Kansai Trip Report 2010

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Day 1 @ Departs Singapore

Singapore Changi Airport → Kuala Lumpur Int’l Airport → Kansai Airport
21:20 – Singapore Changi Airport to Kuala Lumpur Int’l Airport (1 hr flight via Malaysia Airlines)
23:55 – Kuala Lumpur Int’l Airport to Kansai Airport (6 hr flight via Malaysia Airlines)

Bought the promotional flight tickets to Osaka during one of Malaysia Airlines ticket sales. The ticket per pax cost slightly less than S$500 which is great value even though there’s a stopover in Kuala Lumpur. Also, the flight from Kuala Lumpur arrives at Kansai Airport during early morning, which adds one full day to the itinerary.

Day 2 @ Shirahama

Kansai Airport → Shirahama (白浜) → Check in Hotel Sanrakuso (三楽荘) → Tore Tore Fish Market (南紀白浜魚市場) → Engetsu Island (円月島) → Sakinoyu (崎の湯露天風呂) → Submarine Observation Tower (白浜海中展望塔)

Unlike most tourists who are northbound for either Osaka or Kyoto, we travel 2.5 hours south towards Shirahama (白浜町) in Wakayama Prefecture. This town on the south coast of Kansai is well known for its white sandy beaches and onsen (hot spring). We stayed at Hotel Sanrakuso which have a in-room onsen overlooking Shirahama famed white sandy beach and the impressive Pacific Ocean. Thereafter, we took a walk around the beautiful Shirahama.

Getting to Shirahama:
08:04 – Kansai Airport to Hineno (日根野) via JR Kansaikuko Line
08:23 – Hineno (日根野) to Wakayama (和歌山) via JR Hanwa Line
08:54 – Wakayama (和歌山) to Shirahama (白浜) via Kuroshio No.1
Check Hyperdia for other timings.

Getting around Shirahama:
There’s no metro in this small town, so the best way to move around is via the local Meiko bus. We bought the Shirahama 1 Day Bus Pass for 1,000 JPY (S$12) for unlimited rides.

The stay in Shirahama:
1N – Hotel Sanrakuso

Day 3 @ Kyoto

Shirahama → Kyoto (京都) → Fushimi Inari Taisha (伏見稲荷大社) → Check in Hotel MyStays Kyoto Shijo → Nishiki Market Kyoto (錦市場商店街) → Uoshin Sushi (魚心壽司) → Kyoto tower

After having a great time at Shirahama especially the wonderful stay at Hotel Sanrakuso, it’s time to move on to Kyoto (京都). Fushimi Inari Taisha (伏見稲荷大社) is a place which I absolutely want to visit for its bright orangey torii (Japanese gates). We then visit Nishiki Market Kyoto commonly known as Kyoto’s kitchen before having giant sushi at Uoshin Sushi. The splendid evening was spent at Kyoto Tower and we stayed at Hotel MyStays Kyoto Shijo.

Getting to Fushimi Inari Taisha:
Simply alight at Inari Station and the shrine is just a 5 minute walk.

Getting to Nishiki Market/Uoshin Sushi:
5 minute walk from either Shijo/Karasuma Metro Station or Kawaramachi Metro Station. Whereas Uoshin Sushi is nearer to Kawaramachi Metro Station.

Getting to Kyoto Tower:
It’s hard to miss Kyoto’s tallest structure which is right outside Kyoto Station.

The stay in Kyoto:
2N – Hotel MyStays Kyoto Shijo

Day 4 @ Kyoto

Kinkakuji (金閣寺) → Kiyomizu dera (音羽山清水寺) → Chion In temple (知恩院) → Gion (祇園)

Kyoto temple shrine hopping trip. The spiritual Buddhism and Shintoism have thousands of temples and shrines between them – impossible to visit all of them. I can only cherry-pick a few to visit and the 3 for today are Kinkakuji, Kiyomizu dera and Chion In. Ended up at Gion hopping to see some Geisha but the heavy downpour prevented us from seeing any…sigh…

Getting to Kinkakuji:
Metro to Kitaoji Station, then take city bus 101, 102 or 205 at the bus interchange and alight at Kinkakuji bus stop.

Getting to Kiyomizu dera:
From Kyoto Station, hop on to city bus 100 or 206 and alight either at Gojo-zaka or Kiyomizu-michi bus stop.

Getting to Chion In and Gion:
We took a long walk from Kiyomizu dera to Chion In before ending up at the nearby Gion area.

Day 5 @ Kyoto/ Osaka

Tenryuji (天龍寺) → Sagano bamboo grove (嵐山竹林) → Adashino Nenbutsuji (仏野念仏寺) → Togetsukyo Bridge (渡月橋) → Nijo Castle (二条城) → Osaka (大阪) → Check in Hotel Villa Fontaine Shinsaibashi → Dotonbori (道頓堀)

Spent the morning part by making our way to the quiet and serene Arashiyama region to visit Tenryuji and Adashino Nenbutsuji. Some other famous landmarks around here are the beautiful Sagano bamboo grove and Togetsukyo Bridge. We also visited Nijo Castle before saying bye to the refined atmosphere and cultural heritage of Kyoto, changing to the bustling scenes in Osaka. The hotel we stayed was Hotel Villa Fontaine Shinsaibashi.

Getting to Tenryuji:
Metro to Uzumasa-Tenjingawa then switch to Randen-Tenjingawa on Keifuku Dentetsu-Arashiyama Line (different operating company from Kyoto Metro) to Arashiyama (Keifuku) station. Tenryuji is within 5 minute walking distance.

Getting to Togetsukyo Bridge:
Stepping out of Arashiyama (Keifuku) station and make a left turn (opposite direction of Tenryuji) will bring you to the charming bridge.

Getting to Sagano bamboo grove:
From the northern gate of Tenryuji, take a left turn and follow the path, it will be hard to miss the bamboo trees.

Getting to Adashino Nenbutsuji:
We walked all the way from Tenryuji to the remote Adashino Nenbutsuji. There should be a bus service but not sure…

Getting to Nijo Castle:
Take metro and alight at Nijojo-Mae.

Getting to Osaka/ Shinsaibashi:
16:14 – Kyoto (京都) to Osaka (大阪) via JR Tokaido-San-Yo Line
16:52 – Umeda (梅田) to Shinsaibashi (心斎橋) via Osaka City Subway-Midosuji Line
Check Hyperdia for other timings.

The stay in Osaka:
5N – Hotel Villa Fontaine Shinsaibashi

Day 6 @ Nara/ Osaka

Osaka (大阪) → Nara (奈良) → Kohfukuji (興福寺) → Nara Park (奈良公園) → Todaiji (東大寺) → Osaka (大阪) → Dotonbori (道頓堀)

Took a day trip to the nearby Nara to check out the Kohfukuji, Nara Park and Todaiji with warm welcome from our deer locals. Left in awe by the number of deers and sheer size of Todaiji. Then it’s back to Dotonbori for Kuidaore time!

Getting to Nara:
09:17 – Tennoji (天王寺) to Nara (奈良) via JR Kansai Line
Check Hyperdia for other timings.

Getting around Nara to Kohfukuji, Nara Park and Todaiji:
The ancient city is compact in size and easy enough to be explore on foot.

Day 7 @ Himeji/ Kobe/ Osaka

Osaka (大阪) → Himeji Castle (姫路城) → Kobe (神戸) → Kobe Beef (神戸ビーフ) → Osaka (大阪) → Dotonbori (道頓堀)

Make a trip to the white plastered Himeji Castle before it undergoes an extensive renovation. Next up are to Harbour land and Chinatown in Kobe. Of course, Kobe Beef too. And we satisfied our cravings by emptying my wallet at Kissho Koubegyuu – totally worth it.

Getting to Himeji Castle:
09:15 – Osaka (大阪) to Himeji (姫路) via JR Tokaido-San-Yo Line
Check Hyperdia for other timings.

Getting to Kobe (from Himeji):
12:42 – Himeji (姫路) to Kobe (神戸) via JR Tokaido-San-Yo Line
Check Hyperdia for other timings.

Getting to Kissho Koubegyuu:
They have quite a handful of outlets in Kobe, find one nearest to you at their Kissho Koubegyuu.

Day 8 @ Osaka

Osaka Castle (大阪城) → Shinsekai (新世界) → Daiko Sushi (大興寿司南店) → Umeda Sky Building (梅田スカイビル)

After various day trips to nearby cities, it’s time to shift the attention to Osaka. First stop was the iconic Osaka Castle, which is more of a modern museum with the shape of a castle (unlike Himeji Castle). Followed by retro Osaka in the form of Shinsekai and had a great lunch at Daiko Sushi. Then we proceed to Umeda Sky Building for a cozy evening.

Getting to Osaka Castle:
Take Metro and alight at either Tanimachi yonchome or Morinomiya Station.

Getting to Shinsekai:
Take Metro and alight at Tennoji.

Getting to Daiko Sushi:
The restaurant is just along Jan-Jan Yokocho.

Getting to Umeda Sky Building:
Take Metro and alight at either Umeda or Nishiumeda Station.

Day 9 @ Osaka

Universal Studios Japan → Dotonbori (道頓堀)

Spending the last entire day of our Kansai trip at Universal Studios Japan.

Getting to Universal Studios Japan:
Take JR Sakurajima Line and alight at Universal City.

Day 10 @ Homebound flights

Kansai Airport → Kuala Lumpur Int’l Airport → Singapore Changi Airport
11:10 – Kansai Airport to Kuala Lumpur Int’l Airport (6 hr flight via Malaysia Airlines)
19:30 – Kuala Lumpur Int’l Airport to Singapore Changi (1 hr flight via Malaysia Airlines)

Getting to Kansai Airport from Shinsaibashi:
Took the Kansai Airport Limousine at Hotel Nikko Osaka which is near to Hotel Villa Fontaine Shinsaibashi.