Hong Kong, Tokyo & a day trip to Kyoto

[kpc]

Thanks for posting the TR...hard work doing a trip report, eh? i love Japan and Japanese food...went 2 years ago to Tokyo, Kyoto and Hiroshima for a week. Will be heading back to Tokyo next Easter for 4 days...always on the lookout for good restaurants to try out

 

[amaroo]

A few more shots to complete Nijo Castle. Gotta love the map that shows the Calendar of Blossoming Season

Next stop is lunch As we drive towards the restaurant, Noboru points out that the summer terraces were being removed for the winter. The last photo shows a crane removing all the summer terraces (decks):shock: Each spring they are installed & each Autumn they are removed. Talk about protective coating:!:

 

[amaroo]

Lunch today turns out to be a special treat. Yamano - Review of Yamano, a neighborhood restaurant in Kyoto

8 courses of typical Kyoto cuisine - what a way to celebrate your 18th wedding anniversary Sorry no photos....too busy eating. If you're in Kyoto, we highly recommend this restaurant.

After lunch we head to Kinkakuji Temple or Golden Pavilion - Kinkaku-ji - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[amaroo]

Kinkakuji Temple has a wonderful, peaceful feel about it.....

Our trip to Kyoto has come to an end....however, this is not the last time we will visit this sensational place.

A few more photos of the beauty & then it's back to the Shinkansen & Tokyo.

The last two photos show a station attendant greeting the train......& the quintessential TR photo....

 

[amaroo]

Great TR! Well done!

Cheers

Once again.. Thanks so much for sharing your inspiring trip.. I love the photos! I was in Japan twice this year - I adore the place, especially the cuisine.. I must make a concerted effort to also do a TR.
Please continue..

This is my second trip (first was work, so doesn't count) to Tokyo.....first for the family. Can't wait to see more of Japan.

your TR is bringing back great memories.We just love Tokyo.We do steer clear of the Kobe beef apart from one occasion in Kobe just after the Tsunami when it was just expensive rather than horrendously expensive.
You have given us a couple of restaurants to try-we are in tokyo 1-2 times a year so really appreciate when someone tells us of something new.
And TRs are such a great way of reminding yourself of your journey.Keep up the good work.

drron, your work inspired me to undertaking this TR.....I've really enjoyed reading yours.

Great TR. reminds me of when we were last there. Great food people etc, but not the best for shopping bargains

Fully agree....especially the food.

Great TR and I am now starving with the last food pics.

Makes me want to go back to Asia.

Yes, that tomahawk was fantastic......

Oh, how I love those gorgeous trains! Thanks for sharing & the pictures..

A stand out of the holiday......trains, so underrated!

You have made me keen to return to Hong Kong and Tokyo Thank you.

I understand - we are thinking about heading back in March to see the colours.

Thanks for posting the TR...hard work doing a trip report, eh? i love Japan and Japanese food...went 2 years ago to Tokyo, Kyoto and Hiroshima for a week. Will be heading back to Tokyo next Easter for 4 days...always on the lookout for good restaurants to try out

Yes! At least they are fun to do. FWIW I would not hesitate to recommend any of the restaurants I posted......cross range of prices range - so something for everyone.

 

[amaroo]

After 2 hours & 10 min & a few Asahis we arrive back in Tokyo right on schedule at 19:16 Quick metro ride over to Shibuya - we head out of the station ready to do the crossing - Tokyo: 10 Things to Do — 7. Shibuya Crossing - TIME

We also check-out the statue of Hachiko - the dog that waited for his late master everyday for 12 years Shibuya, Tokyo - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

​

 

[drron]

You really are reminding me why I like Japan.
In Shibuya is Iron Chef Sakai's restaurant La Rochelle.We loved the meal we had there a few years ago.May go back this time.

 

[Cynicor]

You really are reminding me why I like Japan.
In Shibuya is Iron Chef Sakai's restaurant La Rochelle.We loved the meal we had there a few years ago.May go back this time.

I am probably wrong, but I was under the impression La Rochelle had closed, and a new La Rochelle Sanno had opened? Any idea?

 

[drron]

I am probably wrong, but I was under the impression La Rochelle had closed, and a new La Rochelle Sanno had opened? Any idea?

Indeed it has.Also the English translation web page now is La Lochelle.

 

[Cynicor]

My Hilton niseko bill on the CC comes up as Hiruton Niseko.

 

[amaroo]

Today we are heading to EDO-Tokyo Museum Edo-Tokyo Museum

Short walk to Shinjuki station, hop on JR Sobu line & we arrive. Funky looking museum from the outside & just as good on the inside.....put this one on your must do list!

The history of EDO & now Tokyo is fascinating......need to go download Shogun

The last photo......if they still built Subarus that looked this good - I'd buy one.

 

[amaroo]

Right next door to the Edo is the Ryogoku Kokugikan or Sumo Stadium - sumo stadium - Google Search

Unfortunately it was closed However, the museum was open, free & not a bad way to spend 20mins. The highlight of this visit was passing a real live sumo while entering the metro

Next stop, Tokyo Station & Marunouchi - Tokyo Travel: Tokyo Station and Marunouchi

This really is a beautiful area. Imperial Palace & Gardens, fantastic skyline & the old world charm of Tokyo Station.

 

[amaroo]

We catch a metro back to Shinjuku & kick around there for a few hours. This is our last night before heading home via Hong Kong Shinjuku is a thriving metropolis & has something for everyone.

Our Tokyo holiday has come to an end.....absolutely loved it

A few photos of the streets of Shinjuku & a nightcap/view from the NY Bar, Park Hyatt, Tokyo

 

[jetlagger]

amaroo.. great camera night shots.. slow shutter?
Congrats, & you were so comprehensive with your TR, even as it was in segments the photos worked a treat.
I also covered similar ground when I was in Japan in August, though my TR & photo collection would pale in comparison to yours..
The Park Hyatt looks a fantastic establishment with a positive following.
I look forward to returning to Japan next year for a ski session.. also a new ski destination for me.
Hope you continue your marvellous work for future TR's as time avails..
Cheers,
jl

 

[LadyC]

Thanks again for a great TR. The photos are great to give a real flavor to Japan. Kyoto looks fantastic - the temple was beautiful and I've heard the food there is amazing. Lots of good ideas for my trip next year

 

[amaroo]

NRT CX Flounge
CX509 NRT-HKG whY purchased
Transit only......lovely 5 hours in HKG

Another early morning flight However, the icing on the cake - a few hours in HKG before catching the flight home......ah, the dumplings

A333 with old IFE however, 2-4-2 layout Lovely flight into HKG & we arrive around 1pm.

Very fast through C&I, head straight to the airport express ticket counter, dump the hand luggage - the luggage storage cost more than the train tickets:shock:

Get off at Kowloon - this would have to be the quietest station in HKG....not much to see & we catch a taxi to star ferry. Crystal Jade, La Mian Long Bao, Harbour City is our destination....love this place! Huge queue, grab a ticket & wait.....finally, it's our turn & we have a great lunch!

After lunch we walk around Harbour City & allow the kids their time in Toys R Us:shock:

Star Ferry over to Central & we hit the IFC......last time we were here the apple store was under construction.......

 

[mannej]

[Crosswind landing - wind shear] Japan Airlines Boeing 777-300ER (JA736J) at NRT (Tokyo - Narita) - YouTube

That is nothing!

B777-300 weird hard bouncy landing - YouTube

 

[amaroo]

Airport express back to the airport, sort out the incidentals and we present ourselves to the wing (temp) Flounge.....only problem, the new Jlounge is better - flight is leaving from gate 4

Happily dropped the bags in the Jlounge - what a beauty......I'm thinking the new wing Flounge (when it opens) will be spectacular:!: I'm calling it - QF SYD has seen it's last Flounge award.

CX161 HKG-SYD Classic award
Transit SYD.....QF19 & the arrival Flounge
QF19 SYD-BNE JASA

Bugger, old coffin style cabin....lucky it's a night flight. The only thing out of the ordinary about this flight was the Middle Eastern family that seemed to fill the J cabin.......there must have been 12+:shock:

Arrived Syd & we were sitting in the Flounge within minutes Who said there wasn't an arrival lounge in SYD:!:

This IS the best transfer money can buy.....no bags, no queues, no bus & no coughping J seats

My first TR has come to an end - thats all folks

 

[KitKat]

Sorry Noob question - how do you get a CX161 JASA? did not know you could get a JASA on CX?

PS enjoying your trip report - keep it up

 

[amaroo]

Sorry Noob question - how do you get a CX161 JASA? did not know you could get a JASA on CX?

PS enjoying your trip report - keep it up

Apologies.....one or too many glasses of red

It is of course------classic award. Will make the necessary adjustments.