It was in January 2005 when I visited four cities in Japan — Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, and Kobe. Japan is a country of contrasts — the old and the new breathing and living effortlessly beside each other.
I love Tokyo for its many modern surprises. And despite how busy the city is, one could still get good service anywhere. And of course, Disneyland stands charmingly in Tokyo.
I love Osaka for its charming streets and corner cafes and little boutiques. It reminded me so much of Cebu — small, busy, but absolutely interesting.
I love Kyoto for its old-world charm, with its historical temples and gardens well taken cared of. If and when I go back to Japan, I will certainly visit Kyoto again.
And then there’s Kobe. This city has an incredible spirit, its people built the city after a strong earthquake devastated everything they had some twelve years ago. Kobe is a shopper’s paradise. My friend Mary (who was taking her master’s degree in International Relations at the Kobe University) and I spent wonderful time there. Speaking of Mary, I miss her. She’s still there, finishing her PhD.
Five days in this city of lights and fashion and food and culture is not enough.
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Click thumbnails to enlarge photos.
How to get there: From the Philippines, there are three airlines that fly to Japan — Philippine Airlines, Japan Air, and Northwest.
Visa requirements: The Japanese Embassy is quite strict with visa requirements. Make sure you go to the embassy early and your requirements complete. Visit the Japanese Embassy website for more information.
Accomodations in Japan: There are so many hotels in Japan. You can make reservations online. They are usually quick to reply. To experience real Japanese atmosphere, try staying in a Ryokan, japanese style inns. You get to sleep in a futon and experience japanese-style baths. Sometimes, a yukata is provided during your stay to be worn inside the ryokan and also serves as your pajamas.
Minshuku is also a good option. It is bed and breakfast run by a family. You also get to experience japanese-style living.
If you are on a budget, you can stay in youth hostels. They usually cost only about 3,500 yen per night.
Transportation: The transport system in Japan is very efficient. They have cabs (but quite expensive), they have buses, ferries, car rentals, trains, and the famous Shinkansen.
Things to do: There are a lot of things to do in Japan. No, make that a million things to do! If you are in Tokyo, satisfy the child in you. Visit Tokyo Disneyland. Do visit temples, gardens, famous tourist places. You may want to join a tour group (like I did when I was in Tokyo. I met new friends from other countries). Travel agencies that organize these tours usually have english-speaking tour guides. They could even customize your tour schedule for you.
Experience hot baths, try their local cuisines, and shop! Never miss Akihabara for those electronic gadgets you’ve been lusting forever.
One more thing: Learn about their culture before stepping into their land. Respect their culture. Keep an open mind. Enjoy every moment. And as I always say, take lots of pictures! And oh, bring lots and lots of cash! Japan is forbiddingly expensive.
For more information about traveling to Japan, visit Japan Guide dot com.
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Photos by Aileen Siroy (except one, by CBB). All rights reserved.
Japan. January 2005.
