Japan - A Journey in pictures
Japan - A Journey in pictures, a set on Flickr.
Osaka and the return to Tokyo
11:33 AM | Posted by Elusive Travels
We caught the 206 bus from Kiyomizumichi around 5.30 pm, there were lot of people waiting for the bus and we had to let a couple pass before we could get on one as they were quite full. Around 6pm we arrived in Kyoto station and we proceeded to the JR lines to inquire when the next train to Kyoto would be. It was 6.45pm. We had a little time to ourselves so we stopped to have a coffee. Around 6.30 we made our way to the platform and shortly we were on the prompt 6.45pm shinkansen for Osaka.
At approximately 7.15pm we arrived at Osaka station. We were actually based in Universal City, without realising it my brother had booked a hotel right near Universal Studios. There were restaurants, TGI Fridays, Shonen-Jumo shops, warner bros stores etc I suppose it was less Japan than what Kyoto was. Anyway we needed to find our hotel and so I called them. However, just as the phone was ringing I spotted the hotel opposite the road. We checked into our rooms freshened up and then headed out for dinner. We figured we would dine at Universal City rather than going into Osaka as it was quite late now and we wanted to go early in the morning to visit the Ueno sky tower. We had a somewhat dissapointing dinner at a ramen place in universal city, surprisingly the first bad meal of the holiday and then it was back to the hotel for a good night's sleep.
Around 10am the next day we made our way from Universal City to Osaka station to visit the Umeda sky building, a massive skyscraper that looks somewhat like a giant lego piece with a cool tube-like escalator that connected the two buildings together. It seemed to go on forever. Total cost per person is about 700JPY and at total of 173 and it's well worth it to get the spectacular panoramic views of Osaka. We spent a good couple of hours here before venturing back onto the road to Osaka station. It was now around 2pm so we decided to have some lunch and head back to Universal City.
Back at Universal City we did some more explorations, had some lunch and then after colleciting your luggage it was back to Osaka station. Our train wasn't for another hour, so we did some wandering around the station had a bite to eat to kill the time and soon we were boarded on the shinkansen back to Tokyo.
At 8pm that evening we arrived at Tokyo station and made our way to our hotel. After checking in and freshening up, we got ready and headed towards Akihabara where my brother's friend had arranged to meet us and take us out for a few drinks. After quick introductions at the station Colin, his partner, my brother and myself were sat outside a british pub enjoying a pint of beer and each others banter. Our friends soon left but I wasn't ready to go home just yet, so me and my brother decided to head into Shibuya and see what was happening around there, we got there around 1am and unfortunately everything appeared shut. Apart from a few eateries and Izakayas, not many places seemed open. Thousands of people were on the streets roaming aroud, some drunk, some trying to fag down taxis. After walking around for about half and hour we decided to just head back to the hotel. Unfortunately this cost us an expensive taxi ride since the train stations were not in operation at that hour.
The Next afternoon we explored the busy fashionista streets of Harajuku, which is a haven for teens who indulge in all sorts of extravagant fashions, hair styles etc. Harajuku street gets pretty packed, so be warned not to stay in one place for too long, you have to keep moving or you will end up crushed. The main reason for going there was to meetup with my mate who showed us around the massive Yoyogi park. We spent a couple of hours here wondeirng the park, watching various peforrmances and then it was time to head back home as we had plans to see a movie later that evening.
In the evening around 7pm we headed to United Cinemas for a 10pm showing of Iron Man 3, seeing a film on holiday is not my usual MO but this was the first film I was seeing with by bro in a long time and it was good fun. We also enjoyes a rather delicious and filling Korean meal prior to the film. After the moving, heading home back to Tokyo was a challenge since the usual route had been closed i.e since it was past midnight. Anyway in our attempts to find an alternate route home, I managed to befriend a young couple who were so kind as to take us all the way back to Tokyo. We exchanged contact details with the young couple and Im hoping to meet them again on my next visit.
The next morning, Sunday 28 April was a sad start to the day. I woke up at 8am to say goodbye to my brother who's holiday period had come to and end. You have all this fun and in one fleeting moment it all comes to an end. Anyway I said my goodbyes knowing that our next adventure was only a few months away. I was still rather sleep at 8am so I went back to bed.
Around 10am I wokeup, checked out and then headed over to Ginza where I would be meeting my friend Jules one last time before my flight in the evening. Jules met as planned around midday and the first thing he did at my request was help me find some traditional Japanese sweets. After that he took me to Tsukiji fish market. Though closed it was still busy with lots of people buying fresh fish, eating, trading etc. I cant quite remember the name of the little Sushi restaurant but the Sushi I had was probably the best I've had anywhere. Thank you Jules for your hospitality and generosity.
By now it was almost time for me collect my belongings from the hotel and make my way to Narita Airport. A few short hours later I would be on the flight back home to Singapore.
In Summary, I can honestly say that Japan has been one of the most fascinating and rewarding places I've been to. We covered a lot in 8 days but I do feel I've only just scratched the surface. A return trip is definitely due and with new found friends the next visit should be even more exciting.
At approximately 7.15pm we arrived at Osaka station. We were actually based in Universal City, without realising it my brother had booked a hotel right near Universal Studios. There were restaurants, TGI Fridays, Shonen-Jumo shops, warner bros stores etc I suppose it was less Japan than what Kyoto was. Anyway we needed to find our hotel and so I called them. However, just as the phone was ringing I spotted the hotel opposite the road. We checked into our rooms freshened up and then headed out for dinner. We figured we would dine at Universal City rather than going into Osaka as it was quite late now and we wanted to go early in the morning to visit the Ueno sky tower. We had a somewhat dissapointing dinner at a ramen place in universal city, surprisingly the first bad meal of the holiday and then it was back to the hotel for a good night's sleep.
Around 10am the next day we made our way from Universal City to Osaka station to visit the Umeda sky building, a massive skyscraper that looks somewhat like a giant lego piece with a cool tube-like escalator that connected the two buildings together. It seemed to go on forever. Total cost per person is about 700JPY and at total of 173 and it's well worth it to get the spectacular panoramic views of Osaka. We spent a good couple of hours here before venturing back onto the road to Osaka station. It was now around 2pm so we decided to have some lunch and head back to Universal City.
Back at Universal City we did some more explorations, had some lunch and then after colleciting your luggage it was back to Osaka station. Our train wasn't for another hour, so we did some wandering around the station had a bite to eat to kill the time and soon we were boarded on the shinkansen back to Tokyo.
At 8pm that evening we arrived at Tokyo station and made our way to our hotel. After checking in and freshening up, we got ready and headed towards Akihabara where my brother's friend had arranged to meet us and take us out for a few drinks. After quick introductions at the station Colin, his partner, my brother and myself were sat outside a british pub enjoying a pint of beer and each others banter. Our friends soon left but I wasn't ready to go home just yet, so me and my brother decided to head into Shibuya and see what was happening around there, we got there around 1am and unfortunately everything appeared shut. Apart from a few eateries and Izakayas, not many places seemed open. Thousands of people were on the streets roaming aroud, some drunk, some trying to fag down taxis. After walking around for about half and hour we decided to just head back to the hotel. Unfortunately this cost us an expensive taxi ride since the train stations were not in operation at that hour.
The Next afternoon we explored the busy fashionista streets of Harajuku, which is a haven for teens who indulge in all sorts of extravagant fashions, hair styles etc. Harajuku street gets pretty packed, so be warned not to stay in one place for too long, you have to keep moving or you will end up crushed. The main reason for going there was to meetup with my mate who showed us around the massive Yoyogi park. We spent a couple of hours here wondeirng the park, watching various peforrmances and then it was time to head back home as we had plans to see a movie later that evening.
In the evening around 7pm we headed to United Cinemas for a 10pm showing of Iron Man 3, seeing a film on holiday is not my usual MO but this was the first film I was seeing with by bro in a long time and it was good fun. We also enjoyes a rather delicious and filling Korean meal prior to the film. After the moving, heading home back to Tokyo was a challenge since the usual route had been closed i.e since it was past midnight. Anyway in our attempts to find an alternate route home, I managed to befriend a young couple who were so kind as to take us all the way back to Tokyo. We exchanged contact details with the young couple and Im hoping to meet them again on my next visit.
The next morning, Sunday 28 April was a sad start to the day. I woke up at 8am to say goodbye to my brother who's holiday period had come to and end. You have all this fun and in one fleeting moment it all comes to an end. Anyway I said my goodbyes knowing that our next adventure was only a few months away. I was still rather sleep at 8am so I went back to bed.
Around 10am I wokeup, checked out and then headed over to Ginza where I would be meeting my friend Jules one last time before my flight in the evening. Jules met as planned around midday and the first thing he did at my request was help me find some traditional Japanese sweets. After that he took me to Tsukiji fish market. Though closed it was still busy with lots of people buying fresh fish, eating, trading etc. I cant quite remember the name of the little Sushi restaurant but the Sushi I had was probably the best I've had anywhere. Thank you Jules for your hospitality and generosity.
By now it was almost time for me collect my belongings from the hotel and make my way to Narita Airport. A few short hours later I would be on the flight back home to Singapore.
In Summary, I can honestly say that Japan has been one of the most fascinating and rewarding places I've been to. We covered a lot in 8 days but I do feel I've only just scratched the surface. A return trip is definitely due and with new found friends the next visit should be even more exciting.
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