5 Days 6 Nights in Japan

  

  Last, 1st to 5th December, our group had a great time in Japan. We spent

exciting time on travelling Osaka, Kyoto and Tokyo. Making plan required

our group to invest much time on searching information. But, in virtue of our

preliminary research, We could enjoy efficient 5 days in Tokyo. Following is

our itinerary on Japan.

1st Day

  

   This is our rough schedule in Osaka, and I will specify each attraction and

memory in there.

Incheon-Kansai airport Kansai- Umeda station. Hotel Osaka castle Umeda sky building- Lunch, Sight seeing Shinsaibasi Dohtonbori- dinner Hotel

   The first visiting attraction was Osaka castle, which is famous for Toyotomi

Hideyosi's palace. It revealed grandeur splendor appropriate for its historical

facts. We were overwhelmed by scale and decorations for a while. After taking

 photos in front of Osaka castle,

 We arrived at Umeda Sky Building at 14:40.

 which has beautiful sky view,

 like Seoul N Tower.

There, we ate Ramen for late lunch.

Its taste was different from Ramen in Korea. The Sky Garden of top

gives rest for tired tourists. We could enjoy sky view of downtown with Green tea.

   We moved to Shinsaibashi by subway. Shinsaibashi and Dohtonbori are

called fashion street of Osaka downtown. In there, we just enjoyed eye shopping

 because we were supposed to shopping in Tokyo final day.

 Instead, there were numerous restaurants, serving Okonomiyski

and takoyaki, which are traditional  food in Osaka. It was really great.

 

2nd Day

 

A schedule in Kyoto was planed as followed.

Kyoto by hinkansen nojomi Kingakuji. Kiyomizudera.  Yojiya cafe Kiyomizudera Teramachi shopping area

 

Kyoto is spiritual hometown for Japanese. For example, Not only Dokugawa

dynasty was established based on Kyoto for 200 years but, Japan Buddhism was

started from there. Thus, Kyoto has plentiful valuable cultural assets, prestigious

academic schools. We focused more emphasis on visiting traditional attractions in

Kyoto. Ginkakuji is a historical Buddhist temple, representing an architectural

culture of Kyoto. At the entrance, we saw high walls

 made up of bamboo, stone and camellia.

 Just in time, The temple presents meditation class

 for visitors who want experience Buddhism culture,

we willingly participated in the program.

While we were immersed in meditation,

we could feel rest from tired itinerary.

After leaving temple, we headed for eating lunch. We sought restaurant serving Soba.

 It was easy to find because we already searched its address in Seoul. 

  Kiyomizudera is a world heritage registrated by UNICEF.

 It boasts a beautiful scenary according to season.

 In spring, Sakura is bloomed everywhere, and in

winter, white snow covers entire field.

Before we leave Kiyomizudera,

we drank  mineral water, which has a legend.

people have said anyone who drinks this water can achieve their love.

We prayed our secret wishes in mind. We finished a day from Kyoto

 and moved to Hakone by Shinkansen and JR For 2hours.

3rd Day

  No one can deny highlight of travelling Japan is a spa. In Hakone, we

focus plan on taking traditional Japanese spa. 

Moving to Monohakone Arriving at Owakudani and doing sightseeing Owakudani Moving to Hakone art museum  Moving to Tokyo(Shinjuku station)

  

  Our first destination was a Mizunoto ryokan. Mizunoto means “The sound of

water” and ryokan is a Japanese traditional inn equipped with bed and spa, and 

Mizunoto ryokan is one of the best ryokans in Hakone. Each room was consist

of tatami, traditional type of Japanese flooring and beds. Not only that, but if

guests want to take meals in their room, they can be served in there.

After having dinner, we went to spa located on outdoor. There were unisex spas, 

 taking swimming suites.

Even though the weather was cold,

we could enjoy hot water spa in the outdoor.

 It was an unforgettable memory. The host

 explained hot water of spa poured

from Owakudani, which is a great boiling valley near Mizunoto ryokan.

 Acting volcano with hot steam consistently has flowed to valley, and

Hakone developed its volcano for tourists attraction. On the middle of valley,

Kurotamago was produced by hot steam. It is a local specialty of eggs,

hard-boiled in the hot springs. Kuro means

black and tamago is egg. Climbing guide said

it increases life. Eating one adds seven years to your life.

We competitively started eating Kurotamago after hearing that.

4th Day

  Finally, We came to Tokyo, the last destination of our travel. Tokyo is a

megalopolis, which is larger than Seoul more double. In Tokyo, we planned a

variety of schedules. Thus, we spent two days in Tokyo to meet our plan. This

is first day schedule in Tokyo.

Akihabara lunch Maid cafe Electronic shops Tokyo tower

  Akihabra is so called center of animation manias in Japan. Some people

called them Otaku, which means professional manias for animation and

electronics. We decided to visit Akihabra to experience

diverse culture of japan.

very weekend on Akihabra, we easily found

costume play people, who wear animation

character's clothes. We took photos with them

 and had a talk about their culture.

Akihabara is also famous for numerous electron shops on street similar to

Yongsan in Korea. There were lots of electronic equipments such as camera,

computer, and televisions with most cheap price. Actually, one of the reasons I

visit Japan was buying VAIO notebook. They are cheaper than Korea and have

a diverse modles.

  Fianlly we visited Tokyo tower to watch night view of Tokyo. This is

the place where lovers propose each other with beautiful night view.

 Not only that enjoying night view of

 Tokyo downtown, but there were

art gallery and aquarium.If you have a chance

 to visit Japan with lover, I surely recommend

you to visit Tokyo Tower.

5th Day

  When we travel other countries, no one can deny shopping is one of the

important parts of travelling. Especially, for Tokyo, we strongly recommend you

to experience a variety type of Shopping because not only it gives you pleasure,

but while you are shopping, you can face real culture of Tokyo. This year 2010

is official visiting year of Japan. With this particular year, we could enjoy more

delight Tokyo shopping with diverse events and discounts.

  Hot place of Tokyo is located nearby. So, we could enjoy our shopping plan

Harajuku Dakeshita road-cat street Shibuya Q front 109 Department store Shinjuku kabuki cho

conveniently within a day by Yamanote line. which is an inner circle line of

Tokyo downtown. It’s like a second line in Seoul metro. We made our plan to

experience three type of shopping in Tokyo along with Yamanote line. Jiye

wanted to go Shibuya luxury shops. Junmo preferred electronic. And I interested

in night shopping in Shinjuku.

  Dakeshita Road is famous for its cheap fashion shops and variety stores

selling from fancy, animation clothes, key rings to everything. Usually, Japanese

                         teenagers visit here because they are cheap,

and there are lots of distinct things related to

Japanese animation. So, on weekend, we could

find people who enjoy costume play. Not only that,

on weekend, each backstreet on Dakeshita Road,

flee markets were open. We could purchase

useful items with most cheap price in Tokyo.

 After shopping flee market on Dakeshita Road, we moved to cat street nearby.

Cat street is located on Jinsiemon Park, and it takes 15 minutes from

Dakeshita Road by foot. Cat street is One of the most fashionable street in Tokyo.

It will be compared to Hongdae Street in Korea.

Numerous trendy small shops of young

designers were scattered along with

main road. In there, we were buying not only

stylish printing clothes, but enjoying antique furniture and cafe.

  Shibuya is center of Tokyo shopping. There were lots of department stores,

record shops, and could meet fashion people in Tokyo. In particular, sky view

of Shibuya crossroad is famous for crossing road crowd at the same time It was

really great.

 Shibuya Q Front is Landmark building of Shibuya intersection

and meeting place for younger.

They were huge and trendy multi-entertainment

shop, selling dvd, games, grand bookstore,

 multiplex theater, and restaurant.

  109 Department store was a popular shopping center among late

20’s women. They presented comfortable shopping atmosphere and deal

mainly luxury goods. Good news is this upcoming Christmas day, they give

big bargain sale for tourists in Tokyo by 20 to 50 percent.

 To get discount, don’t forget to bring your passport and air ticket.

 As we mentioned above, 2010 is official visiting year of Tokyo,

So, don’t miss great chance for shopping in Tokyo. They really

provide big sale everywhere.

  Shinjuku kabuki cho is symbol of night culture

 of Tokyo. But, here also, we could find hidden

 cheapest shops. Yodobasi camera, sakura camera

 is cheapest camera agency in Japan.   Actually,

we don’t want to recommend for woman to go kabuki cho in late night alone.

Going Home

  Now, this is time to go back to home, to make pleasure travel to the end,

there are few things keep in mind.

We already bought many items than we departed from Seoul.

1. 

We already bought many items than we departed from Seoul. So, packing

luggage is important thing. If it exceeds limited weights in airport, we should

pay extra fares. Arrive airport two hours ago. Unexpected situations can be

occurred. 

2. 

Arrive airport in advance, and check out everything; passport, ticket, luggage, and departure procedure takes time much longer than you think.

3. 

Empty your coins. Exchanging coins in Korea will be annoying thing. And only

foreign exchange bank exchange coins. 

4. 

Hide your luxury items. We already splurge money on luxury items. Maybe,

it exceeds limited price, we will get tax bomb on airport. So, if you buy luxury

wallet in Japan, waste wrapping paper, and pretend it was yours from Korea

  Narita Airport is 60km away from Tokyo downtown. Take keisei line from

Ueno Station. It is exclusive line connecting downtown to airport. It took

about 70 minutes and fare was 1000yen.