Sad that I'm leaving Japan today after almost 3 weeks starting from the islands of Okinawa (TOMEI-R may beg to differ haha)

Ending the trip off with a bang in the Sakura Lounge which is pretty decent!

Kinkakuji is really packed but there is a fixed route to follow so you'll be following the crowd to go around the temple complex. Once you had a look at the golden structure there is pretty much ntg else. It looks really nice though.

Gingakuji is nicer and slightly less crowded with lots more to see but it doesn't have the grandeur of Kinkakuji. It's also easier to pair in an itinerary with some other attractions along the Phil's Path.

Yup, buying through Klook is pretty straightforward.
We got our exchange orders in the mail 7 business days after ordering.

Just bring the exchange order with your passport to the JR counters when you arrive and exchange it for the actual pass.

You don't have to start your 7 days immediately after you exchange, you can tell then the specific date that you want it activated. And you can also reserve your seats for all the rides provided you know the date and time of each ride.

If the timing is right, Kiyomizu wins hands down due to the trees.
Not to mention the approach to Kiyomizu along the streets of Gion, one of my favorites places in Kyoto!

I agree with you re Kyoto, once is never enough and I will definitely go back again soon

TeamLabs and Odaiba will take you close to a full day.
2nd day chill and go to lesser known areas like Jimbocho, Yanesen (Yanaka Ginza/Sendagi/Nezu) etc.

I did Planets, worth every single penny.
Borderless is longer and bigger so more worth it I reckon.

Planets took us between 1.5 to 2 hours but that's because we just chilled and took lots of photos.
You can breeze through in an hour.

My cousin went to Borderless and it took her around 4 hours without trying.

Odaiba is worth a day trip out, lots to see and shop.

Borderless is a permanent exhibition whereas Planets will finish up next April IIRC.

Planets is shorter and more structured, the experience is pretty immersive as your feet will get wet.
Borderless is longer and less structured meaning more exploring around but no getting wet.

In the end, it's really up to what you want I guess but do Planets first as Borderless will be there in the future.
That's my thought process anyway.

Can try Klook, when they have discounts.
Both Planets & Borderless are available IIRC.

Went to Okayama and combined it with a trip to the nearby Kurashiki.
Spent maybe 1 hour around Okayama Castle exterior, didn't go in coz didn't feel the need to.

Korakuen beside the castle was more interesting especially if you like gardens, can easily spend 1.5 hours here.

Kurashiki for the 2nd half of the day was nice just walking and shopping around the canal area.

This post has been edited by Monya Meow Meow: Dec 12 2019, 09:59 AM

Finally have time to come up with my Okinawa trip report from our recent November trip. Was there mainly to attend the wedding of my younger brother but had an extra week after that to tour around the island.

Day 01
* Arrival into Naha Airport from Shanghai Pudong in the afternoon, picked up our rental car from マハロレンタカー 沖縄
* Mihama American Village - Sunset and dinner was taco rice
* Checked into our Airbnb at Onna - https://www.booking.com/hotel/jp/akizero-on...7195.en-gb.html

Mihama American Village by Eugene Fanyfied, on Flickr

Day 02
* Today was the wedding ceremony/reception so mainly spent with family and relatives
* Went to Orion Happy Park in the evening and booked the last beer factory tour before it closed

Beer Factory by Eugene Fanyfied, on Flickr

Day 03
* Kouri Ocean Tower (bought tickets from Klook) - Nothing special but the views are nice
* Tinu Beach - The star attraction are the heart-shaped rocks but the place was pretty crowded
* Nakijin Castle Ruins (今帰仁城跡) - Interesting but wouldn't go out of my way just to visit
* Lunch was Okinawan soba and dinner was some local food

ハートロック by Eugene Fanyfied, on Flickr

Nakijin Castle Ruins by Eugene Fanyfied, on Flickr

Okinawan Soba by Eugene Fanyfied, on Flickr

Goya Champuru by Eugene Fanyfied, on Flickr

Day 04
* Daisekirinzan (大石林山) - Nice hike and good views, worth doing this one. There are 3 trails and we did all 3
* Cape Hedo (辺戸岬) - The northernmost point on mainland Okinawa so worth checking out
* Cape Manzamo (万座毛) - Came here for the sunset but could only see the silhouette since it faces west, crowded with tour groups

Daisekirinzan Wonder of Rocks Trail by Eugene Fanyfied, on Flickr

Daisekirinzan Ocean View Trail by Eugene Fanyfied, on Flickr

Cape Hedo by Eugene Fanyfied, on Flickr

Cape Manzamo Sunset by Eugene Fanyfied, on Flickr

This post has been edited by Monya Meow Meow: Dec 31 2019, 04:11 PM

Day 05
* Checked out from our Airbnb after 4 nights
* Coffee & Break Ginoza Farm Lab - Stopped by for coffee on our way down south
* Katsuren Castle Ruins (勝連城跡) - Steep climb up but nicer than the previous castle ruins
* Kafu Banta/Nuchi-una Salt Factory - The cliff and salt factory are side-by-side so easy to combine together
* Yamada Coffee Okinawa - Great drip coffee and very nice ambience
* Checked into The Yuinchi Hotel Nanjo - https://www.yuinchi.jp/en/

Steep Climb by Eugene Fanyfied, on Flickr

Kafu Banta "Happy Cliff" by Eugene Fanyfied, on Flickr

Yamada Coffee Okinawa by Eugene Fanyfied, on Flickr

Day 06
* Ojima Island - Very small island but famous for its fresh seafood
* Okinawa Peace Memorial Park - Nice to roam around the park without actually paying to enter the museums
* Lunch at Cafe Makabechina
* Himeyuri Peace Museum - Was in the area so might as well dropped by
* Umikaji Terrace Senagajima - Nice place to see the planes land into Okinawa, beautiful sunset and very chill vibes
* Dinner at Eightman's Sea Burg

Sunbathing by Eugene Fanyfied, on Flickr

Cornerstone of Peace by Eugene Fanyfied, on Flickr

Cafe Makabechina by Eugene Fanyfied, on Flickr

Himeyuri Peace Museum by Eugene Fanyfied, on Flickr

ANA Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner by Eugene Fanyfied, on Flickr

Golden Hour by Eugene Fanyfied, on Flickr

Eightman's Sea Burg by Eugene Fanyfied, on Flickr

This post has been edited by Monya Meow Meow: Dec 31 2019, 04:29 PM

Day 07
* Checked out from The Yuinchi Hotel Nanjo
* Nirai Kanai Bridge (ニライカナイ橋) - The drive over this bridge was spectacular, too bad the driver can't enjoy
* Sefa Utaki (斎場御嶽) - Important sacred site of the indigenous Okinawan religion
* There's a nice ice-cream shop at the corner of the road with really yummy Blue Seal ice-cream
* Cape Chinen Park (知念岬公園) - The park is actually a 5 min walk from where you buy the Sefa Utaki entrance tickets
* Checked into Community & Spa Naha Central Hotel and returned car rental - https://www.communityandspanahacentralhotel.com/en
* Shopping and dinner along Kokusaidori (国際通り)

イーストキッチンあがりすむ by Eugene Fanyfied, on Flickr

Blue Seal Ice Cream by Eugene Fanyfied, on Flickr

Cape Chinen Park by Eugene Fanyfied, on Flickr

Japanese Stork by Eugene Fanyfied, on Flickr

Day 08
* Checked out from Community & Spa Naha Central Hotel
* Morning flight with ANA into Osaka!

Overall, I felt that Okinawa is worth a visit even if you are not a huge fan of the beach or water activities. Going in November meant that the sea was a bit too cold so we didn't manage to do any of those.

Car rental is a must and it's very easy to drive around. There is not much point in paying for the toll roads as it might save you only 15 mins tops compared to using the freeway.

The local food is quite heavily influenced by Chinese and less Japanese but very tasty nonetheless. The goya champuru (bitter gourd stir-fry with tofu) was my favorite local dish.


This post has been edited by Monya Meow Meow: Dec 31 2019, 04:45 PM

No worries, it's good to explore the "slower" side of Japan once in awhile

Train is probably easier but some places are slightly closer by bus like Kinkakuji.
No pass needed, just use your IC card.

November is the best month

It's really hard to predict these days but the normal average is 2nd week onwards

Flew JAL business class back so bought an additional empty luggage just to stuff souvenirs and snacks.
Might be a bit hardcore

I redeemed it using my points, didn't pay outright

Hence why I chose never to fly AA (unless absolutely no choice) in the future.

They only treat premium paying customers like customers and the rest are just a number to them.

I know it's a different story but our flight to Seoul via Taipei with China Airlines was fully refunded way back in Feb when the Taiwanese government announced South Korea as a level 2 warning which was subsequently upgraded to level 3.