hiohio.net Blog- Travels in Japan, China, Macau, Las Vegas, USA.

Ueno Park and Zoo- Tokyo, Japan

9/13/2012

You will see this once you pass the entrance.

Our next animal-related journey took us to Ueno Zoo.

Before reaching the zoo, it look us about a good 15-20+ mins walk from the JR Ueno station (longer if you want to explore the many areas of the park as there is a temple & a boat pond).

According to the Lonely Plant guide, Ueno Park is one of the top places to go Cherry Blossom viewing in early to Mid-April.

Even though we visited during September, it was still very crowded (not to mention very humid).

We went on a day that was popular for school field trips so we saw lots of cute elementary kids visiting too.

Seeing the Pandas were top priority of the visit, but we didn't know that they nap around lunch time. Bummer! They had a large adjoining artificial habitat next to this room for them to play in too. What a life! Pictures are ok, but flash is not.

At the very least, all was not lost and we were blessed with Monkey Mountain! This is the first of its kind in Japan.

A large sign documenting the life of the Japanese Macaque Monkeys.

I see you Monkey!!!

Ok, I have to admit, seeing the Monkey's here were not all that exciting after having visited Monkey Parks in Kyoto and Nagano since you can't get near or feed the Monkeys here.

However, if you don't plan on visiting other Monkey Parks, Ueno Zoo has a lot to offer (you can literally spend almost a day here since the Zoo is so large). It is a bargain in fact, especially as the entrance fee is 600 Yen (adult admission; Children under 12 is free).

Let me give you a small taste of what Monkey Mountain offers:

One of the inhabitants I found interesting:

Sign for the Otter couple that lives here. They are so cute!! (See my video clip below).

The Zoo is divided into 2 separate areas. You can find 2 Red Pandas on the opposite side (they are underneath the bridge walk-way so be sure not to miss them). Sorry my picture cut-off the other Panda (which is actually black). Close to this area, there is an actual Panda exhibit with pictures and signage in English (with A/C!).

You will soon see in person the really big Lotus Plants! (On the left cut-off portion of the photo, there is a large seating area where there's individual tables with its own parasols where you can buy food or drinks and sit and relax).

More beautiful scenery.

I found this artificial stump interesting with it's cute carvings.

Kangaroos!

Oh...is that why they don't hop...

Cleansing water for outside of Bendento Temple, a little outside of the Zoo. Say...I see the tri-force from Zelda...

Interior of the temple.

Another interior view.

We headed to the boat pond and saw this cute tea cafe ("Kissaten").

Bummer #2, it's closed and empty like a ghost town.

From what I could get from this sign, they are doing construction until the end of October 2012.

Although I did not get to see the Pandas be active or get to rent a swan boat, I still enjoyed my visit to Ueno Park and Zoo. If I ever go back, I would definitely make another visit (in the early morning).

I found a comprehensive list of all the things you can do here on your visit.

If you find yourself in Tokyo, Ueno Park and Zoo is worth a visit, be sure to budget a day for it!

0 Comments

Shimaya Ryokan- Nagano

9/11/2012

0 Comments

For those who might be interested in going to Nagano to visit the famous Snow Monkeys, I wanted to share my experience with you at Shimaya Ryokan. My full review can be found on Trip Advisor. My significant other and I really enjoyed our stay here and would highly recommend them.

Of all of the Ryokan's in Yudanaka, I picked this one because of the high ratings on Trip Advisor.

After meeting the owners (Mr. and & Mrs. Yumoto), it is very clear why they are consistently one of the top Ryokans in the area year after year.

First of all, the price you pay is super fair. You get more than what you are paying for really! It includes transportation to and from the train station (though you have to call Mr. Yumoto). He will even take you straight to the entrance of the Monkey Park for free. He also took us to an outdoor onsen with scenic view "Tomi-no-yu" (see pictures below ; admission is separate and you settle it along with your bill at checkout). On the way to the private outdoor onsen, he took us to his friend's apple Orchard too.

Though it was really a shame that it was raining very hard prior and so we couldn't see too much at the private outdoor onsen-- separate from his Ryokan. But it would have been incredible experience at sunset with good weather.

Lovely Sunrise from the Terrace of the room. Very tranquil.

Kaiseki Dinners at Shimaya.

Prior to arriving, I e-mailed Mr. Yumoto to inquire about the breakfast and dinner and he responded really fast. Unlike most Ryokans, where Kaiseki dinners or breakfasts are included, food here is an add-on. However, it is very reasonable for what you get. Breakfast was between 800-1300 yen while dinners are 2500-4500 yen per person.

Dinner is served in a private tatami room.

I must add that Mrs. Yumoto is a splendid cook! Though if you don't want to dine in, you can certainly seek out the many other surrounding shops (we didn't though due to lack of time and the fact that we were caught in a rain storm). Mr. Yumoto knows the area so well that he can give you great recommendations.

There's 9 public onsens in the next nearby town (Shibu Onsen) which you can use for a small fee if you want to spend the day relaxing, but since it was storming, we didn't get a chance to go.

The on-premise (indoors) onsen in Shimaya is wonderful and spacious. There's a separate gender one (though we did not use it), and one where you can reserved for private use for 1 hour. Free wifi is fast too, just ask Mr. Yumoto for the password.

Mr. & Mrs. Yumoto and I.

Overall, we were very grateful for this experience and Mr. & Mrs. Yumoto's wonderful hospitality.

They couldn't do more for us and the people in Yudanaka is just so lovely (when we were caught in the rain, one of the neighbors several blocks away gave us their umbrella (to which we promptly returned once the rain stopped along with some snacks from home---though they were quite surprised because they intended to give the umbrella as a gift).

In the Japanese tradition when you visit someone, you should always bring along something. So if you want to observe the Japanese custom, you can bring something small from your hometown (chocolate, tea, small memorabilia's) for Mr. & Mrs. Yumoto.

They have an entire area dedicated to gifts they've received from their guests from all over the world. It really feels like you are staying with your extended family when you visit Shimaya Ryokan.

0 Comments

Jigokudani Monkey Park- Nagano, Japan

9/10/2012

0 Comments

I have a soft spot for Monkeys. Not sure why-- I find them really adorable and
funny.

These following "Snow Monkeys" are a special breed, and are the
only ones that bathe in hotsprings. Most people flock to see them during winter, but prepare to fight the crowds.

Entrance to the Park. About 25 mins walk total, but faster once you see the warning signs for "beware of poisonous snakes"---this is not only a "what if" but more as a "when" as one got very close to me really soon.

Almost there!

Baby Monkey!!!

This little guy was pulling my shoelace. ^0^

These Monkeys are used to having people oh-ing and ah-ing all over them year-round and won't care if you tail them like a crazy Paparazzi.

Nagano Monkey Park- Snow Monkey looking in camera.

Playing hide-and-seek inside the Park camera.

On this very first visit to this Monkey Park, I learned these valuable lessons:

1. Do not stare at the Monkey at eye-level
(my significant other found this out the hard way).

2. Watch out for poisonous snakes on the hike up. On average it takes about 25 mins, but I think after seeing this sign, we made the trip in about 15 mins.

3. Bring an umbrella with you even if is sunny out.
A down pour can happen at any moment without notice.

The commute and up-hill hike will be worth your while
once you see the hundreds of Monkeys roaming free before your eyes.

Approximate travel time via trains are:

- 3 hours from central Tokyo | ~ $100 usd one-way

- 6+ hours from Osaka | ~ $160 usd one-way

More information on the Monkey Park can be found through the Park's English page.

Here is a short footage of 2 Baby Monkeys.

0 Comments

Nara Park and Todaiji Temple

9/7/2012

0 Comments

When I asked my significant other what he would like to do on our trip to Japan, his first response was "I want to feed the deers." So, that's exactly what we did. We stayed in Osaka and made a day trip to Nara.

All of the deers around the Park or the Temple grounds roam free.

The biggest attraction is 1) Feeding the deers (~150 yen biscuits/ deer "Senbeis") and 2) Todaiji Temple (The Great Eastern Temple).

To get to the Park and Temple, take the Kintetsu Nara Line Rapid Express and get off at the Kinetsunara stop. Then just follow the signs towards the very end(all in english ^^). You will reach the Park in about 5-10 mins and 30 mins at the temple. You can buy a combo admission of the Buddha Hall with pass for the Todaiji Museum (800 yen; but unfortunately it seemed like the museum was closed when we were there).

Tip: Watch out for deers with horns! They may look tame and cute, but once they spot you with biscuits in hand, they will chase you like there's no tomorrow (see the 1st picture--no that is not me). I was unlucky and was attacked by one as I tried to feed it, but another deer kept snatching theirs before they could get to it so it got angry with me. Another deer bite my significant other.

Daibutsuden Hall: 7:30a- 5:30 (April to Sept.; everyday) Admission: 500 yen

Vendors: You can buy all sorts of cute deer-theme things on the
perimeters of the temple and along the walkway (mom and pop shops). I found
cute hand puppets, Snoopy, Hello Kitty, and Rilakkuma deer merchandise.

We also witness the Park rangers carrying a deer away on a stretcher...not sure what happened. Sorry no picture, but it was kind of epic.

0 Comments

Kiyomizudera Temple- Kyoto

9/7/2012

0 Comments

After hiking up the Iwateyama Monkey Park, we ventured back to Kyoto station to take a bus to Kiyomizudera Temple.

Kiyomizudera Temple is a highly rated historic (UNESCO world heritage) site. For some reason-- I wasn't that impressed. My significant other on the other hand, wanted to visit it because it was mentioned in one of the manga's he read--go figure.

Perhaps our experience had to do with the fact that the bus ride there and back was not enjoyable (it was super crowded and we had to wait for several buses because it was jammed packed). When we finally got on a bus, there was no room for any personal space and everyone tried hard not to shove the person next to them.

Photo credit: Kiyomizudera Temple

Kiyomizudera means "pure water." Supposedly the temple received this name due to the natural water falls on premise (Otowa Waterfall).

But we did get a chance to drink from the Otowa Waterfall (there's three channels-- representing longevity, success, and love).

Don't worry, there's a sterilizer area that zaps the germs off of each of the metal drinking cups that visitors take turn drinking from.

Once we arrived, we found out the Main Hall (Hondo-- the one that's always featured in guide books) was under construction.

Photo credit: japan-guide.com

Since we arrived late in the afternoon, a lot of the souvenir shops leading up to the temple were starting to close down (that was one of the reasons I wanted to visit). But at the very least, we got to browse a few shops and picked up a few small items.

0 Comments

Iwateyama Monkey Park- Kyoto, Japan

9/6/2012

0 Comments

Iwateyama Monkey Park is the very first Monkey Park I visited in Japan.

Looking back, the instructions from the park's official website is the most accurate than directions found on other pages. (I followed the information found on Japan-guide.com and got lost...not fun when it is super humid).

Its a long way up a very steep mountain, but the view and experience of feeding the Monkeys will be worth every sweat!

After getting out of the Hankyu Arashiyama Subway Station, you can see the beautiful scenary of Arashiyama. The entrance to the Park is not that far if you don't get lost like us). :)

When you see this Monkey sign, follow it straight and go up the hill.

If you find yourself on this side of the water, it is the wrong way...

There's a mini shrine structure near the entrance of the Park (where you buy the admission tickets and little trinkets).

Photo Credit: Iwateyama Monkey Park. This is to illustrate how steep the hill to the top is.

Iwateyama Monkey Par-Snow Monkeys- feeding shack.

House where you can buy bags of Peanuts/ dried fruits and feed the Monkeys!

Iwateyama Monkey Park- feeding snow monkeys.

Role reversal time-- you are inside the "cage" while the Monkey's climb on the outside to wait for you to feed them. Watch out for the older Monkeys, they will steal the baby's food.

View from Iwateyama Monkey Park- Kyoto- highest scenic point.

But once you make it to the top, it is one of the best views in Kyoto (according to many travel guides).

If you like Monkeys and find yourself in Kyoto, it should be a must visit.

Take some ice cold water, insect repellent, umbrella, and wear comfortable sneakers and you should be set!

Iwateyama Monkey Park-Snow Monkeys- view from inside the feeding shack.

0 Comments

intro

Hi there, I'm Hio.

I've had the pleasure of calling Oahu (Hawaii) my home for many years and now live in
Arizona, USA.

Here you will find mini-recaps of some of my trips and finds. All opinions
are my own.

More about me here.

Enjoy your stay!

FREE planning check-list!

RSS Feed

instagram

#adaywithhio

disclaimer

The provided links are solely for the purpose of your convenience, as I am not affiliated with any company mentioned.

Please use them at your own discretion as I am not liable for any of the outcomes (since your experiences may be different from mines).

My non-professional notes and advice are provided for educational and entertainment purpose only.

Should you decide to use them on your own trips, I am really honored. I try to provide accurate information at the time of posting. But please be doubly sure and do your own research too!

hiohio.net- travels. planning. trip reports. food.

Ueno Park and Zoo- Tokyo, Japan

Shimaya Ryokan- Nagano

Kaiseki Dinners at Shimaya.

Jigokudani Monkey Park- Nagano, Japan

Nara Park and Todaiji Temple

Kiyomizudera Temple- Kyoto

Iwateyama Monkey Park- Kyoto, Japan

intro

other categories

instagram

archives

disclaimer