Japan…tokyo, kyoto and osaka with Avanti Destinations
by laci lard
I wanted to share with you a few details on our amazing trip to Japan booked through Avanti Destinations!
Flights: Alaska to Seattle then a direct flight from Seattle to Haneda through Delta. The Delta flight was approximately 11 hours.
We were greeted by one of Avanti’s representatives at the airport with sign upon arrival after customs, they went over our full travel packet which had all our train tickets, tour tickets and Universal Studios Japan tickets in a packet. Then they escorted us to our driver.
Shared Transfer from Haneda to Tokyo hotel...I have booked several shared transfers through Avanti and they usually end up being private, which works out great!
HOTEL - KEIO PLAZA HOTEL TOKYO
Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo is modern, elegant and convenient. It is located in central Tokyo and is 30 minutes from the entrance to the expressway that leads to the main parts of the city and Narita Airport. Each room is painted in a tranquil shade, providing both comforts and services for our guests. All rooms are well-appointed with a satellite TV, Japanese bathrobes, and tea making facilities.
This hotel is a 4-star property and had a great breakfast buffet included daily. This hotel also has an awesome rooftop bar and rooftop lounge overlooking the entire city! There were several different restaurants onsite too! We ate sushi at one of their restaurants that seated about 10 people. We didn’t know what we were going to get, it was a set menu, and it was the freshest sushi we have ever had—Chef’s choice. Highly recommend!
This hotel was within walking distance to the beautiful Shinjuku Park, the train station and downtown Tokyo. Downtown Tokyo was super busy with tons of restaurants, bars, shops--- insanely busy. I liked the fact that our hotel was in a quieter neighborhood, but walkable to all the activities.
PRIVATE TOKYO LOCAL GOURMET EVENING TOUR VIA PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION - 3 TO 4 HOURS:
Tour Description- You will visit a famous foodie spot not too far from your hotel. Here, you can try delicious yakitori: chicken grilled on skewers and served with either salt or 'tare', a type of sweet soy-based sauce.
Depending on your location, a varied range of other Japanese delights await you this evening. Sashimi, monjayaki or okonomiyaki, crispy Japanese-style fried chicken, braised vegetables, and seafood are among the dishes you might try tonight.
This was one of our favorite parts. Our first stop was Omoide Yokocho: a lively and nostalgic alley in Shinjuku, Tokyo. Their specialty is charcoal-grilled meat skewers or Yakitori.
The guide was awesome, local, and spoke great English. Alex was brave and tried it all! Pork brain, pork tongue, pork heart, you name it.
After that, normally the tour would take us to the local watering hole with tons of small local bars/pubs (Golden Gai) that only a few people can fit in at a time. We just walked through this area because I had Alex, and our guide was great to pivot and cater to what Alex wanted to do. He wanted to see Godzilla and a pet café. Then she ended up taking us to a fun donut shop! We ended the tour at a Shintu Hanazono Shrine; where she taught us about their religion and their traditions, offerings and blessings.
Bullet Train: We stayed 5 nights in Tokyo and then took the Bullet Train to Kyoto. We were in the Green car (first class) so you can order drinks and snacks for a charge. No service in the other cars. This was about a 2-hour train ride. Very scenic!
HOTEL: THOUSAND KYOTO
The Thousand Kyoto is a modern concept hotel located near the main JR Kyoto Station, Sanjusengendo Temple, and Kyoto Aquarium. Guest rooms are outfitted with minimalist charm reminiscent of a Japanese tea house, echoing the functional beauty of the architecture and tools in a traditional Machiya townhouse created to be in harmony with nature. Each guest room features neutral colors with low-installed natural wood furniture to promote a refreshing look.
Two onsite restaurants, Kizahashi and Scalae, serve Japanese and Italian cuisine, while the onsite Tea and Bar offers authentic tea in a range of styles, including modern alcoholic tea cocktails. The modern, minimalist spa is decked in dark marble and stone for an immaculate and elegant effect. Guests can indulge themselves with a signature treatment from the spa menu that utilizes traditional methods to purify body and mind.
This hotel is a 5-star property and worth it! It was walking distance to the train station, and walking distance to restaurants, shops etc. Excellent service, beautiful accommodations, comfy beds and elevated amenities. This was our favorite hotel we stayed in.
SHARED TEA CEREMONY EXPERIENCE AND NISHIKI MARKET WALKING TOUR - 4 HOURS. This ended up being a private tour.
Tour Description- Explore Kennin-ji Temple, Kyoto's oldest Zen temple where you'll see elaborately designed gardens and famous cultural properties. Stroll around the Gion district and get a feel for traditional Japanese culture. Developed as a major hanamachi (entertainment district with maiko and geiko) and still retains the refined and elegant atmosphere of old times.
Learn about the traditional tea-serving manner and enjoy some matcha green tea at a tea ceremony. Finish the tour in "Kyoto's kitchen" the Nishiki market where you'll find a selection of Kyoto's unique ingredients.
This was a great tour where we took a taxi to the Kennin-ji Temple, then strolled the Gion district to learn about the Geishas. We experienced a traditional tea experience and then we finished with the Nishiki market where we explored on our own. Awesome, handcrafted products, fresh seafood, and unique goods.
Shared Hiroshima and Miyajima Tour 13.5 hours.
Tour Description - Visit one of the most impressive cities in Japan on this shared day tour from Kyoto. Enjoy a comfortable Shinkansen trip both ways to tour around popular sightseeing spots in Hiroshima and Miyajima. Visit the World Heritage Sites of Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima, Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park & Museum, and Hiroshima's Atomic Bomb Dome on this leisurely tour.
This was a full day tour. We boarded a coach that took us to the ferry dock, where we took the ferry over to the island. This was Alex’s favorite part of the trip, Miyajima Island. Miyajima Island had a ton of deer that seemed to be domesticated and would just walk around the city.
This is also where the famous Itsukushima Shrine seems to float on water and is a UNESCO world heritage site. It was so beautiful and picturesque even in the rain. There were a ton of local shops and restaurants, and we had a few hours to walk around and explore on our own.
After Miyajima, we went to the Hiroshima Memorial Park and Museum and Hiroshima’s Atomic Bomb Dome. This was a very moving and somber experience.
We stayed in Kyoto for 4 nights, and after Kyoto we went to Osaka for the last 4 nights.
HOTEL: HOTEL GRANVIA OSAKA
Hotel Granvia Osaka, located in the center of the spirited and historic city of Osaka, Japan, offers guests a sophisticated retreat and direct connection to JR Osaka train lines. Guests at this Umeda hotel will experience unparalleled hospitality, spacious guestroom accommodations and the finest in services and amenities. Hotel Granvia Osaka features an array of fine dining and casual restaurants, including Japanese, Italian, and French cuisines. Revel in Osaka's nightlife at the hotel's chic bar and two lounges or grab a quick snack at the café.
This property is rated as a 4 star, but I would rate this property closer to a 3 star. The rooms were dated and very small. This property was actually in the train station, so it was very busy. It was fine for what we needed and easy to navigate.
PRIVATE OSAKA COMFORT FOOD TOUR VIA PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION - 3 TO 4 HOURS - MID-DAY
Tour Description - Osaka is one of Japan's most vibrant cities, and especially known for its lively people - and its food. Your guide will introduce you to the splendors of Osaka's casual cuisine and the culture of 'kuidaore' - literally, 'eating oneself to bankruptcy'!
Your guide will pick you up from your hotel in Osaka and take you either to Shinsekai or Dotonbori, depending on which is closer to your hotel. Both are famous for their pedestrian-only restaurant streets and are known as a food paradise throughout Japan. This is where Kansai people come to celebrate!
Colorful eateries and bars line the streets: hole-in-the-wall takoyaki stands and ramen bars rub shoulders with upscale eateries serving the finest wagyu beef and everywhere people (young and old) are out to enjoy the culinary pleasures of the nation's soul food kitchen.
You will have the chance to sample a variety of local foods, including: the famous and ubiquitous takoyaki (commonly known as octopus balls), okonomiyaki (a kind of savory pancake), and kushikatsu (skewered meats and vegetables). The cost of these plus one drink per person is included. If you prefer, your guide can also take you to a huge variety of other establishments from ramen noodles to izakaya bars.
We loved this tour and our guide. We went to several local spots in the market and local restaurants and tried a variety of foods. Anything our guide offered; Alex would try! Octopus, Kobe beef, Strawberry Mochi, Takoyaki, custard filled pancakes, kushikatsu etc. Our final spot was a local sushi place inside the market and probably only sat 6 people. The sushi was awesome and fresh and by far our favorite!
We finished our trip with Universal Japan. Super Mario World was crazy and really neat to see (I didn’t realize you need a reservation to enter this part of the park only, so we had to wait until 6pm to enter). * We didn’t need a reservation for Harry Potter or anything else – reservations can be made via their app.
I would highly recommend Japan! I was impressed at how clean everything was there. The people were very formal, polite, kind and very respectful. Alex and I loved the culture and food of course! Let me know if anyone has questions. This was definitely a trip of a lifetime, and I will never forget my time with Alex. Very Grateful!!!
