Osaka/Kyoto/Nara Dec 2014 Itinerary: Part 8: All about SNACKS!

Final post for this mini travel series will be dedicated to some notable snacks that I've purchased during this trip. I confess I'm a bit crazy about convenience stores in Japan (e.g. Family Mart, Lawsons...)- I would walk into almost every store I pass by, partly because it is so warm and nice inside but mostly because I'm always fascinated with the variety of products and snacks available!

1) Pocky

Pocky is a flavour-coated biscuit stick which is a really popular snack. I love the variety of Pocky flavours available- and the new, seasonal flavours are always a surprise (in terms of quirky flavours) and so yummy.

When in Japan, get their specialty matcha flavoured snacks! The Uji Matcha Pocky I bought are matcha flavoured biscuit sticks covered in chocolate and almond toppings. An irresistible treat for matcha and chocolate lovers.

Pocky Midi is the fatter, stubbier brother- it usually comes in shorter biscuit pieces with much thicker flavour coating- the winter strawberry special edition I got perfectly captured the sweet tartness of strawberry that goes so well with the chocolate biscuit.

Pocky is available in most convenience stores and pharmacies.

2) Collon

Yet another matcha flavoured confectionery! Collon is a biscuit snack with a cream core- a matcha flavoured one is more commonly found in Japan than elsewhere. Can be easily found in convenience stores.

Osaka/Kyoto/Nara Dec 2014 Itinerary: Part 7: Day 6

Last Day! 
Day 6 (Osaka): Free and Easy- Explore Umeda/Kita area.

My last day in Osaka was a really gloomy one- it was practically raining the whole day, so I did not really venture out much- it was actually a great time to explore the labyrinth of buildings and underground malls in the Umeda area. It may also be helpful to grab an official guide/map from info centre/ hotel to navigate the place- I got really lost in the throngs of people.

Some places that I explored:

JR Osaka Mitsukoshi Isetan: Isetan was under renovation when I was there in Dec 2014, but the basement food hall was open and I made a beeline to Pierre Herme counter to get myself a box of delectable macarons. (about 280 yen per piece!)

Osaka/Kyoto/Nara Dec 2014 Itinerary: Part 6: Day 5

Day 5: (Osaka/Nara Day trip)
AM: Sushi Breakfast at Endo Sushi (Central Fish Market branch)
PM: Nara Day Trip
Evening: Explore Umeda

AM: Had a really tiring day yesterday from the traveling in Kyoto, so woke up a little later than usual. Headed out from hotel to Endo Sushi at around 10am (was definitely way too late for fish auctions but hope it wasn't too late for some sushi breakfast!) Took the JR line to Noda station to walked over to Osaka Central Fish Market where Endo Sushi is located.

I reached Endo Sushi around 10.30am, and waited a short while before being entering the restaurant (there were just a couple of people waiting for their turn before me). I was ushered to a counter seat, where I can watch the sushi chefs busy slicing fish and making sushi with their hands.
I was given an English "Maze" menu where I can choose a sushi platter comprising 5 different pieces of seasonal sushi items- each for 1080 yen. 
This is Set 1 (From left: Eel, Sea urchin, Sea bream, fatty tuna, yellow tail) shown with a hot piping bowl of miso soup. I really like how fresh and chewy the fish slices that tasted so heavenly when paired with Japanese rice. I really enjoyed the Toro (fatty tuna) one, especially how the fatty chucks of the fish melt in your mouth. They also serve miso soup with small clams that is so sweet and fragrant and a definite must order to go with your sushi meal. 

Osaka/Kyoto/Nara Dec 2014 Itinerary: Part 5: Day 4

Day 4: Exploring North Western Kyoto
AM: Arashiyama (Tenryu-ji -> Bamboo Forest -> Okochi-Sanso Villa)
PM: Kinkakuji Temple
Evening: Wander around Shijio-dori, Gion
(Used Day 2 of Kyoto Itinerary as suggested by insidekyoto.com as a guide)

AM: Purchased a Kyoto City 1 Day Bus Pass (500yen) in anticipation of the traveling to be done today. Took a bus to Arashiyama and close to my first stop- Tenryu-ji Temple.

It is a famous Zen temple, but perhaps the main attraction is the main 14th century Zen garden with its central pond surrounded by trees and mountains that has survived in its original form.

Walk up to the north gate of the temple and you will reach Arashiyama Bamboo Forest. There is a really enchanting atmosphere about this place- something about how the bamboo stalks engulfs the walking path and grow seemingly upwards to the sky.

Osaka/Kyoto/Nara Dec 2014 Itinerary: Part 4: Day 3

Day 3: (Kyoto Temple Hopping Day!- and a really long blogpost)

AM: (Higashiyama District) Kiyomizudera Temple -> Sannen-zaka & Ninen-zaka -> Maruyama Park -> Chion-In Temple
PM: Nishiki Market
PM- late Evening:  Fushimi-Inari
(Based on 1 day Kyoto Itinerary as suggested by insidekyoto.com, I tried to follow it as closely as possible)

Temple visiting is not a cheap affair- it costs 500-600 yen to enter the temple grounds- but the sights you get to enjoy are usually worth it.

AM: Made my way to Kiyomizudera Temple early in the morning (8.30am) to avoid the crowds. I took a bus and alighted at the nearest bus stop. Each bus trip costs 230 yen but if you're taking more bus trips do consider getting a bus day pass for unlimited bus rides for only 500 yen.

 

The pagoda at the temple entrance.

  

The main hall of Kiyomizudera Temple. It's well known for its wooden structure built on a hill and its wooden verandah/stage that juts out over the hillside. The explosion of autumn leaves also makes this a really scenic place! It was raining really heavily when I was there, but the heavy rain did not "dampen" the beauty of the place!

Osaka/Kyoto/Nara Dec 2014 Itinerary: Part 3: Day 2

Day 2: (Osaka/Kyoto)
AM- Kuromon Market (again for second helpings of sashimi and donburi!) PM- Dotonburi (For more takoyaki, okonomiyaki at Creo-ru!)
Evening- Travel to Kyoto: Visit Kodaji Temple (Night illumination), Eats: Omen Udon and Mitarashi Dango

The day started with a second helping of breakfast at Kuromon Market (see my previous post here)
This time I walked over to this store for more donburi! It's at the further end of the market and the stall next door serves Kobe Beef.

Maguroya Kurogin (hope i got the English name right!)- they also sell fresh cuts of sashimi here.

Tuna Don- First time eating a dish where fresh sashimi cuts totally covers the rice!

For a 1000 yen, I got a really generous serving of really fresh thick tuna slices served with seaweed and rice. Really fresh and delicious. The staff will also advise you the proper way of consuming this dish by mixing in an appropriate amount of soya sauce. They also have other more expensive options serving different types of sashimi cuts too. Seating is limited- there is a mini booth with about 3-4 seats, where you can watch someone cutting slabs of fresh tuna while you eat.

Osaka/Kyoto/Nara Dec 2014 Itinerary: Part 2: Day 1

Day 1:  (Osaka)
AM Kuromon Market (Kuromon Sanpai and more)
PM- Osaka Castle
-Shinsaibashi
- Dotombori (Osaka Takoyaki Museum, King Emon Ramen)

Day 1 was really too packed and this itinerary is not for the faint-hearted. Did a lot of walking but it really helped that the hotel I stayed was in the heart of Namba.

AM: Walked over to Kuromon Market for fresh sushi/sashimi breakfast. (It's not too far away from Namba station where I stayed- or take train to Nipponbashi station). It is a marketplace that sells fresh seafood, fruits and food snacks and a great place to fill your tummy!

Osaka/Kyoto/Nara Dec 2014 Itinerary: Part 1: Day 0 Capsule Hotel Experience

Day 0: Arrived at Osaka in the evening at 9.20pm at Kansai Airport. Decided to take the most convenient mode of transport to my accommodation using the Nankai Airport Express to Namba Station (920 yen).

I stayed at First Cabin Midosuji Namba. First Cabin is a capsule hotel chain with various properties around Japan. Decided to stay here because of several reasons:
1) Location- great location at Namba
2) Wanted to experience a capsule hotel- well sort of. First Cabin promises a capsule hotel experience without the claustrophobia. Each room has more space than the cramped quarters of regular capsule hotels and they are not "stacked up".
3) Didn't have much choice as other hotels were mostly snapped up already! (Peak season)