Travel Notes | Part One of the Japan Series—Visiting the "Land of Cherry Blossoms" and Feeling the Charming Style

 

"A new red cherry tree has been planted in the small garden, so you can take a leisurely stroll around the branches."

— Bai Juyi

I don’t know how many Chinese people go there because of the beauty of cherry blossoms. Anyway, I am the editor. When the editor saw the cherry blossom trees all over the mountains and plains in Japan, I could only lament that what was once ours is now appearing in front of the world with such grace in another country.

There are so many places to travel in Japan, so I can only write a cherry blossom browsing route according to my own preferences.

Route: Osaka – Kyoto – Nara – Hakone – Tokyo

transportation

1. There are direct flights from Beijing to Tokyo, Osaka, and Hokkaido. You can book round-trip air tickets according to your own itinerary.

2. According to the itinerary plan, check whether it is necessary to buy a JR PASS card valid for seven days (buy it and use it throughout Japan).

Note 1: JR PASS purchased on Taobao is not an actual ticket. You need to exchange it at a Japanese train station (don’t worry, it’s very convenient). This ticket can be used on all JR lines in Japan (except Nozomi and Mizuho, ​​which are Both buses are limited express), don’t worry, we can take the express, which is not much slower than the express. A JR PASS card valid for seven days sells for 1,600 yuan per card on Taobao. 800 yuan/ticket for teenagers.

Note 2: The round-trip express from Tokyo to Kyoto is more than 1,600 yuan.

Note 3: Japan’s high-speed trains are divided into fixed seats and optional seats. We can find a seat on any seat.

3. Download Google Maps before going abroad.

Reason 1: Google Maps is so convenient that I have no friends abroad. Once I use it, I will fall in love with it. I don’t have to worry about getting lost at all. When I traveled freely in Japan for a few days, I relied on this map to take buses and subways every day. (This map is convenient and will also tell you when the next bus will arrive. It’s very considerate, right~~)

Reason 2: Most of the website names in Japan are in Chinese, and there is no one who can’t understand them. When I go out for a trip, I feel like I’ve been walking around in a certain city in China.

4. Because you need to use a map, I personally recommend buying an unlimited card online for a few days for a few dollars!

 

 

eat

eat

There are so many delicious things to eat in Japan, including kaiseki cuisine, crab feasts, conveyor belt sushi, udon noodles, and all kinds of snacks.

I highly recommend everyone to have a kaiseki meal and crab feast, it’s definitely worth it.

I ate kaiseki cuisine at the "Hakone Ashinoko Prince Hotel" and the price was indeed not cheap. The price 4 years ago was 800 yuan per person. If you look at the tableware below, you will understand why it is more expensive than the other. It depends on the environment and your state of mind.

The crab feast and conveyor belt sushi were eaten in Hokkaido, and I will write about them in my trip to Hokkaido.

Izakaya: I recommend everyone to try this. The environment in these places is generally not particularly good, they are small and noisy inside, but the sake is still very delicious~~. Let’s serve some Japanese BBQ with sake, just like Chinese BBQ with beer, it’s a perfect match~~.

live

 

 

1. Kyoto B&B is just a 12-minute walk from Kyoto Train Station. Unfortunately, it does not accept children under 12 years old, so we have to give up.

Experience: Living here is really warm and comfortable.

2. The Prince Hakone Lake Ashinoko

About the room: If you book a lake view room, you can have a panoramic view of Lake Ashi. A small CD player is thoughtfully prepared in the room, and several piano music CDs are put in. You can listen to the soft music and enjoy the beautiful lake. Scenery, you can definitely forget all your worries,

About hot springs: The hotel's hot spring pools have opening hours, separated by men and women, and the pools are exchanged regularly (the reason is that only one side can enjoy the beautiful scenery of Mount Fuji while soaking in the hot springs). When we went, it happened that the male guests could see Mount Fuji. Fortunately, I had already enjoyed the purest hot spring in Hokkaido, so I didn’t feel regretful!

About the garden: In addition to facing Lake Ashi, the garden of this hotel also faces Mount Fuji. I won’t say much about whether it’s beautiful or not, just experience it yourself~~

Regarding the scenery: On the left side of the hotel, you can take a walk and enjoy the mountains and forests. On the right side is the Hakone Aquarium (it is small, enough for children to play). There is a shrine 2km further forward. The scenery along the way is very good, it is recommended to take a walk.

Disadvantages: expensive, too expensive. The usual price is 1,500 yuan/night, and the cherry blossom season price is 3,000 yuan/night. These prices do not include breakfast and dinner.

Remarks: This hotel is out of the way, so meals can only be served at the hotel. Western food is the main food, and French food and Kaiseki cuisine need to be booked in advance.

Regarding hotel transportation: The hotel has a car to pick up and drop off passengers at Odawara Station every day. Contact the hotel one day in advance to reserve a car for the next day. (If you miss the pick-up and parking, I have to pay the taxi fare~~, because the hotel is some distance from Odawara Station.)

3. Hotel Okada

This hotel has average hot springs and an average location, but I like it very much because the seafood buffet for dinner here is great, and the hotel is very cost-effective during the cherry blossom season. The room price I booked during the cherry blossom season is 2,200 yuan/night (including breakfast and buffet dinner for two)

Transportation: You can take a minibus to the bus stop on the right after exiting Yumoto Station. It takes about 10 minutes to reach the hotel.

The editor is an avid cherry blossom lover. Introducing this line is the Cherry Blossom Chasing Line. Compared with Osaka and Tokyo, the cherry blossom blooming time differs by about 2-3 days. We can see the delicate and blooming "flower beauties" along the route from Osaka-Kyoto-Nara-Hakone-Tokyo. ".

Osaka

1. Osaka

The editor did not choose to live in Osaka because I liked Kyoto so much. I took the JR line here early in the morning and took the train from Kyoto to Osaka in half an hour.

A. Aquarium : This is one of the largest aquariums in the world and is famous for its huge whale sharks. It is a must-go place for parents and children in Osaka. There is a unique touch pool inside that allows children to get close to marine life that is rarely seen on ordinary days. Don’t miss it~~.

Friendly reminder: It is recommended to take the elevator to the 8th floor first, and then browse down one by one from the 8th floor. You will have a wonderful feeling of slowly entering the bottom of the sea from the sea. That wonderful feeling will make you want to become a mermaid and swim in the sea.

Special reminder: There are no dolphin and seal shows in the aquarium.

Address: 1-1-10 Kaigandori, Minato-ku, Osaka City (5 minutes on foot from Exit 1 of Osaka Minato Station on the Subway Chuo Line.)

Tickets: Adults (over 16 years old): 2,300 yen

Seniors (over 60 years old): 2,000 yen

Junior high school students and elementary school students: 1,200 yen

Children over 4 years old: 600 yen

Free for children under 3 years old.

Opening hours: 10:00-20:00

If you want to know more details, you can log on to Kaiyukan’s Chinese website: www.kaiyukan.com

 

 

B. Universal Studios Osaka

Because I have already been to LA and Singapore, but I didn’t enter this one, so I have no say. However, this movie theater has many unique Japanese things, and it is definitely worth a visit if you like anime.

I heard that a cinema that is nine times larger than Singapore Cinema will be built in Tongzhou in 2019. I don’t know if it is true or not, so stay tuned!

Tickets:

type	aldult   (12 years and above)	child   (4-11 years old)	elderly   (65 and above)
1 day ticket	7400 yen	4980 yen	6650 yen
2 day pass	12,450 yen	8420 yen

Friendly reminder:

If you want to enter the park and play all the fun projects, it is recommended to buy a fast pass ticket. There are three types of fast pass tickets, which are 3 projects, 4 projects and 7 projects. You can pre-purchase online or buy them on site. But here, just like Singapore, there is a limited quantity every day, and they will be sold out when they are sold out.

I think the ones with the highest recommendation index are:

1. Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey;

2. Hollywood Dream Ride:

3. A flying pterosaur that crawls and flies;

4. Jurassic Park boat tour;

3. Osaka Castle – It has something to do with history, I don’t know.

No tickets are required here, just take the kids for a walk in a big park. It’s not a bad idea to visit here.

Transportation: Take the JR Tanimachi Line, get off at Tenmabashi or Tanimachi 4-chome Station and walk there.

Kyoto

Kyoto: I don’t know whether it’s the fate of the past life or the love of this life, but the editor particularly likes this place. I like walking through the small streets and alleys of Kyoto.

A. Qingshui Temple, Zhuyuan

Friendly advice: Go to Zhuyuan, put on a kimono, and walk on the streets. You are guaranteed to have a 100% return rate.

Transportation : You can take a bus and get off at Qingshui Road, or you can get off at Zhuyuan Shijo (it is recommended to buy a one-day pass, I think it is 400 yen)

Kimono rental WeChat ID: riri8967 (just near Quyuan), including makeup and styling, there are many new clothes, the service is great, and the key price is very competitive! You can contact her if necessary.

Real beauty~~

How can you come to Kyoto and not see a geisha performance? Unfortunately, it depends on fate. The most authentic ones are too expensive to look at; I went to the kabuki performance twice but didn't see any performance. I was really speechless.

B. Nijo Castle (the residence of the Tokugawa family, two generals once lived here, and family members lived here at other times)

Gossip: During the Edo period, feudal lords from other places came here every year to report on their work.

You can rent Chinese headphones here and listen to the story of the Tokugawa family, the real power in Japan during the Edo period. After returning to Beijing, you can go to the Tokugawa family for a Japanese meal, which is interesting! !

Opening hours: 08:45-17:00

Ticket price: Adults: 600 yen; Students: 350 yen; Children: 200 yen

C. Arashiyama (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon filming location)

Speaking of Arashiyama, the most famous thing is its train. Unfortunately, I did not choose to take the train. Instead, I walked along a road with almost no people, looking for cherry blossoms.

The scenery of Arashiyama is unique. During the cherry blossom season, the air is filled with the intoxicating fragrance of flowers. A gust of wind blows, and the pink petals rain down around you. Walk among them and feel its kiss, touch and love. , feel its most gorgeous ending. In autumn, the fiery red maple leaves all over the mountains and plains are enough to make your blood boil. If the cherry blossoms represent a beautiful waltz, then the maple leaves must represent the passionate flamenco.

Arashiyama train

Ticket: 620 yen (one way)

Transportation: From Kyoto Train Station to Saga Arashiyama Station, the time varies greatly depending on the train number, ranging from 20 minutes to 1 hour. On the right after exiting the station is the small train station. There is no unfamiliar experience.

Friendly reminder: Closed every Wednesday, open normally on holidays. It is recommended that you go to Magnum Taobao to book your tickets before going. If there is a holiday, it may be expensive to buy tickets on site.

The riverside path, because you miss the crowds, the scenery is beautiful no matter how you look at it. The only regret is that most of the cherry blossoms are still in bud, wow~~

 

D. Kyoto University (a national comprehensive university with complete disciplines and a large scale after the University of Tokyo)

Currently ranked 2nd in Japan and 36th in the world

The editor has a habit. I like to visit universities everywhere I go. If I don't like it, just leave it.

Transportation: Please google your current location in Kyoto. The bus can go to the school gate.

 

I went to school for a long walk. I really wish I could have more literary flavor to influence me~~

 

 

 

Nara

Nara Park (famous for deer): The editor only went here, and then had a historic meeting with "Deer-san". Hahaha!

Nara and Kyoto are both great places for cherry blossom viewing. According to locals, when the cherry blossoms fade, it feels like the whole city is pink. Living and working in such a dreamy environment, it’s no wonder that the girls in Japanese anime are so beautifully drawn. There is no natural reason, there is inspiration, there is inspiration!

Transportation: JR Kyoto Station – Nara Station (you can find the park after exiting the train station and following the crowd)

Tickets: Free

The deer here are not afraid of people, you can get close to it and pet it.

The funniest thing is "you buy a bag of food to feed them, and the deer around you will come over and surround you. Then you nod, and they will nod accordingly. It's fun and interesting!"

 

 

hakone

Hakone: I first learned about this town when I was a teenager, from "Poppy's Lover" written by Xi Juan. After reading it, I felt that I must go to this place to see Mount Fuji, soak in hot springs, and live on tatami mats. (The trilogy that comes to Hakone is only the trilogy)

 

From Tokyo to Mount Fuji: You can choose to take the Fujikyu bus or railway.

Express bus: starting point is Shinjuku Bus Station and ending point is Kawaguchiko. The journey takes about 2 hours.

Railway: From Shinjuku Station, take the JR Chuo Line to Otsuki Station, then transfer to the Fujikyu Line and get off at Fujiyoshida Station

Friendly reminder: The highest place you can reach by bus is called the "fifth station." To be honest, the scenery seen from the fifth station is far less beautiful than from a distance, so it just has the effect of "coming here"!

 

No matter where you go to Hakone or Mount Fuji, just google it and you will see the train number, time, including transfers at a glance. The most important thing is that almost all station names in Japan are in Chinese, and there is no one who cannot understand them.

 

Tokyo

Tokyo: There are so many places to visit here. I only went to the Imperial Palace of Japan, the University of Tokyo, Ueno, and Ginza. For other places not introduced, you can visit them on your own.

Transportation: All places can be reached by subway. Google it yourself, take a bus, transfer, or walk to your destination, all with one software.

A. Japanese Imperial Palace : the residence of the Japanese Emperor. A small part is open and can be visited in 2 hours.

 

 

The two cherry blossom trees at the entrance of the palace are still fresh in my memory even after 8 years.

 

 

B. University of Tokyo (Japan’s No. 1 university)

 

My deepest memory here is that I met a handsome guy like Kashiwahara Takashi by chance, and we even went to peek at them practicing fencing. Everyone knows the love for beauty~~

I don’t know how many people first know about Tokyo University because of the TV series "One Kiss", hehe~~

Dongda opening and closing time:

 

 

Beautiful campus (the emphasis is on the handsome man behind him)

 

 

Pretend to be a Tokyo University student and enter the cafeteria to have a meal. Cost: 580 yen.

 

 

C. Ueno Park: Ueno Park is just outside Tokyo University. It is a famous cherry blossom viewing place in Tokyo. When the cherry blossom season came in March 2015, I saw everyone chatting about life and drinking under the cherry blossom trees. Wine, so uncomfortable.

 

 

D. Ginza – a shopping place. First of all, I want to remind you that Japanese luxury goods are very expensive. Secondly, I have no interest in cosmeceuticals. Finally, I don’t like shopping.

Summary of the results: You can come to me for travel itinerary planning, and for shopping inquiries, please turn left when you go out, hehehe~~

 

Japan’s expected cherry blossom bloom schedule this year:

 

 

It will take at least 6 days to take this route. Itinerary suggestions are as follows:

Day 1: Arrive in Osaka, visit Kaiyukan and Osaka Castle. Accommodation: Osaka

The next day: Universal Studios or other scenic spots in Osaka. Accommodation: Osaka/Kyoto

Day 3: Visit Kyoto Accommodation: Kyoto

Day 4: Kyoto – Nara – Hakone Accommodation: Hakone

Day 5: Hakone – Tokyo Accommodation: Tokyo

Day 6: Tokyo, return to Beijing

 

Friendly reminder: If you don’t go to Japan on May Day, it’s best not to go, because it is also a long holiday in Japan. Firstly, there is no space on the train, and secondly, most of the scenery is probably appreciated on the bus.

 

It's finally coming to an end. In fact, writing about my trip to Japan is really tiring. Everyone has different preferences and needs. I can only write according to my preferences, which may be scattered and messy. Please "take the essence and discard the dross"!