- Kyoto is huge. Plan ahead on what are the top sites you want to visit. Top three in my list were Kiyomizu-dera, Kinkaku-ji & Fushimi Inari-Taisha.
- Expect a lot of walk. Even if you reach the gates of one of the attractions, the walk inside will be tiring but worth it.
- Take Kyoto Day Pass which includes transport and entry to some of the main shrines. For food, the restaurants near the river are best.
the world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page - saint augustine
Showing posts with label Abroad. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Abroad. Show all posts
Tuesday 27 June 2017
Kyoto
Labels:
Abroad,
Religious,
UNESCO World Heritage Site,
Walk
Google Maps:
Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan
Monday 26 June 2017
Universal Studios Japan (USJ)
First thing first. You cannot cover all at Universal Studios Japan (USJ) without a plan. So here is step by step guide to help you.
1. Reach USJ by 8.30AM. Based on inbound crowd, the entry time changes between 8AM and 9AM. Avoid weekends & holidays because they attract both tourists and locals. Best days are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Buy tickets in advance through www.usj.co.jp or in worse case counter. There are two tickets. One is the Studio Pass for entry, the other is Express Pass (optional but strongly recommended) for selective rides.
1. Reach USJ by 8.30AM. Based on inbound crowd, the entry time changes between 8AM and 9AM. Avoid weekends & holidays because they attract both tourists and locals. Best days are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Buy tickets in advance through www.usj.co.jp or in worse case counter. There are two tickets. One is the Studio Pass for entry, the other is Express Pass (optional but strongly recommended) for selective rides.
Universal Studios Japan Map |
Sunday 25 June 2017
Atomic Bomb Dome, Hiroshima
- If you have a JR Pass, traveling in Hiroshima is not a problem. The hop-on-hop-off is part of the pass.
- Most visited place is of course Atomic Bomb Dome but you can start walking from station and cover some other attractions in the same direction.
- The city of Hiroshima buzzes as if to defy the existence of bomb attack. Malls and high streets are a treat to visit and restaurants are abundant.
Atomic Bomb Dome, Hiroshima |
Labels:
Abroad,
UNESCO World Heritage Site,
Walk
Google Maps:
Atomic Bomb Dome, Hiroshima
Miyajima, Japan
- Plan Hiroshima & Miyajima together. The Japanese efficiency ensures you will easily cover most of the checklist before evening in both the places.
- The return ticket for Miyajima ferry is covered in JR Pass. The most enjoyable view is when you are in the middle of sea and can view both sides.
- Touch the Grand Torii. It is considered a good omen to visit the most religious relic in Japan.
The ferry transported us to another world. The matter-of-factly Japan somehow vanished across half the mile of sea as we entered Miyajima. In front of us was a green island with lofty mountains that invited you for a trek. The foothills were not bad either - the gigantic orange coloured Grand Torii Gate being the crown jewel. We were told this was one of the top three most scenic spots in entire Japan. I believe it now.
Grand Torii, Miyajima |
Labels:
Abroad,
Landscape,
Pristine,
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Google Maps:
Miyajima, Japan
Saturday 24 June 2017
Osaka Aquarium (Kaiyukan)
- Take a ferry to reach Kaiyukan. It is the fastest way and throws beautiful view of sea and the giant ferris wheel adjacent to the aquarium.
- While the entry and first stage (at top) is remarkable, it is nothing compared to the treasures down the Kaiyukan. Just hurry through the first mile.
- Apart from the gigantic tank that contains the shark tank, the one most enjoyable are the eagle rays near the exit that you are allowed to touch.
Osaka Aquarium was unplanned. We had kept a day for Osaka but we learned that the aquarium is only a ferry ride away. So we took it. To our surprise the aquarium was gigantic and contained seemingly infinite varieties of sea life. The tickets look a bit costly but once you are through, you will not regret an iota.
Friday 23 June 2017
Diabutsu, Kamakura
- Take direct train from Tokyo to Kamakura. Alight at Kita-Kamakura which is one station before the last and start walking. You will find shrines and treasures worth the walk.
- Yuigahama beach was a disappointment. Rather take a seat on one of the sea facing restaurants or bar and take a meal.
- Diabutsu is the highlight of this area. The Great Buddha in green surrounded by green is remarkable. Walking around is preferred although tiring.
It always makes sense to visit the nearest beach-town on a sunny weekend and that is what we planned during our stay at Tokyo. Yuigahama Beach is an hour away from Tokyo. There was a direct train from close to our hotel to Kamakura and a 15 min walk from Kamakura station to Yuigahama. On the way we got feedback from a friendly lady on how wonderful the walk is from Kita-Kamakura to Kamakura. It was a good idea. The series of temples and a garden dedicated to the hydrangeas were delightful.
Daibutsu, Kamakura |
Thursday 22 June 2017
Toshogu Shrine, Nikko
- Use JR Pass to reach Nikko for free. There is a Nikko Line which is faster but costs a lot. Take bus from the station to reach since the shrine is uphill. You can come back down walking.
- The first three gates are the highlight of Toshogu Shrine including the five-storied pagoda, the Yomeimon and the three monkey gate.
- A staircase takes you to all the way up where emperor's shrine is built. The chill air and dense forest around this place gives it a cool aura.
Toshogu Shrine, deep in the hinterlands of Japan, was a perfect beginning of our first trip abroad in seven years. A spiritual centre in a natural habitat and rich with cultural heritage to be listed among the UNESCO World Heritage sites, the shrine near Nikko is a landmark in northern Japan. We started early and thanks to our JR Pass, we reach Nikko without much fuss in no time. A bus would take us to Toshogu from the train station.
Toshugu Shrine, Nikko |
Labels:
Abroad,
Religious,
UNESCO World Heritage Site,
Walk
Google Maps:
Nikko, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan
Wednesday 21 June 2017
Disneyland, Tokyo
- Disneyland is costly and for kids. For the first timers there is some uniqueness that attracts but then thats it. The castle, souvenir shops and food are great.
- Our favourite ride was the splash mountain and Star Wars 3D. Both are new attractions and hence more in line with the new generation.
- Disneyland is built on several movie themes. We both love the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise and so we loved the theme park built on it right near the entrance of Disneyland.
Disneyland was a dream destination. Since our JR Pass was not getting activated till next day and this was a top attraction in Tokyo we went for it. It didn't go too well. Firstly Disneyland is for kids and secondly it rained. Although some of the rides like the roller coaster became more fun, the whole experience was a bummer.
Disneyland, Tokyo |
Tuesday 20 June 2017
Tokyo
- Tokyo is huge. Keep a metro map with you. Buy a Suica card to pay for the metro fare. Book a hotel closer to either Shinjuku or Tokyo station.
- The best of Tokyo can be covered in a single day. Top of the line for us were Senso-ji, Metropolitan Building, Shinjuku Gyoen and Shibuya Cross, each for a different reason.
- Disneyland is half hour by train and takes one full day. Be flexible for the day you choose factoring in the rain as it may be a dampener.
Tokyo is among the most sorted capital cities that you will find on this planet. You land at Haneda or Narita and you will start finding visual aids to help you in right direction. Displayed on floors, walls or electronic boards, you just need to have eyes and a mind to find these instructions and you can cover entire city. Google Maps is handy in a broader way. There are information centres at almost every busy node to help you out in case. We landed at Narita and took a Skyliner to Nippori. Another train to Kanda from Nippori and we were checking in at our hotel room within three hours of landing - which included immigration checks, baggage checks, collecting data sim & pocket wifi, getting our JR Pass and collecting our pre-booked Skyliner tickets from airport.
Tokyo from Metropolitan Building |
Wednesday 8 December 2010
Cannes
Trip: Paris > Nice > Monte Carlo > Antibes > Cannes > Paris
Cannes is a beauty. No wonder some of the most beautiful people gather in this beach-town to celebrate the human creativity every year. The city has everything that French Riviera stands for. A crowded marketplace, long shore, a church with a view and the Cannes Film Festival.
Cannes is a beauty. No wonder some of the most beautiful people gather in this beach-town to celebrate the human creativity every year. The city has everything that French Riviera stands for. A crowded marketplace, long shore, a church with a view and the Cannes Film Festival.
Beach @ Cannes |
Antibes
Trip: Paris > Nice > Monte Carlo > Antibes > Cannes
Antibes was a quiet and lazy beach town. We took an early train from Nice to Antibes as the day was long and we had to cover Cannes the same day. The train dropped us at the periphery of the town and we had to walk half a mile or so to stand in front of the beach.
Antibes was a quiet and lazy beach town. We took an early train from Nice to Antibes as the day was long and we had to cover Cannes the same day. The train dropped us at the periphery of the town and we had to walk half a mile or so to stand in front of the beach.
Railway Station, Antibes |
Tuesday 7 December 2010
Monte Carlo
Trip: Paris > Nice > Monte Carlo > Antibes > Cannes
We arrived Monte Carlo late in the evening. Descending from the train when we came out in the open taking a flight of steps we realized the dense constructions of this city. It reminded me of Minas Tirith. The roaring sea in front was adding to our amazement.
We arrived Monte Carlo late in the evening. Descending from the train when we came out in the open taking a flight of steps we realized the dense constructions of this city. It reminded me of Minas Tirith. The roaring sea in front was adding to our amazement.
Dock View, Monte Carlo |
Friday 3 December 2010
Nice
Trip: Paris > Nice > Monte Carlo > Antibes > Cannes
The dipping mercury level at Copenhagen was enough reason for me to plan my next trip down south of Europe. Hence I was standing on the massive coast of Nice in French Riviera on the first weekend of December. The beach town is small and walkable.
The dipping mercury level at Copenhagen was enough reason for me to plan my next trip down south of Europe. Hence I was standing on the massive coast of Nice in French Riviera on the first weekend of December. The beach town is small and walkable.
Morning on the beach, Nice |
Wednesday 24 November 2010
Naples
Trip: Copenhagen > Venice > Naples > Copenhagen
On a magical morning I was walking through narrow alleys that went up and up somewhere near the centre of the city of Naples. A fort like structure was visible now and then at the top of this city and all I wanted was to be there. Although it was foggy, I should have anticipated what I was going to witness after passing through the station of Pompei earlier that morning.
On a magical morning I was walking through narrow alleys that went up and up somewhere near the centre of the city of Naples. A fort like structure was visible now and then at the top of this city and all I wanted was to be there. Although it was foggy, I should have anticipated what I was going to witness after passing through the station of Pompei earlier that morning.
The ancient city of Pompei@Naples |
Google Maps:
Naples, Italy
Monday 22 November 2010
Venice
Trip: Copenhagen > Venice > Naples > Copenhagen
Happy couples walking hand-in-hand or laying comfortably on long boats (gondolas) would consider this island a heaven. Venice is not for loners. Even the fascination of sauntering through congested alleys and artful bridges does not compensate for the loneliness a bachelor feels in this ancient city of romance.
Happy couples walking hand-in-hand or laying comfortably on long boats (gondolas) would consider this island a heaven. Venice is not for loners. Even the fascination of sauntering through congested alleys and artful bridges does not compensate for the loneliness a bachelor feels in this ancient city of romance.
Waterbus system@Venice |
Labels:
Abroad,
Leisure,
UNESCO World Heritage Site,
Walk,
Work of Art
Google Maps:
Venice, Italy
Tuesday 9 November 2010
Vatican City
Trip: Zugspitze > Pisa > Rome > Vatican City
Next day we went straight for the Vatican the first thing in the morning. It is half an hour tram away from the central station of Rome. We were eager to see the smallest country that sat right in the middle of a bustling city.
Next day we went straight for the Vatican the first thing in the morning. It is half an hour tram away from the central station of Rome. We were eager to see the smallest country that sat right in the middle of a bustling city.
In front of Basilica, Vatican |
Monday 8 November 2010
Rome
Trip: Zugspitze > Pisa > Rome > Vatican City
The original idea was to cover the five points of the cross decribed in Angels & Demons. However at 3PM the three of us were only checking into a hotel room. It was walking distance from Station. We now had exactly 24 hours in Rome By 4 we had a definite plan which was bit different from the original one. Colosseum was the closest and hence we found ourselves walking towards the grand structure in no time.
The original idea was to cover the five points of the cross decribed in Angels & Demons. However at 3PM the three of us were only checking into a hotel room. It was walking distance from Station. We now had exactly 24 hours in Rome By 4 we had a definite plan which was bit different from the original one. Colosseum was the closest and hence we found ourselves walking towards the grand structure in no time.
The Colosseum@Rome |
Labels:
Abroad,
Archeology,
Fort,
Palace,
Religious,
UNESCO World Heritage Site,
Walk,
Wonder,
Work of Art
Google Maps:
Rome, Italy
Sunday 7 November 2010
Pisa
Trip: Zugspitze > Pisa > Rome > Vatican City
Its 8 AM. I am walking on a lonely street that leads to the Tower of Pisa. Something is wrong. There is a tall building few hundred metres from me that looks tilted. As I walk closer it looks as if the tilt is increasing.
Its 8 AM. I am walking on a lonely street that leads to the Tower of Pisa. Something is wrong. There is a tall building few hundred metres from me that looks tilted. As I walk closer it looks as if the tilt is increasing.
Leaning Tower of Pisa |
Labels:
Abroad,
UNESCO World Heritage Site,
Wonder,
Work of Art
Google Maps:
Pisa, Italy
Saturday 6 November 2010
Zugspitze
Trip: Zugspitze > Pisa > Rome > Vatican City
The highest point of Germany was just a stop in my journey to Rome. An early train from Munich to Garmisch-Partenkirchen and then a semi-expensive Zugspitzebahn (Cog Wheel + Ropeway: Round Trip = EUR 35; no discounts) brought me in 3 hours on top of this beautiful peak.
The highest point of Germany was just a stop in my journey to Rome. An early train from Munich to Garmisch-Partenkirchen and then a semi-expensive Zugspitzebahn (Cog Wheel + Ropeway: Round Trip = EUR 35; no discounts) brought me in 3 hours on top of this beautiful peak.
Zugspitzebahn@Zugspitze |
Monday 1 November 2010
Paris
Labels:
Abroad,
Party,
UNESCO World Heritage Site,
Walk,
Work of Art
Google Maps:
Paris, France
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