sakura – Page 2 – The Wknd Travel

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.

Flight Report: CEBU PACIFIC AIR 5J 5039 – Nagoya to Manila – Unexpected Inflight Treats on our Expensive Flight Back to Manila [April 2024]

A few months ago, my friends and I flew to Japan for the cherry blossom season. We flew in and out of Nagoya, but we mostly went around the Kansai Region. We flew with Cebu Pacific Air on both flights to and from Nagoya.

Previously, I shared with you how our 5J 5038 Manila to Nagoya went. Today, I will share details about our outbound flight on Cebu Pacific Air’s flight 5J 5039 from Nagoya to Manila. Join me in today’s flight report to know how my friends and I got unexpected inflight treats on this flight back to Manila.

Cebu Pacific Air

Cebu Pacific Air is not a new airline in this website; it is actually my most-reviewed airline here. Cebu Pacific Air is the country’s largest low-cost carrier. The airline is owned by Cebu Air, Inc. which is part of one of the country’s biggest conglomerates, JG Summit Holdings.

The airline commenced its first flight in 1996 and has been flying for over 28 years. Together with its subsidiary, Cebgo (previously Tiger Air Philippines), the airline flies to over 60 destinations across the country, Asia Pacific and the Middle East. It operates over 70 young and fuel-efficient jet and propeller aircraft. Cebu Pacific Air operates the narrow-body and wide-body aircraft while its subsidiary operates the propeller passenger and cargo aircraft.

The airline has a lifestyle and loyalty program called Go Rewards. The airline has opened the opportunity for every Filipino to fly domestic and international at extremely low prices compared to its industry rivals. It is known for its ₱1-base fare promotions offered a few times a year.

In case you missed it, I post reviews and features of my flights since June 2019. I’ve covered airlines such as EVA Air, Indonesia Air Asia, Emirates, Singapore Airlines, and Philippine Airlines. All posts about these flights are found under the Flight Reports category.

Airfare & Inclusions

Promotional fares are nonexistent for peak seasons like Sakura or Golden Week in Japan. In fact, airfares are priced double or triple compared to regular day fares.

My friends and I had no choice but to book regular fares on our flight back to Manila. We booked our return ticket with Cebu Pacific Air and paid ₱10,691.49 one-way. We booked this in Japanese Yen, so the final ticket price includes foreign currency transaction fees charged by my local bank.

This expensive one-way outbound ticket included 7 kilograms of carry-on allowance, 2 x 20 kilograms (40 kilograms in total) of checked baggage allowance, and a standard seat of choice. This ticket is on the higher end of the price range because it falls during the peak Sakura time in Nagoya and during a public holiday in the Philippines. The tickets on competing airlines are priced 1.5 times, if not double, the price we got.

Do you want to know the difference between a full-service & a low-cost airline? Check out my previous post detailing the differences of these 2 types of airlines.

Travel Requirements

Philippine passport holders are only required to present their valid passports and the E-Travel QR code when entering the country’s borders. Non-Philippine passport holders may be required to present other requirements, such as a valid visa or onward departure ticket. These requirements vary from one nationality to the next. It is always best to check with the relevant authorities regarding the updated entry requirements.

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.

BEFORE THE FLIGHT

Cebu Pacific Air sends three email reminders to all its passengers for every upcoming flight.

72 hours before the flight, the airline sent an email reminder about the luggage allowance and the travel requirements for the Philippines. 48 hours before the flight, the airline sent us an email informing us that online check-in is now available for our flight. The airline also included a step-by-step process on how to check in online.

24 hours before the flight, Cebu Pacific Air sent another email detailing the airport check-in process as well as reminding us about the required online departure card. The airline does a good job of keeping their passengers informed about everything that is needed for an upcoming flight. Kudos, CEB!

Aircraft & Flight Information

This Nagoya-to-Manila Cebu Pacific Air flight 5J 5039 was operated by a 3.4-year-old (at the time of the flight) Airbus A321neo aircraft. The plane was delivered to the airline in November 2020. Features a single economy class cabin with 235 pre-reclined seats.

Flight 5J 5039 took off from Chubu Centrair International Airport at 1:29 p.m. local time, cruised an altitude of 36,000 feet, and touched down at Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila at 4:42 p.m. local time. The flight took 4 hours and 13 minutes.

Ground & Airport Experience

Cebu Pacific Air operates out of Chubu Centrair International Airport Terminal 2, the terminal where many low-cost airlines are assigned to.

Terminal 2 is deserted compared to Terminal 1, with only a handful of flights operating daily. During our flight, only 5 international flights (including our flight) were expected to fly out of the terminal for the rest of the day. This makes the ground and airport experience quick and efficient.

CHECK IN & BAG DROP

Passengers flying Cebu Pacific Air must check-in and print their boarding passes and bag tags using the kiosks. Those with checked baggage then proceed to the bag drop counters, where their carry-on and hold luggage are weighed and checked.

My friends and I arrived at Terminal 2 at 10:00 a.m., did our check-in, and finished the whole process by 10:07 a.m. Everything happened in 7 minutes. There were no queues everywhere.

PRE-DEPARTURE

After check-in, my friends and I cleared immigration and airport security. We walked to our assigned Gate 71, where we will board our flight to Manila.

Airside shops and restaurants do not open until around 10:30 or 11:00 a.m. Upon opening, we did our last-minute chocolate shopping. We also had lunch in one of the restaurants while waiting for boarding. The airport terminal does not have a lounge. All lounges are in Terminal 1.

BOARDING

The ground staff commenced boarding at 12:15 p.m. First, they called passengers flying with kids and persons with disabilities to board the airline. Then, the staff implemented a ‘by row’ boarding process.

They asked passengers assigned at rows 31 to 41 to board the plane next. After a few minutes, they asked those seated in rows 21 to 41 to board the plane, then those seated from rows 11 to 20. They called the passengers seated in rows 1 to 10 to board the plane last.

At 12:48 p.m., the cabin crew closed the airplane doors. The whole boarding process took 33 minutes.

The plane was pushed back at 1:07 p.m. and headed over to the runway for takeoff. It took off at 1:29 p.m. local time.

Inflight Hard & Soft Product

SEAT FEATURES

This Nagoya to Manila Cebu Pacific Air flight was operated by 3.4-year-old (at the time of the flight) Airbus A321neo aircraft. The aircraft features 236 pre-reclined Recaro seats in a 3-3 economy class configuration. According to SeatMaps, each regular economy seat has a seat width of 17 inches and a seat pitch of 28 inches.

Each seat features decent legroom with no recline. It also has a seat pocket, which contains the aircraft safety card, inflight magazine, onboard café menu, and air sickness bag. Each seat has an assigned individual air vent and reading light. Each row has two cabin crew call buttons, two USB-C ports, and two regular USB charging ports. These charging ports can be used for free after takeoff. The cabin also features the old overhead cabins, which can only fit limited luggage.

I exchanged seats with my friend and got seat 12D (aisle) for this short-haul flight to Manila. I believe the airline has comfortable seats for short international flights like this. I do not know if I will survive the pre-reclined set-up on a long-haul flight.

INFLIGHT SNACKS

Cebu Pacific Air does not offer complimentary snacks or meals on all their flights. Instead, the airline offers pre-purchased meals and snacks at the time of booking or up to 48 hours before the flight. The airline also offers buy-on-board snack and drink service for those who get hungry during the flight.

The cabin crew went around twice to offer snacks and drinks to those who wanted to purchase. The first snack service happened immediately after takeoff, while the second one happened an hour before landing.

The head cabin crew was luckily my friend’s cousin-in-law. She gave us complimentary snacks and drinks, which we enjoyed even if we were still full from our lunch. The rice meal had the right portions and tasted great! It came with a bottle of fruit tea and small chips. If you are reading this, thank you, Ate, for the snacks! 😊

INFLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT

Cebu Pacific Air does not feature personal entertainment screens on their planes. They only provide inflight magazines named Smile Magazine, which passengers can read through during the flight. Also, the airline is known for conducting inflight games in exchange for airline-branded items.

The cabin crew conducted an inflight game during this flight. My friend won one of three prizes. They also went around to offer airline merchandise after the game.

INFLIGHT CONNECTIVITY

The airline does not offer inflight Wi-Fi services on all its flights.

LAVATORY

I used the front lavatory midway through the flight and found it clean and fragrant. The cabin crew made sure the lavatory was clean throughout the flight by checking and cleaning it occasionally.

Cabin Crew Encounters

It may be a special situation, but it was evident that the team took care of us during the flight. Aside from the usual greetings and complimentary meals, they made sure we had a fun flight with them. The crew also occasionally checked on us and asked us if we needed anything or if we were okay.

Disembarkation & Luggage Claim

We touched down at Ninoy Aquino International Airport at 4:42 p.m. local time. We disembarked from the plane, cleared immigration, and claimed our baggage. Our bags went out of the conveyor belt shortly after we arrived at the arrival hall.

Flight Experience

It was an unexpected but fun flight with Cebu Pacific Air. The complimentary inflight meals and the special service my friends and I got made this flight special and memorable.

This flight was excellent in many ways. First, my friends and I received complimentary inflight meals and tailored service because my friend’s cousin-in-law was the head cabin crew. Second, the airline’s flight schedule is perfect for an afternoon flight back home. It gives the passengers time to rest before going back to their daily schedules the next day.

Third, the airline sent out multiple reminders via email days before the flight. They sent emails about the passenger processes, entry requirements, and even check-in or bag-drop instructions. Fourth, the check-in and bag-drop process at Chubu International Airport Terminal 2 was easy, quick, and efficient. My friends and I finished everything in 7 minutes.

Fifth, the airline offered complimentary gadget charging to passengers. The seats were equipped with USB charging outlets, which can be used free of charge. Lastly, my friends and I experienced an unusual but quick arrival process upon landing at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3. We got our checked luggage immediately; we did not wait a long time for it to come out of the conveyor belts.

This homebound flight also had its drawbacks. First, the one-way fare was expensive. It was probably the most expensive one-way Cebu Pacific Air ticket I bought. The flight was on a local public holiday and a peak season in Japan. My friends and I could have saved a few thousands if we booked our return flight immediately after getting our onward flight.

Second, I am not a fan, and I will continue to go against the pre-reclined seats on Cebu Pacific Air’s new planes. I miss the old recline function, which aids in better inflight sleeping experiences. Nevertheless, my friends and I still had a great flight with Cebu Pacific Air. We will continue to fly them as long as their fares remain affordable and reasonable.

Here is a summary of our flight and the aircraft used for this flight from Nagoya to Manila:

Airline: Cebu Pacific Air
Flight Date: 9 April 2024
Flight Number: 5J 5039
Route: Nagoya, Japan (NGO) to Manila, Philippines (MNL)
Duration: 4 hours and 13 minutes
Seat Number: Seat 12D
Aircraft: Airbus A321-271NX
Aircraft Registration: RP-C4124
Engines: 2 x Pratt and Whitney 1133G Engines
Age: 3.4-years-old
Delivered: November 2020

Thank you for joining me in today’s flight report. I hope I gave you a comprehensive review of how it is flying with Cebu Pacific Air on their Nagoya to Manila route.

Have you flown with Cebu Pacific Air in the past? How was your flight experience? Are you looking to book a ticket with the airline soon? If yes, let me know if you have questions so I can respond to them. post your questions in the comments section below. You may also send them via e-mail to contact@thewkndtravel.com.

I hope you can check out my previous flight reports with Singapore Airlines and other airlines like Emirates, EVA Air, Air France, Vietnam Airlines, and Philippine Airlines. I hope you also look forward to more flight reports in the future.

PS. Photos were taken using my OnePlus 9 Pro.

Flight Report: CEBU PACIFIC AIR 5J 5038 – Manila to Nagoya – Perfectly-Timed Low-Cost Flight to Central Japan [March 2024]

Early this year, my friends and I flew to Japan for the Sakura season. We flew in and out of Nagoya, but we mostly went around the Kansai Region. We flew with our favorite local low-cost airline, Cebu Pacific Air, on our inbound flight to Japan on flight 5J 5038. This Manila-Nagoya flight will be the subject of today’s flight report.

Read on below as I share with you the details of this perfectly timed, low-cost flight to Central Japan. In the latter part of this flight report, I will also share how the flight went and what I liked and disliked about it.

Cebu Pacific Air

The airline commenced its first flight in 1996 and has been flying for over 28 years. Together with its subsidiary, Cebgo (previously Tiger Air Philippines), the airline flies to over 60 destinations across the country, Asia Pacific and the Middle East. It operates close to 70 young and fuel-efficient jet and propeller aircraft. Cebu Pacific Air operates the narrow-body and wide-body aircraft while its subsidiary operates the propeller passenger and cargo aircraft.

Airfare & Inclusions

Affordable plane fares are rare during the anticipated Sakura season. My friends and I decided to book two one-way tickets instead of a return ticket. We booked our inbound ticket nine months before the intended schedule during an ₱88 base fare sale. We paid for only ₱3,068 per person.

This one-way inbound ticket included 7 kilograms of carry-on allowance, 20 kilograms of checked baggage allowance, and a standard seat of choice. This ticket is a steal considering it was booked during a time of very high fuel surcharges and it is booked for a peak season like Sakura season.

Do you want to know the difference between a full-service & a low-cost airline? Check out my previous post detailing the differences of these 2 types of airlines.

Travel Requirements

Regular Philippine passport holders are required to get a tourist visa to enter Japan for leisure purposes. Those who plan to enter Japan for tourism are required to apply for a tourist visa through the embassy’s accredited travel agencies. The embassy does not accept direct tourist visa applications.

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.

Additionally, the Japanese government requires all incoming passengers to perform immigration and customs arrival procedures via the Visit Japan website. Upon arrival, all passengers are required to present the issued QR codes at immigration and customs for scanning. Incoming tourists can get their QR codes up to 2 weeks before the intended arrival date.

Locally, the Philippine government requires all departing passengers to fill out the online departure cards and obtain a departure QR code from the eTravel website.

Before The Flight

Cebu Pacific Air sends three email reminders to all its passengers for every upcoming flight.

72 hours before the flight, the airline sent an email reminder about the luggage allowance and the travel requirements for both the Philippines and Japan. 48 hours before the flight, the airline sent us an email informing us that online check-in is now available for our flight. The airline also included a step-by-step process on how to check in online.

Aircraft & Flight Information

This Manila-to-Nagoya Cebu Pacific Air flight 5J 5038 was operated by a 2.8-year-old (at the time of the flight) Airbus A321neo aircraft. The plane, delivered to the airline in May 2021, features a single economy class cabin with 236 pre-reclined seats.

Flight 5J 5038 took off from Ninoy Aquino International Airport at 7:34 a.m. local time, cruised to an altitude of 38,000 feet, and touched down at Chubu Centrair International Airport in Nagoya at 11:50 a.m. local time. The flight took 3 hours and 16 minutes.

Ground & Airport Experience

All international Cebu Pacific Air flights depart from Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3.

CHECK IN & BAG DROP

I checked in online a day before our flight. Upon arrival at the airport, I went to Counter E, the designated check-in counter for guests who checked in online. I printed the bag luggage tag and lined up for bag drop.

I lined up for bag drop at 3:12 a.m. and finished the process at 4:11 a.m. The bag drop process at the counter took less than 5 minutes, but the queue for it took almost an hour. The online check-in did not really help speed up the bag drop process. It became the usual check-in process.

PRE-DEPARTURE

After check-in, I went ahead of my friends and cleared immigration and security. I immediately went to the PAGGS Lounge and met my friends for breakfast. I used my RCBC JCB Platinum credit card, which allows unlimited access, including a companion.

My friends and I stayed in the lounge for about an hour and waited for our scheduled boarding time.

BOARDING

A little past 6:00 a.m., my friends and I left the lounge and walked towards Gate 115. At 6:35 a.m., the staff announced priority boarding for our flight. They asked passengers flying infants, children, senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and those who availed of priority boarding to board the plane first.

Passengers assigned to the rear cabin seats boarded the plane next. Passengers seated in the middle and front parts of the cabin came in last. At 7:08 a.m., the cabin crew closed the airplane doors. The entire boarding process took 33 minutes.

The plane was pushed back at 7:18 a.m. and headed over to the runway for take-off. It took off at 7:34 a.m.

Inflight Hard & Soft Product

SEAT FEATURES

This Manila to Nagoya-Cebu Pacific Air flight was operated by 2.8-year-old (at the time of the flight) Airbus A321neo aircraft. The aircraft features 236 pre-reclined Recaro seats in a 3-3 economy class configuration. According to SeatMaps, each regular economy seat has a seat width of 17 inches and a seat pitch of 28 inches.

Each seat features decent legroom with no recline. It also has a seat pocket, which contains the aircraft safety card, inflight magazine, onboard café menu, and air sickness bag. Each seat has an assigned individual air vent and reading light. Each row has two cabin crew call buttons, two USB-C ports, and two regular USB charging ports. These charging ports can be used for free after take-off. The cabin also features the old overhead cabins, which can only fit limited luggage.

I got seat 11B on this short-haul flight. I believe the seat comfort and features are just right for short-haul flights to Japan. Even if the USB-C ports near me did not work during the flight, I find it nice that the airline provides complimentary charging features on their newer aircraft.

INFLIGHT SNACKS

The cabin crew served inflight snacks 10 minutes after take-off. They served the pre-booked first before offering the buy-on-board service.

My friends and I skipped the inflight snack service because we were still full from our PAGGS lounge visit. We slept through the snack service and woke up about 1-2 hours later.

INFLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT

My friends and I slept through after take-off, and we did not notice if the crew conducted a fun game.

INFLIGHT CONNECTIVITY

The airline does not offer inflight Wi-Fi services on all its flights.

LAVATORY

I visited the front lavatory midway through the flight, and I found it spot-clean. It has toilet paper and a small bottle of hand soap for those who need to use them.

The cabin crew made sure the cleanliness was maintained throughout the flight.

Cabin Crew Encounters

I only encountered the cabin crew during boarding and disembarkation. I can tell they welcomed and sent off the guests with their best smiles.

Disembarkation & Luggage Claim

After landing, our plane taxied to Chubu Centrair International Airport Terminal 2 (LCC Terminal) Gate 71 for disembarkation. The whole disembarkation process, from the plane door to immigration, baggage claim, customs check, and arrivals area, only took us less than 30 minutes.

Japan’s airports are known to be efficient. Chubu Centrair International Airport in Nagoya is one of these airports that upholds a high standard of efficiency.

Flight Experience

It was another great flight with Cebu Pacific Air from Manila, Philippines to Nagoya, Japan on flight 5J 5038. This flight stood out in so many ways. Allow me to elaborate on them one by one.

Cebu Pacific Air is my go-to airline for my trips because of its affordable and reasonable fares. This flight to Nagoya was not an exception. My friends and I paid only ₱3,068 one-way for a 3.25-hour international flight to Japan during Sakura season. On top of that, the fare bundle already included a standard seat and 20 kilograms of checked luggage allowance. It was definitely a steal.

Second, the flight schedule to Nagoya is perfect for tourists. The flight leaves Manila in the morning and arrives in Japan at noon. It is perfect for the afternoon accommodation check-ins in Nagoya. It also gives the passengers time to explore the city in the afternoon.

Third, Cebu Pacific Air never failed to keep their passengers informed. The airline sent multiple email reminders about the flight add-ons, travel requirements, online check-in, and counter check-in processes. Fourth, the airline deployed a modern aircraft on this flight to Japan. It is nice to see the airline using their modern aircraft for short-haul international destinations like Nagoya.

Fifth, the airline offered complimentary charging onboard with their USB power outlets. I hope they continue to provide this amenity or feature in the many years to come. Lastly, the arrival process at Chubu Centrair International Airport was fast and efficient. Everything, from disembarkation to luggage claim and customs, happened in less than 30 minutes.

This flight was not all good. It also had its misses. First, I had a horrible bag drop experience at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3. I already checked in online and hoped for a quicker bag drop process. Lo and behold, I queued for almost an hour only to drop my bag. I hope the airline does something about this.

Second, I am not a fan of the airline’s pre-reclined seats. While it is acceptable on short-haul flights like this to Nagoya, I still prefer the reclining seats for better comfort and sleeping posture. Lastly, both USB-C charting ports on our row did not work throughout the flight. Good thing I brought my regular USB adapter, and I was still able to charge my phone.

Overall, it was still a fun flight with Cebu Pacific Air. I do not think an airline comes close to how Cebu Pacific Air offers their affordable and reasonably priced flights across their network. I will continue to fly the airline as long as they keep on offering inexpensive flights to every Juan.

For those who want to know more about the flight and the aircraft used, I have prepared some details for you below:

Airline: Cebu Pacific Air
Flight Date: 21 March 2024
Flight Number: 5J 5038
Route: Manila, Philippines (MNL) to Nagoya, Japan (NGO)
Duration: 3 hours and 16 minutes
Seat Number: 11B
Aircraft: Airbus A321-271NX
Aircraft Registration: RP-C4126
Engines: 2 x Pratt and Whitney 1133G Engines
Age: 2.8 years old
Delivered: May 2021

Thank you for joining me in today’s flight report. I hope I gave you a comprehensive review of how it is flying with Cebu Pacific Air on their Manila to Nagoya route.

PS. Photos were taken using my OnePlus 9 Pro.