A not so cold Japanese winter.

[rbjhan]

This one was taken in Hokkaido University. No canteen visit though as it wasn't lunch time

​

 

[zenyattamondatta]

I like to visit famous universities and pretend to be a student....ha ha not very successful but canteens are fun
Not sure if it was the central one, right in front of this building, underground...hoping you can tell me!
View attachment 174674

Yep, that's the one. The building is Yasuda Auditorium, and this is what it looked like during the student riots:



I probably spent even more time at the Cafe "Icho Metro" canteen, mostly because you could get beer there.

 

[rbjhan]

Yep, that's the one. The building is Yasuda Auditorium, and this is what it looked like during the student riots:

View attachment 174723

I probably spent even more time at the Cafe "Icho Metro" canteen, mostly because you could get beer there.

Wow when was that?
So you were studying in Tokyo University? That's fancy.

I guess what I didn't mention was that I've been to Tokyo many times so nowadays I don't really do much sightseeing, just go to random places...

 

[rbjhan]

The Kamogawa river is my favourite part of Kyoto.




Yasaka Shrine


Shinbashi Dori, IMHO the most beautiful street of all Kyoto.

 

[rbjhan]

Travelling between Kyoto and Osaka is simple. I tend to avoid JR as Kyoto station is not close to the city centre.
Instead I prefer two private railway companies:
Hankyu: Umeda to Kawaramachi.
Keihan: Yodoyabashi to Gion Shijo or Sanjo Keihan.
Both are much better located in Kyoto.

This is the Hankyu Umeda station.

 

[rbjhan]

Sadly is time to start the journey home...

Nankai Express Rapid to KIX.


I figured whichever lounge CX uses in KIX would be underwhelming, so visited Botejyu first, courtesy of Priority Pass.
Akashiyaki 明石焼，

 

[rbjhan]

KIX North lounge, actually better than I thought....

Seating


View was nice.


The F&B was sad though...luckily I went to Botejyu before coming here!




Of course you can go to JAL Sakura lounge, but that one was in the South terminal and all CX flights depart North terminal. You can't walk between them, must take a train so I didn't bother.

 

[rbjhan]

CX595
Carefully picked this one so I didn't end up with CX's dreadful regional J.


Sadly couldn't escape the catering
The starter was okay


Main was horrible About same level as those I had on Hawaiian last year, gave up after a few bites.


Ice cream to the rescue. Oh and HK style milk tea, love them.

 

[offshore171]

Great trip report, and a lovely counterpoint to Renato’s shocker

On Myoko, I’m a big fan and have visited several times.

Question on the hotel up the hill that you stayed at. As you say, it’s well up the ski slope and I’ve skiied past it a lot.

Always wondered when you are arriving as a guest, how do you actually get up to it? Do they send down a snowcat to the village, or is there a service road that I haven’t noticed?

 

[rbjhan]

Great trip report, and a lovely counterpoint to Renato’s shocker

On Myoko, I’m a big fan and have visited several times.

Question on the hotel up the hill that you stayed at. As you say, it’s well up the ski slope and I’ve skiied past it a lot.

Always wondered when you are arriving as a guest, how do you actually get up to it? Do they send down a snowcat to the village, or is there a service road that I haven’t noticed?

Oh I honestly think he went to the wrong country...don't like Japanese food, oh my. And the complaint about hotels, clearly didn't research much.
Then again, I'm biased Trip # 9 & 10 already planned!

As for Akakura Kanko Hotel, yes there's a service road.
You can actually see it (and their shuttle bus) from this picture.

 

[offshore171]

As for Akakura Kanko Hotel, yes there's a service road.
You can actually see it (and their shuttle bus) from this picture.

Hats off to the guy responsible for keeping that road clear, especially in midwinter.

I can recall several occasions during January visits when we’ve copped 70+ cm of new snowfall overnight. Once we got 93!

They had a 17 metre season just gone. Amazing place.

 

[rbjhan]

Hats off to the guy responsible for keeping that road clear, especially in midwinter.

I can recall several occasions during January visits when we’ve copped 70+ cm of new snowfall overnight. Once we got 93!

They had a 17 metre season just gone. Amazing place.

Yes I love Myoko, especially the hotel, that's why I'm going back
In terms of snow though, back in 2016 I visited the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, wow that was truly memorable!


The Alpine Route is completely closed off in winter though, so not for skiers I'm afraid...

 

[rbjhan]

I had just over 24 hours in HK. So a hotel near Airport Express would be ideal.
Mandarin Oriental was just right...

A quick walk from HK station.


Entrance




Love the veranda


Statue Square view


Bathroom

 

[rbjhan]

Really like the ice bucket


Day time view


Looking across to Kowloon




Lobby

 

[rbjhan]

Having been to Lung Keen Hing before, naturally this was perfect time to try Man Wah and compare



Starters, barbecued pork, black fungus, jellyfish head.


Sea conch soup, with bamboo pith and matsutake.


Abalone

 

[rbjhan]

Steamed chicken with fried rice


Chilled mango cream, pomelo, sago, coconut (and dry ice for special effects )


Petits Fours


Excellent meal. I actually think it was better than Lung Keen Hing...

 

[rbjhan]

A few more pictures of HK.

 

[rbjhan]

 

[rbjhan]

Even found time for LadyM

 

[rbjhan]

Back to HKG.




The Tea House was my favourite part of The Pier.