Saturday, April 11, 2015

Last Day ( Version 3 ) : Tokyo - Tokyo Station , Spa Laqua


Basically this is the same as the previous one just that , instead of Oodeo Onsen , this is to SSpa Laqua at Tokyo Dome

1) Start with Tsukiji Fish Market and ends with Spa Laqua

2) Without Tsukiji Fish Market and start with Spa Laqua 

Last Day ( Version 2 ) : Tokyo - Tsukiji Fish Market , Tokyo Station , Oodeo Onsen Odaiba

There is 2 version here , with the first one include Tsukiji Fish Market , 2nd one omits that and also start from Tokyo Station
** Note , in the end to play safe , we took earliest free shuttle bus from Tokyo Station to Oodeo Onsen then go back Tokyo Station for last minute shopping instead.
*Note : Personal review , the Onsen is so-so only , it's more like a Onsen Theme Park , guess to experience real good onsen best to go out of Tokyo City , Hakone seems not bad ( haven't been there ) , the last time when visited Hokkaido , the Dai-Ichi Takimotokan ( 第一滝本館 ) is really good.
Free Shuttle bus links

1)This Include Tsukiji Fish Market follow by Tokyo Station and Oodeo Onsen 


2) This is without Tsukiji Fish Market


Access to Oodeo Onsen


Last Day ( Version 1 ) : Tokyo Station, Ginza


Tokyo Station for Last min Shopping 
Tokyo Station Shopping Guide 




Tokyo Station Yaesu Underground Shopping Street





Day 8 ( Version 3 ) : Kappabashi Kitchen Street, Sensoji Temple, Shibuya/Harajuku/Shinjuku

Well well well …. as the Chinese's saying : 计划赶不上变化 , put in simple layman terms - "Plan Changes". so here is Version 3 of Day 8.


Day 8 ( Version 2 ) : Tsukiji fish Market, Kappabashi Kitchen Street, Sensoji Temple, Shibuya/Harajuku/Shinjuku

Travelling is all about being flexible, due to time constraint and factors , there bound to be changes , so this is an alternate to the Original Day 8 plan.
Ginza was taken out cos realised need more time for Shoppers !



Day 8 : Tokyo - Shibuya . Harajuku , Shinjuku , Ikebukuro

Basically covering East side of tokyo for Shopping and more Shopping


Day 7 : Tokyo - Kappabashi ( Kitchen Street), Sensoji Temple , Tokyo Skytree

Tokyo : Tsukiji Fish Market -> Ginza -> Kappabashi ( Kitchen Street )-> Sensoji Temple ( Asakusa ) -> Tokyo Skytree

1) This is plan to just make use of Tokyo Metro 1 day pass. That is why Tsukiji Fish Market / Ginza in in here , Else it's better to do on separate days that can save some travelling time.
2) Friends did this route and found that Ginza alone can do 1 FULL DAY , thus for you people out there who likes SHOPPING , please take note.



Tokyo Misc

Some misc infos on Tokyo based on my Itinerary




Day 6 : Osaka -> Tokyo

At Shin-Osaka there is not much shopping/tourist area compare to the main Osaka area but there are still some place to shop , cos usually bigger stores or shops cater to the locals will be on the outskirt of the main city.
I strongly recommend Sport depot if you are into Outdoor Stuffs , like hiking boots / snow gear , can get some good deal if the items on sale. Below the Sport depot there is a household/drugs store. There is a i-sen city selling clothing and stuffs ( no time to explore yet ) . There is also a apparently bigger Daiso in that area with about 10-15 min walk.


 Osaka Misc



Day 5 : Kyoto ( East )

Covering the East side of Kyoto , Mainly is Kiyomizu Temple , Philosopher's Walk


Kyoto Misc 


Day 4 : Kyoto ( North West)

This cover Arashiyama area + Kinkakuji , etc.
*Note : it's worth to get the Kyoto 1 Day Bus Pass , 500 yen for 1 day. Cos most of the places to visit is   more accessible buy buses then trains , though there might be traffic jams at rush hours and human jam to get up the buses on weekends/Holiday seasons. 

Tickets to the Sagano Train can be bought in advace in JR West train windows BUT the open car , 5th carriage , can only be bought on the day itself ( not sure on the spot or same at all JR west Station ) 

Below also attached Kyoto Bus Map



In Case too tired/wish for more Shopping , can end after Kinkakuji and take transport back to Umeda , If you have bought 7 days JR pass , etc , then best to take JR trains

Sagano Train Brochure

Kyoto Bus Maps



Day 3 : Fushimi Inari Shrine (伏見稲荷大社) and Nara (奈良)

Depending on where you stay so your start station might be different , also need to see if you got any Travel Pass with you as there are many different types in Japan.
This plan is 1) Stay in Shin-Osaka , 2 ) Inari + Nara , these are usually combine in 1 day if you move out from Kyoto
From Kyoto to Nara ( Via Inari ) Use JR line
From Osaka ( Namba area ) can use Kintetsu Line
Attached below is also some Nara Bus info , Nara can be explore by walking thru the park BUT if got Seniors along , can consider take buses. Bus pass is 500 yen unlimited for 1 day.





Day 2 : Osaka

As this was planned during the Sakura season , so Kema Sakuranomiya Park was planned , also please note that , most of the route os based on 1) Cost saving on Transport Or 2) Minimum Walking 
Need to Stress again this is my own planning ….. as a guide to you only.

the Mitsui Outlet Tsurumi is not big and it doesn't carry those big oversea brands , but there is a Muji Outlet there if you like Muji stuffs ( and it's much cheaper then in singapore )
If you are into big brand and happen to fly in from Osaka Kansai Airport , there is a Rinku Premium Outlet nearby.

Spa world Osaka : Overall though the Staffs are not very friendly , it still gets a 7/10 

*Note : Osaka Eco 1 day pass is 800 yen, But on Weekends it's only 600 yen

Osaka Eco Card + Subway Map

Recommend Osaka Castle Route 
( in order to cover part of Kena Sakuranomiya Park )


Spa World Map

Day 1 : Tokyo -> Osaka

This is for flying into Tokyo Narita Airport with a Transit to Osaka Itami Airport
Now Nartia Airport got some Transit Programs for Tourist transiting there with few hours to spend
Narita Transit Program

P/s : This is for staying in Shin-Osaka , so you might need to tweet your own form of transport to your hotels
P/s 2 : Be sure of your own flights , if you think there is not enough time then by all means stay in Narita Airport and Shop around , Japan's Airport are a good place for shopping.