Travel: Japan - General

[hquek]

MMM:

Thanks hquek!


The funny observation I had was when people talk about Osaka, it seems to be more on food rather than places to go. My colleague (who is a japanese) ended up telling me all the food that we MUST not missed in Osaka...eg. okonomiyaki, takoyaki, Kushiage???

ehhh, i just saw a line that said 'Osaka is the kitchen of Japan'. So now you know hor. :evil: :evil:

[celeste.08399chua]

MMM:

Hi,


We've a trip to Osaka/ Kyoto coming up in few weeks time but we obviously have not planned anything except book the hotels. It's our first trip to Osaka/ Kyoto and without kids.

We will be flying to Osaka. Intend to travel from Osaka to Kyoto and stay for 2 nights before moving on to Osaka for another 3 nights.

Have the following questions :
* What is the best way to commute between Osaka to Kyoto?
* What are the must see in Kyoto based on 3D2N?
* What are the must see in Osaka based on 4D3N?

Thanks in advance.

Couple trips are so nice

In Kyoto, we were really impressed with the Gion district - that's where the Geisha houses are. These ladies are so dignified and controlled, I feel like a klutz just staring that them. That was during a trip sans kids too.

Also considering cycling around the city (kyoto I mean) - it's quite a flat city. http://www.cyclekyoto.com.

[Dnls_mum]

MMM:

Hi,


We've a trip to Osaka/ Kyoto coming up in few weeks time but we obviously have not planned anything except book the hotels. It's our first trip to Osaka/ Kyoto and without kids.

We will be flying to Osaka. Intend to travel from Osaka to Kyoto and stay for 2 nights before moving on to Osaka for another 3 nights.

Have the following questions :
* What is the best way to commute between Osaka to Kyoto?
* What are the must see in Kyoto based on 3D2N?
* What are the must see in Osaka based on 4D3N?

Thanks in advance.

We just did a couple trip in April to Osaka and Kyoto too. We used Japan guide to plan our Kyoto itinerary. Very helpful. Check out this link.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3950.html

We stayed 3 nights in Kyoto. We did the half day Northern Kyoto, Half Day Arashiyama excluding monkey park and full day Eastern Kyoto suggested by Japan guide. We also visited Nijo Castle one morning and enjoyed the place. It is important to rent the audio guide if you go. Very informative and unlike many other places, the indoor exhibits are great especially if you listen to the info given in the audio guide.

We did mainly shopping and eating in Osaka and as it was sakura season when we went, we visited the Osaka Mint Bureau (no need to visit outside the sakura festival week) and Osaka castle. We have seen other more beautiful castles in Japan, but went to Osaka castle since weather was good for photo taking. DH and I enjoy taking photos. We did take a day trip to Kobe just to eat Kobe beef! :rotflmao:

If you have not been to Osaka and Kyoto, you may wish to make side trip to Nara. We did that years ago, so did not do it this time round. But this time, we visited himeji castle, easily one of the most beautiful castles in Japan and it has just been reopened in late March after extensive renovation.

You can take the train directly from Kansai airport to Kyoto, without needing to go into Osaka city. Saves time. Then after kyoto, take the train to Osaka. I think it is better to do Kyoto before osaka in case you do shopping in Osaka. You don't want to have to lug your loot around.

I had thought of writing a review of my trip but since there are already so many much more experienced Japan travelers on this board, didn't bother.

Have fun planning! You'll love Kyoto and Osaka. We definitely did! :please:

[dimitri_can]

MyPillow:

Actually for those who frequent Japan often,

1)can kindly share which areas are the frequent
quake zones (if you know of) so we can try to avoid as much as possible esp for families bringing kids

2) If you have experienced it, what should u do ?

Can refer to here
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earthquakes_in_Japan

The frequent quake zones i know about:
Tohoku area (Tokyo usually gets the tremors), Kobe, Hakone area.

I experienced my 1st earthquake on my 23rd trip to Japan.
I was at my 3rd storey hotel room with my student at that time.
Around magnitude 4... The hotel room just shake as if like a rocking chair.

What you should do when encounter an earthquake
Falling objects, toppling furniture and panic present the greatest dangers during an earthquake. Try to protect yourself under a table or doorway.

Do not run outside, and try to remain as calm as possible. If you are in the streets, try to find protection from glass and other objects that may fall from surrounding buildings.

After a strong earthquake, turn off ovens, stoves and the main gas valve. Then listen to the radio or television for news. In coastal areas beware of possible tidal waves (tsunami) while in mountainous areas beware of possible land slides.

Extra materials available below:
http://www.keishicho.metro.tokyo.jp/sei ... n_note.pdf

[dimitri_can]

MMM:

Hi,


We've a trip to Osaka/ Kyoto coming up in few weeks time but we obviously have not planned anything except book the hotels. It's our first trip to Osaka/ Kyoto and without kids.

We will be flying to Osaka. Intend to travel from Osaka to Kyoto and stay for 2 nights before moving on to Osaka for another 3 nights.

Have the following questions :
* What is the best way to commute between Osaka to Kyoto?
* What are the must see in Kyoto based on 3D2N?
* What are the must see in Osaka based on 4D3N?

Thanks in advance.

=========================================
JR Kyoto Line (快速/Kaizoku or 新快速/Shin Kaizoku)
http://www.hyperdia.com/cgi/en/search.h ... m_target=7

Route 1 or Route 2
=====================================
Kyoto
-------
1) Kiyomizudera

2) Fushimi Inari

3) Gion
花見小路
http://lohas.pixnet.net/blog/post/31269 ... C%E9%83%BD

4) Arashiyama

5) Togetsukyo (渡月橋)

6) Kinkakuji

7) 平安神宮

Philosopher's Path
http://www.rurubu.com/sight/detail.aspx?BookID=JC002109
=======================================

[dimitri_can]

Osaka

----------
1) Osaka Aquarium

2) Dotonbori

3) Namba

4) Umeda Sky Building

5) Den-den town (if you want to buy some cheap electronics)

6) Shinsekai (be careful at night as it's town of yakuza)

7) Tsuruhashi (mini Korea, good bibimbak)

8)Tower of the Sun

You might be able to find some nice places in this song
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIiwarD ... j5KrzDUhFS

English Lyrics: http://www.jpopasia.com/lyrics/13593/
======================================
For Osaka food, the following are the must try

1) Okonomiyaki　
http://www.yebisu.cc/
Has menu to teach you how to make your own Okonomiyaki. Has English menu.
Address: 2 Chome-5-2 Ebisuhigashi, Naniwa Ward, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture 556-0002, Japan

2) Kushikatsu (my recommendation and top on Osaka's food review ranking)
http://tabelog.com/osaka/A2701/A270202/27000401/
Map: http://tabelog.com/osaka/A2701/A270202/27000401/dtlmap/

3) Yakisoba
http://r.gnavi.co.jp/ehsa80xd0000/
Map: http://r.gnavi.co.jp/ehsa80xd0000/map/

[dimitri_can]

Osaka/Kyoto souvenirs

------------------
1) Osaka Petit Banana

2) Kobe Pudding

3) Green tea

4) Wakashi
http://matome.naver.jp/odai/21324974077 ... 5617176003

5) Other Osaka souvenirs
https://translate.google.com/translate? ... edit-text=

[dimitri_can]

4) Missed out the Takoyaki


Shop name: Hana Dako
Address:大阪府大阪市北区角田町9-16　新梅田食道街
Operating hours：10:00～23:00

http://cdn-ak.f.st-hatena.com/images/fotolife/b/bhb_gohan/20150112/20150112124700.jpg\">

http://cdn-ak.f.st-hatena.com/images/fotolife/b/bhb_gohan/20150112/20150112124858.jpg\">

5) Kitsune Udon
http://gurutabi.gnavi.co.jp/gourmet/item/746/
Map: http://r.gnavi.co.jp/k001100/map/

[dimitri_can]

Shin Kaizoku (新快速) is the fastest, followed by Kaizoku (快速), then Futsuu（普通)


http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/640x480q90/540/LDvHlE.jpg\">

[dimitri_can]

You can also consider to add in these places if you want somewhere outside Osaka/Kyoto...


Kobe: http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2159.html

Himeji: http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3500.html
There is also a Hello Kitty cafe, if you are into Hello Kitty
http://goo.gl/nwlKaM

Okayama (famous for grapes, peaches): http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5700.html

Hiroshima/Miyajima (famous for lemon): http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2160.html