Nara

The town of Nara in the region of Kansai is small and it's a destination many have not heard of but it definitely packs a punch. It's Japan first capital and because of it's rich history, Nara was designated with eight UNESCO World Heritage sites, second only to Kyoto in the numbers. They are the Buddhist temples of Todai-ji, Kofuku-ji, Gango-ji, Yakushi-ji and Toshodai-ji, Kasuga Taisha Shrine, Kasuga-yama Primeval Forest and Heijo-kyo Palace. Other places worth visiting in town are Nara Park, Nara National Museum and Isui-en & Neiraku Art Museum. For more information about Nara, click here at http://narashikanko.jp/en/index.html

Todai-ji also known as Great Eastern Temple, is the world's largest wooden building that also houses the world's largest Buddha (Daibutsu)

Two pagodas of Kofuku-ji Temple-three storeys & five storeys

Entrance to the Kasuga Taisha Shrine is lined with hundreds of lanterns

Picturesque shot of the lake in Nara Park

Feeding deers with shika-sembei (deer biscuits) at the entrance of Todai-ji

Horyu-ji Temple located southwest of Nara

Direction: Take JR Nara Line for 53 minutes from Kyoto Station to Nara Station, or take JR Yamatoji Line for 36 minutes from Osaka (Namba Station) or 30 minutes from Osaka (Tenno-ji Station) to Nara Station (Japan Rail Pass can be used for all routes mentioned)

Season of Sale

It's the time again where the Malaysia Mega Carnival Sale is on. Even our national carrier Malaysia Airlines is not missing out on the fun. This weekend, they are having their Weekend Surprise for travel period between 18th August to 15th September 2009 for destinations like Seoul, Taipei, Osaka and Tokyo. One way ticket inclusive of tax to Japan only cost RM 730. I'm sooo tempted to book. How I wish I have more annual leave.

Budget airline AirAsia started having their Big Sale since the 10th August and today is their last day. Bookings are for travel period between 11th January to 31st July 2010 and includes their AirAsia X flights as well. For those who like to plan ahead like me, it's a good time to book your holiday now. Since my husband and I have not been to Hong Kong together, we bought ourselves tickets for Hong Kong and Macau a week before Chinese New Year. Looking forward to the good food and shopping!! :)

Takoyaki & Okonomiyaki

On the left is Okonomiyaki

Yaki-soba

Two popular dishes in Osaka are Takoyaki (octopus balls) and Okonomiyaki (Japanese pizza). Takoyaki is a street food that can be found at yatai (movable food stalls) and rotensho (food stalls at festivals). They are about the size of golf balls and are formed from chunks of boiled octopus fried in batter. Japanese Worchestershire-style sauce, green onions, mayonaise and katsuo bushi (bonito flakes) are all added for taste.

The name Okonomiyaki means 'cook what you like' and and it is made from batter and cabbage mix together with ingredients of your choice for instance octopus, shrimp and pork. Seasonings of Japanese Worcestershire-style sauce and mayonaise and toppings like katsuo bushi and aonori (dried seaweed) are added. This dish is a DIY affair at your own table which has a teppan (hot-plate) and customers are given spatula and chopstick to cook. For some traditional restaurants, the chef will do most of the cooking and bring the nearly finished product over for you to season it yourself like what we did in Osaka. Most Okonomiyaki restaurants also serve yaki-soba (fried buckwheat noodles). Head to Dotombori Arcade in Minami area in Osaka and look for this place called Chibo to find this yummy dish.

Places to stay-Japan

Entrance of Osaka Arietta Hotel & Osteria

One of the guest rooms in Arietta Hotel & Osteria

Bathrooms are very modern

Ueno Sutton Place Hotel

Superior Single-Sutton Place Hotel

In my previous post, I shared on an ancient castle in the small town of Himeji . This city is best visited as a day trip from other cities like Osaka or Kobe. I recommend staying in Osaka as it has more things to offer and the hotels available is much more.

One of the challenges that visitors face when coming to Japan is accommodation. Not because of the choices available but because cost is high. One of the hotel I suggest is Osaka Arietta Hotel & Osteria. The location is just minutes away from the subway and the price is very reasonable for the service and amenities provided. This hotel is under a group called Renaissance Hotel Group and they have a few other hotels around Tokyo and Fukuoka as well. Some of the hotels have 20% discount on Sundays. That is definitely good news!

I will post a few more options on the places to stay in Japan for your future reference. So drop by for more info...