Hawaiian Airlines (HNL --> KIX). Amenities Kit (Hawaiian Airlines Extra comfort seat upgrade). This Japan trip was mainly a family trip with Fiance's family.
It was his parent's first time to the Kansai area (first Japan trip for his sibling) so I planned our entire itinerary and served as unofficial tour guide.
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Japan Trip Planning
Updates: October 31, 2017- Link update. April 19, 2017- (More planning tips added, links are all current).
This is where my extensive check-list, tips, and useful links below will save you time.
(My aim is to have the important links all on this page so it's easy to just click on exactly what you need).  When traveling long distance around Japan, sometimes its more time efficient to fly instead of taking the Shinkansen (bullet train).
 JR nation-wide pass is valid for JR train travels across Japan. Once you start planning your trip to Japan, you will no doubt come across the unlimited Japan Rail passes (JR passes; valid on JR branded trains, buses, and ferries only).
Once you get off the plane, how will you will get from the airport to your accommodation?
After you land in Japan, how will you get to your hotel from the airport?  Do consider taking a Limousine (Limo) bus which is similar to a big comfy tour bus.
They are a comfortable, economical, and hassle-free way of getting to your accommodation if available. (Updated 11.28.2016)  Today I will share with you one of my favorite things about Japan.
It is actually TA-Q-BIN (aka. Takkyubin, Takuhaibin). Simply put, it's a delivery forwarding service across Japan used by residents, local businesses, and tourists.  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.
 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").
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!
Kaiseki Dinners at Shimaya.
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.
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. |
introHi there, I'm Hio. 
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April 2018
disclaimerThe 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! |
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