Many people travel within Japan during winter, when several inexpensive package tours are available. The price of these deals includes transportation costs and accommodation at cosy inns. Some packages come with perks such as spa privileges at scenic hot springs, free treats and sumptuous meals.
The first economical trip takes us to Kyoto. Under a plan especially designed for women, the package costs 25,300 yen (S$395) and includes round-trip train tickets and a night’s stay at an inn. Start by taking the Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Kyoto. The journey takes 2.5 hours. You can ride in a green car (first class), and will be provided a free drink, plus a pamphlet introducing recommended spots in Kyoto and other privileges. Alight at the Kyoto Station and get all-day bus passes near the station, which cost 500 yen (S$8) each. These allow you to explore the city without any hassle. Go to Nishiki Market, which has 400 years of history. It boasts many shops along a 390m-avenue which sell local ingredients. For example, there is a fish shop selling all sorts of tuna, which you can eat right away. You can also drop by Nishiri, a unique pickle shop, which serves meals too. It is very popular among women. You can try various kinds of pickles at 105 yen (S$1.60) each or choose to eat them with a rice set or chazuke (tea porridge) at the second floor dining area.
Next, visit Yasaka Shrine in Mayumi, where people come to pray for prosperity in their business. Or visit the Gozen Shrine, where the goddess of beauty is enshrined. You can pray for beauty, write your prayers or even try a few drops of “beauty water”, said to promote good skin. Get on a bus at Yasaka Shrine and head to the Yamadamatsu aromatic shop, which was established in 1797. Here you can learn the appreciation of scents. Incense appreciation, called Kodo, is one of three classical Japanese arts and was founded in the Muromachi era. You will learn how to distinguish different scents by smelling them from your thumb and index finger. Plus, you will receive a scent bag as a souvenir at the end of the session.
After this interesting experience, head to your inn for the night. Hotel Nikko Princess Kyoto for women is located in the downtown area and is an elegant and exquisite city hotel. The rooms and bathrooms are spacious and are designed with women’s tastes in mind. Luxury brand goodies are included to pamper women. To enjoy the cuisine of Kyoto, go to Gion district and look for Hanasaki restaurant located at a back alley. It has been rebuilt from an 80-year-old teahouse. You will be served healthy snacks such as black sesame tofu, and if you visit as a mother-daughter pair, the restaurant provides free fresh yuba. Do note that you will have to make reservations beforehand to enjoy these treats. Meanwhile, the 11-dish meal includes red tilefish wrapped in a steamed mochi (rice dumpling), soup, and homemade pepper-flavoured sardines.
The next day, visit some temples. During winter, you can see precious cultural properties. You can choose among eight temples and 10 other spots. And after you’ve collected three stamps at these places, you will get a reward. One of the places worth visiting is a five-storied pagoda in Toji. Its first floor is opened to public and a guide will show you around. Take a bus to another temple, Chionin, where you will see the biggest wooden gate (sanmon) in the world. It was built 400 years ago. Dragons and angels decorate the interior of the temple and there is a statue of Buddha at the centre. You will also get to see beautiful and colourful pillars in their original state as they have never been repainted. Next, go to Kyozo of Chionin; it has an octagonal rinzo which stores over 6,000 sutras. Once you’ve collected your three stamps from these temples, make your way to a shop near the temple to enjoy free tea and a snack.
The next economical adventure in winter takes us to “Hawaii” right in the heart of Japan. From Tokyo Station, take a non-stop pick-up bus to Spa Resort Hawaiians. It costs 12,810 yen (S$200) per night, including transportation. It is a popular package and the buses start from many other places in Kanto. Normally, it costs 12,280 yen (S$192) just to travel to the hotel. After travelling for nearly three hours, the bus arrives at Iwaki, Fukushima. It is full of greenery and faces the Pacific Ocean. The bus drops you right at the entrance of the hotel. Under a profitable deal, if you stay overnight, you can use the hotel’s facilities for free for two days. The hotel sits on premises the size of eight Tokyo Domes. Before you check in at 2pm, explore the hotel with its various facilities. You will notice that although it is winter, people are walking around in their summer attire. That is because the temperature is kept at 27 degrees, to keep the place warm. Have lunch at the hotel’s Hawaiian restaurant, and try out a popular Hawaiian dish called Loco Moco consisting of a hamburger with demi glace and an egg. Instead of a fried egg, a hot spring egg is used in this dish here.
After this delicious Hawaiian lunch, you can check in and go to your Japanese-style rooms. However, instead of a yukata, here you will find aloha shirts for men and muumuu dresses for women. Once you’ve changed into your Hawaiian attire, you may want to learn the hula dance from a hula dancer. Do note that you have to make reservations in advance. Make a point to visit the hotel’s open-air bath. The spacious bath is the largest open-air bath in the world and is even mentioned in the Guinness World Records. Dinner is served in a hall which can accommodate 150 people. There are 53 dishes of different cuisines to choose from and is served buffet-style. For example, you can try the grilled steak which is made in front of you, goosefish pot, snow crab and sashimi. It is a luxurious spread indeed. You can even choose to have a Japanese-style feast in the comfort of your room. The night does not end here as the hotel organises entertainment for guests, including a dynamic fire dance and hula performance.
The next morning, you will have a choice of 48 dishes for breakfast. If you wish to visit attractions outside the hotel, take a route bus to an aquarium, where hotel guests get a discount. You will reach the fishing town of Onahama after 45 minutes. After visiting the aquarium at the port, visit a famous sushi shop nearby for lunch. Most of its patrons are fishermen. The chef of this 40-year-old restaurant buys fresh ingredients from the market every morning. One of the recommended items is jimono (locals) sushi. Fresh seafood is used to make 10 pieces of sushi such as blowfish, spotted halibut and snow crab. You can also try the jimono chirasho consisting of seafood from Onahama, like Hinomaru shrimp, squilla and whitings. After lunch, head back to the hotel as the non-stop bus to Tokyo leaves at 3pm. Don’t forget to buy some souvenirs from the hotel. Examples are Hawaii’s speciality, chocolate-covered macadamia nuts.
We next embark on a profitable driving trip in Okinawa. The package deal, costing 40,000 yen (S$625), includes the use of a rental car and a three-day, two-night stay at an exotic resort. Start your driving adventure in Okinawa and enjoy the sights of Naha along the way. Naha used to be the centre of the Ryukyu Kingdom. Drop by a red shrine which faces the only beach in Naha. Naminoue-gu was built before the 19th century. After this, head to Itoman, the southernmost port town of Okinawa Honto. Visit the Itoman centre market, where there are 50 shops selling fish, meat and vegetables. You will find interesting shops here, such as one which is called "Anma fish market". It sells a variety of fish such as coral trout, bluespine unicornfish and yellowfin tuna. In local dialect “anma” means mother. Itoman women are also called “anma” and previously, it was women who used to transport fish to this market. If you’re hungry, try “bakudan” at a fish paste shop. It is a rice ball wrapped in fish paste and it is a delicious treat.
After leaving the market, continue your driving trip. Under this economical plan, you will be given free tickets to six popular spots. Besides Okinawa World, you can also visit cultural, natural and traditional spots. One of the popular spots where you can get free admission is Southeast Botanical Garden. Spanning 121,000 tsubos (40 hectares), it is said to be the biggest in Japan and boasts many kinds of enchanting flowers.
