Took about 40min by hotel shuttle bus pick up from Onomichi station. The resort has an awesome view of the Seto Inland Sea (Setonaikai), with islands and peninsula stretching into the horizon.
The Kaiseki dinner was very nice. Worth mentioning is the fresh fishes being served – one grilled and one fried upon their recommendation among others, were very delicious. These were local fishes which were unknown to us. The grilled Hiroshima beef was served in western style.
As to the morning breakfast, we selected the western style. The restaurant was in an open area next to a huge lawn facing the sea with a swimming pool in front. It has been many years since our stays in Amsterdam that we had Champagne again during breakfast. Equally surprising was the grilled Tai fish on top of Eggs Benedict. Selected bread rolls were sliced and heated in charcoal furnace outdoor.
Undoubtedly it was a memorable onsen stay. We would definitely return in other seasons of the year.
returned to Osaka for the last 2 nights to avoid peak crowds on the road. Stayed in Tennoji area for the first time. It was less crowded than in Namba/Dotonbori but still has plenty of shops, malls, decent restaurants.
Kokoen is just 500m away from the Himeji castle entrance. With less visitors, it was serene with well-maintained gardens, ponds, small bridges. Camelia was in full bloom.
Visited Chugoku area for the first time – Okayama, Kurashiki, Miyajima, Fukuyama before returning to Himeji and Osaka. Our visit was in the last week in December, New Year decorations were in many places as locals were busily preparing the NY.
Took Sanyo Shinkansen and local trains, pretty easy and comfortable.
Korakuen in Okayama
One of three famous landscape gardens in Japan.
Okayama castle
The castle is situated on the back of Korakuen across a stream via a foot-bridge. There is an exit gate on the back allowing easy access to both.
Kurashiki
about 30min by local train from Okayama. It was a rainy day so we spent about 2 hours strolling there. Unfortunately, the Ohara Museum was closed and we visited the Toy museum instead.
have visited many times, as easy day trips from Tokyo – about 50min by JR commuter trains.
Jan 2016
Tsuruoka Hachimangu
It happened there was a Peony show in its garden. The peonies were huge, in varying colours and were carefully protected from wind and frost. There was a small section named as “Lake-stone” garden. The stones were retrieved from the bottom of Lake Tai in China and constructed with the help of Suzhou Forestry Bureau.
Dec 2005
Dec 2003
visited Tsuruoka Hachimangu when the 1000-year giant Ginkgo tree was still around, and the Daibutsu.
Visited Okutama and Takaosan in early Nov for fall foliage.
Okutama (奥多摩)
day trip from Tokyo, about 2hrs by express train from Shinjuku. The lake area can be accessible by public bus.
Takaosan (高尾山)
easy day trip from Tokyo, just 50min by express train from Shinjuku, followed by a cable car ride and a short hike. As it was on a weekend with some Koyo, it was very crowded.
Arrived at the onsen villa in remote mountain/valley after a long drive. The villa is huge with several houses and a garden beside a river stream and a forest. The owner is a senior living there who has renovated part of the house with onsen facilities. His late father has been awarded by the Showa Emperor due to his contribution in forestry.
The owner was quite meticulous in serving a Shabu-shabu dinner with famous local pork and vege. After breakfast, he took us to a tea house and served Japanese tea in the traditional manner. Overall, it was quite an experience. Returned car in Hashimoto and took train back to Osaka/Namba.
Winter Illumination in Osaka
Ume blossom in Osaka castle garden
Before departure, visited the Ume garden in Osaka castle. The garden is huge with many Ume varieties. Though it was not in full bloom yet – many trees were in bare branches, others were blooming. In our opinion, this garden is even bigger than the one in Kitano Tenmangu in Kyoto that we visited earlier in this trip.
We were last here 20+ yrs ago. This world heritage was really awesome even from a distance. Amazing wooden architecture and lots of artifacts inside such as the giant Buddha, with lots of statues and carvings etc.
photography is allowed inside the temple but no flash, no tripod
Yakushi-ji (藥師寺)
From Nara city, stopped by Yakushi-ji but did not enter as one of the pagodas was fully covered in canvas for renovation.
Horyu-ji (法隆寺)
drove here as it is about 10km away from Nara city centre. This is the oldest remaining wooden structures in the world since 8th century, and the first world heritage in Japan. The complex is huge and it includes a pagoda, many halls and a Treasure gallery full of Buddhist artifacts for 1000+ yrs. Spent about 3 hrs there.