holiday – The Wknd Travel

Sakura 2024: KYOTO – Unexpected Discoveries in Japan’s Famous Old Capital City [April 2024]

Early last year, my friends and I flew to Japan for about 20 days to chase the cherry blossoms. We started our journey in Takayama and Shirakawa-go, where we were surprised by the snowy weather in what was supposed to be early spring. We then traveled to Osaka for a few days before taking the Shinkansen further south to Hiroshima, where we spent 48 hours exploring history, food, and more sightseeing. We returned to Osaka to drop off our luggage and took day trips to Nara, Kobe, and Himeji. After that, we moved on to the beautiful city of Kyoto.

We spent four full days in Kyoto. Although we had visited the city in the past, this trip was focused on chasing cherry blossoms. We avoided some of the usual sights like Fushimi Inari Taisha and Kinkaku-ji, and instead had unexpected discoveries that made this part of the trip even more fun and memorable. Allow me to share more details about our Kyoto experience below.

I have been to Kyoto several times before – in 2015, 2016, 2019, and 2023. I hope you check out those individual posts as well.

Kyoto

Once the capital of Japan, Kyoto is a large and renowned city on the country’s Honshu Island. It is famous for its beautiful temples, shrines, imperial palaces, gardens, and traditional wooden houses. Along with Tokyo and Osaka, Kyoto is often considered one of the three main destinations for people visiting Japan for the first time.

Flights to Japan

There are no direct flights connecting the Philippines and Kyoto, Japan. Filipinos typically fly into Kansai International Airport in Osaka before heading to Kyoto. My friends and I took the unconventional route, flying in and out of Chubu International Airport in Nagoya.

We flew with the country’s largest low-cost airline, Cebu Pacific Air. I wrote about both our inbound and outbound flights, and I hope you can check them out here: Flight Report: CEBU PACIFIC AIR 5J 5038 – Manila to Nagoya – Perfectly-Timed Low-Cost Flight to Central Japan & Flight Report: CEBU PACIFIC AIR 5J 5039 – Nagoya to Manila – Unexpected Inflight Treats on Our Expensive Flight Back to Manila.

A few years ago, I wrote about how to apply for a Japan tourist visa. Click here to learn more about getting one for yourself.

Osaka to Kyoto

Osaka and Kyoto are linked by several train lines: Shinkansen service, the JR Kyoto Line, the Hankyu Kyoto Line, and the Keihan Main Line. The best train line or route to take will depend on which areas of these cities you are coming from and going to.

I mentioned in previous posts that my friends and I got the JR Kansai Hiroshima Area Pass. However, we ended up not using the pass or the JR Kyoto Line because we found a faster and more convenient route via the local subway, with a transfer to the Hankyu Kyoto Line. We used our IC cards for these train rides.

Accommodation

My friends and I stayed at The Pocket Hotel Kyoto-Karasumagojo for four nights. We booked this hotel for its location and budget-friendly price. We reserved a twin room with a shared bathroom for ₱11,140.14 for two people, and we made our reservation about 9 months in advance.

The Pocket Hotel Kyoto-Karasumagojo is a boutique hotel under the Sotetsu Hotel Management. It is located at 423 Matsuyacho Gojodori Karasuma Higashi Iru, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto, 600-8105 Japan. It is just a 1-minute walk from Exit 1 of Gojo Station on the Karasuma Line of the Kyoto Municipal Subway. The hotel is about a 10- to 15-minute walk from Kyoto’s Shinkyogoku Shopping Street and about a 15- to 20-minute walk to and from Kyoto Station.

The hotel has 121 private rooms and features high-speed Wi-Fi in all rooms, shared bathrooms (on specific floors), a laundry room for guests who need to wash clothes, male and female toilets on each floor, and complimentary daily bath amenities and sleepwear changes. It also has a small lounge area on the ground floor, near the reception. The hotel features self-check-in and check-out facilities and only accepts cashless payments through credit cards and QR codes.

Going Around Kyoto

Kyoto is connected by a vast transportation system, including buses, local subway lines, and inter-city train lines. The city also offers a wide variety of duration-based tourist passes.

My friends and I did not purchase any passes. We used our JR Kansai Hiroshima Area Pass for travel to and from Arashiyama on our first day, and we used our IC cards for the remainder of our stay in Kyoto.

Unexpected Discoveries

We intentionally avoided some popular places like Fushimi Inari Taisha, Kinkaku-ji, Kiyomizu-dera, and Nishiki Market. We had already visited quite a few of these popular spots and wanted to explore them at night this time.

ARASHIYAMA

We visited Arashiyama during sunset and witnessed some amazing views from the other side of the Togetsukyo Bridge. We also noticed that there were very few visitors around at that time. Afterward, we stopped by the dimly lit Bamboo Forest before heading back to Kyoto.

HŌKAN-JI TEMPLE

We walked from our hotel to Hōkan-ji Temple to see how the place looked at night. We also stopped by % ARABICA Kyoto Higashiyama for coffee.

NINENZAKA

The famous Ninenzaka looked beautiful at night. It was much less crowded compared to how it is during the daytime.

GION

We walked around Gion on our way back to the city center. The streets were full of people exploring the historic district.

KIYAMACHI-DORI

Kiyamachi-Dori had beautiful cherry blossom trees in full bloom. My friends and I visited this area both during the day and at night to take some photos with the Sakura trees.

PHILOSOPHER’S PATH

The Philosopher’s Path is a scenic route along a cherry blossom tree-lined canal that runs between Ginkaku-ji and the Higashiyama neighborhood.

We visited the path a few days before the expected full bloom and were treated to a stunning sight of the cherry blossom trees in bloom.

NANZEN-JI

Nanzen-ji is a Buddhist temple and serves as the head temple of the Rinzai sect of Zen Buddhism.

KEAGE INCLINE

Keage Incline is a former railway that connects Lake Biwa Canal to the Kamo River. It is now a gently sloping pedestrian path lined with cherry blossom trees.

KYOTO SHINKYOGOKU SHOPPING STREET

Kyoto Shinkyogoku Shopping Street is a pedestrian arcade, or shotengai, offering everything a shopper could want—from clothing stores and artisan boutiques to drugstores, entertainment venues (like karaoke), cafes, and restaurants.

That wraps up our Kyoto adventures from April 2024. From the unexpected cherry blossom trails at Keage Incline to the beautiful Philosopher’s Path, this leg of the journey was full of surprises. If you enjoyed this post, be sure to check out my previous Kyoto experiences.

My friends and I also visited Takayama, Shirakawa-go, Osaka, Hiroshima, Himeji, Nara, and Kobe during this trip. You can find all posts related to this adventure under the Sakura 2024 category.

Have you been to Kyoto, or are you planning to visit soon? I would love to hear about your experiences or any questions you might have! Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below. If you have any further questions or need more details, you can also reach me directly at contact@thewkndtravel.com. I am happy to help with any clarifications or travel tips.

Before you go, I hope you can like, follow and share my social media pages – Facebook and Instagram. This will help me expand my reach and keep you updated with the latest blog posts, itineraries, and flight reports on this website. Thank you, and see you next time!

PS. Photos were taken using my OnePlus 9 Pro.

Sakura 2024: HIROSHIMA – 48 Hours Around Japan’s Peace Memorial City [March 2024]

From Osaka, my friends and I took the bullet train to Hiroshima, where we met up with two other friends and explored the Peace Memorial City for 48 hours. We had planned to be in Hiroshima during the forecasted Sakura full bloom period, but to our surprise, the bloom was delayed by a little over a week due to colder-than-usual temperatures.

Despite the delayed Sakura bloom, we still enjoyed the city’s beautiful and vibrant atmosphere. We visited many interesting places, devoured the local okonomiyaki, and even experienced some nature at one of the city’s famous spots, Miyajima Island. Allow me to share the details of our 48-hour visit to Hiroshima below—it was definitely worth the Shinkansen trip!

I had been to Hiroshima back in 2016 when I spent 13 days traveling around Nagoya, the Kansai Region, and Hiroshima. You can check out my 2016 Going Solo in Hiroshima blog post here.

Hiroshima

Hiroshima is the most famous city in Hiroshima Prefecture on Japan’s Honshu Island. The city is known for being the site where the first atomic bomb was dropped during World War II. The explosion caused unimaginable destruction to the city’s structures and had devastating effects on its citizens.

Many years later, the city has been rebuilt and modernized. It has educated people around the world about the destructive power of nuclear weapons and their impact on lives and the environment. At the same time, Hiroshima has become a symbol of hope and peace, showing that a city can rebuild itself from scratch after such massive destruction.

Flights to Japan

There are no direct flights between the Philippines and Hiroshima, Japan. The nearest airports are in either Osaka or Fukuoka. My friends and I did not fly in and out of these two airports; instead, we started and ended our Japan journey in Nagoya.

We flew with Cebu Pacific Air to and from Chubu International Airport in Nagoya. I’ve written about our inbound and outbound flights, and I hope you can check them out here: Flight Report: CEBU PACIFIC AIR 5J 5038 – Manila to Nagoya – Perfectly-Timed Low-Cost Flight to Central Japan & Flight Report: CEBU PACIFIC AIR 5J 5039 – Nagoya to Manila – Unexpected Inflight Treats on our Expensive Flight Back to Manila.

A few years ago, I wrote about how to apply for a Japan tourist visa. Click here to learn more about getting one for yourself.

Osaka to Hiroshima

My friends and I purchased the JR Kansai Hiroshima Area Pass specifically for this leg of the trip. The pass costs ¥17,000 per person and includes unlimited rides on the Sanyo Shinkansen (including Nozomi and Mizuho) between Shin-Osaka and Hiroshima. It also covers unlimited use of local, rapid, and limited express JR trains in the coverage area, the JR Ferry to Miyajima, local JR buses around Kyoto and Hiroshima, seat reservations via machines (for the first 6 reservations) and JR offices, and a few local trains to Wakayama and Amanohashidate.

We were already in Osaka prior to this side trip. We took the Nozomi 271 bullet train from Shin-Osaka and arrived in Hiroshima at 8:36 a.m. On the way back, we took the Nozomi 120 bullet train, which left Hiroshima Station at 9:12 a.m. and arrived at Shin-Osaka at 10:37 a.m.

I took an in-depth look at the JR Kansai-Hiroshima Area Pass and evaluated whether it was worth purchasing. I hope you can check out my review of the area pass here.

Accommodation

We stayed in Hiroshima for 2 nights at Santiago Guesthouse Hiroshima. We chose this no-frills hostel because we only needed a comfortable place to sleep after spending most of the day exploring.

I stayed in the mixed dormitory room for 2 nights and paid ₱1,342.09 after discounts. My friends stayed in the twin room for 2 nights and paid ₱5,660.43 (for 2 people) after discounts.

I wrote about our stay at Santiago Guesthouse Hiroshima in one of the Hostel of the Day features. I hope you can check out the feature here.

Going Around Hiroshima

Hiroshima has all the best possible means of transportation. The city is connected by trains, trams, and even local buses.

We used the JR line and ferry to and from Miyajima Island, the JR bus to our accommodation, and our IC cards for tram rides. Alternatively, unlimited tourist day passes are available for purchase, which include train and tram rides.

Places Visited in Hiroshima

ITSUKUSHIMA

Itsukushima, commonly known as Miyajima Island, is a small island in Hiroshima Bay, about an hour away from the city center. The island is a popular day-trip destination from Hiroshima and is famous for its torii gate, which is submerged in water during high tide. This torii gate marks the entrance to Itsukushima Shrine.

The island is home to various temples and forest walking trails, with freely wandering deer and monkeys. It also offers restaurants, artisan shops, and food booths that visitors can explore during their visit.

My friends and I spent a considerable amount of time on the island, walking along paths lined with Sakura trees and enjoying the beautiful views of the shrine.

How to get to Itsukushima from Hiroshima Station:

JR Pass Route: Take the Sanyo Line from Hiroshima Station to Miyajimaguchi Station (around 20 minutes for ¥420), then take a short walk to the port. Board the JR Ferry (around 10 minutes for ¥200) to Miyajima Island. This route is recommended and free for all JR Pass holders.

Tram Route: Take Tram Line 2 from Hiroshima Station to Miyajimaguchi Station (around 45 minutes for ¥270), then walk to the port. Board the Matsudai Ferry (around 10 minutes for ¥200) to Miyajima Island.

Direct Ferry Route: Take the direct ferry from Hiroshima Port or Prince Hotel Port directly to Miyajima Island. The ferry trip takes around 30 minutes and costs ¥2,100 per person each way. Please check the schedule and availability, as this route only runs on specific days of the week.

Note: As of October 1, 2023, tourists visiting Itsukushima must pay the Miyajima Visitor Tax of ¥100 per person. This tax can be paid before entering the port terminal.

HIROSHIMA PEACE MEMORIAL MUSEUM

The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum showcases what happened to the city during the atomic bomb explosion in August 1945, the effects of the explosion on the city and its people, and many artifacts and belongings left by the victims.

Entry to the museum costs ¥200 per person. This museum is a must-visit when in the city.

HIROSHIMA VICTIMS MEMORIAL CENOTAPH

The memorial cenotaph is an arched tomb dedicated to those who died during the atomic bomb explosion and those who perished due to its aftereffects. Beneath the tomb is a stone chest containing the names of all these victims.

CHILDREN’S PEACE MONUMENT

The Children’s Peace Monument is a symbol of hope that commemorates the death of thousands of children during and after the radiation effects of the atomic bomb. It also features a statue of Sadako Sasaki, a young girl who died as a result of the bomb’s radiation effects.

GENBAKU DŌMU / ATOMIC BOMB DOME

The Hiroshima Atomic Bomb Dome is one of the remaining structures of the former Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall, which was damaged when the bomb exploded in August 1945. The dome is part of the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, which was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996.

SHUKKEIEN GARDEN

Shukkeien Garden is a historic Japanese landscape garden located in the heart of Hiroshima City. The garden features scenic ponds, beautiful tea houses, pavilions, and a rainbow bridge.

Entry to the garden costs ¥260 per person.

OKONOMIMURA / OKONOMIYAKI VILLAGE

Hiroshima is famous for okonomiyaki (Japanese savory pancake) to the point where there is a building filled with okonomiyaki restaurants. My friends and I visited Okonomimura and had a really good lunch at one of the restaurants there. Apologies, but I forgot the name of the restaurant where we ate.

HONDORI SHOPPING ARCADE

This is Hiroshima’s pedestrian arcade street, shotengai. It has everything a shopper needs and wants, from clothing stores and artisan and trendy shops to drugstores, entertainment venues (like karaoke), cafes, and restaurants.

In just 48 hours, Hiroshima captivated us with its history, beauty, and peaceful atmosphere. Despite the delayed Sakura bloom, we made the most of our time, exploring its landmarks, gardens, and vibrant culture. Hiroshima is a city of resilience and hope, offering something for every traveler. I cannot wait to visit again!

Have you been to Hiroshima, or are you planning to visit soon? I would love to hear about your experiences or any questions you might have! Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below. If you have any further questions or need more details, you can also reach me directly at contact@thewkndtravel.com. I am happy to help with any clarifications or travel tips.

Thanks for joining me in today’s Hiroshima blog post. In case you missed it, my friends and I flew to Japan for 20 days to experience the cherry blossom season from March to April 2024. You can find all posts related to this trip under the Sakura 2024 category. You can also check out our Takayama, Shirakawa-go and Osaka visits.

Before you go, I hope you can like, follow and share my social media pages – Facebook and Instagram. This will help me increase my reach; it will also keep you up-to-date with the latest blog posts, itineraries and flight reports on this website. Thank you and see you next time!

PS. Photos were taken using my OnePlus 9 Pro.

Sakura 2024: OSAKA – Lazy but Relaxing Travel Days around Japan’s Amazing City [March 2024]

Early this year, my friends and I flew to Japan to witness the beautiful Hanami season. We started our journey in Takayama and Shirakawa-go, then went around Kansai Region, Hiroshima, before finishing our trip where we started, in Nagoya.

We spent a significant amount of time in Osaka, working on various professional commitments during our trip. After these daily commitments, we went to the usual sights and enjoyed the amazing city. We all have been to Osaka a few times in the past, so we did not pressure ourselves to see everything during our stay.

Allow me to share some of our sightings during our lazy but relaxing travel days around the bustling city of Osaka.

Osaka is not new on this website. In fact, I wrote about my previous visits in the following blog posts: The Japan Series | 3 of 3: OSAKA (2015), Going Solo in Japan Series: KYOTO & OSAKA (2016), Japan Highlights 2019: UNIVERSAL STUDIOS JAPAN – A Theme Park That Brings You Back to Being a ‘Kid’ Just for a Day (2019), and Kansai 2023: OSAKA & NARA Photoblog [April 2023] (2023).

OSAKA

Osaka is Japan’s second-most populous and famous city. This bustling port city is the center of commercial and economic activity in the Kansai Region. It is known for its modern architecture, food, entertainment, and nightlife. It is also known to be more relaxed than the very busy Tokyo.

In case you missed it, my friends and I went around Hida Takayama and Shirakawa-go before coming to Osaka on this trip. I hope you can check out the Takayama and Shirakawa-go blog post here.

Planning to get a Japan tourist visa soon? I got your covered. I wrote about the 4 easy steps in securing your next Japan tourist visa.

Plane Tickets

My friends and I flew in and out of Nagoya. We flew with our favorite budget airline, Cebu Pacific Air, and paid ₱13,759.49 each for the return tickets, including checked baggage allowance.

Our tickets were not the usual ₱1-base fare because our travel period is during the busy Holy Week (in the Philippines) and Hanami (in Japan) seasons. I wrote about our flights to and from Nagoya in the previous flight reports. I hope you can check them out here: Cebu Pacific Air Manila to Nagoya | 5J 5038 & Cebu Pacific Air Nagoya to Manila | 5J 5039.

Takayama to Osaka

We took a not so popular route and went to Osaka directly from Takayama. Normally, people would base in Nagoya and only take a day trip to Takayama and Shirakawa-go. We took the 5.5-hour express bus from Takayama Bus Terminal to Namba OCAT in Osaka.

Kintetsu Bus operates the 8:00 a.m. bus from Takayama while Nohi Bus operates the 1:40 p.m. bus to Osaka. One-way fare costs ¥5,500 per person from Mondays to Thursdays and ¥6,000 per person every Friday to Sunday.

We left Takayama on a Saturday afternoon, so we paid the ¥6,000 bus fare. We paid ₱2,303.59 each, including our bank’s foreign transaction service fee. We arrived in Osaka on time and went straight to our accommodation.

Accommodation

We stayed in Osaka twice during this trip, after Takayama before going to Hiroshima and after Hiroshima before going to Kyoto. In both instances, my friends and I stayed with The Stay Osaka Shinsaibashi.

The Stay Osaka Shinsaibashi is a 2-star accommodation located in the heart of Osaka. Renovated in 2019, the property has 134 private and dormitory rooms across 7 floors. It also has well-designed communal areas on the second level.

I wrote about The Stay Osaka Shinsaibashi in one of the recent hostel of the day features. I hope you can check it out here.

Going Around Osaka

Osaka has an extensive subway and train system. Most, if not all, places to visit can be reached by train. My friends and I did not avail of any train or subway pass. We used our IC cards for every ride around the city.

Places Visited in Osaka

The Sakura full bloom got delayed by a little over a week during our visit. We enjoyed whatever the city had to offer during our stay.

Shinsaibashi-suji Shopping Street

This long shopping arcade is the best place to shop when in Osaka. It has a wide range of stores, from cosmetic stores to apparel shops, second-hand stores, shoe shops, and designer boutiques. It also has hundreds of nearby restaurants and cafes.

Dōtonbori

Dōtonbori is a famous commercial and entertainment district in Osaka. It is where the famous Glico man sign is found. Characterized by different LED billboards, this place is famous for local street food and restaurants.

Namba

Namba is another commercial area in Osaka that is connected to the busy Namba Station. The area has several shopping centers, hotels, restaurants, and even entertainment establishments.

Umeda Sky Building

The Umeda Sky Building is a two-tower mixed-use skyscraper with a rooftop observatory named Kuchu Teien Observatory. The observatory offers beautiful views of Osaka from its 39^th floor from morning until evening.

My friends and I got our observatory tickets from Klook. We paid ₱540.30 each after discounts and went up the rooftop after sunset.

Shinsekai

Shinsekai is an old but cool neighborhood just outside the Minami ward. It has affordable restaurants, cafes, and souvenir shops. It also has the Tsutenkaku Tower, another famous local observatory. The neighborhood is best enjoyed at night when the lights are all lit up.

Osaka Castle

Osaka Castle is one of the city’s most famous landmarks. This historical landmark played an important role in unifying the country back in the 1600s. Today, it is a museum where visitors can enter for a fee.

Osaka Castle Park

The Osaka Castle Park is a massive park surrounding the beautiful Osaka Castle. This park is a famous Sakura spot in the city.

Too bad, the full bloom got delayed by a little over a week. We only saw the buds in the Sakura trees during our visit.

Nakaoe Park

Nakaoe Park is a small park near Osaka Castle. This park had beautiful Sakura trees in full bloom during our visit.

Kuromon Ichiba Market

Kuromon Ichiba Market is Osaka’s most famous fish market. Market vendors sell fresh seafood and produce daily. It is also a famous seafood and street food destination in Osaka. It also has various restaurants and souvenir shops, which visitors can check out during their visit.

This sums up our lazy but relaxing time in Osaka. We decided to just take our time and enjoy the city, and we eventually did.

Have you been to Osaka? How do you find the city? Is it a place you will come back to in the future? Share your thoughts in the comments section below. Do you have any questions about anything mentioned above? You may also send them via email to contact@thewkndtravel.com.

Thanks for joining me in today’s Osaka blogpost. In case you missed it, my friends and I flew to Japan for 20 days to experience the cherry blossom season from March to April 2024. You can find all posts related to this trip under the Sakura 2024 category.

PS. Photos were taken using my OnePlus 9 Pro.

Sakura 2024: HIDA TAKAYAMA & SHIRAKAWA-GO – Unexpected Snowy Mountain Scenery in Early Spring [March 2024]

A few months ago, my friends and I flew to Japan for Sakura. We started our long but memorable journey at Nagoya. Immediately after landing at Nagoya Airport, we took the train to the city to catch our onward bus to Takayama. We explored Hida Takayama (or simply Takayama) and Shirakawa-go for a good 48 hours. We did not expect to see and experience winter (in what was supposed to be early spring) in these two places.

I visited Takayama and Shirakawa-go back in autumn 2017. I was happy I got the chance to go back to these places after seven years. Join me in today’s blog as I share with you what we did for 48 hours around Takayama and Shirakawa-go.

Takayama & Shirakawa-go

Takayama is a small Japanese city in the mountainous Hida Region. Also known as Hida Takayama, the city has preserved its traditional elements, particularly in its famous old town.

Shirakawa-go is a traditional village famous for its gassho-style or thatched-roof farmhouses. Located in the remote mountains of Gifu, this UNESCO world heritage site became a favorite day trip destination of people visiting Takayama and Nagoya.

Plane Tickets

My friends and I flew in to Chubu Centrair International Airport, the nearest main international airport to these 2 places. We booked two one-way tickets and flew with Cebu Pacific Air on both flights. We paid ₱13,759.49 for both flights. These tickets were not the most wallet-friendly, but these were during the peak of the peak seasons in Japan.

I wrote about our 5J 5038 Manila to Nagoya and 5J 5039 Nagoya to Manila flights in the previous flight reports. I hope you can check these posts.

Nagoya to Takayama

The JR Hida Limited Express and multiple highway buses link Nagoya and Takayama daily.

My friends and I opted for the cheaper option, the highway bus. We got the 4:30 p.m. Nohi Bus service departing from Meitetsu Bus Center near Nagoya Station. We arrived at Takayama Bus Terminal a few minutes past 7:00 p.m.

This one-way bus ticket cost us ¥3,345 (around ₱1,284.44 at the time of posting) after discounts. It’s almost half the price of the one-way ¥6,000 train ticket.

Accommodation

My friends and I stayed with Country Hotel Takayama for 2 nights. We booked this hotel because of its location and price. We got an economy twin room with private bathroom and only paid ¥11,934 (booked 9 months in advance) for the whole stay.

Country Hotel Takayama is in front of the Takayama Bus Terminal and a few meters away from the JR Takayama Station. It is 800 meters, or 10-12 minutes, away by foot to Takayama Old Town. It has an in-house restaurant and a convenience store on the ground floor. The hotel offers a Japanese breakfast buffet for only ¥1,000 per person.

Going Around Takayama & Shirakawa-go

Going around Takayama and Shirakawa-go is easy. Both places can be explored by foot. Takayama’s city center is small to the point where you can walk around it in a few hours. Most of the attractions and shops are located near Takayama Old Town.

Traveling to Shirakawa-go from Takayama is easy. Buses depart every 30 minutes or every hour from Takayama Station. Visitors can choose between reserved and non-reserved buses. Reserved buses fill up quickly, so one needs to consider getting tickets from the bus terminal ahead of time. Bus tickets cost ¥2,600 per way and take around 50 minutes. You may check the Nohi Bus website for the updated schedules and ticket prices.

Shirakawa-go is a small village that can also be explored by foot. The gassho-style houses and the other houses are located near each other and are all surrounded by rice fields. The only challenging area in Shirakawa-go is going up and down from the view deck. Alternatively, visitors can take the bus up to and down from the view deck.

Around Takayama

Takayama Old Town

Hida Kokubun-ji

Miyagawa River

Nakatsubo – Nakatsubo is a family-owned local restaurant known for its Takayama Ramen.

Hida Takuma – Hida Takuma is a specialty restaurant that serves Hida beef.

Around Shirakawa-go

Ogimachi Village

Three Houses

Shō River

Ogimachi Castle Observation Deck

Ochūdo Café – Ochūdo Café is a local restaurant that serves curry rice and sweet egg bean soup.

Hida Milk Soft Serve Ice Cream

This sums up our quick, fun, and unexpectedly beautiful snowy visit to Takayama and Shirakawa-go. My friends and I expected to see these places during spring, but we ended up seeing them full of snow!

Have you been to Takayama and Shirakawa-go? What do you think of these places? Share your experiences and visits in the comments section below. Do you have any questions about these two? You may send them via email to contact@thewkndtravel.com.

This is the start of many Sakura 2024 content. I hope you watch out for more trip details in the future. Before you go, I hope you can like, follow and share my social media pages – Facebook and Instagram. This will help me increase my reach; it will also keep you up-to-date with the latest blog posts, itineraries and flight reports on this website. Thank you and see you in the next one!

PS. Photos were taken using my OnePlus 9 Pro.

CEBU-YAS WEEKEND: 4 Days Around Cebu City & Bantayan Island [May 2022]

Recently, my high school friends & I flew to Cebu from Legazpi to have a proper 4-day vacation. We took Cebu Pacific Air’s direct regional flight from Bicol International Airport to Mactan-Cebu International Airport that resumed operations late March 2022. Feel free to check out this flight report to know more about this short hop to Cebu.

We spent these 4 days around Cebu City & Bantayan Island. Upon arrival, we decided to go around the city & visit the new & old attractions. We, then, went up north to Bantayan Island to spend the next 2 full days before going back to Cebu City on the 4^th & last day. Allow me to share with you the details of these trips around Cebu City & Bantayan Island.

Sandira Paradise Beach – one of the beaches we visited in Bantayan Island. Definitely a must-see!

CEBU CITY

It’s been a decade since I’ve been around Cebu City. As far as I can remember, my last visit was also with my high school friends back in 2012. It was only a short 3 days & 2 nights trip around the city & the nearby Mactan Island. A lot as surely changed in the last decade, so I was so happy to re-visit the Queen City of the South.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

At the time of the trip in mid-May, Cebu City was under Alert Level 1. This meant that the city only required vaccination cards & valid IDs during check-in. Believe it or not, the establishments around the city didn’t check our vaccination cards upon entry into buildings & tourist attractions. Please take note that partially vaccinated or unvaccinated people may have different requirements.

Please note that these travel requirements can change from time to time. I suggest that you always check with the local government of your destination or the airline’s Covid-19 information pages for the updated travel requirements.

ACCOMMODATION

We were initially booked in a hostel property but we were transferred by Agoda to S Hotel & Residences. We paid ₱3,098.18 for a night in 3 double / twin rooms. Each room for 2 cost ₱1,032.73. The room has 1 king bed / 2 single beds, a cable television, air conditioning, a small desk / working station, toilet & bath complete with towels & toiletries. The property is located on M. Velez St, near the Provincial Capitol site.

TRANSPORTATION

My friends & I opted for a car hire while we were in the city. It saved us the hassle of booking Grab or taking taxis while going around the city.

PLACES VISITED IN CEBU CITY

Original Sirao Garden – Little Amsterdam

Original Sirao Garden – Little Amsterdam is a flower garden located in Canada Dr, Brgy. Sirao, Cebu City. It’s the perfect place to take photos with flowers & flower gardens. Entrance fee to the garden costs ₱100 for adults, ₱80 for senior citizens & PWDs & ₱50 for children up to 12 years old.

Top of Cebu Restaurant

Top of Cebu is a Filipino restaurant that gives a breathtaking view of Cebu City from the mountains. The restaurant serves good food paired with the stunning view of the city in your background. It is usually packed at night so it’s best to call ahead of time to reserve. We went there during lunch time & we noticed the place wasn’t that busy.

Temple of Leah

Temple of Leah is a temple that is dedicated to Leah Albino-Adarna. It is a gift of love given by his husband, Teodorico Soriano Adarna. Entrance fee to the temple grounds costs ₱100 per person.

Magellan’s Cross

Magellan’s Cross is one of the most famous historical landmarks. The kiosk, located in Plaza Sugbo, is believed to be the place where the conquerors, led by Ferdinand Magellan, planted the original cross on April 21, 1521.

Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño de Cebu

Located just a few steps from the Magellan’s Cross site, Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño de Cebu is home to the oldest Sto. Niño relic in the country. This Basilica is also a famous attraction in the city, particularly during Sinulog celebrations in January.

La Vie Parisienne

La Vie Parisienne is a French-inspired restaurant that serves good food & drinks. This place is famous for its Instagram-worthy wine cellar. We had our dinner here after a long day around the city; we enjoyed some pasta & pizza paired with their in-house sangria.

Balamban Highlands

We passed by Balamban Highlands on our way back to Cebu from Hagnaya Port in San Remegio. It is a long scenic highway found in the Municipality of Balamban. Our driver told us that the area has kilometers worth of uphill drive from Balamban to Cebu City or downhill drive from Cebu City to Balambam, depending where you’re coming from. The highlands provide some stunning views of the mountains.

Shamrock Pasalubong Center

A visit to Cebu City is not complete without dropping by a pasalubong center. We went to one of the Shamrock Pasalubong Centers near Fuente Circle & bought packs of the famous Shamrock puff pastry commonly known as otap.

Tabo-an Public Market

Tabo-an Market is the place to buy dried fish & dried mangoes. My friends hoarded different kinds of dried fish while I bought those 1-kilogram packs of dried mangoes.

Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX)

The Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway is the recently inaugurated & opened bridge that connects Cebu City with the town of Cordova on Mactan Island. The bridge is 8.5 kilometers long & is now the new longest bridge in the Philippines. This is a toll bridge & motorists are expected to pay a fee of ₱90-₱270 per way depending on car class.

CnT Lechon

Cebu is also known for their tasty lechon. There are a number of restaurants & local brands but most people say CnT is the best & the tastiest. We had CnT Lechon for dinner on our last dinner in Cebu. It is indeed tasty & has a distinct flavor not found in ordinary lechons.

Mactan-Cebu International Airport Terminal 2

I’ve read great things about & seen awesome photos of the new Mactan-Cebu International Airport Terminal 2; I feel happy that I was able to see it in person this time. Our flight to Manila departed from the said terminal. Oh boy, the terminal is truly world-class! No wonder this terminal has been recognized by many from around the world!

BANTAYAN ISLAND

I’ve read & heard a lot of things about Bantayan Island over the years & I’ve always wanted to visit. The ‘plan’ to visit this beautiful island came to fruition on this 4-day trip to Cebu. My friends & I decided to have some rest & relaxation on the island for 3 days & 2 nights.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

Bantayan Island requires all visitors to pre-book their accommodations before going to the island. The chosen accommodation will require a valid ID & proof of vaccination from each tourist & will issue a tourist-specific QR code. The QR code is checked by the local authorities upon arrival on the island. Partially vaccinated or unvaccinated people may have different requirements.

TO & FROM BANTAYAN ISLAND

Going to Bantayan Island from Cebu City is easy. One can go to SM Cebu Terminal & catch a bus or van to Hagnaya Port. The one-way fare costs ₱300 per person. The trip takes about 3-4 hours for vans & 4-5 hours for buses including all stops. Upon arrival at Hagnaya Port, proceed to the boat ticketing counters & buy tickets for the next available trip to Bantayan Island. Ferry trips to the island leave almost every hour during the day. The ferry ticket to Bantayan costs ₱355 including insurance fees & taxes, while the ticket back to Hagnaya Port costs about ₱290 including fees & taxes. The ferry journey takes about 1-1.5 hours per way. All visitors are obliged to pay an environmental fee of ₱30 in Santa Fe Port.

ACCOMMODATION

My friends & I stayed at the island-famous Kota Beach Resort. We booked 3 double rooms at ₱2,700 per room per night. The room rate includes a set breakfast & access to the resorts facilities. Each room features a comfortable double bed, separate toilet & shower areas, air conditioning, a small work space & a balcony. The rooms also have towels, toiletries & 2 bottled waters per day. The resort also provided free port transfers to all its guests.

TRANSPORTATION

The best way to go around the island is by motorbike or by tricycle. My friends & I opted for the tricycle for our land tour. We hired a tricycle for ₱800 pesos & we went around the attractions found in Santa Fe & nearby towns.

PLACES VISITED IN BANTAYAN ISLAND

Kota Beach

The beach found in the resort were staying is one of the best beach spots on the island. Tourists flock Kota Beach throughout the day. All tourists have free access to the beach. We missed the famous Bantayan Island sunset but we had the chance to witness the spectacular sunrise from this beach.

Ogtong Cave & Santa Fe Beach Club

Ogtong Cave is a famous cave with clean, cold & turquoise clear water. Guests are required to pay an entrance fee of ₱225 to see & swim in the cave. This fee also includes access to the beach, swimming pools & amenities of Santa Fe Beach Club. My friends & I backed out upon hearing the expensive entrance fee from the staff. I hope the management introduces an entrance fee that is solely for the cave.

The Ruins

The Ruins Bantayan Island is an abandoned structure found near the cliffs. It’s now a famous tourist attraction because of its scenic location. It’s also turned into a cliff jumping spot. The place is free for all.

Sandira Beach

Sandira Beach is a private beach known for its clear waters & rock formations. This beach has an entrance fee of ₱60 per person.

Omagieca Obo-ob Mangrove Garden

Omagieca Obo-ob Mangrove Garden is a beautiful mangrove park that’s worth visiting when in Bantayan Island. Entrance fee to this garden costs ₱55 per person.

Sto. Niño Roman Catholic Church

Santa Fe’s local parish church, Sto. Niño Roman Catholic Church, has a beautiful altar that’s worth seeing.

There are other attractions & spots to visit around Bantayan Island & the nearby islands (Virgin Island) but we decided to just enjoy our stay in Kota Beach Resort.

And that’s it – we’ve been to a lot of places in 4 days! It felt great to go around & see Cebu City again after 10 years. I also finally had the chance to explore Bantayan Island after years of aiming to come & visit. It was definitely worth the 4-5 hour trip up north. Going on holiday / vacation these days is considered a blessing; I was so happy to be able to do it again. I cannot wait to explore both old & new places in the Philippines & around the world; I’m sure a lot has changed in the last 2-3 years!

Have you been on a vacation or holiday recently? How was your experience? It felt weird at first, right? Share your experiences in the comments section below! Do you have questions about Cebu City, Bantayan Island or anything mentioned above? Feel free to post a comment below. If you want to stay anonymous, you can also send those questions via e-mail to contact@thewkndtravel.com.

Thanks for joining me in today’s blog post. I am so happy to start sharing my travel experiences again after over 2 years of being on the ground. I can’t wait to share my upcoming trips & flights with you. Until the next one!

PS. Photos were taken using my OnePlus 9 Pro.