2bearbear

12/04/2026

Upon arrival, we entered into the beautiful lobby of Novotel Nara. Loved the high ceilings and modern interior design. The lobby bar was a main focal point with its elegant vertical beams lining the oval shaped bar top...

For the full details, visit https://www.2bearbear.com/japan-trip-2025-day-14-shifting-from-henn-na-nara-to-novotel-nara-hotel/

.accor_asia

11/04/2026

On Day 13 of our  travels in Japan, we were in Nara, staying at the Henn Na Nara Hotel. We decided to stay in to do some writing for our second book this morning before heading out at 11am. There was no agenda today really but to check out the Nara  Food Festival. Somehow, we were just in time for the annual event that showcases the local  food produce and culinary excellence. This reminded us about how we were also “in time” for Syttende Mai in Norway, the Green Sauce Festival in Frankfurt and the Club World Cup in Colombia. Thankful for these “in time” visits that the Lord had arranged for us to experience different cultures and food during our travels...

For the full details of our 5 months Round The World travels, visit 2bearbear today!

10/04/2026

On Day 12 of our  travels in Japan, we were in Nara, staying at the Henn Na Nara Hotel which had an excellent location to all the attractions in the vicinity of Nara. This morning, we woke up a little later because we wanted to have breakfast at Capital Bread Factory opened at 830am...

Full the details, visit 2bearbear today! .naracity_naratourism

10/04/2026

09/04/2026

On Day 10 of our  travels in Japan, we changed our base of travels from Kyoto to Nara. This morning, we took the Kintetsu Express from Kyoto to Nara (760yen pp), leaving our hotel at Ibis Styles Kyoto Station to our next hotel in Nara – Henn Na Nara Hotel

https://www.2bearbear.com/japan-trip-2025-day-10-kyoto-to-nara-via-kintetsu-express-and-lunch-at-kamaiki-udon-before-checking-in-at-henn-na-nara-hotel/

.naracity_naratourism

05/04/2026

On Day 9 of our  travels in Kyoto Japan, we did a day trip to Lake Biwa, the largest lake in Japan. There, we also tried Kappa Sushi, one of the largest sushi chain in Japan, known for quality, fresh and affordable sushi.

https://www.2bearbear.com/japan-trip-2025-day-9-day-trip-to-lake-biwa-the-largest-lake-in-japan-and-brunch-at-kappa-sushi-kyoto/

04/04/2026

On Day 8 of our  travels in Kyoto, we had originally wanted to make a day trip to Lake Biwa but when we were about to leave at 9am this morning, we realised that there were delays on  the JR line due to a contact between the train and passenger at Suita line, affecting the train to Biwa Lake. Hence, we decided to swap tomorrow’s schedule with today’s and head to Uji for matcha as well as Fushimi for sake instead…

https://www.2bearbear.com/japan-travel-2025-day-8-day-trip-to-uji-for-matcha-lunch-at-nakamura-tokichi-and-fushimi-for-sake-tasting-at-gekkeikan-sake-museum-and-dinner-at-fushimi-sake-village/

03/04/2026

On Day 7 of our  travels in Kyoto, we made a day trip up Mount Inari to see the beautiful architecture of the Thousand Gates (Torii), also known as Senbon Torri at Fushimi Inari...

https://www.2bearbear.com/japan-trip-2025-day-7-day-trip-to-see-the-senbon-torii-thousand-gates-at-mount-inari/

01/04/2026

On Day 6 of our travels in Japan 2025, we were in Kyoto and we left Ibis Styles Kyoto Shijo for our next hotel at Ibis Styles Kyoto Station. As we were on Accor ALL membership, the idea was to stay at the Ibis brand (also under Accor ALL) and hopefully be upgraded to the Platinum member during this trip to enjoy the benefits before we return. Stay tuned for this series to find out if we’re successful on this 😉

https://www.2bearbear.com/japan-trip-2025-day-6-shift-to-ibis-styles-kyoto-station-shopping-at-yodobashi-and-don-don-donki-with-lunch-at-tonkatsu-satsuma/

31/03/2026

On Day 5 of our travels in Japan, it was a gloomy morning that started with a light drizzle due to the passing typhoon. Thankfully, Kyoto was not in the path of the typhoon, so we just felt the peripheral effects of the light drizzle.

We left at about 10am and by now, the rain had subsided with the sun peeking through. Our itinerary for the day was to visit the Kyoto National Garden and the Kyoto Imperial Palace located within in (both are free). Enroute, we stopped by SushiZen, a local sushi joint that was recently included into the Michelin Bib Gourmand for its quality yet affordable...

https://www.2bearbear.com/japan-trip-2025-day-5-brunch-at-kyoto-sushizen-michelin-bib-gourmand-and-visiting-the-kyoto-imperial-palace-in-kyoto-national-garden/

30/03/2026

On Day 4 of our travels in Japan Kyoto, it was a day of shopping in the vicinity of our hotel at Ibis Styles Kyoto Shijo – visiting Nikishi Market, Teramachi and the quintessential Japanese brands of GU and Uniqlo…

https://www.2bearbear.com/japan-trip-2025-day-4-eating-our-way-through-nikishi-market-and-teramachi-before-duty-free-shopping-at-gu-uniqlo/

28/03/2026

On Day 3 of our  travels in Japan, we were in Kyoto and we woke up rather early this morning in order to catch the first bus (bus 28) from our hotel at Ibis Styles Kyoto Shijo to Arashiyama Bamboo Forest. Since % Arabica  Cafe was nearby, we stopped by and then returned back to check out Nijo Castle…

https://www.2bearbear.com/japan-trip-2025-day-3-arashiyama-bamboo-forest-the-original-arabica-coffee-and-nijo-castle-kyoto/