3 Weeks in Japan - The Post COVID Version!

[RooFlyer]

@rbjhan I forgot to say thank-you for the Google maps. Glad I asked - it was a much smaller area travelled than I was thinking!

 

[rbjhan]

@rbjhan I forgot to say thank-you for the Google maps. Glad I asked - it was a much smaller area travelled than I was thinking!

No problems at all!
The furthest away from Tokyo was of course Izumo, which the Sunrise Izumo took about 12 hours to cover (roughly 900km).

 

[karen blancfield]

Finally arrived at Kyoto!
Quickly pop in the tourist info centre, looked like I would have some nice momiji viewing!
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Booked Mitsui Garden Hotel Kyoto Kawaramachi Jokyoji (There are several Mitsui Garden Hotels in Kyoto so I need to spell out the full name )

Room is spacious by Japanese business hotel standards
But why can't they put in a normal desk and chair or sofa?! Damn I hate that little table and stool with a passion.
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Also, there is no washing machine here, nearest coin laundry is 10 min walk away...I don't recommend this one...

Okay mini rant over, dinner time!
I booked this restaurant on IKYU, same website I used for most of my Japanese hotel bookings.
It was an Omi Beef special.
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Very rare you see a female head chef in Japan!
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beef noodles...
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Beef and taro soup
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It's all beef...you get the idea View attachment 309593

This was a fantastic meal!
And they tried their best with English, I also tried my Japanese, we managed some reasonable conversation ha ha.
One of them recommended the Light Up program in Kodai-ji, I went the next day (it was excellent!)

The restaurant is on one of the most beautiful streets of Kyoto。
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Did I miss the name of this restaurant??

 

[rbjhan]

Did I miss the name of this restaurant??

No you didn't
Booked on IKYU so I have no idea what the English name is, in Japanese it's 和牛会席 祇園 だいきち

 

[karen blancfield]

No you didn't
Booked on IKYU so I have no idea what the English name is, in Japanese it's 和牛会席 祇園 だいきち

Crikey…. ok! But I’ve noted the street name you say is most beautiful. Heading to Kyoto tomorrow for 4 nights.

 

[rbjhan]

Crikey…. ok! But I’ve noted the street name you say is most beautiful. Heading to Kyoto tomorrow for 4 nights.

That's Shinbashi-dori.
But yeah I've checked, even on google maps there's only the Japanese name...

 

[ketsuzei]

Gion Daikichi, Kyoto - Gion - Menu, Prices & Restaurant Reviews - Tripadvisor

Gion Daikichi, Kyoto: See 3 unbiased reviews of Gion Daikichi, rated 5 of 5 on Tripadvisor and ranked #3,144 of 15,798 restaurants in Kyoto.

www.tripadvisor.com.sg

 

[rbjhan]

Ha, so it's just the Japanese pronunciation...I see...
Anyways, you still need to make a reservation, either IKYU or Tabelog.
It's not a walk in & queue kind of restaurant.

 

[LA10]

Royal Park Canvas Hotel Ginza Corridor

This one opened 16 Nov! I like new hotels
Location is very good, close to Ginza Six and Tokyu Centre.
And with Ginza Corridor right next to it, no shortage of restaurants!

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Love the projector! TV is basically useless for me since they don't have international channels...
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View, depends on if you like trains or not I guess...
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Like I said, just opened.
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@rbjhan how does this hotel compare to Tokyu stay Ginza? I'm heading to Tokyo for the first time in May. Thanks!

 

[rbjhan]

@rbjhan how does this hotel compare to Tokyu stay Ginza? I'm heading to Tokyo for the first time in May. Thanks!

Depends on price really.

Tokyu is in a slightly better location as Higashi Ginza Station is right next to it, and this station you can ride directly to both airport.

In terms of the room I very much prefer Royal Park Ginza Corridor, larger, better design imho and the projector is handy.

 

[LA10]

Woke up early the next morning and went for a walk outside.
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Morning soak in the public bath. Unfortunately compared to the excellent private onsen, public bath is nothing special...it's not bad, just didn't stand out.

Breakfast however, I can honestly say this was the best Japanese breakfast I've ever had!
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Waiting for the shuttle to take me back to Izu Atagawa station again...
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I've been to many ryokans, this one is definitely top 3 material.

I'm thinking about booking this for 1 night. Either this or one near Fuji (Konansou).

 

[SCM]

Not sure if it's been posted here, but 2 Fridays ago, Japan downgraded COVID, and masks are no longer mandatory. I would say 99% of people are still wearing them, however at least in Tokyo, nobody will complain if you don't.

In Kyoto on the other hand, it seems like many restaurants were cough about it.