NARA, KYOTO, OSAKA

NARA, KYOTO, NARA (Kansai region)

Assalamualaikum. Konnichiwa.

Last travel trip for 2017 (22nd November to 27th November 2017) Autumn trip

Graduation trip for my sister. Japan is quite expensive compare to Korea as what I observe. Normal rate for lunch could cost you 1000¥ for medium size. (Rate on this trip 100¥ = 3.75), so approx. RM37.50 for a plate. So rules in Japan, do not convert guys. Just enjoy it while you still can.  You can option for Brahims and instant rice in 7Eleven for breakfast and dinner. But, make sure you try few of their local dish for new experiences.

We plan this trip since March 2017, so it takes about 8 months to be anticipating. Heeeeeeee. I found this calming. Excited and counting for your next trip. Because basically my life is about the same rotine, repeated every day. Did I told you already how much congested traffic can drain my energy? Everyday. *cry a bucket.  As I turn older, I really appreciate being home, relaxing in front of my television and drama-marathon. Oh, not forgetting, munching kerepek. Sounds so makcik-makcik.

Let's start.

Day 1

KUL-KIX (Kansai International Airport) approx. 7 hours and 15 minutes flight.

Day 2

Meet Kak El and Kak Ros at airport. Airport transfer train to Namba 920¥.

Dotonbori (Namba walk). Leave luggage on locker located nearby Daimaru Mall.

Zohor and Asr at Level 7 (Prayer room available) at Daimaru Shisai-bashi store.

How to access; 

From Namba station (Subway Midosuji Line) Exit 14 or stop at Osaka Namba station (Kintetsu railway)

Tonbori River Cruise

Most famous sight landmark- Glico man

Shinsaibashi (shopping street) and souvenier hunting. You can option for souvenier from Daiso or 300Coins.

Rest at K's Court (walking distance to Kujo-station), nearby baseball field where gingko leaves are falling. Recommended. Terasa macam duduk rumah Nobita. Ahaahaha

First meal. Itadakimasu. Rasa macam bento sushi king. Sumpah sedap. Paling sedap for my Osaka trip #doneclaim. Cost about 550 ¥  for Tempura Rice. This restaurant is nearby Dotonbori (Tempura Tendon Tenya). Nyummehhh. Tak sure la memang sedap ataupun sebab kebulur sangat sebab long flight dan tak breaksfast. Huhu.

Glico man. Hensem ke?? Aaahaaaha

Day 3

Universal Studio Osaka, Japan

Nara Park, Nara.

Tabah tunggu abam Harry Pottahhhhh. Dia kata 5 saat je tapi tunggu dua jam. Kata ada magik.

#nicesky #idontmindwaiting

Nara is the deer park. As all the deers is strolling freely, you can actually feed them. (Not Oreo please. You can purchase the special biscuits nearby) 

Nara Park located in city of Nara, at foot of Mount Wakasuka, one of the oldest park in Japan. How beautiful autumn can be although every leaves are dying. Autumn is where all leaves are flowers. It's a proof for me, that the endings could be beautiful.

How to access; 

5 minutes walk form Kintetsu Nara station (subway).

Day 4

Kyoto Tower

Arashiyama Bamboo groove 

(district of western outskirt of Kyoto)

Fushimi-Inari Shine

Best place to witness autumn season

Tofuku-ji Temple (Kyoto oldest temple)

How to access;

2 minutes from Kyoto station (Keihan line)

One of many route to enter Arashiyama bamboo groove

       

Autumn

Momiji (Japanese maple tree)

                                                    

Takoyaki. I don't like it. Ahaahahaha. Nak beli cakap tak nak sos tau. Jangan cakap sis tak ingatkan.

@Night market Fushimi-Inara shrine street

Day 5

The Osaka Museum 

(Experience wearing kimono at rate 500¥)

Osaka Castle

Repeat Shinsaibashi and Namba walk for night view.

(Colourful neon signs and flash signboards enliven the area, show that the district represent passion of Osakan)

Routine for Osakan morning. Tunggu train. @Kujo-station

Autumn view @Osaka Castle

"Shinsaibashi-Suji". If Tokyo has Ginza, Osaka has Shinsaibashi (fashion central for Osaka). Nice neon light. The crowd is no joke.

Ginza in the east of Japan, Shinsaibashi is in the west of Japan.

Day 6

                                                   

Breakfast. Mochi ice-cream. Only this flavour you can try as a Muslim okay. Other flavour, tanggung sendiri.

KIX-KUL 

Tips and tricks:

1. If you going for autumn, be prepare. It is already cold enough (8'-6' celcius) as it's entering winter, especially in Kyoto. Do not forget lotion, moisturiser and lipbalm. The air could be really dry. For those who are easily get cold, prepare long john and thick coat. 

2. Japan is famous, as what you know the locals are fit and "rajin luar biasa". You can't avoid 10,000 to 20,000 steps per day. Even nearest subways to tourist attraction require you to walk a lot. Please wear running shoes as sneakers is not really recommended for long journey. In Japan, you are "force" to walk, unless you're taking private trip with chartered bus or private cars. 

3. Being in Japan, try to actually learn how the locals adapt to their daily routine. Subway for work, bento for lunch, late night strolls. 

4. Japan is safe for girls. Low rate of crime. The highest crime rate in Japan are for stealing the bicycles. Ahaaaahaha.

5. Did I mention they are fit? Even almost 85 years old grandma can take subway on their own. Yes, dah bongkok dah pun. #salute

6. Compare to Tokyo, those in Kansai region can't communicate in English that much. Know few Japanese words help if you are on your own. You can try "eigo ga hanasemasuka?" or "ikura desuka?" #alahgooglela

7. Wifi available in subway but not as efficient in South Korea. Seoul tu luar biasa, masuk toilet pun wifi ada.  "So, kena beli tak ni wifi?" Depends on you.

Based on 2016 research.

8.  Kansai International Airport are really-really busy as everyone to and from Kansai region depart and arrive at the airport. Please be there four hours earlier than boarding time to make sure the immigration process smooth without the need to chase the time. Worse experience as I need to queue up for more than two hours before immigration. As to touchdown Tokyo, you have two option to stop at Haneda/Narita airport, so I really think it is less crowd.

9. Transport fees? Plan your itinerary. If you travel with child or those option for free and easy journey, two or three places maximum in a day as to give you time to actually explore a places. If you think that you can't cover much in a day and the ticket fees will be much way cheaper if per trip, then you don't have to purchase Kansai Thru Pass. It is quite pricey if you don't fully utilized the pass. As for me, we only purchase Osaka 1 day pass for Day 5.

Osaka 1 day pass.

                                                

Rate for Kansai Thru Pass.

10. When travelling, besides to fill your Instagram feed, learn the culture, way of life, exploring Allah's creation. Japanese is really known with their politeness and they never fail to offer me a smile when I smile to them. Cleanliness is no doubt, eventhough no trash bin nearby. Dah makan, clearkan meja sendiri ye. Yang mana baik tu, kita ambil la teladan. Maybe boleh start dengan clear meja lepas makan dekat KFC. Ahaaaahaha.

11. There's difference travelling to developed countries and less developed countries. Belajar sesuatu. Make travelling as one of process to be a better you. Be grateful. Expect less. Malaysia always in my heart.

12. Conclusion, there are differences between Tokyo (Kanto) and Kansai region locals. Tokyo is quite hectic compare to Kansai region. Even their fashion vibes is different. Cara naik escalator mereka pun berbeza. 

So, jangan tanya aku kenapa pergi Jepun lagi. Kedah tak sama kan dengan Melaka. Terengganu takkan sama dengan Sarawak.

Want to tag along to Shirakawa-go and Gokoyama, Japan for sakura, DM kanan (lebih afdhal ikut kanan).

What should I do??????? Arghhhhhh

Till then,

XOXO,

NRAA.