the world's largest wooden structure that houses a large statue of Buddha along with other statues. On your way to Todai-ji Temple, stop by Nara Park for a quick visit with the local deer. Another area to explore surrounds Kofuku-ji Temple. There are multiple shops, restaurants, and even an owl cafe. Mentouan, a restaurant famous for its udon noodles, is a popular destination. Just look for a line of people on the corner of Sanjo Dori. Some other places of interest are the Nara National Museum, and Isuien Garden.  Visiting the deer in Nara Park  Todai-ji Temple's Main Hall In addition to buses and taxis, Kyoto offers two subway lines to travel around the city. The Karasuma Line (North & South) and the Tozai Line (West, East, and Southeast) stop at 31 different stations around Kyoto. A map of the subway lines along with bus routes can be found here.  Nojo-jo Castle is easy to reach via the Tozai Line. Subway Fares A one-day pass to ride the subway is ¥600. Another option is purchasing a one-day subway and bus combination pass for ¥900. Otherwise, single use fares will run between ¥210 and ¥350 per trip. Subway Operating Times The Kyoto subways run about 5:30 a.m. until almost midnight daily. It is a fast and convenient way to move around the city. It will take around two minutes to travel from station to station. You can review more specific station travel information here. Limitations of the Subway System The two subway lines are great for moving around central Kyoto to some of the popular attractions and areas. It can be faster to take the subway to reach certain areas of Kyoto that would otherwise require a long bus ride. However, the subway system does not stop at every place in Kyoto you may want to visit. A combination of using the subway along with buses or renting a bicycle is worth considering to maximize your time.  The Gion area is easily accessible via the Tozai Line Kyoto, Japan is a top destination for many tourists. It is a fantastic city to indulge in the rich history, arts, and culture of Japan. One of the main forms of transportation in Kyoto is the extensive bus system. Buses run to the majority of sight-seeing destinations. However, figuring out the correct bus number and route can be quite challenging. Understanding Kyoto Bus Routes The most important piece of advice for any tourist is to get an English language copy of the Kyoto Bus Route Map. You can get one at the main hub at Kyoto Station. You can also download the front and back side from this link. It is highly recommended to print off a color copy to take with you, download to a mobile device, or get a paper copy when you first arrive at Kyoto Station. It is normal to feel overwhelmed looking over the bus route map. The bus routes are color-coded to help understand their loops. Try to focus on a few specific bus routes rather than everything available. The main tourist buses are the Raku Bus #100, #101, and #102. They go to the major tourist sites. Be aware that they stop running between 4:30 and 5:00 p.m. After that time frame, you need to board one of the other bus numbers along the route that run through the evening. Buses in Kyoto stop running around 11 p.m. Some other good bus options for sightseeing are the #205, #206, and #208. These buses also stop around 5 p.m. Once the main loop buses mentioned stop running for the evening, buses can fill up quickly and not allow you on (especially during peak tourist season). When this happens, you should consider other transportation options such as the subway, taxis, or even walking.  Riding a Kyoto Bus Payment Methods and Riding Kyoto Buses A easy to follow guide on how to board the bus and pay a fare can be found here. Most importantly, you enter from the back of the bus and exit from the front after paying for a fare. It is highly recommended to buy a one-day bus pass for ¥500. Generally, one-way fares will cost ¥230. You can save some money simply by boarding a bus three times with a one-day pass. You may also purchase a one-day pass (¥900) or two-day pass (¥1,700) that covers rides on buses and subways. One thing worth noting is that buses and cars are driven on the left side of the road. It is very easy to board a bus going in the wrong direction if you are not familiar with left-side driving.  You can take a bus to Kiyomizu-dera Temple. |
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