Showing posts with label Japan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Japan. Show all posts
Sunday, November 4, 2018 | By: purple taste

[2018] Solo Trip - Local Breakfast in Nagoya, To Kyoto via Shinkansen Kodama , Sotetsu Fresa Inn Kyoto and Late Lunch at SVB

For the last morning in Nagoya, decided to have breakfast ala Nagoya-style Kissa-ten (coffeeshop) and the nearest one to the hotel is at Komeda Coffee. Went there early around 7.30 am and waited for about 10 minutes before getting a table. Interestingly, the coffeeshop has section for smoking and non-smoking but within the same shop. So, inevitably one would get the drifted smoke at the non-smoking section too.


Komeda Coffee Kissa-ten

モーニングセット (morning set)

It was drizzling that morning, so was eager to get that cup of hot coffee and to fill-up the tummy before heading towards to Kyoto. Kyoto is just about 50 minutes away from Nagoya via Shinkansen.


ice water, and warm towel

There were 3 options for the breakfast set, and one just need to purchase a cup of coffee and the bread is complimentary. Sweet! So, I got myself a black coffee and milk served on the side, with Ogura toast (red bean toast).


モーニングセット

nice cup

little bit

Ogura toast (小倉トースト)

What I liked about the Ogura toast, was the well buttered crispy toast and the red bean was really tasty and not too sweet. Happy to be able to enjoy as the locals do.




The train to Kyoto was at 11.46am, hence it was back to the hotel to pack-up and do the necessary check-out before making sure I was at the right platform for the the train. We all know how punctual these transportations are in Japan.

Shinkansen Kodama こだま

Interestingly, Kodama is the slowest Shinkansen when compared to Nozomi. For Japan Rail Pass, am unable to use it on Nozomi nor Mizuho so I was travelling mostly on either Hikari, or Kodama for long distances and local trains.


reserved seats

let's go to Kyoto

It was drizzling on the way to Kyoto but luckily, it wasn't raining in Kyoto itself. From Kyoto Station, take the subway to Shijo Station. I'd be staying at Sotetsu Fresa Inn Kyoto Shijokarasuma.

It is within walking distance of Shijo Station but I think I missed the hotel and managed to walk past it without realising. Hahaaa! So ended up longer than expected.

By far, Sotetsu Fresa Inn Kyoto Shijo-Karasuma has the prettiest facade. Inside the room, actually all of them had the same standard configuration and amenities.

walked past this from across the road, before realising that's Sotetsu Fresa Inn Kyoto Shijokarasuma

ahh, now the signages are seen clearly

nice walkway

take the lift to the lobby at Level 2

my room at Level 4

there's a laundry room at Level 4

Single Room (Non-Smoking)

This hotel was the priciest for this trip at about SGD450 for 2 nights for a single room. But good thing was, it is very near Nishiki Market which was one of the places that I wanted to visit while in Kyoto.

favourite past time at night

bathroom, looks exactly like the one in Kinshicho


Ok, let's go see what to eat for lunch. Went to Nishiki Market but it was too crowded and I was really hungry. The thought of jostling with warm bodies for food, was well..not something that I'd had energy for at that time.

crowds outside of Nishiki Market

crowded inside


maybe grab some bread?

Ok, I walked and walked and finally decided to have lunch at a place that looks like a Machiya (町屋/町家).

Spring Valley Brewery

It was already 2.30pm when I decided to have lunch. Staff was rather surprised but still welcoming to a solo diner. Here is the link to SVB Kyoto website.

interior

Placed my order fairly quickly and selected their weekend set lunch and it came with a small beer. Yay to the thirst quencher that I needed.

outside view from my seat

cheers to "Copeland" beer

salad

Salad was served and although it was part of the set, the portion was quite generous. Loved the taste!

main course - roast beef don

let it flow

There's rice below the roast beef that has been drizzled with soy wasabi mix. I liked the flavours and very good portion for a set lunch price.

last bite

After the sumptous meal with the refreshing beer, there's also coffee to end the meal. This weekend set lunch was really value for money at only ¥1500 (~SGD19). The small beer itself would have costs about ¥480 (~SGD6) on its own.

coffee

Dinner that night was just snacks from Daimaru Department Store. Hehe, from its basement food hall.

fried oysters

Montblanc from Mon Cher

The montblanc from モンシェール 大丸京都店 (Mon Cher Daimaru Kyoto) was so good! 

there's a layer of cake inside


The next day, I had planned a day trip out to Himeji. For some sightseeing!





Saturday, November 3, 2018 | By: purple taste

[2018] Solo Trip - Onwards to Nagoya 名古屋 via Shinkansen Hikari ひかり

The previous day was spent with Shermaine and Johan, where we spent exploring Edogawa Zoo and Asakusa. Next day, I'd be redeeming the Japan Rail Pass to commence on the trip to Nagoya. The train fare from Tokyo to Nagoya would have costs about ¥6,380 and ¥4180 for a reserved ordinary seat.

Had a simple but delicious breakfast of oden and onigiri from the convenience shop next door.

breakfast before heading out to Nagoya

mentaiko onigiri in the morning

Would be taking the Shinkansen Hikari ひかり to Nagoya. Time to use my 7D Japan Rail Pass!


The bullet train ride to Nagoya was about 3 hours. Had a bottle of green tea with me.

can buy a bento to eat in the train

comfy seats with ample leg space

fairly empty in the Shinkansen

ooh, there's power outlet in Hikari

First thing upon reaching Nagoya, is to locate the hotel. At that time, it was called Nagoya Liberty Hotel but now, it is known as Smile Hotel Nagoyashinkansenguchi. Paid SGD169.65 for 2 nights for a single room.

Nagoya Liberty Hotel (Smile Hotel Nagoyashinkansenguchi)

Single Room Non-smoking 11 m²

love the odor removal spray

compact bathroom

comfy bed

The room has all the basic amenities and hence, it was alright for a solo traveller. As usual, went out to check out the convenience store nearby and, there was a Lawson around that area.

snack from Lawson but Family Mart one was nicer

To tell the truth, I was lost for about 15 minutes at one time, before finding my bearings again. Afterwhich, the train station side that is nearest to the hotel, would be the Hirokoji side.

landmark


Decided to get some food and drinks from the shops at the train station for dinner since I had recce'ed that place before my trip out to Takayama the next day. Also went down to ESCA Underground shopping to see what's down there.


tamagoyaki from Minomisho

i love omelettes, but this one was cold

trying to suss out what's the fuss on Nagoya's tebasaki

Furaibo ESCA 風来坊 エスカ店 - lemon flavoured but so skinny

And, can't resist getting some strawberries while in Japan. Not in season during autumn though.

strawberries from Sendai

sweet and juicy

Breakfast the next day, was coffee and a bun. The hotel provided instant drip coffee. How cool was that!

good morning

nice bread

Went out to Nagoya Station at 850am and the train will depart at 930am. Hence, there's still time to get lunch bento to eat along the way. The trip from Nagoya to Takayama by local train would be taking about 1.5 hours, with a fare of approx. ¥3,410 and a reserved seat for ¥2930. Costs alot of money but am using the Japan Rail Pass, so need to take trips more often to maximise the usage.