Ask me any questions - Part 2

[ctan84]

Just for Kyoto?

My selection is from Tabelog. Overall is still quite good.

1. Assemblages Kakimoto - we had desserts and cakes. Quite atas, only bar counter seats. Not a typical cafe.
2. Patisserie S Salon (main store does not have eat-in area) - can try its millefeuille if available (main store only sells this on weekends and PH). Very understaffed.
3. grains de vanille - we had seasonal cake (mont blanc) which was quite good. A lot of staff and more tourist-friendly (able to give suggestions when looking at the cookies/pound cakes).
4. Kyoto Wakuden - pocket friendly courses, but the environment was not really what I experienced in other kaiseki places in Tokyo.
5. Muku - interesting breakfast place. A bit troublesome to reach there: walk from Arashiyama station.
6. Unagi Hirokawa - excellent service at reception and the staff spoke fluent English. Would I go again? Maybe yes, maybe no. Booking was a pain (stood by the system but was fully booked within minutes; then there was cancellations just a few days before we flew, so I managed to book a table).
7. Yamamoto Menzou - good service from the boss. Will go back to try its regular menu if we managed to get a seat, we ordered the seasonal udon dishes. Chicken fillet tempura was quite good.
8. Takayasu - tonkotsu ramen, humongous karaage and free spicy chives (help yourself to it). My hb liked everything there. The only down side was the long queue.

Other than that, I still have a long list of eateries I have yet to try.

Any you will intro for Kobe and Osaka? Im building up a list too but will be good to go places which others have tried and found worth visting.

 

[thwysg]

Any you will intro for Kobe and Osaka? Im building up a list too but will be good to go places which others have tried and found worth visting.

I didn’t manage to visit Kobe in 2023 due to many days of wet weather (we had 4 weeks but haiz). Would be heading there in October instead. Mainly for bread and desserts.

We didn’t have a lot of time in Osaka, we were running everywhere. Missed out bakeries and some patisseries.

1. Chocolatier Palet D’or Osaka - I wanted to eat seasonal parfaits. Chocolate lovers would like here.
2. Crêperie Alcyon - good selection of crepes, but narrow stairways. More suitable for couples.
3. W. Bolero - didn’t manage to visit its main outlet when we were in Shiga. It’s a very nice place to chill. We went there when the patisserie was open for dine-in. Sat there for 2hrs, we did two rounds of drinks. And lots of cakes to choose from when you’re early.
4. Okonomiyaki Momiji - narrow stairways. Not sure why this place was full of Korean tourists. Queueing was at least an hour (some Ang Mohs came to ask us how long we waited and walked away when they heard at least an hour). Friendly staff.
5. Shinsekai Souhonten Daruma - I was deciding whether to visit Daruma/ Yaekatsu/ Yakko that evening. Yaekatsu was full house with an extra long queue full of tourists. Yakko was closed so we tried our luck at Daruma. Super tiny and not-so-clean place. Food was very yummy that we had two rounds (vegetables, chicken, some seafood). Cash only. Do order its signature doteyaki. It’s beef tendon stew. Very nice.
6. Tori Soba Zagin Honten - this is very close to W. Bolero so we ate lunch here before heading to the cafe. Very rich and creamy paitan broth (they do a quick blend before serving), if you don’t mind queueing in the sun.
7. Zojirushi Shokudo - needs advance reservation if you want to order limited set meals. Yes, it’s all about the rice and the rice cooker. And free flow of the various types of rice.
8. Nonki Tei - it’s a takeout stall in a neighborhood selling fried stuff. Not bad and very pocket friendly prices, the staff were surprised to see tourists visiting them. I have yet to visit the more famous Nakamuraya at Tenjinbashi.

Can try the Kintetsu trains if you like. We took Aoniyoshi and Blue Symphony to try some of their exclusive food items. But reservation is a must if you’re traveling during peak seasons.

If you’re into cakes/sweets, can try these in Nara:

1. Gateau des Bois - there’s some history about the owner. Need to be early for its signature cake.
2. Housekibako - shaved ice desserts. If you didn’t get to try Osaka Naniwaya, can try your luck to see if you can get a seat here. Or book a seat online. Same family running both places. This place is not cheap.

Disclaimer: my orders are based on what the Japanese menu has to offer instead of English menu. And most of the eateries are not children-friendly. Lastly, we are always okay to queue for good food.

We also tried Ikea restaurant (wet weather), KFC buffet at Lalaport Expocity and Ikura Sushi (conveyor belt sushi chain). Good experience.

Update: forgotten to add in Tonkatsu Manger. Once is enough, I’ll head back to Narikura. The chef was prepping food with a plaster on one thumb. That was a huge disappointment for me.

 

[ctan84]

I didn’t manage to visit Kobe in 2023 due to many days of wet weather (we had 4 weeks but haiz). Would be heading there in October instead. Mainly for bread and desserts.

We didn’t have a lot of time in Osaka, we were running everywhere. Missed out bakeries and some patisseries.

1. Chocolatier Palet D’or Osaka - I wanted to eat seasonal parfaits. Chocolate lovers would like here.
2. Crêperie Alcyon - good selection of crepes, but narrow stairways. More suitable for couples.
3. W. Bolero - didn’t manage to visit its main outlet when we were in Shiga. It’s a very nice place to chill. We went there when the patisserie was open for dine-in. Sat there for 2hrs, we did two rounds of drinks. And lots of cakes to choose from when you’re early.
4. Okonomiyaki Momiji - narrow stairways. Not sure why this place was full of Korean tourists. Queueing was at least an hour (some Ang Mohs came to ask us how long we waited and walked away when they heard at least an hour). Friendly staff.
5. Shinsekai Souhonten Daruma - I was deciding whether to visit Daruma/ Yaekatsu/ Yakko that evening. Yaekatsu was full house with an extra long queue full of tourists. Yakko was closed so we tried our luck at Daruma. Super tiny and not-so-clean place. Food was very yummy that we had two rounds (vegetables, chicken, some seafood). Cash only. Do order its signature doteyaki. It’s beef tendon stew. Very nice.
6. Tori Soba Zagin Honten - this is very close to W. Bolero so we ate lunch here before heading to the cafe. Very rich and creamy paitan broth (they do a quick blend before serving), if you don’t mind queueing in the sun.
7. Zojirushi Shokudo - needs advance reservation if you want to order limited set meals. Yes, it’s all about the rice and the rice cooker. And free flow of the various types of rice.
8. Nonki Tei - it’s a takeout stall in a neighborhood selling fried stuff. Not bad and very pocket friendly prices, the staff were surprised to see tourists visiting them. I have yet to visit the more famous Nakamuraya at Tenjinbashi.

Can try the Kintetsu trains if you like. We took Aoniyoshi and Blue Symphony to try some of their exclusive food items. But reservation is a must if you’re traveling during peak seasons.

If you’re into cakes/sweets, can try these in Nara:

1. Gateau des Bois - there’s some history about the owner. Need to be early for its signature cake.
2. Housekibako - shaved ice desserts. If you didn’t get to try Osaka Naniwaya, can try your luck to see if you can get a seat here. Or book a seat online. Same family running both places. This place is not cheap.

Disclaimer: my orders are based on what the Japanese menu has to offer instead of English menu. And most of the eateries are not children-friendly. Lastly, we are always okay to queue for good food.

We also tried Ikea restaurant (wet weather), KFC buffet at Lalaport Expocity and Ikura Sushi (conveyor belt sushi chain). Good experience.

Update: forgotten to add in Tonkatsu Manger. Once is enough, I’ll head back to Narikura. The chef was prepping food with a plaster on one thumb. That was a huge disappointment for me.

Thanks a million. This information is very useful for my upcoming Kansai trip in May as I plan to drastically reduce my michelin star restaurants visit this round due to the massive amount of time I have to set aside for such places ( on average 2-2.5 hours for a meal).

 

[thwysg]

Thanks a million. This information is very useful for my upcoming Kansai trip in May as I plan to drastically reduce my michelin star restaurants visit this round due to the massive amount of time I have to set aside for such places ( on average 2-2.5 hours for a meal).

Do your own reading up as well, via Google or Tabelog. Check the photos and see if you like the environment.

Fyi I’m not into Michelin, nor do I follow food bloggers, I don’t have deep pockets, unlike many in MileLion groups or another member anyhowsaysay (his meals are really atas) from this group who fly often.

I just simply do a search and read the bad reviews first before deciding whether to give the place a chance. Also must check whether we have time to travel there (we don’t drive, so it’s public transport) and the weather condition on that day.

Have fun in your trip~

 

[ctan84]

Do your own reading up as well, via Google or Tabelog. Check the photos and see if you like the environment.

Fyi I’m not into Michelin, nor do I follow food bloggers, I don’t have deep pockets, unlike many in MileLion groups or another member anyhowsaysay (his meals are really atas) from this group who fly often.

I just simply do a search and read the bad reviews first before deciding whether to give the place a chance. Also must check whether we have time to travel there (we don’t drive, so it’s public transport) and the weather condition on that day.

Have fun in your trip~

Yup, I do counter-check against Tabelog. Usually I only visit a place if its at least a 3.5 on Tabelog.

 

[IMANOOB]

hi,

i am planning a trip to Japan this march from 26 March - 10th April.

Already made an itinerary on my other thread, basically am exploring osaka, hiroshima, shiga and tokyo. Main destination is himeji and kurashiki, tulips, and okunoshima. Want to see peach blossoms too if possible,

but am a bit anxious if i should spend a night in fujikawaguchiko, stay a night in miyajima or himeji. Hvaent made any hotel bookings so far.

If you were to make an itinerary for 16d in japan spring with current forecasts, how'd you do it?

 

[siandiaola]

Hello, I would like to check if 95mins is sufficient time for my transit at Haneda (can be T2 or T3) to New Chitose? Taking ANA, and connecting flight is code share with ANA but operated by Air-Do (also to say all flights are within 1 itinerary)

 

[fr33d0m]

If I am not wrong, need take luggage and exit immigration. 95 minutes is tough.

 

[ApeTruelove]

Hello, I would like to check if 95mins is sufficient time for my transit at Haneda (can be T2 or T3) to New Chitose? Taking ANA, and connecting flight is code share with ANA but operated by Air-Do (also to say all flights are within 1 itinerary)

IMO really rushing. If your SG flight delay abit nia you might miss your connecting flight.

 

[tomsss]

Hello, I would like to check if 95mins is sufficient time for my transit at Haneda (can be T2 or T3) to New Chitose? Taking ANA, and connecting flight is code share with ANA but operated by Air-Do (also to say all flights are within 1 itinerary)

kinda tight

my trip just 2 weeks ago to hokkaido same via haneda to new chitose, same about 90mins transit. only managed to clear immigration and collect baggage after 45mins because really a lot of ppl and the plane was parked farrrrr away, i think literally at the end of there. End up left only about 20mins to get to the other terminal via monorail, reach gate just nice they were starting to board. I was on Japan Airlines, connecting flight on domestic Japan Airlines as well

 

[Amosyee002]

why japan girls so pretty
i expect a good answer

 

[twosix]

kinda tight

my trip just 2 weeks ago to hokkaido same via haneda to new chitose, same about 90mins transit. only managed to clear immigration and collect baggage after 45mins because really a lot of ppl and the plane was parked farrrrr away, i think literally at the end of there. End up left only about 20mins to get to the other terminal via monorail, reach gate just nice they were starting to board. I was on Japan Airlines, connecting flight on domestic Japan Airlines as well

Hello, I would like to check if 95mins is sufficient time for my transit at Haneda (can be T2 or T3) to New Chitose? Taking ANA, and connecting flight is code share with ANA but operated by Air-Do (also to say all flights are within 1 itinerary)

Yah, 90min a bit tight. I was on jal via hnd to osaka. The counter checking into the domestic flight is very slow, but they gave us free monorail tickets to the other terminal to catch the flight. Haha

This time round to hokkaido, i chose 3hrs for transit. No need to rush and can do duty free shopping while transiting.

 

[siandiaola]

kinda tight

my trip just 2 weeks ago to hokkaido same via haneda to new chitose, same about 90mins transit. only managed to clear immigration and collect baggage after 45mins because really a lot of ppl and the plane was parked farrrrr away, i think literally at the end of there. End up left only about 20mins to get to the other terminal via monorail, reach gate just nice they were starting to board. I was on Japan Airlines, connecting flight on domestic Japan Airlines as well

Thanks all for the insights! Did you have to transfer to another terminal upon arrival, to catch the domestic flight? There's a possibility mine will arrive within the same terminal. Hopefully that saves some time.

 

[tomsss]

Thanks all for the insights! Did you have to transfer to another terminal upon arrival, to catch the domestic flight? There's a possibility mine will arrive within the same terminal. Hopefully that saves some time.

So far I only took JAL and JAL lands at T3. The transit out to New Chitose is at T1 or T2 i forgot (cos at that part was rushing). T3 is for international flights so i think likely all flights coming in should be at T3. T1 and T2 are for domestic.

In my case, when check in at the counter at Changi, the staff informed me where and how to get to the other terminal once reach Haneda. They informed me once cleared immigration and collected baggage, after exiting can turn right and check in at the domestic counter.... however because that domestic counter has got a certain cut off timing which is 11AM jp time, i was there at around 10:50am but my transit flight was at 11:20am so cannot check in there, the staff gave me the free monorail tix and told me to go to the terminal there then check in. At that point was the rush lor.

 

[rrr2015]

how much cheaper was indirect flights compared to direct flights to new chitose?

 

[LWZ]

why japan girls so pretty
i expect a good answer

Amosyee002
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hopefully a good answer will await you once you return

 

[s7460597]

how much cheaper was indirect flights compared to direct flights to new chitose?

According to Gemini only Scoot flies direct.

 

[twosix]

According to Gemini only Scoot flies direct.

scoot will stop at taipei first before going cts.

 

[tomsss]

According to Gemini only Scoot flies direct.

currently the only airline to fly direct is SIA, but only during winter period (end nov-jan)

read news that they will do it again for nov 2025 to jan 2026

 

[s7460597]

scoot will stop at taipei first before going cts.

Appears do.