Kyoto Accommodation: M's Hotel Sanjo Omiya

M's Hotel Sanjo Omiya is three storeys high and the upper floors can be accessed by stairs or by elevator. Entry to the hotel and the room is keyless. Self check-in was easy.

The 17-square-meter twin room had, of course, twin beds. There was a power outlet between the beds. Across the beds there was a desk, chairs, TV, refrigerator, kettle, mugs, and free tea.

The ensuite toilet and bath (shower and tub) was a bit small which, for Japan, is not surprising. Shampoo, soap, toothbrush, towels, and slippers were provided.

The lobby had a small "amenities bar" (razor, cotton buds, cotton, hair brush) available for free for guests. It also had a microwave. The hotel also has a washing machine and dryer.

The hotel is in a quiet area. Just around the corner are restaurants, a convenience store, and a supermarket. Although Kyoto Station is more than 3 km away, there is a bus stop nearby, and there are four stations about 10 minutes (or less) on foot:

• 400meters from Nijojo-mae Station
• 600 meters from Omiya Station—Omiya Station has a direct train to Osaka (Hankyu Line)
• 600 meters from Shijo-Omiya Station—direct train to Arashiyama
• 1 km from Nijo Station

My sister booked M's Hotel Sanjo Omiya in Kyoto. If I were to choose, I would not have booked this hotel. Not because it's a dump (it was very clean!), but two reasons: one, I am cheap and this was way over my budget (for four nights, we spent 51689 JPY for a twin room, plus 200 JPY/night/person for the tax); and two, although the hotel is near four stations, none of these stations had direct trains going to the airport (I would have preferred to stay near Kyoto Station since this was our last stop of the trip). 

But if money is not an issue, M's Hotel Sanjo Omiya is actually a pretty good choice.

Temples and Cherry Blossoms in Mount Yoshino (Nara)

Although we were a week late for the peak cherry blossoms, my father and I hopped on the train in Osaka-Abenobashi Station to go to Yoshino Station (90 minutes, 1170 JPY per way) in the hopes of seeing some cherry blossom trees in Mount Yoshino. Mount Yoshino is a popular place in Nara for cherry blossom viewing, because it is said to be covered in about 30,000 cherry blossom trees!

Yoshino Station is on the foot of Mount Yoshino. To get to Yoshino Town up on the mountain, one has to take a cable car (or another option during cherry blossom season, a shuttle bus).

From Yoshino Station, it is a short walk to Senbonguchi Ropeway Station (for the cable car) and the shuttle bus stop. This 1-minute walk will become a 15-minute walk with stops at the Tourist Information Center and the four to five shops selling food and souvenirs.

Seeing a shop selling kakinoha-zushi (sushi wrapped in persimmon leaf), which I had learned about when I joined a walking tour in Naramachi in 2016 but had not had the chance to try, I bought a small box for a quick breakfast. My father and I had our quick kakinoha-zushi breakfast (and no, the leaf is not for eating, it is only used to preserve the sushi) on one of the low wooden benches in front of the shop. I had to gulp down water to wash away the fishy-vinegary taste of the kakinoha-zushi, one of the few Japanese food that did not agree with my tastebuds.

kakinoha-zushi

To get to the Yoshino Town, I opted for the shuttle bus (450 yen), since this would take us farther up the mountain than the ropeway, thinking it would be easier on our knees to walk back down. What none of my research told me was that the final stop of the shuttle bus would welcome us with stairs! Though there were not that many steps, it was way too many steps for my 70-year-old father who hasn't exercised in a long time. My father, trooper that he is, huffed and puffed up the stairs so we could get to the road that led to shrines, temples, souvenir shops, and restaurants.

During the cherry blossom season, there are also mini buses that would take visitors from Nakasenbon to Kamisenbon, farther up the mountain. I wanted to go to Kamisenbon, but with the long queue, it looked like everyone else wanted to go, too. This and the thought of letting my father walk a lot made me change my mind. So it was just Nakasenbon for now.

We had a look-see in Sakuramotobo Temple, which had some cherry blossom trees.

We also came across a parking lot that had a nice view of a mountainside with cherry blossom trees.

This mountain town is also home to three World Heritage Sites: Mikumari Shrine, Yoshimizu Shrine, and Kinpusenji Temple. But I only managed to visit the latter two.

Yoshimizu Shrine 吉水神社 (open daily from 9AM to 5PM, 600 yen admission fee) was founded in the 8th century and was originally a temple. If you're into Japanese history, this shrine would be of interest for, over the years, it hosted some important Japanese historical figures, such as Emperor Go Daigo and Toyotomi Hideyoshi. In Yoshimizu Shrine's Shoin (library-like building), there are exhibits relating to these important persons. As a bonus, Yoshimizu Shrine also has an area that offers an unobstructed view of the mountain's cherry blossom covered slopes.

Entrance to Yoshimizu Shrine

Yoshimizu Shrine's Shoin

Exhibits inside Yoshimizu Shrine's Shoin

View from Yoshimizu Shrine

Kinpusenji Temple 金峯山寺 (open daily from 830AM to 4PM, 800 yen admission fee for Zao-do Hall) is the most important Shugendo temple in Yoshino. Shugendo is a religion based on a combination of Buddhist and Shinto beliefs. Kinpusenji's 34-meter tall Zao-do Hall is the second largest wooden structure in Japan (the largest is Todaiji Temple, also in Nara).

Zao-do Hall of Kinpusenji Temple

In between shrine/temple visits, we ate whatever caught our eye: kuzumochi, sakura ice cream, roasted chestnuts, and gohei mochi.

Kuzumochi

I would have wanted to explore more, but my father was tired, and we called it a day after just three hours. This time, to return to Yoshino Station, instead of taking the shuttle bus, we got on the cable car (450 yen, departs every 15 minutes).

Yoshino deserves more than just three hours and I hope to return some day.

This article is now available as a mobile app. Go to GPSmyCity to download the app for GPS-assisted travel directions to the attractions featured in this article.

Osaka Accommodation: Hotel 3 O'Clock Tennoji

Because I prefer staying near a station where there is a direct train to the airport, I booked a room for my father and me at Hotel 3 O'Clock Tennoji.

Location. Hotel 3 O'Clock Tennoji is just 250 meters from JR Tennoji Station Parkside Gate exit. There are convenience stores, restaurants, and malls nearby. Tennoji Zoo is just across the hotel, and Shinsekai is just a 13-minute (900 meters) walk away. Tennojiekimae Station, where you can take the old-fashioned tram to Sumiyoshi Taisha, is only 450 meters from the hotel.

Room. We stayed in a double room. The room was very clean. It had a double bed, TV, refrigerator, kettle, table, chairs, and hangers. There were outlets on each side of the bed. WiFi is also available.

Toilet and Bath. The room had a surprisingly good-sized ensuite toilet, sink, bath tub, and shower. Towels, shampoo, conditioner, and bath gel were provided. What I like about Japanese T&Bs is that the toilet is separate from the bath. This is especially convenient for rooms that accommodate two or more people.

Amenities. The hotel is four storeys, and the upper floors can be accessed by elevator or stairs. Entry to the hotel and rooms are via keycard. A washing machine and dryer are available for a fee. There is also a small cafe at the ground floor.

Service. Although the owners couldn't speak English, they used Google translate to communicate. The service was superb. I was surprised that they had a welcome drink, provided bottled water daily, and changed the towels daily. Hair ties, comb, razor, sponge, cotton, etc were also available for free at the lobby.

I would definitely stay here again!

Kansai Airport to Osaka City (Tennoji, Osaka, or Shin-Osaka Station)

There are two railway companies that serve Kansai Airport: Nankai and Japan Railways (JR). On my 2016 trip, I took the Nankai Airport Express to Osaka City's Shin-Imamiya Station. But on my recent trip, since I was staying near Tennoji Station, I took the JR Kansai Airport Express "Haruka" train.

But before doing so, I queued up at the JR West Ticket Office. Although I already had an ICOCA (IC card) and could just add money to it at the machine, tap in at the station gate, and be on my way, it was still worth my time to queue and buy a JR Kansai Airport Express Haruka ticket at the Ticket Office. Why? JR West had a ticket deal wherein if you have an ICOCA, you only pay 1200 JPY for a reserved seat ticket to Tennoji Station instead of 2170 JPY (a non-reserved seat ticket would cost 1840 JPY). The journey takes 33 minutes. Other than Tennoji Station, the Haruka also stops at Osaka Station, and Shin-Osaka Station (the discounted Haruka ticket price is 1600 JPY for either of these two destinations).

My ICOCA (left) which I have had since 2016,

and my father's ICOCA (right) which we bought on this trip.

If you don't have an ICOCA, you can still buy the ICOCA + Haruka ticket at the JR West Ticket Office. The ICOCA would cost 2000 JPY, which already includes 1500 JPY worth of credits. The ICOCA can be used for public transportation (trains, subways, buses, trams), lockers, vending machines, and convenience stores.

Although the website states that you could buy discounted Haruka tickets at other stations, I found it was not so. On our last day in Japan, we were going to buy our discounted Haruka ticket (Kyoto to Kansai Airport Station) at Kyoto Station, but the station staff said it was only for sale at Kansai Airport Station. It was such a bummer to pay 2730 JPY when I knew I could have paid only 1800 JPY had I known it was only for sale at Kansai Airport Station. Argh. So, if you have reached this far, I have one valuable tip for you: make sure to also buy your return ticket at Kansai Airport Station!

Japanese Snacks

My friend, Hiromi, whom I had met through a language app in 2018, and met in person when I visited Gunma in 2019, and who visited me in Cebu is 2020, sent me a box of Japanese snacks.

The parcel arrived in the Philippines three days after Hiromi dropped it off at their post office, but it took more than a month from arriving in my country to get to me! Hiromi was worried that some of it might have expired!

What I did not expect was for the parcel to be so big—she had sent about 40 kinds of snacks! So many! What should I eat first? Easy. By expiration date! There were three that were already past their expiration date (April), but we (my family and I) still ate them.

Mochi Taro 餅太郎

This one is somewhat like rice crackers with a light taste and has bits of peanuts.

★★★★

Cut Yotchan (White) カットよっちゃん (しろ)

This is a squid snack flavored with vinegar. It was very sour!

★★

Apparently, it is a popular dagashi (small and cheap Japanese snacks ranging from 10 yen to 100 yen).

Which reminds me—another friend, Yumiko, brought me to visit a dagashiya (shop selling dagashi) in Kawagoe in 2019.

Ama Ika Taro 甘いか太郎

This is sweet and salty squid in kimchi flavor.

★★★

Fried Potato フライドポテト

Lightly salty French fries-shaped snack.

★

駄菓子屋さんのカレー

This is a curry flavored snack. I like Japanese curry! I could not stop eating this.

★★★★

Komusubi Arare 小結あられ

Arare are rice snacks/crackers that go well with drinks (or so the Japanese say).

This snack is slightly salty.

Hiromi says this one is a hineri-age or twisted fried snack.

With or without drinks, it disappeared in our tummies in a flash.

★★★★★

Happy Turn ハッピーターン

Happy Turn are crunchy rice crackers coated with sweet buttery powder. This variety has 150% more powder! My first taste of this snack was maybe three years ago, when my Japanese coworker gave us a pack of Happy Turn original flavor (100% powder). It was so good that I hunted it down it when I visited Japan in autumn of 2019. So happy that Hiromi sent me a pack of Happy Turn. I miss this rice cracker!

★★★★★

Ika Mirin いかみりん

Ika Mirin are crunchy squid crackers seasoned with mirin so it is slightly sweet.

Really addicting! I could not stop eating this!

★★★★★

Cabbage Taro キャベツ太郎

An okonomiyaki flavored puffed corn snack.

The flavor, which was okonimayaki, wasn't anything special or memorable.

★

Sakura Daikon さくら大根

This is radish (daikon) fermented in plum, resulting in its pink color (I am guessing that's where the "sakura" comes in). This is quite sour (as one would expect from a pickles) but crunchy. Pretty good if you like pickled veggies.

★★★

Sumomo (Plum) すもも

These pickled plums looked so cute. The taste reminded me of Chinese pickles

we used to eat when we were young.

★★★

Edo Dagashi Fugashi 江戸駄菓子ふ菓子

The texture reminded me of Moby (a Filipino snack). The taste was very very very sweet! 

★

Mugen Ebi 無限エビ

Shrimp flavored rice crackers. It tastes light and not too salty.

★★★★

Cheese Arare チーズあられ

Did not taste like cheese to me. Thus, the one star.

★

Kameda no Kaki no Tane Noko Ume Zarame 亀田の柿の種 濃厚梅ざらめ

Plum flavored rice crackers with peanuts. This is sweet and salty.

This is the first time I have tried the plum variety.

(I often buy the original flavor since it is available in my local supermarket.)

★★★

Koikeya Pride Potato (Setouchi Lemon) 湖池屋プライドポテト (凛凛レモン)

Potato chips flavored with vinegar and lemon. It actually tasted like a milder Lays Salt and Vinegar.

★★★

Sudako-san Taro 酢だこさん太郎

Made with fish paste and squid and flavored with vinegar. Quite sour. Obviously.

★★★

Kabayaki-san Taro 蒲焼さん太郎

Made with fish and squid, and flavored like kabayaki (how they grill eel). It has a slight spice. Really good!

★★★★★

Kappa Ebisen かっぱえびせん

This is like a lighter/less saltier version of our local junkfood, Oishi Prawn Crackers.

★★★

Potato Fry (Fried Chicken Flavor) ポテトフライ フライドチキン味

Fried chicken flavored potato chips. Tasty.

★★★

Mocchan Dango もっちゃんだんご

Soft and chewy mochi (rice cake) in three colors and lightly coated in sugar. Each color is a different flavor. I liked the pink and green ones. But I could do without the sugar.

★★★

Cratz Pepper Bacon Flavor

Pepper bacon flavored pretzels with almonds. As you can see on its packaging, it is meant to be paired with beer. But even without beer, it's really good. And addicting! This is a Glico product. One can never go wrong with Glico products. Yum!

★★★★★

Mini Lumonde (Caramel) ミニルマンド

Crepe cookies coated in caramel cream. I love the crunch and the taste, but I prefer the cocoa cream flavor. (Whenever I visit Japan, I would be sure to buy a pack of the cocoa cream flavor.)

★★★★

Pie no Mi パイの実

These are mini dark chocolate pies. Mini as in 1-inch diameter crunchy, crumbly, flaky dark chocolate pies. I was expecting it to be bigger, like 3 inches in diameter. But once I tried it, I could say it was a good decision that they had it in a small, pop-in-your-mouth size, because I think it would be messy to have it in big sizes as these are crumbly, flaky pies. I prefer milk chocolate that dark chocolate, thus the three stars.

★★★

Mala Peanuts 麻ピー

These are peanuts cooked in mala oil. It has bits of peppercorn and chilli too. And as the design packaging shows, it is indeed very spicy! One star because it is too spicy for me!

★

Konjac Jellyこんにゃくゼリー

These are jellies in stick form. The green one is green apple flavor, and the pink one is strawberry.

This brought back memories of my elementary years when we'd eat Jelly Ace.

This one is less messy to eat as it did not have too much juice compared to Jelly Ace.

And it was more firm too.

★★★★

Amijaga (Sour Cream and Onion) あみじゃが (サワークリーム＆オニオン味)

Sour cream and onion flavored potato snack. These are thick and cruchy. Very addicting! I consumed one bag in one sitting! Yikes!

★★★★★

Candy Box キャンディーボックス

These are small mochi candies. Each color is a different fruit flavor. These are not too sweet.

★★★

Takenoko no Sato たけのこの里

Crumbly cookie cone covered in chocolate and shaped like bamboo shoots (takenoko).

I like Japanese chocolates because they are not too sweet, but I am not fan of the cookie part of this though. I prefer its mushroom counterpart—Kinoko no yama きのこの山 (mountain mushroom).

★★★

Sapporo Potato BBQ サッポロポテト バーベQあじ

Chicken and beef barbecue flavored potato snack. Very junk-foody, if there's such a word!

★★★

Jari mameじゃり豆

Made with pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, and almonds, covered in batter and baked. No oil!

Love this light, crunchy snack.

★★★★★

Fue Ramune Budou コリス フエラムネぶどう

Grape (budou) flavored whistle candy. When you blow through the hole in the candy it makes a whistling sound. The candy easily crumbles so you can probably just do the whistling once. Haha.

★★★

Watagashi わたがし

White cotton candy. Tastes like what cotton candy should taste like.

★★★

Mini Assortment ミニアソート

This set includes small boxes of candy. From left to right: yogurt candy, fruit jellybeans (raspberry, green apple, lemon, and grape), drink flavored jellybeans (cola, raspberry juice, lemon sukasshu squash, cider), lemon candy, and chocolate. The candies are too sweet. I liked the chocolate.

★★

Ninjin にんじん

Puffed rice snack in a carrot-shaped packaging. Looks really cute, but tastes meh.

★