Gail and Neil

Monday, 18 November 2019

Shizuoka, Osaka and Kobe

4 October

Shizuoka

We checked into the hotel, then headed out to catch the train to Ecopa for the SA vs Italy game.

Once again we had a great evening, catching a late train back to Shizuoka.

5 October

We ate KFC for breakfast. KFC is what the Japanese eat on Christmas Day. It's become so popular you have to order months in advance for 25th December. Shizouka isn't much of a tourist destination but we enjoyed wandering around.

It's the jumping off point for visiting Mt. Fuji and the centre for wasabi production in Japan. Wasabi ice-cream anyone?

How cool is it to have the Fanzone within the Sunpu Castle complex?

We watched the games at Standout Mexican Restaurant. Delicious tacos and Mexican wines! We loved the atmosphere and met some great people. The Brave Blossoms are playing so well and the Japanese are really getting behind their team. We didn't get home until really late! Again! (Note the funny merchandise advertised on TV.)

6 October

Osaka

remm Shinosaka hotel is located in the train station. A perfect location for the Metro and JR with a great selection of restaurants right there.

We headed off to the busy Shinsaibashi shopping street and the Dotonbori River Walk area.

We had dinner at Teppan 29 Bar. Neil had the Okonomaki, Japanese style "omelette" complete with the "dancing" bonito fish flakes.

A beautiful shrine amidst the chaotic shopping district.

The party was quiet on a Sunday night but we did find live music at the Australian Pub. And rugby replays on TV.

7 October

We started out in upmarket Umeda, having breakfast at Hoshino and shopping in Hankyu department store. Check out the big Pokémon shop.

These are typical lunch kiosks, usually found in stations, where you can grab a quick meal often standing to eat.

We visited Osaka Castle and Neil was happy to find the Illusion Museum there.

We enjoyed the Kuromon Food Market far more than touristy Nishiki in Kyoto and we got to do the Shinekai restaurant and kitchen market because we missed Kappabashi in Tokyo.

Wandering through Tobita Shinchi, Osaka's red light district was interesting but they didn't allow any photos to be taken. We happened upon a tatami mat maker.

Later we had dinner in Shinsekai.

This area has lots of restaurants specialising in seafood and the local speciality, Kushikatsu- anything battered,deep fried and served on a stick.

All over Japan restaurants display plastic models of their food in the window and here in Shinsekai it seemed the art form was taken to a new level.

8 October

Kobe

We travelled to Kobe for South Africa's final pool game against Canada.

Before the game we enjoyed strolling the streets of Kobe popping in at cafés and shops. We also visited the I Kuta Shrine.

Kobe is famous for beef. Only Wagyu cattle raised in this prefecture can be called Kobe. Up until a few years ago no Kobe Beef was ever exported. It's very expensive and to sell it you must be a certified restaurant. We went to Lentamente because it looked less touristy. We didn't choose the most expensive cuts and it was delicious. You don't need sauce or even salt and you don't need much because it's very rich.

The rugby was awesome.

We won. The Bokke are through to the quarter finals. This pic is of the big screen karaoke at half time.

Back in Osaka we found a wine bar right near our hotel serving Japanese orange wines for Neil and whites for me.

9 October

Osaka to Narita by train.

Narita

Probably my only not so wise decision of the whole trip was to stay in Narita the night before our flight out. It's close to the airport but it's not very exciting. The local restaurant and wine bar we tried was great but that's about it.

This is Cheese Tea. After seeing the booths everywhere I had to try it. It's not cheesy at all! It's heavy cream on top of sweet milky tea with tapioca balls, like bubble tea.

Nagoya and Kyoto

27 September

Nagoya

We stayed at the Sanco Inn opposite the station in Nagoya. As with many local hotels in Japan, you select your amenities like shampoo and tea bags from a counter in the lobby, but this place also had a colour coded pillow selection with 6 different pillow types to choose from on your way up to your room.

We explored the downtown area, finding a local restaurant away from the RWC tourists and an Irish Pub showing the games and packed with fans.

28 September

We toured the Nagoya Castle in the morning and made our way to Toyotashi in the afternoon for the game. South Africa Vs Namibia.

It's a 1.5km walk from the station to the stadium and the fanzone and street party was in full swing.

A better result for the Bokke. To avoid the rush of fans at the station we found a wine bar and only just made the last train back to Nagoya.

29 September

Kyoto

We caught the bullet train to Kyoto and after lunch we checked into the Daiwa Royal Grande Hotel opposite the station in Kyoto. Kyoto wasn't hosting any rugby games, so general interest in the World Cup was low. When we ventured out to find a pub showing a game or 2, the few places that did have TVs showing the games were packed. We got room service pizza and watched back in the hotel with Japanese commentary. On our travels we always like to have one rest day a week to catch up on admin and chill. It doesn't have to be a Sunday, but Neil enjoys reading all the Sunday papers.

30 September

In the morning we travelled over to Sakyo. There's lots to see and snacks to try on the way up to the Higashiyama Temple Complex.

The Philosopher's Path follows the Kama River for quite a few kilometres but there's plenty of places to stop along the way.

We ate Soba Noodles and stopped at Green Terrace for coffee and cake.

Back downtown we visited the Nishiki Market. Disappointingly, this has become very touristy with all the stalls selling souvenirs and snacks. Fifteen years ago, when I last visited, it sold amazing fresh produce to the Kaiseki chefs of Kyoto.

The surrounding neighbourhood is far more interesting with hipster shops, a brewery and cafes.

The undercover Teramachi Kyogoku shopping area is where you'll find locals doing their shopping.

After dark we headed to Pontocho, an alley packed with restaurants and bars.

Try a flight of Japanese Whisky before dinner.

We ate at Yakatori Torihara - anyone for grilled cock's comb on a stick?

Late night drinks at Hello Dolly Jazz Bar.

1 October

A late night means a late start the next day. We ate lunch at La Terrazza Italian at the Daiwa. Amazing home-made pastas and steaks with selection of " all you can drink in 60 minutes for 1000 yen " imported wines!

It's a quick train trip up to Arashiyama to Ryotei Rangetsu on the waterfront of the Katsura River. Arashiyama is very touristy but calm and rural and picturesque. Hundreds of tourists queue for the scenic railway or a river boat or a rickshaw ride but that's all a bit too contrived for us.

Relaxing at the Ryokan and taking a dip in the onsen is a great experience.

Dinner is served in a private dining room. Neil gets a great Kaiseki meal ( traditional Kyoto cuisine served in small dishes ) and I get whatever doesn't have seafood in it!

2 October

Breakfast is Western or Japanese. Guess who gets which.

We wander around town and visit the awesome Tenryji Temple and gardens.

The Bamboo Grove is another touristy gimic.

We have tea at eX cafe ( English translation ) and their famous grilled rice ball dessert.

Back in Kyoto, we check into the Hotel Vischio. Then it's over to The Hub, English Pub for more rugby. Later we go to the Sujin Town pop up, open air beer garden for dinner and drinks.