TR - Kansai Sakura Trip 2017

[limweeli]

Day 9

This is the last day we are in Japan There are just 2 destinations for today - Kemasakuranomiya Park and Osaka Castle. We had our breakfast in Kuromon Ichiba Market which is near our AirBnB before head there.


The park is free admission and there are lots of sakura trees.


Contrasting pink sakura trees


There is a canopy walk here too.


Contracting 2 different type of sakura trees.


Kemasakuranomiya Park is along a river, starting from Sakuranomiya Station to Osaka Mint Bureau/Keihan City Mall. It boast of 3000 sakura tress and most of them are blooming. In fact, some of the petals are falling already due to the rain and wind.


One of the ways to enjoy is through a boat ride. What a long boat!

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[bladez87]

is it worth going kiyomizu dera since it is under renovation?

 

[bladez87]

Day 4 continued

We took a train to JR Umahori Station and took a short walk to Kameoka Torokko Station to take the Sagano Romantic Train back.


Popular as usual ...


Say hello to those taking the boat ride.

We got off at Arashiyama Torokko Station and walked the Bamboo Grove back to the JR Saga-Arashiyama Station.


This is the best part of the bamboo grove IMO.


Colourful kimono/yukata stands out in the crowd.

We had dinner in Porta at Kyoto Station. Originally, we wanted to look for the store we had patronized 4 years back but it seems they had a reno and the shop is not there. Anyway, food from any shop in Japan is nice so we just randomly selected one.


After dinner snack. The takoyaki is very nice.

did you have any difficulties getting the romantic train ride tickets?
i read must buy in advance ah?

 

[limweeli]

Day 9 continued


It's quite crowded here as everyone is out to view sakuras.


Everyone seems to be walking on the main road. The walking trails beside is slightly better.


Nearer to the southern side, the stalls are opened. Food, drinks and sakura!


This is what we are looking for ... full bloom ...


We came to the City Mall for a brief stop before heading to Osaka Castle.


We chose this cafe on the 5th floor that overlooks the river.


My daughter chose this for her desert.

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[limweeli]

Day 9 continued

We head to Osaka Castle next. We chose to walk on the park in the perimeter as there are sakura trees there.


I wanted to do a sakura framing but I couldn't get a shot at the main castle. This is the best I could come out with :/


Crowded as usual


Hanami parties all over


Some parts has a mix of variety like this path.


It started to rain heavily so I hurried in find a pic of the castle with sakura trees. Sadly, this is the best I can conjure I really need to research more on the better spots.


Nice sakura covered stairway towards Morinomiya Station.

That's the end! Hope you guys like it

Edit: I've added the link to the Flickr album in the first post. Feel free to browse.

 

[limweeli]

is it worth going kiyomizu dera since it is under renovation?

Depends on what you are there for. The main temple is covered up but there is still a lot to see and experience around the area. I suggest taking stroll from Yasaka Shrine, through the old streets, pass Kodaiji to Kiyomizu. Do stop for food and shopping along the way!

did you have any difficulties getting the romantic train ride tickets?
i read must buy in advance ah?

On my first trip, we booked the tickets early at one of the Osaka JR office IIRC. We got a Osaka 2 day pass with the tickets as a package. This trip, we went to Saga-Arashiyama to look for any availability in the afternoon. We can only get the 3:29pm slot (1-way back). It's quite crowded so book early if you can.

Edit: If you choose to buy on the day, you can take a JR train down to Saga-Arashiyama Station and buy it from the Saga Torokko Station just beside.

 

[bladez87]

Depends on what you are there for. The main temple is covered up but there is still a lot to see and experience around the area. I suggest taking stroll from Yasaka Shrine, through the old streets, pass Kodaiji to Kiyomizu. Do stop for food and shopping along the way!



On my first trip, we booked the tickets early at one of the Osaka JR office IIRC. We got a Osaka 2 day pass with the tickets as a package. This trip, we went to Saga-Arashiyama to look for any availability in the afternoon. We can only get the 3:29pm slot (1-way back). It's quite crowded so book early if you can.

Edit: If you choose to buy on the day, you can take a JR train down to Saga-Arashiyama Station and buy it from the Saga Torokko Station just beside.

what is the package you got for the osaka de? is it worth it? i planning to travel between osaka kyoto nara kobe. but unable to find a pass that allows flexibility of train operators.

 

[limweeli]

what is the package you got for the osaka de? is it worth it? i planning to travel between osaka kyoto nara kobe. but unable to find a pass that allows flexibility of train operators.

I just paid the train tickets using ICOCA as we don't take any outside of Osaka and Kyoto - Kinosaki Onsen is via rented car. Most of the passes are strictly on 1 train operator. You can do your calculation at hyperdia.com to see if it's worth it before buying. I am not that good with the various passes because I usually just use stored value card or drive

 

[Entropy]

what is the package you got for the osaka de? is it worth it? i planning to travel between osaka kyoto nara kobe. but unable to find a pass that allows flexibility of train operators.

You only need a Kansai Area 1 day pass if you are planning a day trip to Himeji.

Otherwise travel time for all the other destinations are like taking trains from east to west on MRT in SG. Cost is also very cheap too. Approx $10 for a return trip.

 

[botakbotak]

Hello limweeli.

Been looking thru the pictures. It is dead gorgeous. How I wish I am there right now!

I'm flying over to Kyoto/Osaka in 3 weeks time. Yes I will be missing out the pretty sakura ;( do you mind sharing with me your detailed itinerary? Am going with my gf and her parents so will want to avoid any hicup as much as possible.

Thank you so much! very very much!

 

[limweeli]

do you mind sharing with me your detailed itinerary?

I didn't keep a detailed one but the general places are in the first post. You can use japan-guide as a reference and ask your questions in this forum. People here are very helpful. I'll try to help if you have any specific questions too

 

[LIN_JOEL]

Nice photos
May I know what camera and lens u using?

 

[limweeli]

Nice photos
May I know what camera and lens u using?

Thx. A7S with 16-35mm and batis 85mm.