| K Ingley |
25 May 2004 |
Stayed at Sunroute Hiroshima, Hotel - Hiroshima, Japan.
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We found it convenient to take a taxi to the hotel from the main Hiroshima station: about 1,000 yen.
We had a fascinating dinner at the Okonomiyaki-mura (within walking distance; the hotel staff can explain how to get there), where there are several floors of small restaurants serving okonomiyaki, a pancake-like meal -- with layers of batter, cabbage, noodles and whatever other toppings you want -- that's prepared to order on the grill built into the counter.
After our night in Hiroshima, we went to the nearby island of Miyajima, a must-see spot with a tori and shrine built onto the tidal flats, so they seem to float in the water at high tide. It's definitely worth staying the night (we chose a hotel-ryokan). We also climbed Mt. Misen, a fairly long and steep trail that offers a great view. There's normally a ropeway part way up the mountain, but it was out of service when we were there.
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| D Mok |
29 April 2004 |
Stayed at Kinki, Hotel - Osaka, Japan.
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Osaka is a lively city - but it's edginess might wear you down a bit after a while. At night, wander around the overhead bridges or train stations and listen to passionate Japanese musicians performing 'live'. From Osaka, take day trips to beautiful Kobe (try Kobe beef - it ain't that expensive if you scout around - about $10,000 Yen for truly scrumptious teppanyaki steak meal at "SteakLand"). Or venture out to Kyoto, just 30 minutes away - in Spring and Summer, you can easily spot geishas and maikos trotting about the lovely streets of Gion.
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| J Inegbedion |
12 April 2004 |
Stayed at Hilton Tokyo - Tokyo, Japan.
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I highly recommend visiting one of the restaurants on the 52nd floor of the Sumitomo Building (near to the Hilton) - the views are amazing!
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| L Miles |
29 March 2004 |
Stayed at ANA Hotel Hiroshima - Hiroshima, Japan.
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Miyajima is amazing and a must see!! Also The Shack or Kembys are great pub style restaurants owned by an American guy!! Great food and fun!!
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| L Cohen |
20 March 2004 |
Stayed at Mansions at Roppongi, The - Tokyo, Japan.
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Tokyo is a wonderful city, very vibrant with much to see. A day trip to Nikko is recommended, as is getting up early and going to the fish market and having a breakfast of sushi at one of the many sushi places in the area. I love sushi and sashimi and eat it all the time at home, but in Japan it is outstanding. The fact that it is so fresh makes a big difference.
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| J Mitchell |
08 March 2004 |
Stayed at Radisson Miyako Hotel Osaka - Osaka, Japan.
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Tennoji is an older part of Osaka. There isn't a whole lot to do in the immediate vicinity (although Tennoji park is supposed to be quite nice). However, it is a very easy train ride to Nara or Kyoto from the Kintetsu station directly under the hotel. Great site seeing at both (I prefer Nara, but Kyoto is the more popular choice). And only two subway stops away (at Shinsaibashi) are the bright lights and youth culture of Osaka. Again, the subway is located just below the hotel. Get directions from the staff.
The Miyako staff can also make excellent recommendations for food. You have to eat okonomiyaki when in Osaka. There is an up-scale okonomiyaki restaurnant underneath the hotel in restaurant row that is excellent. Also some good "dives" in the nearby neighborhood. If you are a bit more adventurous, get takoyaki, another famous Osaka dish.
Access to the airport was easy via "limousine", which is really just a charter bus. The stop is directly outside the hoel.
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| M Curley |
25 January 2004 |
Stayed at Mansions at Roppongi, The - Tokyo, Japan.
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We went to the Mo-Mo-Paradise restaurant in Shinjuku for Shabu Shabu which was great value for money. We had the all you can eat for 90 minutes set (including one drink) for around 2000 yen.
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| J Tennen |
08 January 2004 |
Stayed at Laguna Garden Hotel - Okinawa Island, Japan.
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Okinawa is a special place, be sure to eat the local healthy food; tofu, goya, and pork. You might live to 120 like the Okinawans do.
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| J Chambers |
27 December 2003 |
Stayed at Gimmond Kyoto, Hotel - Kyoto, Japan.
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Kyoto is an excellent place to visit, the golden temple at Kinkakujini was rated quite cool, but no presents (we visited 25 Dec with a 14 year old) and the free food samples from the station food court were rated wow by his twin brother. The family walk along the skywalk disturbed other romantic couples on the 11th floor walkway. Superb views. We had to video the dinner we ordered in Takagaki with fluttering fish flakes on the vegetarian omelette. It loked like something you would see on a coral reef.
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| A Fujimoto |
31 October 2003 |
Stayed at Rihga Royal Hotel, Osaka - Osaka, Japan.
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Stekiya, the steak restaurant in Dotonbori, gets you the best teppanyaki steak in Japan.
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Traveller's Tales: Restaurants and eating places in Japan
