Japan Trip #10 - Chasing snow and onsen during zombie apocalypse

[rbjhan]

IKYU is one of my favourite sites, apart from hotels you can also book restaurants, SPAs, etc.
I booked a SPA for that afternoon
It was in Hotel Monterey, located between Karasuma Shijo and Karasuma Oike.
8000 Yen for 1 hour massage, plus use of hotel onsen beforehand, and use of lounge afterwards, and one drink.

Onsen picture from their website.
It's quite a good one by city hotel standards.


And I quite liked their lounge.
Sound system is built into the headrest, so you don't have to put on a headphone, but also you don't disturb other guests. Only in Japan!


And the view.

 

[rbjhan]

Maybe I should change the title to be chasing snow, onsen and good food??
Anyways, that evening I went to Sangencha, one of my all time favourite restaurants.
The other two times I visited, it was all full. That night I was the only guest downstairs at the counter, thank god there were some upstairs....

Sakizuke (Amuse bouche)
Kurumaebi, not sure what the white fish was...


Wan (Soup)
Kue fish & fried tofu


Tsukuri (Sashimi)
Tai, tako, akagai, maguro, ika & uni.


Unagi steam sushi...forgot what the proper name was.


Grilled fish, nodoguro.


Hassun

 

[rbjhan]

Another sushi


Main dish was Ise-ebi tempura


Takiawase
Puffer fish stew, with daikon.


Gohan (rice)


Mizumoto, seasonal dessert
It was not orange....some type of jelly. With real strawberry ha ha.


More dessert


And more!
This was Mizu Yokan.

 

[rbjhan]

That was a very good meal!
And one thing I liked about Sangencha is that the chef/owner and his assistants were all very cheerful, every time I visited. In such a difficult time it was more important to be positive I guess?

Together with Tempura Matsu and Niku Miyoshi (all in Kyoto), they are my top 3.

 

[AIRwin]

Mizumoto, seasonal dessert
It was not orange....some type of jelly.

Was it strawberry?

 

[k_sheep]

so much food ... I'm going to have to learn how to say "may I have the childrens menu please!" before I go in December!

 

[rbjhan]

Was it strawberry?

Ah yes, that was real strawberry.

 

[rbjhan]

so much food ... I'm going to have to learn how to say "may I have the childrens menu please!" before I go in December!

Where are you going in December?
I'm going again in Nov

 

[k_sheep]

Where are you going in December?
I'm going again in Nov

No idea yet. Got an award flight SYD-CTS on the 23rd december. No return trip or firm plans yet - well other than we have to be in EZE to go to Antarctica on the 17th Jan. So reading trip reports with GREAT interest!

 

[rbjhan]

No idea yet. Got an award flight SYD-CTS on the 23rd december. No return trip or firm plans yet - well other than we have to be in EZE to go to Antarctica on the 17th Jan. So reading trip reports with GREAT interest!

CTS is Sapporo right?
Depends on how you plan to get to EZE, you would have what, 2-3 weeks in between....
I would probably start from Sapporo and move all the way down south to Tokyo. Assuming that's where the connecting flight starts.
Lots of places to stop in between! Hakodate, Aomori, Morioka, Sendai, Nyuto onsen, Ginzan onsen, Zao onsen....

 

[rbjhan]

No idea yet. Got an award flight SYD-CTS on the 23rd december. No return trip or firm plans yet - well other than we have to be in EZE to go to Antarctica on the 17th Jan. So reading trip reports with GREAT interest!

Just some ideas...

北国の秋 - Autumn in Northern Japan

This was a trip taken a while back, 2 years ago to be exact :p But I've never done a TR for it so why not? Another slightly different Japan trip hopefully can give people some ideas to visit this wonderful country. It was before Qantas (re)started the MEL-NRT route (!) so I had to transfer via...

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

 

[rbjhan]

Okay, more food

Ryoriya Stephan Pantel
A French restaurant located slightly off centre near the Imperial Park.
Last year I came here recommended by St Regis Osaka. Loved it, so back again!

No menu, we'll see how much I remember

Cauliflower & prawns.


Foie Gras


Soup, with pancetta, rice and local vegies.


Fish, smoked cream, vegies from Ohara.


Venison two ways, butternut sauce.


Chocolate & passionfruit sorbet


Tea and petits fours

 

[rbjhan]

I was flying out from KIX to TPE. Could have just stayed another night in Kyoto of course. But I heard so much about Conrad Osaka...decided to give it a try.

Conrad Osaka is located on this little island called Nakanoshima, only 10 mins walk to Umeda.
Coming from Kyoto is very convenient though, take the limited express to Yodoyabashi from Keihan Sanjo station (7 mins walk from Cross Hotel Kyoto), then transfer once at Tenmabashi onto the Nakanoshima line, Watanabebashi station is directly connected to the hotel.
Okay I know that sounds difficult....trust me, much easier than you think!

Lobby is on the 40th floor. Guestrooms from 33-37.


Simply stunning

 

[rbjhan]

Booked a premium view room, upgraded to executive king on arrival.


Entrance








Impressive view!

 

[rbjhan]

Happy Hour at the lounge




Had a quick supper, then went shopping in Umeda

 

[rbjhan]

Can't believe my eyes!! Look at all the face masks


Only allowed to buy one though...


Kimono, only 550K yen!
Well if we go by today's rate that would be over A$8000

 

[rbjhan]

Went to a yakitori place after all that shopping, it's hard work you know...




According to Google I walked over 8km that day, should be able to handle some deep fried chicken....

 

[rbjhan]

Last day in Japan! //Weeps
At least I'm coming back in Nov....

Breakfast was at the main restaurant on 40F ( the lounge only opens at midday).


The night before I got back close to midnight and pool was sadly already closed.
Checked it out in the morning.


And there's even a jet-bath!
Well almost an onsen right?


Lounge was very nice.

 

[rbjhan]

Lunch at Rikyu inside JR Osaka Station.


Then took the JR Rapid to KIX.


Perfectly okay train, only cost 1210 Yen! Overheard somebody at reception suggesting taxi to station then take Limousine bus....seriously?!

 

[rbjhan]

One thing I LOVE about travelling in Japan is TA-Q-Bin.
Oh how I missed it when dragging my suitcase on the cobbles in Spain!

You know what, there's an even better one in Kyoto.
Same day delivery to KIX for only 2000 Yen!!
*with TA-Q-Bin, to airports I think you need two days in advance, also a surcharge of some sort, about 700...


Sent my case off from Kyoto, picked it up in KIX, that is the way to travel.