Kyoto used to be the capital city of Japan hundreds of years ago and so it hosts some of the best temples in the whole of the country as well as many festivals around the year, we were luck enough to be there during Gion Matsuri.
Gion Matsuri
During our time in Kyoto it rained pretty much every day. There was some doubt about whether this festival was going to be on but they decided to go ahead with it anyway. Pelting with rain we stood in shelter and watched the people outside move around huge shrines chanting rhythmically. Eventually the progression moved down the road and away from the temple.
Nijo Castle
One of the many UNESCO World Heritage sites in Kyoto, Nijo Castle was founded by the famous Tokugawa. It served as a the residence for the Tokugawa shogunate when they were in Kyoto as well as a show of strength for the other feudal lords around the area. It has been painstakingly restored by the Japanese.
Within the Castle is the Palace where the shoguns actually lived and held court. Recently restored, you can walk around the palace and learn about the history of the Tokugawa shogunates. It also has some very interesting, although in Japanese, information about how they restored the palace.
Nishiki Market
Along this old, and very long, road Nishiki Market has everything you want from an asian market. Food, drinks and trinkets line the road, there’s plenty of samples to try. If you want fresh fish, sweet things or fruit then you’ll find what you want.
Himeji Castle
I think Himeji Castle is my favourite place in the whole of the Kansai area. It’s beautiful to look at and the more you learn about it’s intricacies the more wonderful it seems. I visited it last year but it was still under reconstruction at that point and covered in a protective scaffolding, so I was very excited to come back and see it for a second time when it was fully on display.
Constructed over 700 years ago Himeji castle was built as show of strength and power. Although never under siege it has wonderful techniques for protecting the castle, all explained wonderfully by our guide.
It’s also incredibly beautiful.
Next to the castle itself are some beautiful gardens which you can visit for only an extra 50 yen.
Himeji is the most impressive castle I’ve seen in Japan and I was so happy to go back there again for a second time.
Next stop
Next we’re heading all the way up Japan to the northern island of Hokkaido. It’s my first time to this colder part of Japan. It meant to be an untouched wilderness and I have big expectations.
]]>This is my first time in Osaka but for Andrew it is his second time in this awesome city. There’s many things to do, see and of course eat. Osaka is the foodie capital of Japan and I don’t think you can get a bad bowl of food. Before coming to Japan I knew there was more to the cuisine than ramen noddles and sushi.
Food
There was okonomiyaki – a type of savoury pancake with toppings of your preference such as seafood or pork belly or vegetables. The choice is really yours and it is cooked fresh in front of you on a big hot plate. My first time eating at a sushi train restaurant and I ate everything I wanted to (the free green tea refill is the best) and it averages around £8 per person, which is inexpensive. Sushi is one of the cheapest foods in Japan! We also tried takoyaki – a flour based doughball filled with octopus and topped with katsuobushi shavings – yum. There’s also countless shops selling ramen in a aromatic flavourless soup base.
Not just Osaka but Japan really does have restaurants that cater for everyone’s pocket. However if you are on a budget it’s worthwhile to check a few places out before committing as prices can vary drastically.
The Osaka 2 day Amazing Pass is a steal if you are planning to visit Osaka’s attractions because it allows you:
- unlimited rides on all the trains and buses within Osaka city . You can obtain the boundary information by asking when you buy the pass
- access to 28 sights, where you will get free entry (boat trips, sightseeing and onsens are included)
- access to some other sights, which you can get discount entry to
- discount on some certain restaurants and shops with your tokens that come in the brochure when you purchase the pass
There is the 1 day pass, which costs 2,300 Yen however it is much more worthwhile to get the 2 day pass, which costs 3,000 Yen and you will have more more to visit the attractions.
Even if you only visit a few attractions the pass pays for itself and in addition you won’t have to pay additional on the subways to get around Osaka. Osaka is a big place and yes cycling around the city is an option because it is flat and very safe to cycle around but this depends on how much time you have and what you want to see. I would first go to the information place at Kansai airport of any of the JR stations to see if it is worth you getting a pass. It certainly did for us.
A breakdown of what we had saved:
Attractions we visited:
Umeda Sky Building Floating Garden Observatory – 800 Yen saved
HEP Five Ferris Wheel – 500 Yen saved
Osaka Museum of History – 600 Yen saved
Shitennoji Temple – 300 Yen saved
Osaka Zoo – 500 Yen saved
Suminoe Spa Onsen – 650 Yen saved
Tempozan Giant Ferris Wheel – 800 Yen saved
Total entry to all attractions above with no pass – 4,150 Yen
Cost of the Osaka 2 day Amazing Pass – 3,000 Yen
Money saved – 1,150 Yen and all transportation around the city for free.
Tips on using the pass:
- you can only visit the attractions once and multiply reentries will not be allowed
- use the pass as a normal train ticket and place it through the barriers when using the trains
- check at the information desk what attractions are closed, open, opening hours because a lot close on Mondays, some close on Tuesdays and some were closed for maintenance. It was very confusing so ask or you will waste your time.
To see what attractions the pass entitles you to click here.
To find out more about the pass click here.
]]>This is a small, cosy guesthouse located 15 minutes walk from the JR Asahikawa train station.
There details are below:
Website: http://www.guesthouseasahikawa.jp/dish.html
Address:
〒070-0036
北海道旭川市６条通7丁目
３１－１０
日昇ビル２F
Email Address: [email protected]
Telephone: 0166 73 8269
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The JR website has some good information regarding outlets where you can purchase the JR pass. As we were in Manila, we went to a travel agents to get ours (there are a few places to obtain a pass). The link is here and you can also see there are outlets in Cebu too.
I emailed a few and I worked on the basis that I needed the pass past and whoever got back to me first would get my business.
The two companies that got back to me were:
Attic Tours Phils. Inc. (I decided not to go with them because they charged an extra 5% if you pay by credit card)
Unit 203 Coko Bldg. 1
Patio Madrigal Compound
2550 Roxas Blvd. Pasay City,
Manila.
Telephone: 556 6301 to 05 Loc. 201
Mobile: +63 922 8900654
Universal Holidays Inc.
Mezzaine Floor,
Dusit Thani Hotel
Ayala Center,
Makati City,
Manila.
Telephone: 032 859 3828
www. universalholidays.com
With Universal Holidays Inc we could:
- you can purchase the 7, 14, 21 day pass (green car or ordinary car)
- get the JR pass the same day. You have to wait for around 15 minutes (depending on how busy they are) for them to print of the receipt where you will exchange it for the pass in Japan.
- pay by cash or credit card with no extra fees (there fees are already included in the overall purchase of the pass).
- they also print off a useful leaflet detailing how to exchange, use the pass, restrictions which is very helpful.
The location of the office is very easy to get too. You get the LRT to Ayala Station and then ask someone for directions. It’s right outside a big shopping center inside the hotel itself.
Voila….15 minutes later and here is the pass (we had already exchanged the ticket in Japan!)
I would definitely recommend Universal Holidays as I was emailing them back and forth with a bunch of questions and they were always quick to email me back.
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