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The original was posted on /r/japantravel by /u/Kidlike101 on 2024-03-19 23:46:46.
Part 2
This is the second week of my Japan trip in Okinawa and Kansai. For week 1 spent in Tokyo please go HERE
As A reminder, I’m a solo traveler in my forties with a wonky right leg so stairs and inclines are a challenge for me.
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Day 8
In summery the hotel I was supposed to be staying at had closed its reception after 10 pm so I stayed at the Naha Tokyu REI instead. 10,200 yen for the night. I think the room was meant for two since it was a double but that’s all they had at the time.
Early morning, at around 7 am. I checked out and asked management to contact my hotel. The guy got very defensive on the phone saying they never got a late check-in request let alone responded to it, Also NO I can’t check-in right now, hours are 15:00 to 22:00, I can only check in then. Since I was scheduled for a day tour I left my backpack and coat in REI and decided to deal with the hotel afterwards.
I just want to note that leaving my coat behind was such a mistake. Temps averaged 17c but a VERY windy one, north wind at that so… yeah I was practically freezing. Too late to go back though as the tour started at 8 am.
I had booked the hip hop bus tour course A for $50. We started with an hour at the Nago Pineapple Park A bit cheesy but it was just one hour. Also the smell there is amazing, sweet pineapple plus fresh woodland. I admit though, that stupid pineapple song got stuck in my head and haunted my nightmares for a few days.
This was followed by a quick stop at Kouri Island where we could actually see the special sand on the beach. The sand in this island is star shaped, not containing starfish, the sand itself is shaped like stars. Something to do with the currents but I didn’t catch it. Just enjoyed the beach and salty sea air.
Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium was the main stop. We arrived just in time for the dolphin show which was awesome. When I went to see the sea turtles they were feeding them earlier than scheduled so I got to see them race to grab the dead sardines. Didn’t know they were omnivores but it was so cool seeing them swim at top speed like that. Tried the pineapple soft serve here and it was just so good.
After that we stopped at Okashigoten Onna Branch which is supposedly a famous souvenir shop. I think they’re the ones producing those taro tarts that is a famous Okinawan souvenir because one window overlooked a factory line for them. Unfortunately it was a busy day and the queue was too long so we were behind schedule and it took time away from the next stop.
Cape Manzamo totally looks like an elephant’s trunk. This turned out to be the highlight of the tour. The cape at sunset was just beautiful and the sounds of the waves crashing relaxing
The tour ended at around 7pm and we waved goodbye to our lovely and very diligent tour guide. Heading back to the Hotel Kohala where I was SUPPOSED TO BE STAYING I psyched myself up to Karen! Totally going to Karen on them!
… Yeah, they won. The English speaker was an elderly lady who was so apologetic about the whole thing and genuinely surprised about the late check-in request that I dropped it. There was some communication problem and my request clearly fell through the gaps. I expected to have to pay for both nights but they only charged me for one at the early booking rates (6000 yen) so I really can’t be too mad. Plus the Room was REALLY nice and even had a washing machine.
Before ending the day I stopped by El Patio which is the restaurant next door. Mostly because they advertised pizza but that turned out to be a mistake as the “small” arrived in a tea saucer… tiny and practically dough it was so soft. However I noticed the other dishes that passed me by looked good so I took a chance and order a salad as well. This made up for the pizza it was so good. I learned later that pasta and Spanish omelet was their specialty but I was too full for more and left energized.
Took a stroll down Kokusai-Dori but it felt too touristy. Also most of the items were the same I saw in the souvenir shops during the tour so just enjoyed the vibe before turning in for the night.
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Day 9 (Saturday)
Woke up early so checked out and was off to see Shuri Castle
Two things. One, castles are usually built on higher grounds for defense purposes. The whole thing was uphill and stairs, stairs, STAIRS!!! Not the place for someone with a wonky right hip and busted knee.
Thing the second, the castle is under long term renovations. I legit climbed a hill just to see a large board with a digital painting of a castle… The gardens were beautiful and I ate some soft serve to soften the blow. Only later did I realize that was my breakfast lol. If you can climb to the top however the view is amazing. You can see all the way to the shore line from up there.
On the way to the station I found a retro vending machine that sold real Ramune. It tasted like medicine… from the 80s… that expired 40 years back! There weren’t any trashcans around so I kept drinking it too, ugh.
Next stop was Makishi Public Market. It was fun and had some unique stores, I was looking for a specific restaurant in the area though for lunch but never found it. Decided to just go into this little place run by an elderly couple (at least in their 80s) and have one of the set meals for only 850 yen. My order number was 10 so I was memorizing it in Japanese “Juu, ten in Japanese is Juu. Wait for Juu to be called” when an elderly voice called “numb-ah Ten-eh. Ourda numbe-ah Ten-eh!”. I was so touched by the effort.
Belly full I had a look around the shops. Actually found a branch of 2FR in the area. I can totally see people wearing a shirt saying “no sexual service” in Shibuya but where else are you going to wear that? Visited a local mall then the Naha Museum before taking a stroll down the main shopping street in Naha, Kokusai Dori, to get to the hotel and collect my bags before heading to the airport.
Jetstar from Naha to Kansai international in Osaka $75. This time I was given a window seat and notice something odd as the plane got ready to take off. As I looked through the window all the railway staff stopped what they were doing and were bowing as the plane moved, they didn’t left their heads until takeoff!!! Flight itself was comfortable and uneventful.
Plane landed In terminal 2 and from there I boarded the Haruka aka the Hello Kitty themed train to Kyoto for an ultra-smooth and quiet ride. Temperature was 2c when I arrived.
Tip JR has a special offer for foreign visitors. If you purchase an open one way e-ticket on the Haruka it’ll cost 2200 yen for a reserved seat. Which is almost half price compared to buying it on site. E-tickets are valid for 3 months from purchase and you can redeem it any time in the JR counter. They also sell the ICOCA card at the same counter so got one since it’s valid for 10 years. Also it was a special event one with an astroboy + Sakura design on it so I just had to. Checked into my hotel just past 11:30 so called it a night.
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Day 10 (Sunday)
Hotel Onyado Nono Kyoto Shichijo Natural Hot Spring: $100 per night. This was easily the best hotel. Lovely décor that’s modeled after a classic ryokan, you have to take your shoes off as you walk in because the floor is tatami, they are part of the Dormy Inn chain so a ton of amenities including three onsens per gender. The room itself was spacious with a unique décor including a wooden panel instead of curtains that looks like a rice paper Japanese door.
Because this kind of window lets in the light I was up around 6am so decided to try the buffet breakfast. Take about fancy! So many little dishes which again are supposed to be styled after a classic ryokan meal. Since it was still early I did the laundry and relaxed in the message chairs they provide in the relaxation lobby.
First stop of the day was Kameoka to board the Sagano Romantic Train. I did the route in reverse starting at Torokko Kameoka Sta. and ending at the Torokko Arashiyama Sta. right next to the Bamboo groove. Ride was great and we saw a few people taking the raft down the river as well. I think it would be nicer once the trees are in bloom but it was fun and the view amazing.
Aside from the grove I did visit quite a few shrines and temples in the area. A notable one was Mikami Shrine because it’s dedicated to hair. Just hair, if you want long shiny hair or you’re a hair dresser this is where you ask for it. They even sell charms in the shape of little combs with a spell written on it, super cute!
While the grove was really crowded, it was the weekend after all, the garden area was huge and rather empty so I took a little walk there. Found a few Plum trees still in bloom, the garden path lead to the river where you can rent a rowing boat. From there the path lead to the Togetsukyo Bridge. However that area was full of delicious smells carried by the wind from the path up ahead. I decided it was close enough to lunch time and followed it t…
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