YYZ-HKG-NRT//HND-HKG-YYZ - CX J - And Japan Trip Details
Jan 11, 2013, 2:39 pm
#16
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: CGN
Programs: A* Gold, OW Sapphire, Thalys Platinum, Accor Gold, member of BahnBonus
Posts: 210
Nice tr - this brings back memories of my trip to Japan in 2010.
We also stayed in the Granvia Kyoto - did you tried the "Teppanyaki Gozanbo" restaurant of the Granvia?
This was definetly one of my best dining experiences I had on my young life ... (some pics in my blog)
Kobe beef, unbelievable service, incredible sushi and (an accident, since my eyes were focused on the beef part of the menu) Fugu.
And Okonomiyaki Hiroshima Style - which I also prefer to those in Osaka. You are not alone ...
Japan is sure one of my "must-come-back" travel destinations and your report did not calm my feelings down ...
We also stayed in the Granvia Kyoto - did you tried the "Teppanyaki Gozanbo" restaurant of the Granvia?
This was definetly one of my best dining experiences I had on my young life ... (some pics in my blog)
Kobe beef, unbelievable service, incredible sushi and (an accident, since my eyes were focused on the beef part of the menu) Fugu.
And Okonomiyaki Hiroshima Style - which I also prefer to those in Osaka. You are not alone ...
Japan is sure one of my "must-come-back" travel destinations and your report did not calm my feelings down ...
Jan 11, 2013, 2:43 pm
#17
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Left
Programs: FT
Posts: 7,285
Off to Tokyo Disney for the day.
This place is a lot of fun and our daughter loves the rides.
Weather was perfect during the entire trip. Only one day of precipitation in the 2 weeks in Japan.
Then after a day at Disney, we were off to the Swallows game...
They won and if you have never seen it, the chant done by the swallows fans when you score a run is very funny...and very taunting of the visiting team...basically translates to your washed up.
Nice to have a buddy that gets me tickets for these things.
A nice surprise back at our room when we returned...I think it was some loyalty gift...
The next day, we relaxed a little. Went for a great lunch in the caretta shiodome complex, the YAKINIKU TORAJI PARAM...make sure to print off your coupon for some free stuff...same with Hibiki that we went to another night....but sadly, no photos of there but some of Toraji...
I love to grill my own nice and marbled waygu...
probably about a level 6 or 7....not like some of the stuff I have eaten in Takayama.
This place is a lot of fun and our daughter loves the rides.
Weather was perfect during the entire trip. Only one day of precipitation in the 2 weeks in Japan.
Then after a day at Disney, we were off to the Swallows game...
They won and if you have never seen it, the chant done by the swallows fans when you score a run is very funny...and very taunting of the visiting team...basically translates to your washed up.
Nice to have a buddy that gets me tickets for these things.
A nice surprise back at our room when we returned...I think it was some loyalty gift...
The next day, we relaxed a little. Went for a great lunch in the caretta shiodome complex, the YAKINIKU TORAJI PARAM...make sure to print off your coupon for some free stuff...same with Hibiki that we went to another night....but sadly, no photos of there but some of Toraji...
I love to grill my own nice and marbled waygu...
probably about a level 6 or 7....not like some of the stuff I have eaten in Takayama.
Jan 11, 2013, 2:51 pm
#18
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Left
Programs: FT
Posts: 7,285
After lunch, it was time to make our way up on the boat to see if we could catch a glimse of Tokyo Sky Tree...we did but it was a little foggy that day.
Then over to Ryogoku for some Sumo...our daugher loves the noise and excitement at sporting events. She is a sensory seeking monster at times.
These were the best seats I have had at the tournament. Nice family box, could fit 6 people but there were only 3 of us. Great time...to bad my buddy could not make it as he was jammed up at work.
Controversy during one match...
What I REALLY liked was that staff on the lower level have seemed to lock down the same and do not let anyone in the lower level without a ticket. I have been in the past and what is really annoying is when western tourists make their way into other people's seats that are empty and then get kicked out and or make their way to take better pictures. Here is my advice, if you want to be in the lower level, buy tickets on the lower level.
Either way, it is no longer a problem.
Also, make sure to rent your radio for english comentary. Really is great!
[Next up, our flight home and a few photos of HKG on they way home...might have to wait a few days...]
Then over to Ryogoku for some Sumo...our daugher loves the noise and excitement at sporting events. She is a sensory seeking monster at times.
These were the best seats I have had at the tournament. Nice family box, could fit 6 people but there were only 3 of us. Great time...to bad my buddy could not make it as he was jammed up at work.
Controversy during one match...
What I REALLY liked was that staff on the lower level have seemed to lock down the same and do not let anyone in the lower level without a ticket. I have been in the past and what is really annoying is when western tourists make their way into other people's seats that are empty and then get kicked out and or make their way to take better pictures. Here is my advice, if you want to be in the lower level, buy tickets on the lower level.
Either way, it is no longer a problem.
Also, make sure to rent your radio for english comentary. Really is great!
[Next up, our flight home and a few photos of HKG on they way home...might have to wait a few days...]
Jan 11, 2013, 5:26 pm
#20
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: PDX
Programs: Free agent!
Posts: 1,427
Enjoyed this report greatly. I visited the Yamazaki distillery back in May and loved it. In fact, it was the impetus for my trip to Japan. As with you, I was the only non-Japanese on the tour and while I had no one to translate for me, I was still happy as a pig in **** to be there. I hope you had a chance to try (for a fee) some of the rare whiskeys they had at the end of the tour.
I'm jealous you got to go see the Carp as outside of Koshien, their ridiculously named stadium is the one I'd like to see a game in the most.
Well done! ^
I'm jealous you got to go see the Carp as outside of Koshien, their ridiculously named stadium is the one I'd like to see a game in the most.
Well done! ^
Jan 11, 2013, 7:54 pm
#25
formerly known as Tad's Broiled Steaks
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,412
Glad to see an emphasis on food and well, photos from Japan for that matter!
A couple of questions:
The Japanese says "research results" (on top of the menu) - http://i690.photobucket.com/albums/v...ps4b28cce5.jpg - What's that about? Are broth flavorings in that place experimental?
The temple you went to in Fukuoka, was it where green tea was introduced to Japan? Was it within walking distance to a building devoted entirely to housing a Buddha, next to a wagashiya?
What are your top-ranked department store food halls (depachika)?
A couple of questions:
The Japanese says "research results" (on top of the menu) - http://i690.photobucket.com/albums/v...ps4b28cce5.jpg - What's that about? Are broth flavorings in that place experimental?
The temple you went to in Fukuoka, was it where green tea was introduced to Japan? Was it within walking distance to a building devoted entirely to housing a Buddha, next to a wagashiya?
What are your top-ranked department store food halls (depachika)?
Jan 11, 2013, 10:30 pm
#26
Join Date: May 2005
Programs: UA Plat (1MM), AA Plat, HH Diamond, MR Plat, Hyatt Diamond, SPG Plat.
Posts: 655
Great trip report, I enjoyed reading it.
But the part about FA upgrading her parents - isn't this really bad? CX or anywhere else.
Just curious.
Last edited by @ORD; Jan 11, 2013 at 10:31 pm Reason: editing
Jan 12, 2013, 9:36 am
#27
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: SFOSJCOAK
Programs: AA-EXP & 1MM+, AS, MR-LTT, HH Gold
Posts: 7,581
Really cool report. Thanks.
About Miyajima island: when do you think the tori renovation be completed?
Do you recall the name of restaurant(s) that you like around Park Hotel in Tokyo? I know around the station there are plenty of eateries.
About Miyajima island: when do you think the tori renovation be completed?
Do you recall the name of restaurant(s) that you like around Park Hotel in Tokyo? I know around the station there are plenty of eateries.
Jan 12, 2013, 2:21 pm
#28
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Southern (Coastal) California
Programs: United MileagePlus, Marriott Rewards
Posts: 28
Great TR! And, even better that you took some excellent shots around FUK. i spent 2.5 years in sasebo (South of FUK on the Midori line). Such great memories! Thank you for sharing
Looks like a fantastic trip all around!
Looks like a fantastic trip all around!
Jan 13, 2013, 8:02 am
#30
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 29
Fantastic trip report. Thanks so much for posting it. The japanese board of tourism should put you on the payroll. It really makes me want to head over there.
Do you speak any japanese? If not, how did you find getting around outside of tokyo?
Do you speak any japanese? If not, how did you find getting around outside of tokyo?