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Japan 2024: Kyoto, Takayama & Osaka
Kyoto, Takayama, Osaka, Japan: 28th March - 5th April 2024
(See day-to-day blogs for more detailed routes)
It's been years since we last visited Japan; this time it's a family trip to take the kids (and a friend). This time round we will be flying to Kansai to enjoy the nearby cities of Kyoto & Osaka, and a day trip to Arashiyama. With a rented van we will then head for Takayama for 2-nights and slip in a day trip to Shirawakago. Returning we will enjoy three nights in Osaka before flying back.
We are visiting during the Sakura blossoming period and have paid peak prices for our accommodations. Hoping the beautiful flowers and serene tour will make this a wonderful family bonding tour.
(Note: further below are travel tips, and write-ups on food and places along the route.)
BLOGS
Below are the daily blogs of our tour, click on the respective photos to read. It was an interesting tour, so come and have a look:
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(Next... China: The Silk Road, followed by a short trip to Bandung, Indonesia!)
Japan 2024 Overall Travel Route Map
Kuala Lumpur>Air Asia>Kansai Airport>JR Haruka Express >Kyoto>Arashiyama>Kyoto>van>Takayama>van>Shirawakago>van>Kyoto>JR-Tennoji trains>Osaka>Van Taxi>Kansai Airport>Air Asia>Kuala Lumpur.
Zoom in for more details. See respective daily blogs for detailed daily route maps.
(Click here for the Overall Japan 2024 Tour (Kansai, Gifu & Hida) Route Map)
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TRAVEL TIPS FOR JAPAN: KANSAI, GIFU & HIDA
Below are some general tips on travelling in Japan and the Kansai & Hida regions; more detailed tips will be included in the day-to-day blogs:
1. Traffic Directions!
Traffic in Japan is right-hand drive, so drive/cycle on the left. The same thing applies when crossing the road, take note of the direction in which traffic is approaching!
2. Clearing Immigration & Customs
To clear Immigration & Customs fast, foreign visitors can do an online registration at the "Visit Japan Web" page and register their details on line. Those in the same family can register together in one form. Upon successful registration, a QR Code will be issued, share this QR Code to the phones of each member. This QR Code needs just be shown at both Immigration & Customs, and one will be whisked through as long as one has nothing to declare.
3. Getting to and around Japan.
Kyoto & the surrounding Kansai locality is a favourite tourist destination and many airlines fly directly to its international Kansai International Airport (KIX). We flew Air Asia from Kuala Lumpur to Kansai, and bought our tickets 2-3 months earlier to take advantage of early booking for cheaper fairs. On arrival at KIX, from the Japan Rail Office at the first floor, we bought the ICOCA Travel Pass for the Kansai region (ie Kyoto, Arashiyama & Osaka) which allows for travel by train & local buses in the locality.
Tickets for the JR Haruka Express from Kansai to Osaka or Kyoto can be bought online via Klook which will issue vouchers. These vouchers can be redeemed for the actual tickets at the vending machines JR ticket gate at Kansai Airport.The ICOCA Travel Pass can also be bought & be topped up at station vending machines at the JR-WEST Ticket Offices. On returning the cards, a refund will be given.
We navigated our way using Google Maps.
4. Route & Traffic Conditions
We mostly travelled by buses & trains but rented a van to drive from Kyoto to Takayama & Shirawakago. The Serena 8-seater van was rented from nissan-rentacar.com and booked through Rentalcars.com, an arm of Bookings.com.
5. Weather
In late March & early April 2024, daytime weather in Kyoto & Osaka ranged from 17°C to 22°C and night time ranged 4°C to 13°C. At Takayama daytime & night time ranges were from 15°C to 20°C and 2°C to 10°C respectively. So bring warm clothing and practice layered clothing to keep warm and still allow for stripping during the hotter times of the day.
6. Communicating with Each Other
When travelling in a group it's important to be able to communicate with each other, especially if one gets lost from the rest. We bought online 15-day 10Gb Japan Go! prepaid sim cards from Hello 1010. 20Gb cards are available also. The cards were delivered 5 days from the order. Alternatively, those using Maxis can opt for their Multi-country Roaming Pass.
7. Communicating with Locals
Except for those involved in the tourist industry, most Japanese don't speak English. Install Google Translate or Naver Papago apps to communicate. It will be good to pick up some basic Japanese phrases.
8. Places & Things of Interest
There were many scenic and beautiful places of interest, but one should not miss the following (Note: click on the GPS coordinates for a directional map to the respective places):
A. In Kyoto:
- Gion (祇園) (GPS: 35.00378, 135.77724).
- Nishiki Market (錦市場) (GPS: 35.00502, 135.76472).
- Nishiki Market (錦市場) (GPS: 35.00502, 135.76472).
- Kamo Riverside (鴨川) (GPS: 34.99127, 135.76718).
- Fushimi Inari Taisha, torrii gates & park (千本鳥居) (GPS: 34.96704, 135.77465).
B. In Arashiyama:
- Sagano Romantic Train Ride (嵯峨野トロッコ列車) (GPS: 35.01316, 135.60676) along the Katsura River & Hozukyo Gorge.
- Arashiyama Bamboo Forest (竹林の小径) (GPS: 35.01681, 135.6713).
C. In Takayama:
- Miyagawa Morning Market (飛騨高山宮川朝市) (GPS: 36.14470, 137.25794) along the Miyagawa Riverside.
- the nearby Shirakawa-go (UNESCO Heritage Site) (白川村) (GPS: 36.27102, 136.89857) with their Gassho-style Houses . D. In Osaka:
- Tombori Riverside Walk (とんぼりリバーウォーク) (GPS: 34.66895, 135.50522).
- Osaka Castle (大阪城公園) (GPS: 34.68647, 135.52621) to hamami viewing of cherry blossoms at the castle grounds during Sakura Season.
9. Food
There is no lack of good Japanese food in the country. One should not miss the following:
- Wagyu Beef.
- Hida Beef.
- Hida Beef.
- Ramen.
- Sushi.
- Shashimi.
- Fresh Seafood from the local markets (eg Nishiki in Kyoto & Kuromon in Osaka), eg snow crabs, unagi eel & uni (sea urchin).
10. Navigation
Geo-tagging of places of interest was done via Google Maps and FaceBook. Alternatively one can use MapMe.com, (it's an offline app, but one will have to pre-download the maps of the relevant areas). Driving directions were guided with Google Maps.
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