It was an experience of a lifetime to be in Japan. We were able to book a promo fare through Cebu Pacific, a budget friendly airline in the Philippines for a trip to the land of the rising sun during their winter season. Going around Japan during winter is an experience worth remembering, from seeing people running about to catch trains in their winter jackets to gazing beautiful landscapes and trees in their different stages of fall. Anyhow, I couldn’t express how much I find my time in Japan a very happy one through words so I shall just share to you my photos during the trip. Enjoy!
Itinerary prepared by: Ma. Irene S. Aserios ( www.mindanaoan.com )
You can also find more articles about Japan there.
TOKYO – KYOTO – OSAKA JAPAN ITINERARY
November 22 – 28, 2015
November 22, 2015
Cebu to Narita / Cebu Pacific Air 5J 5062
ETD Cebu 5:55 AM / ETA Narita 11:20 AM (Terminal 2)
November 28, 2015
Narita to Cebu / Cebu Pacific Air 5J 5063
ETD Narita 12:05 PM / ETA Cebu 4:25 PM
Terminal Fee (Cebu) Php 750.00
Travel tax Php 1,620.00
Mid to late November – autumn. In Japan, they call the changing of the leaves’ colors “Koyo Season”
Where to go in Japan.
November 22, 2015 (SUNDAY)
* Exchange money
* Buy a SUICA card from the JR EAST Travel Service Center at the airport (load with 3,000 JPY?)
* If hungry – Cafe and Dining N’s Court (Terminal 2, 200-seat cafeteria, good food, cheap prices) or Sanbei for udon noodles and tempura
Ground transport – Be Transse / Access Narita bus (check iPad for photo maps)
(Terminal 2, Lobby 2; Terminal 2, Lobby 19; Terminal 1, Lobby 31)
1,000 JPY per person, no need for advance ticket purchase, direct boarding
Approximately 1 hour bus trip / Drop-off at Tokyo Station (Metro)
From Tokyo MRT station, transfer to Suitengumae station (Tokyo Metro Hanzomon-Line) 170 JPY
Oak Hostel Cabin (+81362649452)
1-16, Nihonbashi Hakozaki-cho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 103-0015, Japan
7-minute walk from Suitengumae Subway Station (B2 exit / No. 2 exit)
– There’s a 7/11 on your right. Cross the street. Pass the coffee shop “Doutor Coffee.” Cross the crosswalk at the second traffic signal and turn right. There is a convenient store “LAWSON” along the street. Keep going straight then you’ll see the big building “IBM.” Keep going to the end of the road and turn left. Look for Oak Hostel Cabin sign.
– has coin launderette, free WiFi, common kitchen, safety deposit boxes, drink vending machine
Alternative way: Kayabacho Station (Tokyo Metro Tozai-Line) is a 10-minute walk away (4B exit)
REMINDERS:
– Rent bath towel for 100 JPY (Php 39)
– Chevy and Bonbon can rent Yukatas (casual kimono) and use as robes (200 JPY)
– Shampoo, body soap etc all FREE (same case in other hostels during this trip)
– 1,000 JPY key deposit (refundable upon check-out)
– Cover all tattoos (tattoos in Japan are taboo and are indicative of being a member of a gang)
Take train from Suitengumae to Harajuku – 170 JPY (Yamanote Line)
HARAJUKU
– Visit on a Sunday afternoon!
– Omotesando (Exit from the main exit of Harajuku station, cross the street, walk 10 m to the right and you are there)
– Takeshita Street
– Daiso along Takeshita (one of the largest 100 yen shops in Tokyo)
– Meiji Shrine (one of Tokyo’s major shrines, shared space with Yoyogi Park)
SHIBUYA
– Hachiko Square (Shibuya Station, Hachiko exit)
– Shibuya Scramble (try Starbucks second floor Tsutaya)
– Mandarake (Tokyo’s largest manga store)
– Center Gai (pedestrian only street; narrow street to the left of the QFRONT building as you cross Shibuya Crossing from Hachiko Square; lots of izakayas etc)
– Dogenzaka Street (When approaching from Shibuya station, Dogenzaka is the street to the left of Shibuya 109 building)
– Tokyu Hands (creative DIY store, 7 minutes from Hachiko Exit)
SHINJUKU
– Cheap eats: La Boheme
– Tokyo Metropolitan Bldg (night view, free admission, 45th floor, north tower open until 11PM, 202 meters above the ground. To access the Observation Decks take the Observatory Elevator from the 1st Floor of Main Building No. 1) Directions: Shinjuku Station, West Exit. Go out the gate, keep going straight ahead. From the west exit, you`ll soon find a taxi rank in this cul-de-sac. There is a police box on the right, but you need to go to the left. Just keep that police box in mind though … if I get you lost and you need some directions! Here is the Keio line station which goes out to Mt. Takao and Hachioji. Keep walking past this station. On the left is an event space, used by whoever wants to rent it. So if you walk past here on two different days, you will probably find two differents shops or companies in there. Next is an underground pass. There is a moving walkway. As you leave the underground pass, on the left will be the Keio Plaza Hotel (one the better hotels in Shinjuku) and over the road on the right will be the Shinjuku Mitsui Building. And just past the Keio Plaza Hotel will be the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building on your left. Walk straight towards it! From here you can see the doors, on the left is the south tower and the right the north tower.
– Kabukicho (red light district, northeast of station; Take the EAST exit out of the station and head north towards Seibu Shinjuku station)
– Cat Cafe Calico (1-16-2 Kabuki-cho; Fuji Building, 6th and 5th floors (entrance is at the 6th floor)
November 23, 2015 (MONDAY)
SENSOJI TEMPLE (opening hour is 6 AM)
Sensoji (a.k.a. Asakusa Kannon Temple) is a Buddhist temple just a few steps from Asakusa Station
– Tokyo’s biggest souvenir market
– Kaminarimon Gate (Thundergate!) with the huge red chochin lantern (two dieties guarding the gate are Fujin-sama and Raijin-sama, “god of wind” and “god of thunder and lightning.” When passing through the gate, check under the base of the lantern—you’ll find a dragon hiding there!
– Good souvenir idea is goshuin calligraphy (at last stretch of souvenir shops; with the temple’s red stamp and the date of your visit; 500 JPY and it’s written just for you by the temple’s priests)
– Don’t leave Sensoji Temple without exploring the left side though: besides Asakusa Jinja, there’s also Bentendo on a small hill with a huge bell, one of Edo’s six-hour bells; check the ablution fountain with the wonderfully detailed dragon king bronze statue. Why not rub some of the smoke from the huge incense burner to any part of your body that might ache?—it’s supposed to make it feel better)
– Nakamise Street for souvenirs and other Japanese items; good for people watching
Asakusa Station to Shimbashi Station (14 minutes) – Asakusa Line for Misakiguchi 220 JPY
Shimbashi Station – take the YURIKAMOME train (stand in front for best views) 320 JPY
Shimbashi to Daiba Station (15 minutes)
ODAIBA
– Cheap eats: Food court
– AquaCity and Decks
– Palette Town area: Venus Fort, Toyota MegaWeb, Leisureland, Ferris Wheel)
– Giant Gundam (in front of DiverCity Tokyo Plaza)
– Rainbow Bridge, mini Liberty, Tokyo Big Sight (Liberty Statue is at the Seaside Park)
– Decks Tokyo Beach (strip mall where the Tussaud’s wax museum and trick museum are)
Leave by 6PM
Daiba Station – Yurikamome (14 minutes) – Shimbashi
Shimbashi to Mitsukoshimae
Mitsukoshimae to Suitengumae (TO GET OUT STUFF AND CHECK OUT)
After getting stuff:
Suitengumae to Kudanshita (8 minutes, Tokyo Metro Hanzomon Line for CHUO-RINKAN)
Transfer to Toei Shinjuku Line
Kudanshita to Shinjuku (8 minutes)
Follow instructions found on the WILLER BUS instructions .PDF file
Bus number: Kanto – Kansai/S122 (Bus type: Relax with extra spacious seats)
Willer Bus Terminal Shinjuku West Exit (Shinjuku Sumitomo BLDG 1F) at 9:40 PM
Alternative thing to do while waiting for the bus: – Kabukicho (red light district, northeast of station; Take the EAST exit out of the station and head north towards Seibu Shinjuku station. Three minutes away: Hotel Gracery Shinjuku
November 24, 2015 (KYOTO DAY)
ETA in Kyoto: 6:25 AM
In front of Hotel Centnovum Kyoto (which is across Kyoto Station)
FREE Kyoto City WiFi in bus stations, train stations, convenience stores etc
Look for lockers to keep stuff (300 JPY for large lockers, whole day rent)
– Buy the Kyoto City Bus pass for 500 JPY (Php 200). Unlimited rides on city buses (GREEN)
– Go to Kyoto Station, Exit #6 (Look for City Bus and Subway Ticket Commutation sign – blue)
– Go up and you can see a tower on your right, walk straight to go to the bus station (or you can buy the unlimited bus ride pass from vending machines)
Discuss whether to visit Fushimi Inari first or do the bus tour already
FUSHIMI INARI SHRINE
– Take JR Inari train from Kyoto Station (5 minutes, 140 JPY)
– Inari is the Shinto god of rice. Foxes are said to be Inari’s messengers hence the many fox statues.
– At the very back of the main shrine is the start of the thousand torii hike trail (Senbon Torii)
– Back to Kyoto Station to start bus tour
KIYOMIZUDERA TEMPLE (“Pure Water Temple”)
– Bus No. 100 or 206, stop at KIYOMIZU-MICHI bus stop or Gojo-Zaka
– Follow signs leading towards the temple (from bus stop, cross the road, turn left, follow signs)
– Fee is 300 JPY per person
GION (Geisha District) and NISHIKI MARKET
– Bus No. 201, 202, 206, 207 and alight at Gion bus stop
– Geisha District
– The most popular area of Gion is Hanami-koji Street from Shijo Avenue to Kenninji Temple.
– Another scenic part of Gion is the Shirakawa Area which runs along the Shirakawa Canal parallel to Shijo Avenue. The canal is lined by willow trees, high class restaurants and ochaya, many of which have rooms overlooking the canal
KINKAKUJI TEMPLE (Golden Pavilion)
– Bus No. 12, 59, 101, 102, 204, 205 and stop at Kinkaku-ji-michi OR bus no. 12, 59 and stop at Kinakkuji-mae (Operating hours: 9 am to 5:00 pm open all day)
– Fee is 400 JPY
– Two top floors are covered with golden leaves
ARASHIYAMA BAMBOO GROVE
– Go back to Kyoto Station
– The fastest access from Kyoto Station to Arashiyama is provided by the JR Sagano Line (also known as JR Sanin Line). The one way ride to Saga-Arashiyama Station takes 15 minutes and costs 240 yen. From Saga-Arashiyama Station, central Arashiyama can be reached in a 5-10 minute walk.
Go back to Kyoto Station, get luggage from lockers and travel to Osaka
Take JR Special Rapid trains (JR Kyoto line, 560 JPY) or Hankyu Kyoto Line (400 JPY, which gets you to Umeda Station – next to JR Osaka Station)
To go to Drop Inn Osaka: refer to Drop Inn Osaka .pdf file (Chevy’s tab)
DROP INN OSAKA (DOWNLOAD PHOTO INSTRUCTIONS
– Senboku District, Kinki Region
Confirmation Number: 787189966
Phone +81663438200
Japanese style quadruple room with shared bathroom
November 25, 2015 (USJ / HARRY POTTER DAY)
– The entrance gate of the Universal Studios Japan is located a five minute walk from Universal City Station on the JR Yumesaki Line (also referred to as JR Sakurajima Line). From Osaka Station, there are several direct trains per hour (15 minutes, 180 yen) and many more connections that require an easy transfer at Nishikujo Station.
See if you can buy from Loppi machines found in any Lawson konbini (convenience store)
Go to DOTONBORI for night cap (Dotonbori is best seen during the evening)
– Namba Station
– Try the original takoyaki and okonomiyaki
November 26, 2015 (THURSDAY)
– Our Drop Inn hostel is 10 minutes away from the UMEDA SKY BUILDING
OSAKA CASTLE (opens at 9 AM)
– The recommended approach to Osaka Castle is through Otemon Gate at the park’s southwestern corner. The closest station is Tanimachi 4-chrome Station along the Tanimachi Subway Line and Chuo Subway Line. The closest JR station to Osaka Castle is Osakajokoen Station on the JR Loop Line, a 10 minute, 160 yen ride from JR Osaka Station.
SHINSEKAI
– Lots of cheap restaurants, pachinko, mahjong clubs – interesting place
Back to Dotonbori
Shinsaibashi Shopping Arcade (Amerikamura is near here)
– Board WILLER EXPRESS back to Tokyo
– Bonbon stays behind for his flight back to the Philippines the next day via Jetstar
November 27, 2015 (BACK TO TOKYO DAY)
– From Shinjuku: Kodenmacho Station (Hibiya line), exit 3 (3 minute walk); Ningyocho Station (Hibiya, Asakusa lines), exit A5
– At Asakusa or Higashi-Nihombashi station, transfer to Hibiya Line to reach Ningyocho (Exit 6 is with elevator service) cross towards Exit 5 and continue walking along Ningyocho St.
HOTEL HORIDOME VILLA
Confirmation Number: 80047624
Phone 8-133-664-0840
1-10-10 Nihonbashi Horidome-ch, Tokyo 103-0012, JP
Small Double Bed Non-Smoking with Free Wi-Fi
Free coffee in the morning, there’s a Yoshinoya on the next block, Family Mart and 7/11, there’s a grocery store along Ningyocho where you can buy Kitkats
– 6th Floor (vending machine)
Options for the day:
Tsukiji Fish Market (Hibiya Line)
Ginza (Hibiya Line)
Imperial Palace (10 minute walk from Tokyo Station)
Roponggi
Shibuya
November 28, 2015
– Check-out by 6:30 AM
– From Suitengumae Station, go to Tokyo Station
– Ground transport – Be Transse / Access Narita bus
JR Expressway Bus Platform No.7 at Tokyo Station in front of Yaesu South Entrance.
-=oOo=-
ASAKUSA Station confusion (just in case):
The first option is the Asakusa station of Tobu Railways and Ginza/Asakusa subway lines, which are located fairly close together as you can see on the map. These are the stations closest to Sensoji Temple and Nakamise street. The Ginza subway line is useful for going between Asakusa/Ueno/Ginza/Shibuya. Tobu railways, on the other hand, is commonly used by visitors to Tokyo Skytree and Nikko further up north.
The second option is the Asakusa station of Tsukuba Express line. This line terminates beside the huge Yodobashi store in Akihabara, and is not so convenient for accessing Sensoji Temple.
The third option, Asakusabashi, is located a couple of blocks south of the Asakusa subway station. Not really that useful for going to Sensoji, unless transferring from the JR Sobu line.
GENERAL REMINDERS:
In Tokyo, keep left on sidewalks, escalators, and while crossing the road. The right side is for those in a hurry (“overtaking lane”).
In Osaka, above rule is reversed. Keep right on escalators.
No eating and drinking while walking
Avoid discussions on WWII.
Cover all parts of the body with tattoos
Modern restaurants might have spoon/fork utensils available. Smaller and traditional restaurants are usually chopsticks-only.
“Itadakimasu” before eating, “gochisosama deshita” after eating
As mentioned above, never stick the chopsticks vertically into the food or bowl
Do not pass food with your chopsticks to another’s.
Do not spear or make tuhog your food with your chopsticks
Eat one sushi piece in one bite using your hands or chopsticks.
Here are the photos!! <img src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/72x72/1f600.png" alt="