Ikuzo! The Amazing Japan Adventure of ‘Biyahe ni Drew’

Japan is considered as one of the most expensive Asian stops due to its hefty cost of living and transportation. In spite of this, the Land of the Rising Sun is still one of the “dream" destinations of many budget and lavish travelers alike.

As Drew Arellano tours Kyoto, Shiga, and Nagoya, let us guide you to the best places to visit and how to get the best value for your money!

So buckle up and experience these three different flavors in one amazing adventure!
 
Here’s the full itinerary used by “Biyahe ni Drew”

Quick Facts:
Japan is located about 1,714 miles from Manila. Its capital is Tokyo, the biggest city in Japan.
There are 47 prefectures or provinces in Japan.
One peso is equivalent to 2.44 Japanese Yen
There’s an hour time difference between Nagoya and Manila.

Biyahero Tips:
Make sure your passport’s validity is more than six months from the date of your departure to lessen the hassle for applying for your Japan visa.
Always be on the lookout for promo fares to lessen your expenses. Cebu Pacific Air, ‘Biyahe ni Drew’s’ official partner, offers promo fares perfect for budget travelers.
Secure your gadgets and stuff like mobile phones and tablets, coins, belt, and wallets inside your carry-on bag to prevent from wasting time at the security inspection at the airport in Manila and Nagoya.
Scan or take a photo of your important documents like passport, hotel address, contact numbers, and flight schedules. Keep them in your email or a place where you can easily access them.
Learn the language. Like in any country, it’s always best to know their basic greetings such as ohayo gozaimas, konichiwa and arigato.
Use the Agoda.com app for easy and reliable hotel bookings in one click.
Take buses and trains to go around Kyoto because it’s more convenient and relatively cheaper. Train tickets costs as low as 120 Yen. A car hire is about 6,480 Yen for 24 hours.

How to get there:

Cebu Pacific Air flies directly from Manila to Nagoya airport. It takes about four hours travel time to reach Nagoya.
From Nagoya to Kyoto, it takes about one and a half hour via land trip.
From Nayoya to Shiga, a land trip is about an hour.
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Getting to know Kyoto

Kyoto used to be Japan’s imperial capital. It is also called the “City of Ten Thousand Shrines” due to the number of temples built in the province. As a tourist, the best way to experience Kyoto is in the morning when the shops are about to open and the people are on their way to their offices.

What to do:

Kyoto Cycling Tour

The best way to see the beautiful sites of Kyoto is through a bicycle tour. You’ll be visiting temples, shrines, and hidden places. The tour runs about three hours and costs 8,000 Yen per person or a group of six pax.

Where to go:

Ghost Candy Shop

This 415-year old establishment is not only packed with tasteful and healthy sweets but also with a story worth sharing. The candies are made with 90 percent wheat sugar and 10 percent regular sugar. The verdict, it tastes like the usual candies but not too sweet. The story behind it is that a pregnant woman was always found buying candy for her child. The shopkeeper saw the woman dead but the baby was alive. It seemed like the ghost woman keeps feeding her child even if it will cause her death. The story symbolizes how a mother’s love never ends. It has been passed down from generation to generation.

Toji Temple

This temple was built when Kyoto was still the capital. It is a Buddhist temple with five pagodas. The entrance fee costs 500 Yen.

Where to stay:

Kyoto Hot Spring Hatoya Zuihoukaku Hotel

For a hotel that is spacious, minimalist and modern, book at Hotel Kyoto. Light wood and beige color dominates the walls. It also boasts its very own natural hot spring, cozy mattress, and state of the art facilities and amenities.



Ryo-kan Travel Inn
 
For an unusual hotel experience, try Ryo-kan Travel Inn, a traditional Japanese inn built in the Edo era. In a spacious room you have your own sauna, and a charming landscaped garden. Added feature in this inn is the old-fashioned Japanese hospitality, and traditional Japanese ambience. But not all rooms in Ryo-kan Travel Inn are outdated and traditional. There are contemporary rooms that provide the same garden view. You can be at ease and feel at home because you have your own butler. Your kaiseki ryori is served in your own room. It is a multi-course meal prepared meticulously and in small portions to indulge in every bite.


A Place like Shiga

Shiga prefecture or province is home of the Lake Biwa, the largest freshwater river in Japan.

Where to stay:

Otsu Prince Hotel

If you want a breathtaking view of the Lake Biwa to greet you in the morning, stay at Otsu Prince Hotel. Otsu Hotel is considered one of the most beautiful hotels in Otsu City.

What to do:

Seta River Cruise

To completely appreciate this natural wonder, take the Seta River Cruise. The cruise operates from 9 AM to 2 PM, and the tour takes about an hour with a tour guide. It’s always best to research about the cruise’s itinerary so you can understand what the native tour guide is saying, since there’s no live English translation. The Lake Biwa is also rich with freshwater clams.
Where to go:

Matsunot-Sukasa Sake Brewery

Shiga takes pride of their locally-produced rice wine or sake. The famous Matsunot-Sukasa Sake Brewery boasts that their rice wine is made out of the grain that they planted in their own rice field. To have its perfect taste, the fermentation process takes about 24 days to six months.



Walk around Nagoya

Nagoya sits in the Aichi prefecture, one of the major port areas in Japan. It is also the head manufacturing facility of one the famous Japanese car brands. Drew has observed that Nagoya is the destination for the Japanese people.

Where to stay:

Hotel Trusty Nagoya

It is a hotel that won’t burn your wallet. A night on a single bed is 9,000 Yen (P3,800), and it comes with a complimentary breakfast. The hotel is small, “petite,” and cute as described by Drew.

Where to go:

Nagoya TV Tower

One of the famous landmarks in Nagoya is the Nagoya TV Tower. From afar, it looks like a replica of the Eiffel Tower in the City of Love. Prepare your 700 Yen (P290) to reach the viewing deck and witness the whole view of the gorgeous city. Wedding ceremonies are known to be held at the tower. The Nagoya Castle, one of the city’s tourist spots, can also be seen from the tower’s view deck.

Me-Guru Bus Tour

The easiest way to tour around Nagoya is to take a ride on these brightly colored buses. It costs 200 Yen (P82) for a one-stop pass. For an all-day pass, prepare a 500 Yen (P205), with this you can visit a number of tourist spots in Nagoya.



Noritake

One of the stops of the bus tour is the Noritake or ceramics center. Noritake symbolizes world-class Japanese craftsmanship. You can walk around the spacious public garden and the dinosaur park near the center. No need to worry if you can’t understand Nihonggo because they provide English pamphlets for foreign tourists. Noritake started creating dinnerware in the 1900’s. Intricate European designs make their plates, cups and saucers that are certified export quality.

Nagashima Spa Land

This tourist spot is best for families, especially for the kids and kids at heart. It boasts of a gigantic pool and thrilling rides like the world’s longest roller coaster.

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?Cielo Flores/ARP/BMS, GMA News