すみません、日本へようこそ
Sumimasen, Welcome to Japan
Finally, I returned to travel to Japan at the beginning of January 2025. The first time I went to Osaka was in 2017 and the last time I went to Japan was to Fukuoka in 2020.
I conducted extensive research, including surveys on JR tickets, bus tickets, and nearby hotels, before finalizing my Japan itinerary. A key decision was purchasing a JR Pass, which covers the areas I plan to visit, such as Kansai to Kanazawa and Shirakawago. Based on my research, the JR Pass offers significant cost savings, especially for travelers visiting multiple destinations.
As I wasn't renting a car, trains and buses were my primary modes of transportation. I purchased a JR Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass through Klook for RM570.00. While the initial cost seems high, this pass offers unlimited travel within the designated areas for 5 days, including both trains and buses. Based on my research, purchasing individual tickets for the same travel would have been significantly more expensive.
Before my trip, I carefully researched the train and bus routes covered by the JR Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass. While this required some planning, it simplified my travel experience. I booked the pass through Klook, and they mailed me an exchange order. Upon arrival in Japan, I exchanged this order for the actual JR Pass at a designated JR office.
Remember to exchange your Klook order for the actual JR Pass at the JR Office on the 1st floor of Kansai Airport. The exchange process is quick and easy. I departed from KL at 2:30 AM and arrived at Kansai Airport around 10:00 AM (my flight was delayed due to an issue at the airport). This unexpected delay slightly impacted my travel schedule. The flight itself was 12 hours long, and considering immigration and baggage claim, it took approximately an hour longer than anticipated.
Due to the flight delay, I anticipated arriving in Kanazawa around 8:00-9:00 PM. My travel plan involved taking the Haruka Express from Kansai Airport to Osaka Station (Gate B - Platforms 1 or 2). From Osaka, I would board the Thunderbird Limited Express (2 stops) on Platform 11, changing trains at Tsuruga Station (6 stops) before reaching Kanazawa Station.
I arrived at Kanazawa Station around 9:00 PM, delighted to find snow falling softly. I checked into the Smile Hotel Kanazawanishiguchiekimae, conveniently located just 5 minutes from the station. Experiencing snowfall for the first time was truly magical, even though I missed out on some of my initial itinerary for the day.
Kanazawa StationAfter
checking in, I ventured out to find a late-night coffee. Conveniently,
both Lawson and 7-Eleven stores are open 24 hours near Kanazawa
Station.
The second day in Kanazawa, after I had breakfast at the hotel, I went out and got heavy snowfall this time as well. Today I plan to walk around the Kanazawa area and look for beautiful spots to shoot pictures. Nikon D90, action 5 pro and the usual iPhone 13 pro max to be a photo shoot companion. You can see the pictures I shot.
Among the interesting places you can visit in Kanazawa;
Kenrokuen Garden
Higashi Chaya District
Kanazawa Castle Park
Omicho Market
Important Note: To ensure a spot on the bus to Shirakawago from Kanazawa Station, I highly recommend booking your tickets at least a month in advance. Once you have your booking number, head to the designated counter at the station to obtain a printed copy of your ticket. You can then proceed to Platform 4, No. 1, to board the Nohi Bus. I booked my tickets in advance: 8:00 AM from Kanazawa to Shirakawago and 12:30 PM from Shirakawago to Takayama. This allowed me to explore Shirakawago at a relaxed pace.
I highly recommend arriving at the bus stop at least 10 minutes early. As an early bird, I usually arrive 30 minutes in advance, as punctuality is highly valued in Japan. To book your bus tickets to Shirakawago, call Nohi Bus at +81(0) 577 32 1688. They can assist you in English.
Among the interesting places you can visit in Takayama ;
Hida Folk Village
Takayama Morning Market
Takayama Old Town
Keep in mind that during winter, some businesses may have adjusted hours or be closed temporarily due to the season. For example, many shops typically close around 6 PM as it gets dark early.
Restaurants often have shorter operating hours as well. I noticed that many restaurants in Takayama have a lunch break, closing in the afternoon and reopening for dinner. Finding halal food options might require a bit more planning. While some restaurants may offer halal dishes, it's not always the norm. I recommend downloading the Halal Japan app to locate certified halal restaurants in the area.
Takayama is truly enchanting, especially during the winter. Many shops in the area have a unique charm, and the winter scenery is breathtaking. The village itself is incredibly picturesque, offering countless photo opportunities. I captured some stunning images during my visit.
Among the interesting places you can visit in Toyama ;
Toyama Kurobe Alpine Route
Toyama Castle
Toyama Glass Art Museum
The journey from Toyama Station to Kyoto Station takes about 1 hour and 6 minutes via the Hokuriku Shinkansen (Platform 14). You can choose an unreserved seat. Alternatively, you can take the Thunderbird 28 Limited Express from Toyama Station to Tsuruga Station, then transfer to another Limited Express train to Kyoto. This journey takes approximately 55 minutes non-stop.
Upon arriving in Kyoto, I checked into K'house Backpackers Kyoto (where I had stayed previously) and deposited my luggage. I then headed to Kyoto Station for lunch. I enjoyed a delicious meal of tempura, miso soup, and vegetarian rice. After lunch, I embarked on a photo and video hunting mission around the city.
Among the interesting places you can visit in Kyoto ;
Arashiyama Bamboo Groove
Kinkaku-Ji Temple
Fushimi Inari-Taisha Temple
Ryoan-ji Temple
After exploring Kyoto, I ventured to Gion, where I enjoyed a delicious bowl of ramen for lunch. The ramen was perfectly cooked - soft and flavorful. Gion, much like the rest of Kyoto, exudes a strong traditional charm. I was particularly struck by the number of women wearing kimonos, a sight I encountered less frequently in Osaka.
As a passionate coffee lover, seeking out good coffee is a must for me wherever I travel. Whether it's an Americano or a strong black coffee, I always make time to savor a local brew.
From Kyoto, I traveled to Namba on the JR Haruka Express, which took 47 minutes. The fare was 820 yen (approximately RM23.00). Since my JR Takayama Pass had expired, I had to pay for this leg of the journey out of pocket.
The next day, I spent the day exploring the Osaka and Namba areas, capturing numerous photos and videos. The area is a shopper's paradise, with a wide variety of stores offering clothing, hats, bags, and an abundance of drugstores.
Before concluding this blog post, I wanted to share some of the delicious meals I enjoyed during my trip to Japan;
Takayama - suzuya (chiken & meat grill)
Toyama - ihara CIC mall (ramen)
Kyoto (station - porta dining ) - tempura muslim friendly)
Kyoto - Ayam ya (chiken rice)
Gion - Halal ramen Honolu
Osaka - Dotonburi - (Pho Me halal restaurant)
Thank you for reading about my recent trip to Japan! This is just a glimpse into my adventures. Please like, subscribe and share my video on youtube ;
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/TxwSSlxZAgU
Stay tuned for my next travel story... 😉
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