Just Another Wanderer: Japanese

Showing posts with label Japanese. Show all posts

Sunday, February 8, 2015

Osaka, Japan (Day 7 & 8: Ichiran Ramen, Yakiniku Icho)

After some good drinks with great company last night, I woke up in the afternoon already. This was our last full day in Osaka but I just couldn't muster myself for a final day push. Instead, I decided to slow the pace today.

Ichiran Ramen in Umeda

For lunch, I had to try out some ramen before we left Japan. We decided to try Ichiran Ramen located in Umeda district. They have 3 branches in total around Osaka.

Pick your ramen preference

While waiting to be assigned a spot, you can already get your side orders (through a stub) from the vending machine. Likewise, there's a form containing your ramen preference.

Ichiran Ramen

When it was finally our turn, each one of us was assigned to one of these cubicles. Someone from the booth will get your order stub and form. Wait a few minutes and they will serve your order. You barely even interact with the restaurant staff at this place. It was my first time to experience something like this.

Ichiran Ramen

As for the ramen, it's probably one of my favorites in terms of taste and overall experience. You should also order their cold tofu which can be eaten before or after your ramen.

Ichiran Ramen

The rest of the afternoon was allocated for last minute shopping. We spent most of our time in the supermarket.

Yaikiniku Icho

For dinner, we wanted to make sure we ended our trip on a high note. We decided to have dinner at Yakiniku Icho located in Umeda.

Yakiniku Icho

Just look at the marbling...

Yakiniku Icho

Our last supper in Japan did not disappoint!

As the sun rises the next morning, I cannot believe that this trip is coming to an end. I guess it's just a matter of time when I return to this wonderful country.

Thank you Japan! ありがとうございます!

- Just Another Wanderer

Saturday, February 7, 2015

Osaka, Japan (Day 4: Nara, Kyoto, Cherry Blossoms)

Kasuga-taisha

We're almost halfway through our trip and there's still so much to see in Osaka. For today, we will be heading to nearby Nara and Kyoto. Travel time was around an hour or so before we reached our first destination.

Kasuga-taisha

Our first stop was Nara. As a whole, Nara's historical sites are considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Kasuga-taisha

The first temple we visited was the Kasuga-taisha shrine. From the moment you step foot on the grounds, you will be greeted by dozens of deer roaming around freely. You can actually feed them if you want. They sell goodies specific for deer feeding. Be careful though as some of them become aggressive if provoked.

Hello deer!

Deer food

From Kasuga-taisha, we walked along a pathway leading to Nara Park. There were more people here (and more deer). We were not able to spend time in the park grounds since we were time constrained on our tour.

headed to Nara Park

More deer at Nara Park

Lots of students visited the park as well

From Nara Park, we were welcomed by large gate heading towards Todaiji Temple. This was my favorite temple during our tour.

Todaiji Temple gate

Walking towards the temple was just splendid. Wait until you get near and you will be amazed with how massive this temple is. It's also built from wood and was burned twice. But here it is, beautifully restored. Amazing!

Todaiji Temple

When you enter the temple, locate the column that has a hole on it's foot. You will easily spot this column as visitors line-up to pass through the hole. It is said that if you're able to pass the small hole (which is larger than it looks), you will reach enlightenment. I was able to!

Pindola - the statue that helps ailments

Likewise, there's a wooden statue to your left when you exit that is said to heal any ailments. I had a bad ankle sprain two weeks prior to this trip so I tested my luck out. Not sure if it worked but the pain did not bother me for the most part of our trip.

Our special lunch at Nara

At this point, It was already early in the afternoon.

Kyoto

It was time to say goodbye to Nara... Next stop, Kyoto!

Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)

Our first and only stop in Kyoto was Kinkaku-ji (also known as the Golden Pavilion). By this time, most were too exhausted and wanted to return to Osaka. My enthusiastic touring vibe was to no avail - everyone wanted to head back. We were in a group of around 15 during this trip.

Temple at Kinkaku-ji

It was unfortunate that I wasn't able to see the other must-sees in my list such as Fushimi Inari Shrine, Kiyomizu-dera Temple and Nijo Castle. I guess, that just means another trip to Kyoto for me in the future!

Cherry blossoms at Japan Mint Osaka

When we returned to Osaka, we still had one last stop. One of the few places left with cherry blossoms still in full bloom was at Japan Mint Osaka. We were lucky to catch a glimpse of this wonderful flora during the time we visited.

Cherry blossoms at Japan Mint Osaka

We stayed there until sundown then we headed back to Umeda for dinner. Though we ate some Korean food, it was still very good. I don't even remember having a bad meal in Japan.

Speaking of food, head on to Osaka, Japan (Day 5: Kuromon Market, Den-Den Town, Shinsekai and more) to see where we ate for lunch and where we went afterwards.

- Just Another Wanderer

Tuesday, February 3, 2015

Hong Kong 2014 (Food, Sights & Sounds)

Every year, I make it a point to travel to Hong Kong. Even though there's always a sense of familiarity when I return, this place is ever changing. There's always something new to visit or some place that's always been there but I haven't been to. Last 2014, I tried to visit some of these places with the busy schedule we had.

Street in Hong Kong

Our first line of business was to attend two International Fairs that was held annually in Hong Kong. We pretty much spent the first two days (from morning until afternoon) at AsiaWorld-Expo and HK Convention & Exhibition Centre. I will stop from this point...Who wants to talk about these things right?!

Marco Polo Gateway

Now for the leisure part, we did an afternoon check-in at Marco Polo Gateway in Tsim Sha Tsui. For the countless times I have been to this city, this was my first time to stay in the Kowloon area. The hotel is situated right inside Harbour City - one of Hong Kong's largest malls.

(Tip: They also have a pillow menu where you can choose from 12 different pillows)

The Food

The mandatory xiolongbao

When in Hong Kong, you eat! Our first meal was a quick one comprised of xiolongbao. We also visited a restaurant called M&C Duck at Harbour City. As the name suggests, their menu is loaded with duck dishes like peking duck. The food was great! Portions were enough if you're in a small group.

M&C Duck

Even the food at the convention centre was appetizing.

Convention centre food

We also tried several Japanese restaurants like Inakaya at ICC and Hip Katsu at Harbour City.

Inakaya

Inakaya is more of an upscale Japanese restaurant which features teppanyaki tables if you're into those. Situated at the 101st floor, you get great views of the Hong Kong harbour. The latter is more of a mainstream katsu place situated inside the mall.

Hip Katsu

The highlight of our dining experience however was trying out the Michelin 3-Star restaurant L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon located at The Landmark (in Central). The place was not packed when we visited which was a good thing.

L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon

The highlight of the dinner was probably the scallops. It was cooked to perfection!

L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon

The Sites

We were supposed to visit the Sky 100 observation deck at ICC. However, the weather was too gloomy. The receptionist was kind enough to advise us not to go since all we will be seeing would be fog. Money saved!

Construction around the Austin Station overpass

From ICC, we walked towards the nearest MTR station. We ended up walking farther and reached the Austin Station. The stop looks fairly new and there was a lot of construction ongoing around the area.

(As I am writing this post and have gone back to Hong Kong just last week, the Blue MTR Line now extends to three more stops after Sheung Wan)

Hong Kong Museum of Art

We also visited the Hong Kong Museum of Art. There was no entrance fee on the day we visited! However, you still had to pay if you would like to visit the special exhibits.

Hong Kong Museum of Art

After, we walked further to reach the Avenue of Stars. This area is probably one of the most visited places for first-timers in Hong Kong. I finally saw the Bruce Lee statue! Yes, it's my first time to visit this place. The weather was getting gloomy...and it rained eventually.

Avenue of Stars

Junk boat along the Hong Kong harbour

Our last stop was Prince Edward. I was looking for a shop which I thought was situated in Mongkok. We ended up reaching the next MTR station. There's a happening in every street opening we pass by through the overpass.