Japanese innovation - stationary pt 1

Japan has a lot of innovators. It never cease to amaze me what things they came up with. Some are useful and some are a waste of money. But here are some from a tv program called SmaSTATION.

Capsule hotels review - Kyoto and Osaka

Capsule hotel is a no no for people over 2 meters and for claustrophobic. The price is about quarter of a business hotel per person but you get what you pay, it is like a modern coffin with a flat small tv. I tried two capsule places, one is Capsule Ryokan Kyoto and Capsule Hotel Asahi Plaza Shinsaibashi in Osaka downtown. With these capsule hotels, you can choose any capsule that is empty.

Odaiba - Tokyo

¥ 800 Yurikamome (automatic monorail) is a REAL bargain and a great way to travel around the man-made island. You can spend a whole day in Odaiba as there is things to see like the Miraikan, Maritime Museum, Tokyo Mega Web, Tokyo big sight, some cool architectures from the monorail (don't have to get off), malls, to play (Joypolis), tennis court, to relax (Odaiba Onsen Monogatari) and the man-made beach (no swimming allowed)

Osaka city - Osaka prefecture - Kansai

Osaka - as they say, really is the kitchen of Japan, especially Dotonbori area, the downtown. If you are not a foodie, perhaps you can spend 2 tops in Osaka. One day in Universal Studio and one day in Dotonbori/Namba/Amerikamura/Shinsekai for photos and Okonomiyaki and Takoyaki. The Osaka Aquarium is expensive (¥2000), small and not really worth the visit (but they do have a whale shark which I don't think they have in Tokyo? but I am not sure)

Kansai people are perceived as the loud ones by Japanese people, their 'loud and rowdier' characters are magnified by giant animated or non-animated seafood creatures in front of restaurants along Dotonbori. As much as I love the public image of Kansai people and its cool Kansai dialect, I found Osaka downtown is livelier, messier and louder.

Just the place to be.

Kobe city- Hyogo Prefecture - Kansai

For me, Kobe can be visited for few hours only at night, for these reasons, from the station, as far as i can see, it is mainly shopping malls and night view if by far the best view for photos. Of course Kobe has small china town, western settlements, cute cafes, Meriken Park and a harbor, but for only 30 minutes local train ride from Osaka for only about ¥600 one way, i don't see other reason to spend half a day.

If you have extra money, just book a cruise in advance, for the perfect dinner and view of the harbor. 

Kyoto - Nijo-jo castle, Golden pavillion (Kinkaku-ji), Gion

For only ¥540 (2012), Kyoto station is only about 15 minutes bullet train ride from Shin-Osaka station. It is a tranquil a must see destination for first time and returning tourists.

Kyoto Imperial Palace- Kyoto Prefecture, Kansai

Kyoto deserves more than 1 or 2 days of visit. There are many paid and free shrines or temple that are listed as UNESCO World Heritage. And as I learn, there is a place named Uji, just 25 minutes by train from Kyoto, there is much more to know about Kyoto.

Kyoto is also a home of the older emperor's palace before it was moved to Edo (Tokyo)), and with a reservation, it's a free visit with English speaking tour guide (just visit the office on the day before the tour starts with your passport and fill in application). The palace has survived many fires so I don't remember how much of the buildings are original. There are several palace treasures that are kept inside a dark building which was not shown for the public, a shame.

Miyajima Island - Chugoku Prefecture

When in Hiroshima, make it a first priority to go to Miyajima Island, stay from sunrise to sunset is the best way to catch a beautiful photo of the torii gate of Itsukushima Shrine.

There are plenty of things to do on island itself:
See the Itsukushima shrine for only ¥500, you can see the treasure kept there
Walk under the torii gate or take a cruise boat or canoeing underneath it when the tide comes in
Pet the wild deers (not sure how hygienic it is)
Eat any cooking style of oysters till your heart fails
See or buy souvenirs
Take pictures of the view
Visit the Miyajima Public Aquarium
Rent a cycle and circle the island, or take the rickshaw
Stroll the Momijidani (Japanese maple tree) Park -which feels more like a not scary forest- that are even more beautiful during autumn
See waterfalls
Take a cable car ride to mountain
Hiking
Have a nap under the tree
and before you know it the day will be gone.The ferry ride is only 10 minutes from Miyajimaguchi station and it is a nice ride and covered by JR PASS (normal ticket is only under ¥200 one way, but still...

Hiroshima is one city that feels touristy, because of the more westerners presence and that an old train staff welcomes you in English! (compare to the young train staff I met in Yokohama or Tokyo station that do not speak English).

Hiroshima city- Chugoku Prefecture

A tranquil and quiet city, at least in the memorial peace park area. It has the A-Dome, a cenotaph, and a small children memorial park, and lots and lots of crane origami which is a symbol of good health and peace. It is located about 10 minutes tram ride from Hiroshima JR station (¥150 one way) and near the river banks. Hiroshima is known also for its oyster, Miyajima Island (Itsukushima shrine with its famous torri gate that is part of UNESCO World Heritage site), Iwakuni bridge (one of a picturesque view). All within 30 to 30 minutes ferry and bus drive from hiroshima city. 

Disney Sea - Chiba

I have been to Tokyo Disney World when I was 7 or 8, though hardly remember anything, I decided I will only go to one Disney place, and so Disney Sea it is. The ticket is quite expensive, around ¥6200. To be honest, there is nothing really special or shocking, it has obviously western feeling to it, but this is more for adult than kids, so if you are looking for cuteness and only have one Disney place to go, better go to Tokyo Disney World.
The station to Disney Resorts is not far from Tokyo Station. 

Enoshima Island - Kanagawa

Enoshima Island is a tourist attraction is located in Kanagawa prefecture, Shonan area. It is very near to  Yokohama. I never heard of it until my friend pointed to me a place to go. Sorry for not being able to clearly give the direction as I forgot, but you need to take a local train to I think Fujisawa and change to enoden Enoshima train that is not covered by JR Rail Pass. There are several places of attraction like an Aquarium, near the Island. On the island itself, there are cave, observatory tower, several temples or places to pray as well as restaurants. It is an interesting change from city environment as the streets inside the island are narrows, endless stairs and cats everywhere. Get an Enoshima pass and it will give you access to almost everything.

Let's go to some part of Enoshima..

Yokohama

If you are not really into malls, pier, seaside,china town, and western settlements, you can just spend half a day in Yokohama. It is only 30 minutes by train from Tokyo.The area near the Yokohama station is more modern and open than Tokyo station area. Good thing about Yokohama, is that you can walk from one attraction to the other, or you can take velo taxi ( I can't remember exactly how much, I think you can go by the short trip or longer trip, it was probably ¥1000 for the short trip of about 15 minutes). There is also a bus loop option which takes you around the downtown for ¥100 per trip

China town - biggest in Japan

Shop in china town

Shop in china town

One of the many china town gates

it says it is the number one meat bun - it was so so

Yamashita park - next to china town

In Yamashita park

Osanbashi Pier - International Passenger Terminal

Minato Mirai from Osanbashi Pier

Red brick house

Inside brick house

Mr Velo taxi - he can speak a bit of English

Oedo Onsen Monogatari in Odaiba

Odaiba island is a must visit. It is home to some of peculiar architecture.

There are many ways to go to Odaiba, by bicycle, car, walk, ferry, train but I recommend taking the automatic monorail (Yurikamome) from Shimbashi Station. Get the ¥800 Yurikamome pass for a day and you can travel around Odaiba (To see Tokyo Mega Web, Palette Town -Venus Fort, Fuji TV, Driver City - newest mall that opened April 2012, for Miraikan - The National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation where you can allegedly play football with a robot, and see planetarium, Tokyo's only man made beach - no swimming, Maritime museum, Tokyo big sight etc. To buy yurikamome ticket individually will make you cry blood. I did (but no blood involved), as I didn't know about the pass. 

The Yurikamome station is next to Shimbashi Station

Yurikamome - get to the first door as you can see more view!

View from yurikamome

I would recommend traveler to at least try one public onsen not far from Tokyo - Oedo Onsen Monogatari. It has Edo (1603 - 1868) theme and included in your entry fee (under ¥2000 and ¥500 cheaper after 6 PM) is a set of Yukata which pattern you are free to choose, a locker, toiletries, bath and access to the public onsen (indoor and outdoor), sauna and the foot bath. Sure it is much more expensive than the neighbourhood sento or public bath but it is designed for local and international tourist. 

Spend half a day soaking yourself and go around the small theme onsen is enough to make your tired body happy. For guys only, they even can stay in the next door capsule hotel. They also have onsen service for the dogs. They provide free shuttle bus which you have to book first. 

One thing to note, you have to strip down, and can only bring a small towel inside the bath. Everybody will be naked and nobody care, as Japanese are so used to it from young. No person with Tattoos allowed (Perhaps tattoos is closely associated to mafia. I read somewhere there is a public bath in Narita accepts tattoos. 

Oedo Onsen Monogatari gate

For the dog it is building next door

Shoes locker before you pay entrance fee

Entry to the bath

I would stay here on tatami mat forever - it was so comfortable - food for your feet

Women bath - they have several different pool and a nice garden outdoor  bath and 6 individual big wooden bucket with 40 degrees water temperature. It was heaven to take at night time when the outside temperature drops down

Locker - "the great wave of Kanagawa" touch is cool!

Yukata with a sleeve for your personal stuff

The 'Edo' City

Apparently scratch was there during Edo time 

A traditional Japanese dessert

Japanese traditional games

Corridor to other beauty service like Stone Spa etc

To the foot bath outdoor area

See the steam?

I have no idea what this for - about your feet, direction?

They have food stalls and small restaurant around the town

You don't have to pay now, everything you purchased will be scanned with this tag, which is also has your locker key and you pay when you check out

Any place is not complete without the soft ice cream 

A room to eat and chat - they also have separate room on second floor to rest in a massage chair and has tv

fancy a customised sticker with Japanese touch - they have it

For those who stay overnight or when the food closes

A temporary show by four men who called themselves ikemen (good looking man). They sang, dance and did a sword performance with a little bit of humour. 

Personally, i like Oedo Onsen Monogatari for its close proximity to Tokyo downtown and its wooden bucket bath, it is a luxury though you have to share with other people. The only downside is the food, they are nothing special.