It seems that you will be spending lot of hours on traveling instead of enjoying the places.

Don't forget that it is going to be winter where night fall around 5pm. Basically everything slows down and part of the business close around 8pm. Hence, you may not plan much stuff for night time, especially you have kids with you.

By the way, you may need to re-check on Mt. Fuji. If not mistaken, I come across some info that visitor may not get near during winter as it is too cold. Probably can see from far when you passing by in train.

2 years back, I went to Osaka for 5D/4N trip just enough to cover some of the tourism places and no time to step my feet on Umeda at all.

I will be going to Osaka-Kyoto in this December too. Will be spending 2N in Kyoto and 6N in Osaka (a daytrip to Kobe).

Do check out the tourism website for each of the city you intend to go, and think through how much you can cover or your purpose is just "touch n go" the city will do?

Kyoto, staying Nagomi Ryukan (purposely wanna to try Ryukan feel -- sleep on tatami).
Osaka, we r staying at Hillarys Hotel (in Namba). Stayed this hotel 2 years back.

But the Hillarys Hotel in Osaka running out of room. I can't book 6nite straight. So end up booked 4 nites non-smoking room, 1 nite smoking, and final nite bk to non-smoking. Imagining I gotta carry my bag down check-out and check-in again, for 2 more rounds. hahaha.

Have you secure your hotels?

This post has been edited by cc980024: Jun 18 2015, 09:19 AM

better b fast, as holiday seasons room selling out pretty fast and you hardly get good deal.

Izit!!?? gosh.. wrong move.. i should have source for other place... aiyar.. untungla my hubby. huhu.
But knowing they got kimono to rent out quit cheap.. wanna shiok shiok take some pics.. haha.. told my hubby I wanna go for geisha style photo shooting.. he say be careful incase end up a tradition "kok kok"

You stay there b4?

Anyone know if Namba Station have luggage storage (those we pay a fee and temporarily leave our big luggage there)?

Mostly ppl told me key locker to store big bags, not sure a big travel luggage can fit.

Am taking the airport express from Namba Station.. and tat is nearer from my hotel. Cannot imagine dragging my luggage to shinsaibashi

I am taking night flight home, not sure my hotel will keep my luggage as I already check-out by then, since they have very limited space to keep luggage.

How you get around Kyoto? Got cycle? Am calculating whether cycle save time or walk fast fast + public transport faster. As I only have 2 days there.. greedily wanna cover more sightseeing.

Average RM400/day should be enough, provided that you don't simply try on any finger food on the street. Just bear in mind that their dinner is much more pricier than lunch. We went there 2 yrs back (2 adult + 6yr-old kid) similar to you. Don't think that you will like to hunt for bento (packet food) at the supermarket every late evening waiting for discounts. What we did last time was we make sure we have good breakfast (hotel breakfast) to reduce your crave to hunt for food, and big lunch. Their lunch set prices are quite compatible with KL Japanese restaurant (but with better quality and portion). Having 2 sets basically make 3 stomach happy enough. Dinner can settle with convenient shops.

We brought our 5-yr old son to Universal Studio (3 yrs bk), and really enjoy ourselves as the theme, environment, etc really fit with us. My son just at the right age (and height) to get in most of the ride. And due to he is a boy.. he love those movies and adventures rides (Spiderman, Sharks, Back to the future, etc). And for the adult.. we won't be bored over disney cartoon too. Is obviously much better than Disney.

But you are travelling with a 2-yr old girl, therefore I don't recommend you going for universal studio (can save up for next trip when she grow older). As she can't ride on most of the stuff, and even some of the show (3D, or special effect) will probably scare her off. You will end up strolling around the park most of the time. Quite waste $.

We didn't buy ticket in advance, queue at the ticket counter quite fast, don't forget they are Japanese.

Hi,

For Fushimi Inari, any idea climbing up the hill take how long? And do we have to walk down again after reach the peak or there is any bus/train station.

I come across some page stating that they don't have specific opening hours, to save time.. am planning to go there 7.00am.. stroll around 2 hours then rush to Kyoto Imperial Palace (10am tour). Something like the following, anyone can advise:

6.30am walk to Kyoto Station - train to Fushimi-Inari Taisha Shrine
7.00am stroll around Fushimi-Inari Taisha Shrine
9.00am to Inari Station - train to Kyoto Imperial Palace
10.00am Kyoto Imperial Palace (10am / 2pm tour)
11.00am to Nijo Castle
12.00pm transfer to Nishiki Market
12.30pm lunch at Nishiki Market
2.30pm to Shoren-in Temple (enjoy a cup of tea overlooking the garden)
3.15pm to Chion-in (renovation?)
3.45pm to Maruyama-koen Park
4.15pm to Kiyomizu-dera Temple
5.30pm Return to hostel to rest and freshen up


Arashiyama will be done next day, cover tenryuji temple, bamboo forest then transfer to Kinkakuji.. late evening rush to Osaka.

Then I don't hike up there, just stroll around a little bit .. catch some glimpse.

Yah, bit rush coz we only stay for 2N in Kyoto. Mainly will be in Osaka coz lots of shopping to do.

Last time in Osaka also similar situation. Being tourist, try to make full use of the timing.. getting out earlier but yet most shop still close. Even the Kuromon Market in Osaka (market man).. 8am like still sleeping.

I went Universal Studio Osaka on early December (when Winter started) and enjoy so much as is cooling but not sure February is freezing or same. But during the day we went, there was slight rain here and there, and it was indeed an experience where it rain icy water suddenly while myself and my son still on the ride in the air.

If you really planned to go during winter, do be the earliest customer and make full use of the park operating hours, as they closed early. We were so reluctant to leave the place, hence after the park closed, we had our dinner at the Hard Rock (across the entrance) and after that return to the park gate and snap few more pics (in the dark).

Most of the movie theme ride are indoor if not mistaken. Not sure bout Harry Potter now, my time (2 yrs bk) was Spiderman.. is indoor. If I recall correctly, among so many rides that we took.. only Jaws and Jurassic park is outdoor.

And for sure, when gets indoor.. it is very hot. So you gotta prepare having your jacket on and off frequently.
Not sure how far off the temperature between February from December. I went in December, we enjoy the breeze with my son happily running around without sweat. If you are worry, invest in a set of good thermal wear, along with other winter clothing necessity, that should be good enough.

I'll be going again this December, but this round won't bring my son. So not going to Universal Studio.

Haha..I forgot bout ears.. coz I was having thick long hair.. quite wind-proof and diy a fleece neck-warmer that can be pull up as head-band then cover ears, ya hubby and son have both their beanie + jacket hoodie. But ear-muff really useless. And the glove we having not good enough. But I reluctant to take out my ski-glove

This post has been edited by cc980024: Jul 8 2015, 04:11 PM

RM dive some more.. mana pun tak payah pergi

Hey, did u guys encounter short of Yen before?

I recall 2 yrs back, there was a time in Midvalley areas.. all $changer out of Yen. Luckily I did buy the yen batch by batch before that.

Last visit I stayed Hotel Hillarys (in Denden town) and this December booking the same place again. 2 yrs ago I paid RM200plus per room with breakfast (3 pax room - 1 double + 1 single bed). But tis year I gotta pay average RM300 per night for double room, no breakfast.
Like this hotel due to winter, night time we basically lock ourselves in. They have machine with free flow of coffee, hot choc, tea, soft drinks. So at least we can hang around the lobby with drinks and play gadget.

I not willing to pay similar hotel cost to sleep on the floor (though tatami).
But if really get a budget 1, then become shared bathroom.. no way.

hehe.. depends how you check and how much effort you put in to hit the best price.
I check daily and continuously comparing a few online booking agents, and temporarily book with free cancellation first. Whenever there is a channel that get me slightly cheaper.. i will book again and cancel the previous booking.

By the way, for my December trip, I already start sourcing in early March and had done booking my accommodation (with free cancellation) in april. But if nearer to travelling date, if they still have room available with cheaper price (no free cancellation).. again I will re-do my booking to take up the 100% payment booking and save up the free cancellation cost.

For this recent booking, if I book 6 night straight, infact is pricier.. cost me about RM400 per night in twin room. So I tried check night by night individually coz I want double room (cheaper) and finally made 3 bookings for 6 straight night. Coz in 5th night no double room, gotta move to twin room, then next day move bk to double room. Infact is that 5th nite in twin room that cost me about RM400, whereas the rest of the nite bout RM300. DIY booking for best deal

This post has been edited by cc980024: Jul 9 2015, 09:47 AM

Yeah, probably tourist love the uniqueness of Ryokan
I am a hotel person, but I also booked Ryokan for my coming 2 night stay in Kyoto.. just to get a feel of it (thought feel the pinch .. hotel more comfy). Since is 2 nite, must try .. if more than tat.. my body can't take it.. hahaha. I need spring mattress at least.

Anyone have any idea of which restaurant good for Kobe beef in Kobe? Or I simply walk in any restaurant will do? Most important.. not the special "high-end" price la.. coz Kobe meat itself already cucuk many lubang in my pocket.. dun 1 end up whole pocket kena cut out.