KANSAI 15DEC-29DEC

[evilerniex]

Out of my 13 days there, I have so far allocated these:

1 day Kobe, 1 Day Koyasan, 1 day Arima Onsen, 1 Day Nara, 1 Day Uji, balance 8 days for Osaka & Kyoto.

u may want to have 1 night in koyasan, coz the key attraction of koyasan is the temple stay. personally, i think without the temple stay, there is actually nothing very special in koyasan that is worth the hassle of getting there

 

[kunoichi]

if going Mt Rokko and Arima Onsen i suggest stay a night, there's alot to do there

 

[cpuer]

u may want to have 1 night in koyasan, coz the key attraction of koyasan is the temple stay. personally, i think without the temple stay, there is actually nothing very special in koyasan that is worth the hassle of getting there

Will give a thought on that. But I really don't like travel alone, so staying one night there might be too much for me.

 

[cpuer]

if going Mt Rokko and Arima Onsen i suggest stay a night, there's alot to do there

Might be better option. As the Mt Rokko route seems to be quite tedious with multiple transfer. So it makes sense to stay over night in Arima Onsen to make the trip worth.

 

[cpuer]

Shortlisted Tama den, visit Tama or Nitama Station Master
?????????? | Super Station Master Tama
?????????????

 

[samtcy]

Shortlisted Tama den, visit Tama or Nitama Station Master
?????????? | Super Station Master Tama
?????????????

http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/japan-271/%5Bfrs%5D-samanthas-4-japan-trips-3535173-69.html#post70898090

Go Away, Sam...: Japan (Sep 2012) Day 4: Day trip to Wakayama then to Kyoto (Part 1)

 

[Deathskull88]

The ladies young or old folks?

If the former, I'd say leave them to explore on their own, let them learn to explore Japan without a human guide, will make it easier for u on ur future trips there with them. Just buy 2 data sim cards, one for urself, one for the ladies. Or if need to, just pay the roaming charge and call each other.

If the latter, too bad, u will be stuck with them the whole holiday haha.

The best? Travel with like minded companions or travel alone.

Oh yes, remember the daytime is a bit short during ur period of travel

 

[cpuer]

The ladies young or old folks?

If the former, I'd say leave them to explore on their own, let them learn to explore Japan without a human guide, will make it easier for u on ur future trips there with them. Just buy 2 data sim cards, one for urself, one for the ladies. Or if need to, just pay the roaming charge and call each other.

If the latter, too bad, u will be stuck with them the whole holiday haha.

The best? Travel with like minded companions or travel alone.

Oh yes, remember the daytime is a bit short during ur period of travel

Not old, but very dependent on me for everything. Really feel like a tour leader when out there, if possible I want to carry a flag with me.

See how it goes.

 

[cpuer]

http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/japan-271/%5Bfrs%5D-samanthas-4-japan-trips-3535173-69.html#post70898090

Go Away, Sam...: Japan (Sep 2012) Day 4: Day trip to Wakayama then to Kyoto (Part 1)

Sam, what do you think of Kishi trip? worth the effort?

 

[samtcy]

Sam, what do you think of Kishi trip? worth the effort?

There's nothing much along that route, just that the themed trains are interesting...esp since I love taking trains in Japan.
Both cats sleep alot, so when I arrived at both stations, both cats were sleeping.
Since the trains along that line are infrequent, so you will usually have to wait quite awhile for the next train, I spent the whole day there just so that I can catch all 3 different themed train.

If you like cute/interesting trains, then by all means, go. But make sure you check the train timings and the availability of the themed trains before you go...because all 3 different trains might not operate on the same day.

 

[cpuer]

There's nothing much along that route, just that the themed trains are interesting...esp since I love taking trains in Japan.
Both cats sleep alot, so when I arrived at both stations, both cats were sleeping.
Since the trains along that line are infrequent, so you will usually have to wait quite awhile for the next train, I spent the whole day there just so that I can catch all 3 different themed train.

If you like cute/interesting trains, then by all means, go. But make sure you check the train timings and the availability of the themed trains before you go...because all 3 different trains might not operate on the same day.

Thanks. KIV it first. From your pics, it's kind of like a rustic place, might be a good change of pace from the hustle and bustle of Osaka.

 

[cpuer]

So far drafted these days for the different key places:

1 Day Kobe, 1 Day Koyasan, 1 day Arima Onsen, 1 Day Nara, 1 Day Uji, 1 Day Wakayama/Kishi, 4 Days Osaka & 2.5 Days Kyoto, 0.5 day Otsu(Hiei san and Enryaku-ji).

Will use Osaka as buffer, not really fancy cityscape other than team members penchant for shopping. Any places need more days, I will use Osaka to deduct it.

 

[cpuer]

I have found a hotel in Shin-Osaka area, or I should say nearer to Minamikata stn. How would this area compare to Shinimamiya area? I can imagine its less dodgy than ShinImamiya for sure, but overall, which would you prefer? Please comment. TIA.

 

[kifo]

I think it is a nice area. 2 stops away from Umeda on the Midosuji line, Namba and Tennouji is just further down the line.

Apparently the Juusou area just further east of Minamikata has a lot of best Osaka food - takoyaki, okonomiyaki, etc. But it also has a red light area.

 

[[M]aiev]

Wa your timing so zun..

I'll be there from 16 Dec till 4 Jan..

but is Kansai -> Yamanashi/Kanto

Anyway, enjoy ur trip TS

 

[cpuer]

@kifo, saw your comments only now, spent the whole time deliberating on what cards to use and what saving, damn shag

Yes, booked Hotel Consort. Chance upon its deals with rate comparable to Chuo. But never check out Shin Osaka area before, so I was nervous of this change of hotel. From what you described, it's not bad a place after all.

@[M]aiev, enjoy your trip too, bro.

 

[kifo]

Famous food in Juusou area:

Negiyaki
‚Ë‚¬*Ä*@‚â‚Ü‚à‚Æ

Yakimochi
今里屋久兵衛 駅å‰*店 - å**三/å’Œè*“å­* [食ã*¹ãƒ­ã‚°]

 

[hoshiyume]

from 30 dollars budget to 150 too high liao, we are on shoe string budgets. Will look out for other hostels anyway.

Recommends the hostel I stayed. Cheap and walking distance to nanba. Osaka Hana hostel is at shinsaibashi u cross one road is daimaru. <5 min walk to subway station.

 

[cpuer]

Recommends the hostel I stayed. Cheap and walking distance to nanba. Osaka Hana hostel is at shinsaibashi u cross one road is daimaru. <5 min walk to subway station.

thanks bro, already booked Hotel Consort near Shin-Osaka.

 

[cpuer]

Looks like I will use Nishinakajima Minamigata stations more than Minamigata. BTW, Nishinakajimaminamigata seems to be the longest sounding station name I ever come across, quite a mouthful.