Travel: Japan - General

[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

[dimitri_can]

Scoot promo till 9am.

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/640x480q90/538/IhTGFn.png\">

[MMM]

Thank you all for your generous sharing. Will try to digest all the information.


Do you know if the train stations has lift/ escalator or just lots of steps??? I recalled we lost weight in Tokyo after all those step climbing and walking in train stations. I am concerned about luggage handling and wondering if a small luggage is better. But how to store all those shoppings???? I rather bring something bigger and have 1 luggage. The thought that SQ allows up to 30kg is enticing. Also are there any place for luggage storage at train station?

For Kyoto, we've booked Citadines in Gojo area which is supposedly 1 min to Gojo station or 1 station away from Kyoto station. But seriously... I cannot put that in perspective yet. Read tripadvisor review that it's 15 mins walk to Kyoto station. But so far Citadines location are quite convenient.

We like to explore everywhere on foot when we travel. I recalled when we were in NYC, we stayed near times square but we walked all the way to freedom tower and back... That's how dh is like. So yes.... I think all good food in Osaka is ok with all those exercises

For Osaka, we booked Marriott Osaka Miyako hotel. Seems to have a train station downstairs.

BTW, anyone tried to use google map in Japan? Any watch outs?

Does it make sense to buy those JR passes??? I recalled in Tokyo, there was a website that we used to plan train routes before we depart as different routes has different price. Does that happen in Kyoto and Osaka too?

[dimitri_can]

The website is http://www.hyperdia.com


For Citidines Kyoto, it looks like its about 10 mins from Gojo station, so i guess you are fine.

From Kyoto station, it looks its going to take u more than 15 mins.

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/640x480q90/540/9yqFjp.png\">

MMM:

For Osaka, we booked Marriott Osaka Miyako hotel. Seems to have a train station downstairs.

If you take JR Haruka from Kansai Airport to Tennoji (天王寺), it will stop you there directly in 30 mins time, no need to change.