I set out on a journey a week ago to visit a Zen Buddhist temple in Kyoto. I have climbed the mountains and have done my share of country traveling in Japan, both on train/foot and by car. This time around I wanted to try something different, and something came to mind – VIP ‘Luxury’ Highway Bus. The thought took me back to reminiscence of catching a Greyhound or Trailways bus across the US when I was in high school and Marine Corps. Actually, an upgraded version of that since I was in Japan and probably wouldn’t have to clutch on to my luggage or lock it to my belt loop while I slept. Additionally, could expect well maintained and clean interiors since it would be an overnight highway bus.

I jumped into the idea and thought that if I slept while traveling, I could arrive in Osaka at the ‘golden hour’ then catch a 30 minute train from Osaka Station (Umeda) to Kyoto Station. I wanted to make this more of a photo documentary, but even in Japan, whipping out a professional camera in a crowded highway bus stop requires a bit of caution. When I realized that, my Jack Kerouac travel visions melted in my head, but still motivated me to move onto Kyoto.

A quick rundown of the VIP bus – about half the cost of a bullet train to Osaka, the seat does not go full flat, and much slower. There is a very clean toilet, blankets and pillows are supplied, and it is non-smoking. I did sleep and get rested but not the best quality sleep. Glad to have done it… given a choice, will probably pay double for the bullet train early in the morning instead. Here is one of the VIP bus reservation links if you are interested in roughing it down to Osaka some day.

Kyoto gives you a sense of culture upon arrival. The urban landscape difference from Tokyo or Osaka is more planned and deliberate with wider streets, smaller buildings, intermittent art displays and a greater sense of cultural preservation. The locals are used to tourists and people snapping pictures all the time, so it makes a great environment for street photography as well.

First-timers to Kyoto try to cover the famous temples and historical landmarks, but there is nothing like just hanging out in the city and enjoying the various sweet shops, city gardens, and walks in small alleys. That is the urban cultural experience that Kyoto offers, and it is a unique city hike experience.

Scenes like this processed black and white make you realize that nothing in this area has really changed since the late 1970’s, or earlier. Walking through these streets takes you back in one sense, but in another, you think how safe the environment is here and how that allows few things to change – it’s a good thing also.

After a bit of city hiking, I headed out to the country to get some scenic temple shots, but as usual, the Kyoto weather got the best of us and shut the trip down sooner than planned. Here are some of the photos taken out at the Kameoka area, near Umabori Station on the Sanin Line.