30 Sep
Decided to check out early to go over to Dotonburi Hotel .
After leaving down the luggage, we made our way to Kuromon Ichiba. It was a pleasant to get there. The place was like a wet market selling lots of stuff. We managed to stop at one and bought some Maguro and Toro to eat! Stephen enjoyed them very much! ( I am not a sushi/ sashimi person....) It was quite a good experience strolling around Kuromon, shopping and eating!
From there, we made our way to Osakako - Osaka Port. As it started to rain quite heavily, we decided to break for lunch at the nearby Mac. The MacRib was really tender and delicious!
Walking around the shopping mall next to the Aquarium was fun! We managed to buy Ikayaki and also some pig shaped buns to eat!
Before going back to the hotel, we took a stroll along Shinsaibashi and bought some souvenirs and snack.
The room at this hotel was really small, but great location. Not only that, it has laptop for rental, wi-fi and even different adaptors for free use!
Went to Taka to buy a birthday cake and managed to get one to my liking! By the time I got back to wash up, Omori was already waiting outside the hotel.
Omori drove us back to his place for sukiyaki dinner. Mrs Omori has bought Kobe beef for sukiyaki! Wow! There was so much to eat!
Mrs Omori baked a cake for the party and we had 2 cakes to eat!
It was a great evening at his place!
01 Oct
Early morning check out to catch the train to Kansai airport. The Omoris came to see us off and gave us presents. So kind of them!
About 3hours and 20 mins flight, we arrived into Hong Kong. Overnight stay at Kimberley Hotel before catching my morning flight on 02 Oct back to Singapore!
The trip to Japan has been wonderful. We had good weather, delicious food, good traffic and most of all great hospitality!
It was great to be back in Osaka, after 8 years! Much has changed since, but it was easy moving around the city.
It was Stephen's 1st trip and I believe he enjoyed himself, especially the home stay at Omori's place.
---------------------- Sawbear Travel ----------------------
28 Sep
The hotel provided free breakfast and it was rather good. We could help ourselves to hot and cold beverages from the vending machines
After checking out, we walked over to Gion - Shijo station to catch the train ride to Nara. It took us longer than expected but we finally reached! To our pleasant surprise, we found the Super Hotel Lohas was connected to the Nara Station! So convenient!
After leaving down our luggage, we made our way to Kofukuji Temple and also the famous Todaiji Temple (both World Heritage Sites). Along the way, there was many deer.......AT Todaiji, there were many school groups...simply very crowded!
Ramen lunch at the shopping street and the special Daibutsu Ramen proved too huge for me to finished and I gave most of the noddle to Stephen!
The public bath at Lohas was actually quite good....there was one 'outdoor' bath which was an experience!
Wanted to explore the old town near Gangoji Temple but did not find much. decided to stroll along the shopping mall and initially wanted to have dinner at Mac but ended up at a restaurant serving curry rice (again)!
It is very quiet after dark in Nara and most shops were closed when we came out for a night stroll.
29 Sep
Decided not to go Kobe and so we took our time. Breakfast was provided and it was similar to the one at Shijo. I like the idea of getting free drinks from the vending machines (only during breakfast)!
After consulting the station master, we made our way (by train) to Koshien Guchi station only to find out that we were at the wrong station. I was supposed to exit from the west exit but there was only north and south exits! Managed to find out that the correct Koshien station was 15 mins bus ride and we finally arrived!
After staying a few nights at Super Hotel, Novotel Koshien was a refreshing change! It looked like a 5-star hotel! Though we were there about noon, the hotel allowed us to have early check in! Udon lunch at the shopping mall next to the Hotel....so convenient!
A 20mins train ride and we were into Osaka again - Umeda Station. Went for a look see around the place and also to Hankyu departmental Store to buy a gift for Mrs Omori.
Met up with Jiro at Takashimaya Namba and he brought us to a local shop for dinner. The owner cooked a few dishes and they were placed in front of us. We chose what we like and portions of them were served to us. Jiro put some money into a cup and every time we ordered food or drink, the owner would took some money out of the cup. According to Jiro, the food was really cheap....I begged to differ......
Jiro also showed us around Namba and pointed out some famous stalls/shops selling Takoyaki, sushi, ramen, cakes, etc.... It was really fun having someone to show us the good food!
On the way back to Koshien, we bought some 'supper' for the night!
----------------- Sawbear Travel -------------------
26 Sep
Was supposed to catch a ride from Mrs Omori to nearby Kyoto but due to time factor, decided to go on our own. Mrs Omori gave us a ride to Hagoromo station. From there, we caught a train ride to Namba, changed to subway to Shin Osaka and then took the Shinkansen to Kyoto. Wanted top always try the Train bento, we bought 1. From Kyoto,we took another 2 train rides to Kyotoshiyakuso-Mae station. From the station, it was only a few minutes walk to our accommodation - Nishiyama Ryokan. As it was still too early to check in, we left our luggage there and then proceeded to our 1st sightseeing destination - Kinkakuji.
The bus ride took us about 30 mins to the front of the entrance. A quick curry rice lunch (which was not bad) at a cafe nearby before we went in to Kinkakuji. The main attraction was apparently the Golden Temple and there was lots of tourists! We spent some time walking around the place and managed to get some nice shots. However, we found the place too commercialised,selling lots of temple related souvenirs....makes one wonders.....
Took a bus ride to Shijo Kawaramachi and managed to locate Super Hotel (hotel for the following night - great location, just behind the shopping street) to reconfirm the reservation. While strolling along Shijo, we managed to see a hairstyle parade at Gion. There was a display of hairstyle from the different era... it was pretty interesting!
At the check-in, we were being shown to our room. The lady explained the various gadgets in the room and even poured us tea! Such great hospitality! The room was actually bigger than I expected. There was a living room and also a bedroom. The toilet seat was really high tech...it warmed up!
We decided to try the public bath located at the basement. It was not big, but sufficient as we were the only ones using it! In the lobby, there was free Internet and that's really great!
During dinner, we were surprised to find only 2 of us! Most of the guests were on either room with breakfast or just room only. We wanted to try the famous Kaseiki dinner and we were not disappointed. The spread was rather decorative, with lots of small portion of different entrees/appetisers and by the time we finished, we were full! It was really a good experience! Though the price was rather expensive, for the once in your lifetime experience, it was worth it!
Took a stroll along the shopping streets of Kyoto bought some souvenirs before returning to the Ryokan. Another dip into the bath before we turned in for the night.
27 Sep
Certainly slept well on the tatami!
A early morning dip again before we went for our breakfast. The local breakfast was rather interesting and delicious.
Checking out of the Ryokan, we went to Super Hotel Shijo Kawaramachi to drop off our luggage.
This morning, our destination was Kyomizu Temple. A bus ride and about 20mins walk up the hill, we arrived at the famous Kyomizu Temple. This is a very nice attraction with a view of the kyoto city.
From Kyomizu, we went back top the shopping street for lunch and finally settled at the food street of Takashimaya - curry rice again!
Went over to Arashiyama and spent some time walking around the place. Quite a nice place to spend a few hours.
Super Hotel has specific timing for the public bath for men and women. We managed to find time to dip at the bath (natural mineral bath). Great way to relax!
Decided to have yakiniku for dinner and managed to find one BBQ buffet. The spread was good and we ate a lot, with many glasses of apple juice!
Another round at the public bath before sleeping time!
--------------- Sawbear Travel ---------------
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 ---------------------
The room at this hotel was really small, but great location. Not only that, it has laptop for rental, wi-fi and even different adaptors for free use!
