Tag: Sakura 2024

Tuesday Tips: 6 SUGGESTIONS on HOW to PLAN Your NEXT SAKURA TRIP

Planning a Sakura trip can be stressful. For one, no one knows the exact date of the Sakura trees’ full bloom in each city until at least a week before. Secondly, everything — from plane tickets to hotel accommodations — gets expensive due to high demand from both locals and tourists.

Last year, my friends and I went on a 20-day Sakura trip. We started our journey in the cold and snowy Takayama and Shirakawa-go. Then, we went to Osaka to relax and work for a few days. Afterward, we continued our journey south to Hiroshima and Miyajima Island, using the JR Kansai-Hiroshima Area Pass. We used the same pass to return to Osaka, where we based ourselves and took day trips to Nara, Kobe, and Himeji. We spent a few days in Kyoto before finishing our trip in Nagoya and Inuyama.

Months before our trip, we had planned our schedule to coincide with the forecasted Sakura full blooms in Osaka, Hiroshima, Kyoto, and even Nagoya. However, the colder-than-expected weather delayed the Sakura full bloom by almost a week or two. Believe it or not, we only managed to witness the full bloom in Nagoya towards the end of the trip.

In today’s Tuesday Tips post, I will share some suggestions on how you can plan your next Sakura trip. While I cannot guarantee that you’ll catch the full bloom, I can offer tips on how to save money and make the most of your trip. These suggestions are based on our experiences from last year.

Plan Trip Dates Ahead

First things first: plan your trip dates in advance. Historically, the Sakura trees are best viewed in famous cities during the last week of March through the first two weeks of April. If you can schedule your trip to include these weeks, it would be ideal.

Book Plane Tickets and Accommodations Ahead

Once you have an idea of when the Sakura trees are best viewed, you can start looking for affordable plane tickets and accommodations ahead of time.

My friends and I booked our Manila to Nagoya plane tickets as early as July the year before for a trip in late March. We waited for the return flight forecasts and purchased our tickets four months in advance. The ticket to Nagoya only cost us a little over ₱3,000, including baggage. The return ticket, however, cost almost ₱11,000 due to the late booking and baggage fees. If only we had booked everything earlier, we could have gotten a much cheaper return ticket.

95% of our accommodations (see photos below) were booked up to nine months in advance. My friends and I took advantage of credit card promotions with Agoda and Booking.com. We also made sure to book places with free cancellation and a pay-later option. Even during peak times like this, accommodations are cheaper when booked months in advance. Plus, you get access to the best options since others have not started planning yet.

Having our plane tickets and accommodations settled early gave us plenty of time to research and plan our itinerary.

Stay Longer and Base in Selected Cities

As mentioned above, no one knows the exact date of the Sakura full bloom. Everyone depends on forecasts made by the Japanese authorities. Staying longer in your selected cities gives you the time and flexibility to adjust according to these forecasts.

It is also ideal to choose one or two cities as your base while chasing Sakura. In our case, we based ourselves in cities like Osaka and Kyoto, which are within reach of many other cities like Nara, Kobe, and Himeji. Staying longer in these cities also gave us more time to wait for or chase the Sakura, depending on where it was best viewed during our visit.

Monitor Sakura Forecasts

I suggest that you continuously monitor the official Sakura forecasts released by the Japanese authorities. These forecasts are available as early as January and are updated every few weeks. However, I do not recommend planning your trip solely around these forecasts, as they are always subject to change.

These forecasts will give you an idea of where to go during your selected trip dates and which day trips you can take from your chosen bases.

Keep Itinerary and Schedule Flexible

I do not recommend Sakura trips for first-time visitors to Japan. Ideally, when chasing Sakura, you should have already visited the usual attractions in Japan. This allows you to focus entirely on chasing Sakura and doing nothing else. You will not have to worry about missing out on a temple or a particular site because you have already seen it before.

There are thousands of places, parks, and areas where Sakura can be viewed during this season. Keeping your itinerary flexible gives you the freedom to visit wherever Sakura is in bloom.

Last year, on our few days in Osaka, we had not seen any Sakura trees in full bloom. Fortunately, I came across a random Instagram post showing that a small park (Nakaoe Park) near Osaka Castle had Sakura trees in full bloom. Since we had no plans after visiting Osaka Castle, my friends and I decided to go to this park and were able to enjoy the beautiful cherry blossoms.

On another occasion, it was a random day in Kyoto when I saw online that the Sakura trees were starting to bloom along the Philosopher’s Path. My friends and I immediately went to the area that afternoon, and we were treated to stunning views of cherry blossoms lining the long, beautiful path by the river.

Purchase Passes Perfect for Your Final Itinerary

Lastly, Japan offers hundreds of visitor passes that might be perfect for your plans or itinerary. Be sure to check if one fits your needs for additional savings.

In our case last year, my friends and I took advantage of the JR Kansai-Hiroshima Area Pass. We used this pass to take the Shinkansen to and from Hiroshima from Osaka, as well as for the trains and ferry rides to and from Miyajima Island, the train to Nara, and the Shinkansen rides to Kobe, Himeji, and back to Osaka. We only paid ¥17,000 for the pass, but we got ¥33,000 worth of Shinkansen, local train, and ferry rides out of it.

I hope these suggestions help you plan your next Sakura trip. It might be too late to use them for this year, but hopefully, they will come in handy for your next trip. Sakura season in Japan is truly magical, and with a bit of planning, you can really enjoy it without the stress. Keep these tips in mind, and take your time to enjoy the beauty of the cherry blossoms. Best of luck with your future trips — I hope you catch the perfect bloom and have an unforgettable experience!

Have you been to Japan during Sakura, 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 Tuesday Tips post. 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: NAGOYA & INUYAMA – Peak Sakura Around Aichi Prefecture’s Capital City + First-Ever Traditional Japanese Festival Experience [April 2024]

Early last year, my friends and I flew to Japan to experience the world-famous cherry blossom season. We began our journey in the snowy, cold towns of Takayama and Shirakawa-go. Then, we traveled to Osaka to relax for a few days. After that, we took the Shinkansen down to Hiroshima for 48 hours before heading back to Osaka. We used our JR Kansai-Hiroshima Area Pass to take quick trips to Nara, Kobe, and Himeji. We then made our way to Kyoto, where we witnessed the beginning of the full Sakura bloom in the city. Our 20-day Japan trip ended in the capital of Aichi Prefecture, Nagoya.

We spent a few days exploring the city and even visited the nearby town of Inuyama, where we experienced our first-ever traditional Japanese festival. We visited some usual sights, but focused mostly on the Sakura, food, and last-minute shopping. Allow me to share more details about the final leg of our 2024 Sakura trip below.

Nagoya & Inuyama

Nagoya is the capital of Aichi Prefecture and one of Japan’s industrial and financial centers. Located in the heart of Honshu Island, Nagoya is the country’s fourth most populous city but is often overlooked in favor of the usual Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. The city has a laid-back yet modern vibe, with a unique character that is loved by both foreigners and expatriates.

Inuyama is a small city located north of Nagoya, known for its beautiful wooden castle. The city is also famous for its historic houses and the annual Inuyama Festival.

In case you missed it, I visited Nagoya back in 2016. It was the first stop on my 13-day solo trip around Japan. You can check out my previous post about Nagoya here.

Flights To & From Nagoya

The Philippines’ major carriers, Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific Air, offer daily flights to Nagoya from Manila. My friends and I avoided the peak airport crowds by flying with Cebu Pacific Air to and from Chubu Centrair International Airport in Nagoya.

I have written about these two 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 and 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.

Kyoto to Nagoya

Kyoto and Nagoya are connected by multiple train and bus routes daily. My friends and I took the most economical option and traveled by highway bus from Kyoto Station to JR Nagoya Station.

We took the Meitetsu Bus, which left Kyoto Station at 1:30 p.m. local time and arrived at JR Nagoya Station at 4:00 p.m. This 2.5-hour bus ride cost us only ¥2,600 each, which was charged as ₱998.16 on my credit card statement. We booked our tickets via the Japan Bus Online website.

Accommodation

My friends initially planned to stay only 3 nights in Nagoya, but the additional local Philippine holiday prompted us to extend our stay by one more night. We stayed at Hotel ACTEL Nagoya Nishiki for all 4 nights.

We stayed in a twin room for the first 3 nights, paying ₱5,423.23 per person, and then in a single room on the last night for ₱1,188.99 per person after all discounts. We enjoyed our stay in the hotel’s beautifully designed, modern, and minimalist rooms.

The hotel is located in the vibrant Sakae area, just a few meters from the subway station and the Oasis 21 landmark. While it does not offer breakfast or meal service, it provides a complimentary beauty and amenity bar, as well as a coffee vending machine.

Going Around Nagoya

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

My friends and I did not purchase any tourist passes. Instead, we used our IC cards for all transportation during our visit around Nagoya.

Places Visited in Nagoya

Nagoya Castle

Nagoya Castle is one of Japan’s National Treasures. Built during the Edo period, the castle has withstood countless wars, calamities, and developments, and it still stands beautifully in the heart of Nagoya.

Entry to Nagoya Castle grounds costs ¥500 per person. Tickets are bought at the castle grounds entrance.

Nagoya Castle Grounds

The grounds of Nagoya Castle were surrounded by cherry blossom trees in full bloom during our visit. The castle grounds were bustling with visitors on a Saturday afternoon, with some people having picnics under the beautiful Sakura trees.

Meijō Park

Meijō Park is an expansive green space located next to the Nagoya Castle grounds. It featured beautiful floral displays during our visit last year.

Chubu Electric Power MIRAI TOWER

Formerly known as the Nagoya TV Tower, this landmark was the country’s first radio tower. It is now an observatory offering panoramic views of the Sakae area.

Oasis 21

Oasis 21 is another notable landmark in the Sakae area. The building houses shops, restaurants, cafes, and even a bus terminal. Its glass roof structure features water, which is believed to cool down the underground shopping and entertainment area.

Misokatsu Yabaton

My friends and I visited Misokatsu Yabaton restaurant twice to enjoy Nagoya’s famous miso katsu.

The restaurant serves a breaded, deep-fried pork cutlet topped with a rich and sweet miso-based sauce. It is served with a cabbage salad, miso soup, and rice. It is a must-try when in Nagoya.

Inuyama Festival

Our visit to Nagoya coincided with the annual Inuyama Festival. This traditional festival, held in the small city of Inuyama, is known for its three-tiered floats adorned with dancing mechanical puppets that are paraded around the city. The parade is accompanied by traditional drum and flute music, especially during the peak Sakura period.

My friends and I attended the rehearsal festival, which took place the night before the actual event. The festival floats were stunning, particularly at night. It was a fun experience, with mostly locals and a few foreign visitors (like us)!

Overall, our time in Nagoya and Inuyama was an amazing experience. We enjoyed the beautiful sights, like the cherry blossoms at Nagoya Castle, and had a blast at the Inuyama Festival. From exploring the city to trying local food, Nagoya gave us memories we will never forget. It was the perfect way to end our 20-day trip around Japan.

Have you been to Nagoya and Inuyama, 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 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, Osaka, Hiroshima, Kobe, Nara, Himeji, and Kyoto 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: 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.

JR KANSAI-HIROSHIMA AREA PASS Review – Is It Worth It?

Early last year, my friends and I purchased the JR Kansai-Hiroshima Area Pass for our trip around Hiroshima and the Kansai Region. We used this pass to travel to Hiroshima, Nara, Kobe, and Himeji from our base in Osaka.

Today, I will give you an in-depth look at this area pass and whether it’s worth purchasing. Read on below to learn more.

JR Kansai-Hiroshima Area Pass

The JR Kansai-Hiroshima Area Pass is an unlimited rail (and bus) pass offered to foreign tourists who wish to travel around the Kansai Region and Hiroshima for five consecutive days. The pass includes unlimited Shinkansen (bullet train) rides between Osaka and Hiroshima.

Price & Inclusions

The JR Kansai-Hiroshima Area Pass costs ¥17,000 for adults (12 years and older) and ¥8,500 for children (6 to 11 years old). The pass is valid for five consecutive days from the date of the first trip/ride.

According to the West Japan Railway Company (JR-West) website, the JR Kansai-Hiroshima Area Pass covers the following:

  • Unlimited use of the Sanyo Shinkansen (including Nozomi and Mizuho) between Shin-Osaka and Hiroshima, including the Hello Kitty Shinkansen
  • Unlimited Shinkansen seat reservations on ordinary cars
  • Unlimited use of local, rapid, and limited express JR trains in the JR-West coverage area
  • Unlimited use of the JR Ferry to and from Miyajima Island (Itsukushima)
  • Unlimited use of Kyoto Tango Railway going to Amanohashidate
  • Unlimited use of Wakayama Electric Railway
  • Unlimited use of local JR buses around Hiroshima, Kyoto and other West Japan JR buses within the covered areas
  • Free bicycle rental at Ekirin Kun outlets in the designated areas

Limitations

This area pass also comes with certain limitations. First, the pass is only available to foreign visitors/tourists (with valid landing permits) in Japan. It is not available for purchase by locals or residents of Japan. Second, the pass can only be used by a single person. It is tied to the person’s passport details, so it is not transferable. Additionally, the pass holder must always carry their passport.

Third, the pass does not cover the Tōkaidō Shinkansen route between Shin-Osaka and Kyoto. It also cannot be used on any other Shinkansen routes outside the Shin-Osaka and Hiroshima route. Fourth, Shinkansen seat reservations via ticket machines can only be made up to six times. Any seat reservations beyond the 6th must be made at the offices.

Where To Buy

The JR Kansai-Hiroshima Area Pass is available for purchase on the West Japan Railway Company (JR-West) website. It is also available through accredited local travel agencies worldwide. You can find the list of accredited travel agencies here. The area pass is also available for purchase on online travel platforms such as Klook and KKDay.

Please note that the pass must be exchanged within 3 months from the date of purchase.

How To Use It

Each purchased pass must be exchanged at designated JR-West ticket offices or selected JR-West stations for physical tickets. These passes can also be exchanged at green ticket machines labeled e5489. The machine will require the customer to present the reservation number, e-ticket QR code, and a foreign passport with an IC chip. Seat reservations can also be made at these green ticket machines.

The JR Kansai-Hiroshima Area Pass works like any other single-journey ticket. The ticket holder must insert the JR Pass along with the seat reservation ticket (if applicable) at every station checkpoint and retrieve them after passing through.

Japan Rail Pass Fare Calculator

Websites in Japan have created JR Pass fare calculators to help determine whether purchasing a particular pass is worth it, depending on your itinerary.

The JR Pass and Japan Travel websites offer fare calculators for the standard 7 to 21-day passes. The Japan Guide website provides a more detailed fare calculator that includes all available regional passes.

Where Did We Use

My friends and I purchased our JR Kansai-Hiroshima Area Pass from Klook. We paid ₱6,346.00 each and exchanged our pass vouchers at a green ticket machine located at Osaka Station.

We used our passes for 5 consecutive days and traveled the following route: Shin-Osaka to Hiroshima via the Nozomi bullet train, Hiroshima to Miyajima Island (Itsukushima) via train and ferry (round trip), Hiroshima Meipuru-pu sightseeing bus to our accommodation, Hiroshima to Shin-Osaka via the Nozomi bullet train, JR line from Shin-Imamiya Station to JR Nara Station and back, Shin-Osaka to Shin-Kobe, Shin-Kobe to Himeji both via the Nozomi bullet train, Himeji to Shin-Osaka via the Hikari bullet train, and Kyoto Station to Arashiyama Station and back.

We used the pass to visit Hiroshima, Nara, Kobe, Himeji, and Kyoto all within 5 days. We didn’t use it for our trip to Kyoto (because we found a faster and more convenient option), but we did use it for the return train service from Kyoto to Arashiyama.

Was It Worth Purchasing?

Was the JR Kansai-Hiroshima Area Pass worth the purchase given our route above? The answer is YES. With the help of Google Maps, I manually checked every ride we took. The total fare cost of everything listed above without the pass was around ¥33,000 per person.

The pass only cost us ¥17,000 per person. Including all bus and local train rides, it saved us around ¥16,000 per person. That is almost double the original pass cost! What a steal.

At the end of the day, the pass will only be worth it if you carefully plan your itinerary and make sure to maximize its inclusions within the 5-day usage period. While it may not be the most affordable option for visiting the Kansai Region and Hiroshima, it can become a valuable investment with proper planning and usage. If you plan to stay solely within the Kansai Region, you can consider these cheaper alternatives: the JR Kansai Area Pass and the JR Kansai WIDE Area Pass.

What do you think of the JR Kansai-Hiroshima Area Pass? Is it something that suits your travel style? Share your thoughts in the comments section below. Do you have any questions about the pass? In addition to posting below, you can also send them via email to contact@thewkndtravel.com.

Thanks for joining me in today’s pass review. 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.

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: NARA, KOBE & HIMEJI Photoblog [March 2024]

Last year, my friends and I flew to Japan to experience the world-famous Sakura season. We had planned to be in most cities during the forecasted full bloom period, but to our surprise, the bloom was delayed by a little over a week due to colder-than-usual temperatures. We continued with our plans and enjoyed the trip despite the delay.

We started our journey in Takayama and Shirakawa-go, then went down to Osaka for a few relaxing / working days. We traveled further south to Hiroshima and Miyajima Island, then returned to Osaka. During our second visit to Osaka, we decided to explore nearby cities such as Nara, Kobe, and Himeji.

Allow me to share some of the photos I took during these short visits to the cities. I had been to Kobe in 2016 and Nara a few times (2016, 2019 and 2023), so I did not take many photos.

Accommodation & Osaka Base

My friends and I stayed in Osaka again for a few days after Hiroshima. Just like during our previous visit, we stayed at The Stay Osaka Shinsaibashi.

It has become my favorite accommodation in Osaka. I have stayed at this property during my last four visits to the city. I wrote about why I love this property in one of the recent “Hostel of the Day” features. I hope you can check out why this is my favorite here.

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.

JR Kansai-Hiroshima Area Pass

We purchased the JR Kansai-Hiroshima Area Pass for our visits to Hiroshima and the three cities. We paid ¥17,000 each for a 5-day pass that allowed us to take unlimited Shinkansen rides between Osaka and Hiroshima, as well as limited express and local JR trains and buses within the area. We used this pass to visit the three cities, take bullet trains to Kobe and Himeji, and use the local JR line for Nara.

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.

Nara

We visited Nara to see the world-famous deer park. It was one of my friend’s first times visiting the city.

Kobe

We went to Kobe mainly for the Kobe beef. We had lunch at a local steak restaurant and walked around the nearby temple area while waiting for our Shinkansen to Himeji.

Himeji

We took the Shinkansen to see one of the most beautiful castles in Japan, Himeji Castle. Our visit coincided with the local cherry blossom viewing festival, despite the Sakura not yet being in full bloom.

Our visits to these three cities were full of amazing sights, great food, and memorable first-hand experiences. Despite the delayed Sakura bloom, we thoroughly enjoyed exploring the cities and their unique attractions.

Have you been to Kobe, Nara and Himeji, 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 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, Osaka, and Hiroshima 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.