Osaka Himeji Free and Easy Day 1 part 3/3 ( April 3rd 2010 )

Directions from Shinsaibashi to Himeji
From Shinsaibashi to Himeji, we will have to take the Midosuji subway line to Umeda which cost 230yen per person 1 way, and transfer to the JR Osaka station. Then change to the JR line using the JR west pass. The journey itself from JR Osaka station to Himeji will take around 1 1/4 hours. Do remember to take the special rapid train instead of local ( which will clearly be displayed on the board ). Local trains will stop at all stations while special rapid will skip the smaller stations hence will get you to your destination faster.

Trying to keep awake ( after a red eye flight ) prove to be difficult. However, we were exited as it was sakura season and in full bloom and we could see it all along the way.

Pic 1: At Himeji station

To get to Himeji castle, exit the Himeji station. There is no subway that link you directly to the castle and the rest of the journey will be on foot. Look out for central exit which is clearly displayed as you follow the exit sign after coming off the train.


Pic 2: Central Exit

Pic 3: Walking along the main street to Himeji castle.

Pic 3: Himeji castle

Finally, after 15-20minutes stroll we caught glimps of the Himeji castle. What amaze us was the crowd that was going to the castle so we had to shovel our way through the crowd into the castle.

Pic 4: Sakura's full bloom around the compound.

Pic 5: Sakura's at full bloom.

Pic 6: Photo of us at Himeji castle entrance

Pic 7: Crowd at Himeji castle

At the castle compound, you could see a lot of people picnic below the sakura tree. We on the other hand tried to go enter the castle. We did not make it to the top as the wait going up the castle was like 2 hours so we spend sometime enjoying the view of sakura in full bloom ( hanami ) and took photos around the compound.

Pic 8: Sakura's full bloom at Himeji Castle

Pic 9: Close up of Sakura's

Pic 10: Close up of Sakura's with himeji castle background

Pic 11: Close up of Sakura's with himeji castle background

Pic 12: More sakura's

Pic 13: Himeji castle wall structure

Pic 14: Himeji castle wall structure explained

Pic 15: Himeji castle roof structure.

Pic 16: Himeji castle map

Pic 18: S under Sakura full bloom tree

We decided to leave the castle around 6pm to have an early rest. Along the way back. there was a food fair organize to raise the fund for the castle's restoration. We bought a yakitori and okonomiyaki and had dinner there before proceeding back to our hotel.

Pic 19: Yakitori

Pic 20: Okonomiyaki

It was a tiring day but luckily Hotel Villa Fontaine Shinsaibashi healing room comes with a foot massage chair which really came in handy after so much walk.

Osaka Himeji Free and Easy Day 1 part 2/3 ( April 3rd 2010 )

Before going to Himeji, we have decided to drop our luggage at the hotel Villa Fontaine Shinsaibashi in Osaka. We have decided to purchase the JR west pass for 4 days ( which cost 6000 yen per person ). This pass will provide faster access to Himeji , Kyoto and Nara. Since we are not staying on the JR train route, we will need to pay additional 460 yen per person to and fro the nearest JR station in Osaka which is Umeda, Shin Osaka and Tennoji.


Don't forget to print the map below which will come in handy prior to your trip to Kansai.







Pic 1 : Osaka JR & subway map




Upon arrival at Kansai airport , decide to settle down, collect some local information before proceeding to our hotel. Hence we took some photo surrounding the arrival gate. We also took the opportunity to take Osaka, Kyoto and Nara brochures and maps.






Pic 2: Arrival gate of the airport




Pic 3: Preview of where we are visiting in Kansai ( Himeji, Kyoto, Nara and Osaka )

Pic 4: Tourist information counter at Kansai Airport.

To access the JR & subway, you will need to go to level 2 and cross the sky link bridge which takes around 5 minutes

Pic 5: Walk across this bridge to the JR & subway access.

Pic 6: Futuristic building ( the aero plaza ) viewed from the JR office.

Pic 7: JR train and subway machine counters

You can only purchase the JR west pass ( which is only eligible for tourist ) at the JR counter which is located in front of the machine. You will have to show proof of your passport and your departure plate ticket itinerary ( so do not forget to print it ) .

Pic 8: JR train to Kyoto

Pic 10: JR train destination at Kansai airport.

To get to our hotel ( which I have written in the hotel Villa Fontaine Shinsaibashi review ), you will need to get off at Tennoji and change to the Midosuji subway line.

Pic 11: Random photo at the basement of a shopping complex at Tennoji

We arrive the hotel around 11am and are not able to check in ( check in time in Japan is mostly at 3pm ) so freshen ourselves up and left our baggage at the hotel before planning our trip to Himeji.

Since it is almost close to 12pm, we decided to have a quick lunch at this sushi bar restaurant which is located just 2 -3 minutes walk at the shinsaibashi suji walk.

Pic 12: Lunch at Shinsaibashi Suji

Pic 13: Lunch at shinsaibashi Suji

Pic 14 : First sushi meal.

After lunch we headed off to Hiimeji which I will share in the 3rd post.

Osaka Himeji Free and Easy Day 1 part 1/3 ( April 3rd 2010 )

My flight miles were expiring back late 2009 and I have decided to redeem 2 flight tickets to Japan on the 4th -12th April 2010. The cost of 2 tickets flying into Osaka ( Kansai ) and flying out from Tokyo ( Narita ) cost me 59500 miles and ~Rm780 for 2 tickets. What a bargain so I immediately redeem the miles back in Sept09 and started planning for the trip then.

Unfortunately, 2 day before the departure date, S was admited to Subang medical center due to suspected appendicities. Luckily, it was a false alarm and she was dischange on 3rd April , 1 day before the departure.


Pic 1 : S just before being admitted into Subang Medical Center

With only a few hours to pack, we rush back caught up with sleep and immediately head off to KLIA the next day.

Pic 2: S with 2 SIA boarding pass

Pic 3: Boarding pass KL-SIN-KIX

Pic 4: S looks better compared to Pic 1.

We took off from KLIA at 8.30pm and arrive at Singapore Changi airport around 9.30pm. As we have 4 hours to burn before our red eye flight to Kansai, we head off for dinner at Ajisen Ramen at 1st floor on terminal 3.

Pic 5: Singapore Airport terminal 3

Pic 6: Ajisen Ramen

Pic 7: S in front of Shanghai TANG

After dinner, we decided to walk around and I stumble upon a small section that have been converted into a butterfly farm. I manage to spot quite a number of butterflies and snap a few photos.

Pic 8: 1,2, Smile....

Pic 9: Much more energetic compared to Pic 1.

Pic 10: S at T3 boarding gate

Finally after 4 hours, we heard the final call for SQ618 to Kansai. The flight was schedule to depart around 1.30am and arrive at 8.30am Japan time ( which is 1 hour ahead of Malaysia )

Pic 11: Breakfast Menu

We manage to catch some sleep on the flight and soon before we know it, the crew was ready to serve breakfast ( around 5.30am Malaysia time ). Iopted for the Japanese selection while S took the international selection.

Pic 12 : International Breakfast selection

Pic 13 : Japanese Breakfast selection

Soon after breakfast, we freshen up and in no time, we were flying in Japan airspace. I manage to snap a few photos of Japan as we approach Kansai airport.

Pic 14 : Aireal view of japan approaching Kansai

Pic 15: Touching down at Osaka Kansai international airport

Kansai International Airport is an international airport located on an artificial island in the middle of Osaka Bay. You have to see the structure with you own eyes to be amaze with the construction of this airport.

Pic 16 : Taxing to the terminal

Pic 17: Awaiting for the sky train

Finally , after 6 hours of flight ( thanks to the tail wind ) we arrive at Osaka Kansai international airport at 8am ( 1/2 hour earlier than the schedule time )

Pic 18: WELCOME TO KANSAI