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Arashiyama's Path of Bamboo

Thanks to my GoPro for making this shot possible.

Arashiyama is a small town in Western Kyoto that has become a popular destination to locals and foreign visitors. The bamboo grove is one of the top sights one must see when in Kyoto. Standing in between the bamboo trees make us feel like we were transported to another world.

From Kyoto station, you may take the train heading to JR Arashiyama via the JR Sagano Line. Upon arrival there are nearby shops that have bicycles for rent. Or if you're too kuripot like us, you may walk towards the Path of Bamboo which is approximate 10-15 mins away from the station.


Before anything else, merienda muna.


We ordered matcha ice creams and took photos (na naman) with locals. It's kinda sad we didn't see mga legit na geishas. Pero sige, pwede na yan tutal naka kimono naman sila. Hehe.

 
Recommended mode of transportation around Arashiyama are bicycles (less than ¥2,000 per hour) or rickshaws.


I wasn't able to ask or check how much a roundtrip rickshaw ride cost but based from this picture parang it looks expensive. HAHAHA. Plus, nakakahiya naman if papahila kami dun sa driver. Baka mabigatan siya sa amin. LOL.

 
Besides, we prefer to walk. Healthy na we all lose weight pa. Hihihi.


Speaking of losing weight. Hi Faye, diet na tayo. Wala na tayo leeg sa photos natin. Lol.

We wanted to go to Kinkakuji to check out the Golden Pavilion but then we didn't have that much time. :( Most temples in Japan start to close 4:00PM onwards so we stayed in Arashiyama muna where we checked out local stores offering items that are made in Japan.



 
 
 
 
Here's a stupid selfie of us while hanging out at the Togetsukyo Bridge. Dear Jay, mag emote ka naman! Kailangan laging naka smile?! Haha.


After 15,000 steps (according to my iPhone's health app), we're back in Osaka and rewarded ourselves with a dinner buffet at a restaurant in Yodobashi Osaka.

Hyatt Regency Osaka

 
My friends waiting for the train that will bring us to Tokyo station where we'll ride the shinkansen going to Osaka. Travel Tip: If you're in Japan for a week or so then it's highly recommended that you get a JR Pass. Want one? Click here.

My girlfriend Faye extended her trip because she wanted to experience The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios. But before I talk about our trip to USJ, let me share with you photos of our room at Hyatt Regency Hotel in Osaka.
 
Standard room with 2 single beds.

Located on Osaka Bay, Hyatt Regency Osaka is in close proximity to popular attractions such as the Kaiyukan Aquarium and Universal Studios Japan.

Hyatt Regency standard rooms are spacious at 30sqm. It can probably accommodate 4 but I don't recommend doing so. Haha. I have a feeling they're strict when it comes to having extra people inside the room.

 
The bathroom was very clean and spacious too.

Wait, let me take a selfie. Shet, my tummy looks like I'm preggo. Busog lang po! Haha.


Our room had a nice view of the Nankogai Port. Super linis! Wala ako makitang dumi. Hehe.

I admit the room was a little bit far from all the happenings in Osaka. Hyatt Regency Osaka is for the business traveller since Intex Osaka exhibition hall, Asia Pacific Trade Center and the Osaka Prefecture Government building are adjacent to the hotel. But never mind that it's far, at least the hotel offered shuttle service to and from Kansai International Airport and JR Osaka Station.
Our First Shinkansen Ride

Our First Shinkansen Ride

Paolo blogged few weeks ago and shared how you can get a JR Pass in Manila. The JR Pass is available only to tourists visiting Japan. It is NOT available for purchase in Japan though so you need to order in advanced. This pass authorizes the holder to have unlimited train rides under the JR line so it's very recommended to those staying for a week or a month! ;)


There are exchange offices in different airports all over Japan.


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Once inside the JR office, you need to present your JR Pass Exchange Form and fill-up the other application form to claim your passbook. No need to line up for regular train tickets, just present the pass at the entrance/exit of the station.


How to use your Japan Rail Pass from JRPass.com on Vimeo.


For those who prefer not to get a JR Pass, you have the option to buy anytime but this will cost more.


JR Pass holders need to get/reserve their shinkansen seats through JR offices.


I love that Japan is slowly but surely opening up to the western culture. Believe it or not we didn't get lost this time around. Haha.


Inside the shinkansen on our way to Nagoya. It feels like we're inside an airbus plane but this one's more spacious. ;)


Don't lose your tickets! Guards check them once the train leaves the station. Nakakatuwa rin coz everytime lalabas at papasok yung mga guards lagi sila nag b-bow. ;)


Btw, the JR Pass is not valid for all trains like the Nozomi and Mizuho lines. This selfie was taken inside an N700 shinkansen that has a max speed of 270km/h.

Riding the shinkansen almost feels like you're inside the plane. If you ever do get hungry, they sell food onboard or you have an option to bring food from kiosks at the station. ;) So glad I was able to tick another item off my bucketlist because a trip to Japan will never be complete without riding the shinkansen. :)

Universal Studios Japan


Need a reason to visit Japan during Halloween season?

Have you seen the video above? Sadly we were in Osaka during that time but the locals there did not disappoint! We spent our halloween at Universal Studios, it was a bit crowded plus the express pass was already sold out when we arrived around 10:00AM meaning we weren't able to try all rides. But despite that tiny hiccup we really had tons of fun! ;)


People dressed up despite the gloomy weather. Noticed that very mabenta ang Harry Potter costumes.


My boyfriend didn't want to dress up but that's ok coz we still look like a cute couple hanging out at Sesame Street. Hihi.


We kept ourselves busy by watching other people play..


.. checked out costumes. I'm kinda lost. Ano yung outfit nila? Hehe.


Watched street parades.


Lined up wherever there's a few people. In our case, Waterworld.


We take a break once in a while to grab snacks and do people watching. For this costume, not exactly sure if peg nila si Superman or Batman. LOL.


Wonderland is for the kids and the kids at heart.


We also lined up for Jaws. Cameras weren't allowed but I found a video of the ride online. My only issue here is that everything's in Japanese. Kakaloka lang na in Japanese. Haha.


Welcome to Hogsmeade! :) Travel Tip: During peak season, they give a timed entry ticket to control the number of people inside The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. So make sure you get one once inside the USJ.


I am not the biggest Harry Potter fan but the Hogwarts castle is just pure AMAZEBALLS.


The frames/LCD TVs were moving as expected. It was quite challenging to take photos inside the castle because lighting was a bit more dimmed than usual.


We also spotted the younger version of Harry, Ron and Hermione.


Wiseacre’s Wizarding Equipment is packed with panic buyers. Since I ain't the biggest fan, I opted not to buy anything. Yes, pati Butterbeer hindi ko tinikman. LOL.

 
Halloween Horror Nights starts 6:00PM onwards so while waiting, people spotting na muna ulit kami. Haha.


It started raining before 6:00PM so instead of running all over USJ, the zombies are stuck so as not to destroy their makeup. Noticed that some Japs were overreacting, di naman kasi nakakatakot. I did not see Sadako. :(


We didn't stayed that long but thanks for a fun Halloween experience USJ! ;) We rewarded ourselves with a sushi dinner at a kaiten resto in Universal City just outside USJ.

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