JAPAN YOKOSO ....... Part 1

After weeks of waiting, the trip to Japan finally came!

23 Sep

Went early to airport to drop off the luggage and then proceeded to the SATS Lounge. The lounge was quite impressive with massage chairs and a good spread of alcoholic n non alcohol drinks. The snacks, however, were very limited in choice. Still, its a good place to relax.

SQ 872 bound for HKG departed on time and the flight journey took 3.5 hours. Clearance was swift for me (ha ha) and soon I was out. Stephen was already waiting for me and we went straight to the departure lounge to drop off our luggage.

As we had a few hours to kill, we went over to Citigate. Managed to get a pair of croc shoe and caught up on a movie before going back to the airport.

24 Sep

CX 566 bound for Osaka took off as per schedule. 3 hours and 10 mins later, we arrived at Kansai International Airport ...about 5:40 local time. Custom was rather strict for foreigners and the officer searched through my luggage. Well, he could not fault me and let me go!

Coming out to the arrival hall, Omori was not there! It must still be early as the flight arrived ahead of schedule. After waited for a while, Omori appeared!  So happy to see him again! The last time we met was in HONG KONG last October!

About 30 mins journey, we arrived at his place. Mrs Omori was at home to welcome us. We went over to the other house (next door) to unload our luggage. After a quick wash up, its breakfast time! Mrs Omori has prepared a sumptuous breakfast for us!

The 1st destination this morning was Osaka Castle. A beautiful day to be out .....  Just walking around the vicinity of the Castle took a while....burning up lots of calories!

Then, to downtown Osaka.....a stroll along Doutonburi and lunch at my favourite Kamukura Ramen at SennichiMae. I remembered 8 years ago...I had a big bowl of Char Siew ramen at Y1000..now, for a medium size......its Y1000!

A walk along the shopping street and coffee at a nearby coffee house before we went over to Shinseikai - the old Japan. By the time we finished exploring the place, we were already dead tired...

Back at Omori's place, the wife has prepared Okonomiyaki for dinner! A friend came over to join us for dinner. The dinner was great - great company and good food!

25 Sep

1st night sleep in Japan! I certainly slept well.....considering I did not sleep on board!

After a delicious breakfast spread, Omori drove us off to Koyasan.... a 2 hour's journey. The journey was rather scenic with me and Stephen dozing off most of the journey! I am not a fan of long distance driving....

Koyasan is a very nice, up on the mountain 'town'.. With the cool weather, it made the trip very pleasant. They managed to visit a few temples, had udon and coffee before making our way back. Along the way. we stopped at a shop selling special sushi wrapped in persimmon''s leaves.

A brief stop at Ito Yamada to buy some meat and stuff for dinner. Mrs Omori has decided to cook Tonkatsu for us! Stephen was overwhelmed!

Another great dinner and good company before we called it a day........


------------------------- Sawbear Travel ---------------------