Japan Honeymoon: Day 3 (Fushimi Inari, Ramen and Shopping)

Japan honeymoon vibes continued on a gorgeous day! We were totally wowed by Fushimi Inari Shrine’s red gates (so many!), then grabbed yummy treats. Plans changed a bit with the Kiyomizudera crowds, so we ended up having a fun, spontaneous shopping trip instead. We capped off the night with some seriously good pasta – this spontaneity is one we’ll definitely treasure forever.

The day’s itinerary with time stamp:

• 8:00 AM: Fushimi Inari Shrine
• 11:00 AM: City Bakery
• 12:00 PM: Uniqlo Building, Kawaramachi
• 1:30 PM: Men-ya Inoichi
• 2:30 PM: Kyoto Daijingu Shrine
• 4:00 PM: Takashimaya Shopping Center
• 6:30 PM: Kamakarupasta

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A Sea of Red Gates at Fushimi Inari

Day 3 of our Japan honeymoon kicked off at the iconic Fushimi Inari Shrine, and even bright and early, it was already buzzing with fellow travelers eager to witness the seemingly endless path of vibrant red torii gates winding up the mountainside. Despite the crowds, we were lucky enough to catch a glimpse of a traditional ceremony taking place, adding a special touch to our visit. Also, we participated in local customs, each writing our wishes on wooden sticks (a small offering of ¥200 each), and nervously drew our omikuji fortune (another ¥200).

Navigating the sea of people to capture photos of the breathtaking scenery proved a bit of a challenge, but we persevered. Before moving on, we indulged in some delicious street food – savory wagyu skewers, a yen coin-shaped treat filled with cheese, and a satisfying spiral-cut potato on a stick – a perfect taste of local flavors to fuel our day.

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Fueling Up with Matcha Delights at City Bakery (Lunch Appetizer)

Following our climb through the seemingly endless red gates of Fushimi Inari Shrine, our stomachs were starting to rumble. Initially, our original plan was to head straight to Men-ya Inoichi for a delicious ramen lunch, but unfortunately, they could only accommodate us until 1:30 PM. Hence, we made a slight detour and, as luck would have it, stumbled upon the inviting aroma of City Bakery.

Although ramen would have to wait, this turned out to be a delightful change of pace, especially for me – a matcha enthusiast! Without hesitation, my eyes immediately locked onto the display case, where a vibrant Matcha Layer Cake stares back at me. Furthermore, to complete my matcha fix, I also ordered a refreshing drink – Strawberry Matcha Cream Latte. Upon finding a cozy spot inside the bakery, we happily settled in, our tired feet grateful for the rest after all that uphill walking at Fushimi Inari. Little did we know, this is when the spontaneity of the day started to unfold.

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A Quick Heattech Mission at GU in Kawaramachi

With some more time to spare before our 1:30 PM ramen reservation at Men-ya Inoichi, we found ourselves strolling through the lively Kawaramachi area. We headed to the Uniqlo building and went straight to GU – Uniqlo’s sister brand, known for its trendy and budget-friendly items. Kyoto is so cold in November and I believe we underestimated the cold, so it’s a gentle nudge reminding us that even beautiful days can have cooler spells. Therefore, we had to find time to get ourselves better Heattech clothes! Indeed, it was a quick and successful mission at GU, ensuring we’d be comfortably cozy as we finally indulged in our much-anticipated ramen.

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Got Our Ramen Fix and It Was Amazing (Michelin Said So!) at Men-ya Inoichi

Men-ya Inoichi in Kawaramachi was in our must-eat at places for authentic Kyoto ramen. It’s renowned and recognized with multiple Michelin Bib Gourmand awards for its delicious and high-value cooking, particularly its delicate dashi-based broths and house-made noodles since 2013. Despite the busy atmosphere and a “no cooking photos” rule, the friendly staff quickly seated us where we could watch the chefs expertly prepare our meals. My husband chose the rich Grilled Wagyu Beef Ramen with black soy sauce (¥1,600), while I savored the Dashi Ramen with white soy sauce (¥1,400). Seriously, our dashi broth was just perfect with the smooth noodles and tender pork, and wagyu. The ramen lived up to its reputation with its super rich and flavorful experience. This meal made it to our Kyoto culinary highlights.

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Finding Marriage Blessings at Kyoto Daijingu Shrine

As we continued our exploration of Kyoto, our planned itinerary took a charming detour when we unexpectedly encountered the serene Kyoto Daijingu Shrine, often referred to as the “Ise of Kyoto.” This peaceful location is particularly known for its blessings of marriage and matchmaking, making it a perfect stop for us as newlyweds seeking continued blessings on our honeymoon. Thus, it’s a popular visit for couples. However, it remains to be a must-visit spot for those not seeking romantic blessings, as its elegant architecture and serene ambiance are a great way to recharge amidst the city vibes. This was a worthwhile detour for us, and a recommended stop for those in Kyoto.

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Treating Ourselves (and Saving a Bit!) at Takashimaya in Kyoto

Our Japan honeymoon continued with a touch of retail therapy at the elegant Takashimaya Shopping Center, where savvy shoppers can snag a Shoppers Card for potential perks. We headed straight for the beauty counters, treating ourselves to a skincare set and a lipstick refill, perfect for maintaining that honeymoon glow. Tip: If you’re a tourist, always inquire about shopper cards and tax refund eligibility at department stores like Takashimaya; it’s a great way to save a bit while treating yourself.

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A Surprisingly Delicious End to a Long Day: Kamakura Pasta

Finally, after a long and wonderful day exploring Kyoto, from the iconic Fushimi Inari Shrine to the peaceful Kyoto Daijingu Shrine and a little shopping at Takashimaya, our tired feet led us to Kamakura Pasta, a place we approached without particular expectations. However, this casual dinner spot turned out to be a surprisingly delightful treat and the perfect way to cap off our day. Indeed, the cozy and relaxed atmosphere was a relief for our aching feet, and the pasta dishes, were genuinely delicious and satisfying. It offered a comforting yet slightly unique Japanese twist. Ultimately, Kamakura Pasta provided the hearty and tasty meal we desperately needed to unwind and recharge, proving that it’s sometimes in the random and simplest finds where joy and satisfaction is. It’s a nice way to end the day!

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See our adventures come to life in the vlog below!

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