Monday, 4 November 2019

Free and Easy at Japan Okinawa + Osaka + Kyoto on 26 Sep 2019 to 3 Oct 2019

Summer In Japan - 8 days 7 nights - All expenses for two persons around $ 4000 (include air ticket + accommodation + food & beverages + transportation)


Details for the expenses 💸💸💸:

Flight


Jetstar Flight - Two Persons for the price of Air ticket from Singapore to Okinawa (two ways include one way checked-in luggage of 45kgs from Okinawa to Singapore) - $ 222.12

Peach Aviation Flight (Japan Domestic Flight) - Two Persons for the price of Air Ticket from Okinawa to Osaka (two ways include one-way checked-in luggage of 40kgs from Osaka to Okinawa) as per person only can check in one baggage of 20kg). - JPY 26,940.00 ($ 336.75)

***be careful on the procedure and law of the peach aviation
***checked in one baggage x1 means only can check in one baggage. Peach aviation does not allow us to check in more than one baggage even you have two baggage which less than 20kgs.
If need to check in two baggage then need to top up the quantity up to x2.
***hand carry only allow 7kgs


🚆Transportation


Okinawa by Monorail with One Day Passes - use for 24 hours - JPY 800 per person, by cash for Buses JPY 1460 per person, Cab
*From Naha Aiport to The Kitchen Ao Hostel - JPY 1300 - JPY 1500 x 2 ways for 4 Seater

Osaka by Public Transport using ICOCA card bought from Osaka International Airport
(can use it at Osaka and Kyoto Area) - estimate top-up around JPY 5000 per person includes the deposit.


🍲Food

Per day for two persons JPY 8000.Most of the shop provides free cold water. Per meal around JPY 1000 - JPY 1500 (Ramen// Rice Set/ Sushi Set)

     ⧪Start Our Journey from Singapore to Okinawa - Day 1      

Departed at 2am from Singapore and reached Okinawa at 8am something. After declared all custom procedure then we still remained at the Naha airport and walked around. That was surprising me that Naha Airport has many shops for us to look around. A lot of souvenir shops and food stalls.

Our first meal at Naha Airport - Pork Tamago Onigiri Honten!!! Its yummy! One of the uncle waitress who is welcome all of the customer and very patience to introduce all of us the famous food from the menu.

Shop Name: 🎯Pork Tamago Onigiri Honten
Address: ➩Naha Airport Domestic Build 1F Kagamizu, 150 Naha City Okinawa zip 901-0142 (ARRIVAL ENTRANCE)
Opening Hours: ➱7am to 10pm

I had ordered 1 pc of the original Tamago and another is the Miso Tamago.
-Pork is from the brand SPAM. As they have provides free cold water.
**Miso Tamago quite salty**

                                                 Pork Tamago Onigiri Honten (Naha Airport) 


While waiting for our flight to Osaka, we had walked around at the Naha Airport (international and domestic). FYI, there is not much charging area. Just in cases, bring along the international socket with you because the airport does not provide the USB plug.


The outdoor view 👀 from Naha Airport
Is really HOT!!! But the view is perfect 💛💛



The view from Naha Airport


🙆Is time fly to Osaka, it took around 2 hrs from Okinawa to Osaka.





Arrival at the domestic terminal 2 and we need to walk out from this building to take the free shuttle at the bus area of international terminal 2 to terminal 1 (the shuttle bus took around less than 10 minutes).

Alight area - Terminal 2 International

Drop off Area - Terminal 1



The ICOCA can buy at the counter.


In Osaka, there are so many sub-line/ train, so before get in, look at the signboard at the TOP to avoid take wrongly.  Don't rush but be patience.



Having our small bite before heading to our accommodation.
Pork bun - very juicy and nice as 2pcs JPY 380.

551 Horai



Our stay in Osaka at Guesthouse Sun Osaka which suitable for the backpacker. The staff at the counter is friendly and helpful.
JPY 10,710 for dormitory room with 2 bed for 4 nights

*** The toilet is clean
*** Aircon will be ON based on the time given - 5pm to 7am (around that).
*** The stay near to the river so have mosquito in the afternoon because the window was open.
*** The bed is comfortable. I like it !!
*** Rental for Towel JPY 100 per pcs. The quality of the towel - Good !!
*** I like the sharing area (kitchen/ living room) is really nice and comfortable design.
*** Lift and staircase provided
*** Smoking NOT allowed in the dormitory
*** Free breakfast (simple - cornflakes/ tea/ coffee)
*** Kitchen has the utensils free for use.
*** Water provided (electric heater)

 Overall: 7/10

Search from Google.com - before departing to Japan


Guesthouse Sun Osaka
Living Room (sharing area)




Kitchen (sharing area)
Living Room (sharing area)



















Walking distance from Guesthouse Sun Osaka to Dotonbori. For this trip, all the way using the google map to find the location.

Dotonbori Street

Dotonbori Glica Poster

Having our first dinner at the famous shop called Ichiran at Dotondori
Shop Name: 🎯 Ichiran Dotonbori Honkan

Address: 7-18 Souemonchō, Chūō-Ku, Ōsaka-shi, Ōsaka-fu 542-0084, Japan
(
542-0084 大阪府大阪市中央区宗右衛門町7-1 8)
Opening Hours: ➱24 hours
Transport: Walking distance from Dotonbori Area

Menu for Order the Ramen

Next station to Shinsaibashi Shopping Arcade (one straight line) which also walking distance from Dotonbori Area. the shop mostly closed around 9pm but the Drug store around 11pm to 12am. so I suggest walking around the shop first instead direct go to the drug store to buy things. 


Shop Name: 🎯 Daiso Shinsaibashi (2nd floor - 4 to 5 floor)

Opening Hours: ➱10am to 9pm
Transport: Shinsaibashi Street 
Price Range: JPY 100 + tax except the goods have indicated other price JPY XXX
***After made payment, the customer needs to pack themselves. 



Shop Name: 🎯 Tsuruha Drug

Opening Hours: ➱not sure but maybe same as Daiso Shinsaibashi
Transport: 1st-floor same shop with Daiso Shinsaibashi


                                   ⧪Day 2 -Osaka to Kyoto                               



From Guesthouse Sun Osaka to Kyoto accommodation - Gion Ryokan Q-Beh

 
The view from Gion-Shijo Station 

Our stay in Kyoto at Gion Ryokan Q-Beh, which is the traditional Japanese accommodation. we had booked for a Japanese Room for 2 persons with shared bathroom. which include Yutaka Japanese traditional cloth + onsen for free. Once you check-in or storage your luggage at the stay, you can reserve the onsen which available morning time or night time.  
JPY 9400 for Japanese Room for 2 persons with shared bathroom for 1 night exclude breakfast.




***Toilet is clean (sharing)
***Yutaka can request from the counter staff
***Onsen need to reserve
***The room floor is not proper
***The air con sometime cold sometimes hot (maybe we do not know how to adjust)
***The feel of Japanese Traditional Room
***Water Provided (electric heater)
***The bed not bad
***Blanket comfortable
***Soundproof is not good
***Kitchen has the utensils free for use

Overall: 7/10


Shop Name: 🎯 Kiyomizu Tateba

Opening Hours: ➱7.30am to 4pm
Transport: walking distance from our stay
Price Range: JPY 600 set meal (Japanese Traditional meal)
***Per person must order one meal


Japanese Traditional Meal 🌸





 After finished our breakfast, walked to our rental kimono shop called Kimono Rental Kyoetsu
 
Shop Name: 🎯 Kimono Rental Kyoetsu
Address: 605-0862 Kiyomizu, Higashiyama-ku Kyoto-shi, Kyoto, 605-0862, Japan
Opening Hours: ➱ 9.30am to 6pm (different outlet have different timing)

Transport: walking distance from our stay/ nearest Station - Gion-Shijio Station
Price Range: JPY 2000 + Tax (price based on online booking) - if more than two people pay together will have additional discount JPY 500



Shop Name: 🎯 Kiyomizu Dera
Address: 294 Kiyomizu, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0862, Japan
Opening Hours: ➱ 6am to 6pm
Transport: walking distance from our stay/ nearest Station - Gion-Shijio Station





Shop Name: 🎯 Hanamikoji Kyoto 
Address: Hanamikoji Dori Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, Japan

Opening Hours: ➱ always open (is a street)

Transport: Walking distance from Kiyomizu/ nearest Station - Gion-Shijio Station


Shop Name: 🎯 Nishiki Market
Address: Nishiki Market, Japan, 604-8054 Kyoto Prefecture, Kyoto, Nakagyo Ward, 富小路通四条上る西大文字町609番地
Opening Hours: ➱ 9.30am to 6pm

Transport: Walking distance from stay/ Kimono Rental Kyoetsu






Shop Name: 🎯Fushimi Inari Shrine
Address: 68 Fukakusa Yabunouchicho, Fushimi-Ku, Kyoto

Opening Hours: ➱ always open

Transport: Fushimi Inari Station - 5 min walking distance (From Gion-Shijio Station to Fushimi-Inari station - around 20 minutes)





        ⧪ Day 3 Kyoto + Osaka - Arashiyama + Dotonbori             

Shop Name: 🎯Arashiyama Kyoto
Address: Togetsukyo, Saga, Ukyo-Ku, Kyoto 616-8383, Kyoto Prefecture
Opening Hours: ➱ always open

Transport: Saga-Arashiyama Station (10 minutes walking distance)









Shop Name: 🎯The Sagano Romantic Train
Opening Hours: ➱ depend on the pickup location

Transport: Walking distance from Arashiyama Area
Price Range: one way from 1st stop to last stop - JPY 620 to JPY 650  



                                         

As we forgot to buy the souvenirs at the Gion-Shio Station area, in the end, we bought our souvenirs at the Kyoto Station - 7 eleven which include the tax-free.

Dotonbori Again 



                                 ⧪ Day4 Osaka Area                                         


Shop Name: 🎯Sumiyoshi Taisha Grand Shrine (spent 1 hr)
Transport: Tamade Station
Opening Hours:
6am to 5pm
Fee: Free






 


Shop Name: 🎯Shitennoji Temple (spent 1 hr)
Address: 1-11-18 Shitennoji, Tennoji Ward, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture 543-0051, Japan
Transport: Tennoji Station or Ebisucho Station.
The Shrines and temples are within walking distance of the station.
Opening Hours: 8am to 4pm




 


Shop Name: 🎯Osaka Castle
Transport: 18 minutes’ walk from Osakajo-Koen station (Osaka Castle Park Station)/Exit: West (JR Osaka-kanjo line) – JPY 180
Opening Hours: 9am to 5pm
Fee: JPY 600









🎯Lunch at MCD 



 

Shop Name: 🎯Kuromon Ichiba Market
Transport: Tanimachikyuchome Station
Hours: 9am to 6pm


 






Shop Name: 🎯Tsutenkaku tower 
Transport: Walking Distance from Kuromon Ichiba 20 min
Hours: 9am to 9pm






Shop Name: 🎯Hep Five
Station: Osaka Station

Opening Hours: 11am to 9pm
 







                          ⧪ Day 5 Osaka to Okinawa                                   


We walked to the Namba station and took the airport express train to Kansai Airport, price around JPY 920.


Reached Okinawa Airport, we took the cab around JPY 1200 TO JPY 1300 (around 15 min journey) to our stay at The Kitchen Hostel AO. Our stay near to the train station but we have a lot of luggage so we choose the cab to our stay which more convenient for us.



Stay:
🎯The Kitchen Hostel Ao
Address: 1 Chome-4-1 Kumoji, Naha, Okinawa 900-0015, Japan
Station: A 4-minute walk from the Kencho-Mae metro station Price: JPY 10,710.00 (2 bunk bed with 3 nights) 






***Clean
***Creative
***Comfortable - Bed/ Environment/ Pillow/ Blanket
***No lift
***Provided sunblock cream/ eyewear
***Breakfast provided with an additional price
***Near to Lawsons
***Soundproof not really good (to me it doesn't matter)

Overall: 9/10

I'm totally falling in love with here !!!  💗💗💗                                          


Shop Name: 🎯American Village (Spent 1hr)
Transport: Take bus number 28, 29 or 120 (JPY 730) from the Naha Bus Terminal Kuwae bus stop from where the American Village can be reached in a short walk. once you get in the bus, no need to pay the bus fare first and without the ticket, but when you get down from the bus, you will need pay for the bus fare as shown at the screen.

Opening Hours: 1100am to 2100pm
*Waking Distance to Naha Bus terminal from The Kitchen Hostel AO – 5 minutes
 




Shop Name: 🎯Sunset Beach (6pm sunset) – (Spent 30min) 
Transport: walking distance 6 min from American Village  





Shop Name: 🎯Kura Zushi (Tomigusuku-shi) - Conveyor Belt Sushi – (Spent 1hr) - Dinner
Address: 3-1-3, Mihama, Chatan-cho, Nakagami-gun, Okinawa
Hours: 1100am to 1100pm
Price: 100 yen per plate






Shop Name: 🎯Aeon Chatan (have 5% discount voucher) Spent 3hrs
Address: 3-1-3, Mihama, Chatan-cho, Nakagami-gun, Okinawa
Station: Walking distance from Kura Zushi 11 min or American Village 4 min
Hours: 1100am to 1200am



 ⧪ Day 6  Okinawa - Shuri Castle + San-A +  Kokusai Street +                              Senagajima Umikaji Terrace                               


Shop Name: 🎯Shuri Castle Park (spent 2hr)
Address: 1-2 Shuri Kinjo-cho, Naha-shi, Okinawa
Station: 15 min walk from Shuri Station
Opening Hours: 0830am-2000pm (Jul-Sep), 0830am-1900pm (Oct to Nov)
Fees: 820 yen for adults







 Shop Name: 🎯San-A Naha Main Place (major shopping area for local residents) – souvenir (spent 3hr)
Address: Naha, Omoromachi 4-4-9
Station: 5 min from Omoromachi Station – JPY 260
Opening Hours: 0900 to 2300 - 7 day per weeks


                                              


Flower Shop - Small stall but nice
Lunch - less than JPY 1500 - Soba
Lunch - less than JPY 1500 - Rice Set
                     

Shop Name: 🎯Kokusai Street
Station: Kencho-Mae and Miebashi Stations – in between
Opening Hours: 0900 to 2200pm






Shop Name: 🎯Senagajima Umikaji Terrace 
Station: Akamine Station
*take 1635pm shuttle bus JPY 10 from Akamine Station
*leave at 1930pm to Akamine Station 





Shop Name: 🎯Happy Pancake


Original Happy Pancake

Shop Name: 🎯Daikoku Drug (spent 1hr)
Address: 2 Chome-8-13 Matsuo, Naha, Okinawa 900-0014, Japan
Station: walking distance from Stay (14 min)
Opening Hours: 1000am to 2400pm





             ⧪ Day 7  Okinawa - Day Tour to Kouri Island                 


Shop Name: 🎯 Day tour Package to Kouri Island
https://www.veltra.com/en/asia/japan/okinawa/okinawa_main_island/a/121129
Pick up point @ Palette Kumoji – 8.20am (Rental Nippon Car) - Follow Tour Package to Kouri Island bypass Kouri Bridge –SGD55.00/ per person

 

Kouri Island

Kouri Island - took from Kouri Bridge

Blue Seal near to the Kouri Island

Tropical Dream Center

 Tropical Dream Center

Top View from Tropical Dream Center

Top View from Tropical Dream Center

walking from Tropical Dream Center to Aquarium


Cape Manzamo

Look like Ginseng

Cape Manzamo - neighbours




The Sea Breeze .....
Ryukyu Village






Shop Name: 🎯Naminoue beach 



Just a normal small beach



Shop Name: 🎯Makishi Central Market (famous in seafood)
Ask them to cook with 500 to 1000 yen per person
Address: Okinawa, Naha, Matsuo 2-10-1 

Transport: Makishi Station (10 min away)
Hours: 0800am to 2100pm

but we never try on it because we reached there already 8pm something and most of the shop at the wet market already close and the restaurant open till 9pm.

                       ⧪ Day 8  Okinawa to Singapore                               


-Check out 6am
Take Cab JPY 1500 to the airport (15 minutes)




A must - "practice" for me to send a postcard to myself 🏣 for international postcard JPY 74 which can buy at the Lawsons/ 7 Eleven.
 


Breakfast at Airport


Pork Ramen




-----------------------------------------------Back To Reality ------------------------------------------

 

                               


Two hand-carry luggage became 6 bags/ luggage/ box

Food Part only

-----------------------------------------ENDED OUR JAPAN TRIP-----------------------------------------------