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From the top station past the viewing platforms is the trailhead to Nishiho mountain hut and to other trails beyond. Many climbers use the ropeway for access to the Nishi-hotake-dake climb, staying overnight at the mountain hut then climbing the next day. However, for us we planned to just reach...

Another big day of hiking planned, this time using the Shinhotaka Ropeway to do a lot of the work of getting us to a higher elevation. The bus is around 1.5 hours from Takayama, again via Hirayu Onsen but without the need to change bus. The ropeway itself is two part, with a change station at an...

After concluding our walk ShelleyB-son consumed a well-earned ice cream and we joined the queue for the bus back to Takayama via Hirayu onsen. The queue was long as it was nearing the end of the day, but with the use of the jump seats in the bus, we all squeezed on. There were fewer passengers...

We absolutely enjoyed it and the crowds were not unexpected. I expect it will be crazier in a month or so with the autumn colours really on display.

Over the next two days we planned to visit both Kamikochi and Shinhotaka Ropeway for some hiking. From Takayama the best option is the Nohi bus. We could of course hire a car but I have never been a fan of doing so unless the area we want to visit is completely inaccessible by public transport...

Having done with Osaka and Universal Studios for this trip, our next journey was to Takayama. As mentioned upthread we planned to take the Hida Wide View. Although there is a once a day option directly from Osaka it leaves just after 8am which seemed unnecessarily early. From Nagoya there is a...

Up early for a big day. Breakfast at the Art Hotel was in the restaurant on the 51st floor. No pics of the food as it was very crowded but there was an extensive choice and it was good without being great. The main point of the Osaka leg of this trip was a repeat visit to Universal Studios for...

After a quick refresh in the room we headed straight out to the Umeda district to do some shopping. I was keen on some Onitsuka Tiger shoes but was distracted and came back with some Patrick instead - a very old Belgian brand that has really had a renaissance in Japan. Very challenging to buy...

And forgot to say - obviously best to choose a card with no international fees when topping up as you will be charged in yen.

I am not sure whether it’s the same for Android, but on Apple iphones you just go to the Apple wallet, select the + symbol to add to wallet, choose Transit Card and Suica is one of the options. Everything is in English (or presumably your language of choice for your phone) and you can pay via...

On arrival in KIX immigration and customs was quick and efficient. We’d completed our arrivals paperwork on the Visit Japan website as we had for previous visits and had our QR codes. Makes for easy arrivals processing. The sooner Australia can get it’s act together and ditch the paper cards the...

Boarding was quick as the flight was not full and we pushed back from the gate 5 minutes ahead of schedule. On this flight the impressive menu contains a Japanese set menu with a riduculous number of courses. Although I was not particularly hungry did try at least one bite of each course and it...

Transit in TPE went very smoothly. Transfer from T1 to T2 via train, then rescreening on arrival at T2. The re-screening area was so quiet we actually initially thought we must be in the wrong place as there were no passengers and staff were not immediately visible as they were all sitting down...

Boarding for our MEL-TPE leg was quick and efficient and we pushed back basically on time. The cabin is very tastefully decorated. Not a lot of photos from this leg as we mainly slept. Here’s the menu though. Seats good for sitting but not outstanding for sleeping. No topper offered so found the...

Sadly I think the use of the The House was only for a short time and it’s back to the Marhaba now. Which is a shame as I have always found the Marhaba a bit ordinary.

Arrived at Melbourne Airport at T-4 hours. Sadly the China Airlines check in counters were yet to open. Opened on the dot of T-3 hours. Once checked in all very efficient. The express pass through security was entirely unnecessary as it was very quiet. A quick stop at the TRS office for a claim...

I have certainly heard it sells out these days, particularly on weekends (which is when we are travelling). I just had a quick look at the specific train I have booked and probably around half the seats are already sold, with 11 days to go before travel. So it might be ok or it might not, but...

You can work out what value you are getting per point by dividing the seat cost in cents minus the tax (in this case 23900) by the cost in points, in this case 12000. So for this particular seat you would be getting 1.99 cents value per point. As others have mentioned only you can decide...

Thanks Matt. I am not worried by the itinerary. There’s only one inbound transfer and we arrive around lunch. So yes it’s only 36 hours in Osaka but we’ve been there before and we’re only there really for Universal studios on this visit. ShelleyB-son is a very experienced traveller, manages his...

That’s a shame but we have to get from Osaka to Takayama somehow and even if the scenery isn’t showstopping I am sure the train will still be pleasant. And as we are also doing the bus it should be best of both worlds.