WCC Hospitality Travels the World

Wednesday, October 19, 2016

Kanagawa in Japan

KANAGAWA

Welcome to Kanagawa prefecture!

Probably, most people haven't heard Kanagawa,

but there are unique cities such as Yokohama and Hakone.

The capital city, Yokohama, is the first harbor city

that is introduced to the world as the entrance of Japan.

Every visitors' first impression would be a modern

like neighbor, Tokyo. Actually, it's true!!

but Kanagawa is perfectly balanced

with beautiful nature and modern culture.

Insider's Guide

Hotel

Intercontinental Yokohama Grand

http://www.interconti.co.jp/yokohama/en/index.html

Washington Hotel

http://yokohama-s.washington-hotels.jp

The Yokohama Bay Hotel Tokyu

http://ybht.co.jp/en/

Eating Establishment

Tofuya Ukai

http://www.ukai.co.jp/english/saginuma/

Shinyokohama Raumen Museum

http://www.raumen.co.jp/english/

chano-ma

http://www.yokohama-akarenga.jp/shops/detail/46

Imozo

https://tabelog.com/kanagawa/A1401/A140102/14005455/

Kyoraian

https://tabelog.com/kanagawa/A1404/A140401/14000249/dtlmenu/photo/

Tobiccyo

http://tobiccho.com/shops/tobiccho

Activities

Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse/Akarenga-soko

http://www.yokohama-akarenga.jp/en/

Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse is one of Yokohama's most popular spots.

Inside the building, there are lots of unique shops and restaurants.

Also, seasonal events are held such as

Oktober Fest in fall and a big skating rink in winter.

↑Oktober Fest

↑Skating rink

Yokohama China Town

http://www.chinatown.or.jp

Yokohama China Town is known as Japanese largest chinatown.

Here, there are over 600 shops,

and you can eat different Chinese food types such as Beijing and Shanghai.

You can enjoy Chinese culture as well.

Maybe you feel that you are in a completely different world!!

Enoshima

http://www.discover-fujisawa.jp

Enoshima is a small island, which is connected to the mainland by bridge.

Once, you have crossed the bridge,

you can see marine shops, souvenir shops, and traditional restaurants.

Though the island is approximately 4 km,

there are lots of sightseeing spots such as shrines and beach.

You fully spend a whole day here!!

Kamakura

http://www.city.kamakura.kanagawa.jp/kamakura-kankou/en/

Kamakura is a coastal city in Kanazawa Prefecture.

In 1192, Kamakura was the political center of Japan,

so you can experience traditional stuff as well as modern stuff.

In summer, marine sports and festivals are held.

During New Year holidays, over 2 million visitors go to Kamakura's most important shrine, Tsurugaoka Hachimangu, for hatsumode(the new year's first visiting to a shrine).

Sky Garden

http://www.yokohama-landmark.jp/skygarden/web/english/

Not too high like Tokyo Skytree and Tokyo Tower,

but it's the best place to see a night view in Yokohama.

Here is a little-known spot for a night view.

You can enjoy it without extremely crowdedness.

Hakone

http://www.hakone.or.jp/en/

Hakone is known as a spot for hot spring(Onsen).

You might not take a bath,

but just try it if you visit Hakone.

You can fully relax your body with the view of Mt. Fuji.

If you're looking for a break time, not excitement,

you should come here!!

Yokohama Zoo Zoorasia

http://www.hama-midorinokyokai.or.jp/zoo/zoorasia/

Do you know Okapis?

They look like giraffe, but they're not bigger than giraffe.

The body of color and pattern are totally different as giraffes have.

Also, only summertime,

the zoo holds at night because most animals are nocturnal.

You might watch a real life of animals?!?

Transportation/Airlines

Seattle(SEA) to Haneda(HND)

1 passenger, Round-trip

United, $1678.86

American Airlines, $1202.46

Air Canada, $1032.30

Transportation/Around Kanagawa

Train

Bus

Rental car

Taxi

Side Trip

Asakusa

http://asakusa-kankou.com

Asakusa is located in Tokyo.

Here, you might feel that you back in past Japan.

You can sense old stuff from sounds, smells, and atmosphere.

You'll never get tired of visiting here!

↑Waking with traditional food is the best!!

↑Amusement park, Hanayashiki, was opened in 1853

Tokyo Disney Resort

http://www.tokyodisneyresort.jp/en/

The dream land in Japan!!

There are two theme parks called

Tokyo Disney Land(TDL) and Tokyo Disney Sea(TDS).

Needless to say, you can entirely enjoy all day.

↑TDL, mostly like American Disney Land

↑TDS, there are some original parts

Suggested Itinerary

Transportation

Seattle(SEA) to Haneda(HND) by airplane(United/American Airlines/Air Canada)
↓
HND to Yokohama, Kanagawa by train
↓
Around Kanagawa by train/bus/rental car/taxi

Day 1 / Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse/Akarenga-soko

・Arrive at Haneda International Airport at 10:00am

・Lunch at chano-ma at 12:00-1:00pm

・Check in Intercontinental Yokohama Grand at 2:00pm

・Exploring Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse/Akarenga-soko at 2:30-5:30pm

・Dinner at Imozo Sakuragicyo at 6:00-8:00pm

・Enjoy a night view at Sky Garden at 8:30pm

✴︎Approximately 15-20 minutes walk from the hotel to chano-ma, Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse/Akarenga-soko, Imozo Sakuragicyo, or Sky Garden

Day 2 / Hakone

・Leave the hotel at 10am

・Lunch at Tofuya Ukai Saginuma for lunch at 11:30am-1:00pm

・Arrive at Hakone at 2:30pm

　　(Approximately 1 hour by a car from Tofuya Ukai Saginuma)

・Go to Hakone Shintou Shrine at 3:00-4:30pm

　　https://www.hakone.or.jp/en/554

・Enjoy hot spring at YUNOSATO at 5:00-7:00pm

　　(Entrance fee: adult $14.50, child $6.00)

　　http://www.yunosato-y.jp

Day 3 / Kamakura or Enoshima

Option 1 – Kamakura

・Check out Intercontinental Yokohama Grand at 9am

・Arrive at Kamakura at 10am

・Rental yukata at 10:30-11:30am

　　(Available time: 10:00am-5:30pm

　　　　Rental fee: $40.00-60.00, Option: hair-set $10.05)

http://paull.jp/kosode/english/index.php

・Go to see The Great Buddha of Kotoku-in at 12:00am-12:30pm

　(Entrance fee: adult $2.00, child $1.00)

　 http://www.kotoku-in.jp/en/top.html

・Lunch at Kyoraian at 1:00-2:00pm

・Go to Houkokuji at 2:30-3:30pm

　　(Entrance fee: $2.00)

　　http://www.houkokuji.or.jp/index.html

・Return yukata at 4:00pm

・Arrive at Haneda International Airport by 8:00pm

Option 2 – Enoshima

・Check out Intercontinental Yokohama Grand at 9am

・Arrive at Enoshima at 10:30am

・Go to Enoshima Aquarium at 11:00am-1:00pm

・Lunch at Tobiccyo 1:30-2:30pm

・Go to Enoshima shrine at 3:00-4:00pm

　　http://enoshimajinja.or.jp

・ Arrive at Haneda International Airport by 8:00pm

Tuesday, October 18, 2016

DESTINATION

Shizuoka in Japan

What comes to your mind when you hear the word "Japan"? Probably, most people imagine popular tourist destinations such as Tokyo and Osaka. Certainly, these places are filled with many attractions, but if you really want to enjoy the great outdoors and relax completely in Japan, Shizuoka is the best place! Shizuoka is located just an hour away from Tokyo, and it is active in fishing, so you can eat cheap and flesh seafood and sushi! Furthermore, you can see whole Mt.Fuji which is the highest mountain in Japan.

Let's explore Shizuoka!

■Insider's Guide

Transportation

️Los Angeles *direct flight *one way

　 ↓ ① Delta $454.90

　 ↓ ② United $459.90

　 ↓ ③ All Nippon Airways $461.90

Tokyo

↓ ① Shinkansen(high-speed railway) $55.00 / 1hr

↓ ② Highway Shuttle Bus $25.00 / 3hrs

↓ ③ Local Train $28.00 / 3hrs

Shizuoka

Around Shizuoka

-Rental Car

-Shinkansen(high-speed railway)

-Local train

-Bus

-Taxi

Restaurant

1. Senryoya

2. Tofuya Resort & Spa-Izu Bakery　　

3. Houtou Fudou

4. Grill S

5. Imahan

1. Senryoya

3. Houtou Fudou

Accommodation

1. Nippondaira Hotel

2. Tofuya Resort & Spa-Izu

3. Oedo Onsen Monogatari Atami

4. Yoshiharu Hotel

Activities

1. Fuji-Q Highland

2. Shibazakura (Cherry Blossoms)

3. Sushi making & eating experience

4. Shuzenji

5. Shiraito Falls

6. Numazu Fish Market

Side Trip

1. Yokohama
Yokohama is the largest city next to Tokyo in Japan, and also it is famous for the port for foreign trade. Trains and buses run around the city, so Yokohama is convenient to public transportation.

Attractions

-Cosmo world theme park
-Chinatown
-Cup Noodles Museum
-Yokohama Landmark Tower

Chinatown

2. Matsumoto
Matsumoto city is located to the north of Shizuoka. Matsumoto castle commands whole Matsumoto city, and it is one of four Japan's original castles. Also, it is called "raven castle" bacause of the black wall.

Matsumoto Castle

■Suggested Itinerary of Shizuoka

Transportation
LAX → HND(Tokyo) By Delta / United Airline
　 HND(Tokyo) → Shizuoka By Shinkansen / Highway Shuttle Bus

Day 1: Exploring Day

Transportation Rental Car

-Eat breakfast in the hotel (Nippondaira Hotel)

-Go to Shibazakura (Cherry Blossoms) & Shiraito Falls
-Eat lunch at Houtou Fudou
-Go to Fuji-Q Highland
-Check in Oedo Onsen Monogatari Atami
-Eat dinner in the hotel

Day 2: Side Trip to "Yokohama"

-Go to Numazu Fish Market by Rental Car

-Eat breakfast at Senryoya

-Go to Yokohama by Shinkansen

-Eat lunch at Grill S by Train

-Walk around Yokohama Chinatown by Shinkansen

-Go to Cosmo world theme park by Train

Cup Noodles Museum

-Go to Yokohama Landmark Tower

-Eat early dinner at Imahan by Train

-Go back to Shizuoka by Shinkansen

-Check in Yoshiharu Hotel by Rental Car

Day 3: Relax & Refresh Day

Transportation Rental Car

-Eat breakfast in Tofuya Resort & Spa-Izu Bakery
-Walk around Shuzenji
-Making sushi & eating experience
-Go back to the hotel & enjoy spa

-Eat dinner in the hotel

Monday, October 17, 2016

"Insider's Tour Guide" Old capital Kyoto-Japan

Insider's Tour to Kyoto

Kyoto is an old capital of Japan. The Emperor lived in Kyoto until the 19th century. Then, he moved to Tokyo.There are two reasons for Kyoto's old culture. Kyoto became the capital in the eighth century and was the center of Japanese culture for a very long time. Also, Kyoto was not targeted for bombing during the Second World War, so we can still enjoy the many old buildings, gardens and art work.

Kyoto is a big city and has many modern buildings too. But if you spend some time there, you will see many beautiful historic sites.

TO GET THERE