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When November 2024

Trip rating 5/5

. Working through and around various obligations, health issues and budgets, My friends Gina, Janice and I decided to go to Japan even though we have been there before separately with our own families.

Without having to consider the preferences of husbands and kids, what could three women be up to?

Rent a kimono in Kyoto. When travelling with girlfriends in Japan, there is only one thing that should be at the top of your list: renting kimonos in Kyoto. There are several places where this can be done, but I chose Okamoto Gion Shop for its proximity to the bamboo forest at Kodaiji Temple. Because we were short on time, we opted out of the more popular, more distant, bamboo forest at Arashiyama. It was the right choice as Kodaiji was less crowded, probably due to the small admission fee and steps to the temple and bamboo forest. In any case, we had fun selecting our kimonos, hair accessories and purses. I brought my own umbrella, but one can be rented.

Eat at Itsukichaya, after returning the kimonos. It has a beautifully presented and delicious Japanese set meal. Make online reservations ahead of time at one of several locations and opt for a table on the ground floor to avoid steep stairs.

Sign up for a hands-on workshop. Designing your own cup for your instant cup noodles is popular at Cup Noodles Museum Osaka Ikeda, but book ahead for the chicken ramen workshop. Here, you’ll knead and roll your own dough, cut and season it, and design your own packaging while the noodles are being steamed and fried. It takes 90 minutes and requires a team of two, but as Janice was arriving on the second day and was not interested in the workshop, Gina and I did this. It was a blast and a great showcase of Japanese efficiency.

Shop at Costco and other supermarkets. When taking a taxi in Japan, it’s best to provide the Japanese name of your destination. (And if the font is too small on your phone, take a screen shot and zoom in so your senior citizen taxi driver can read it.) We were headed to a Costco but our friendly taxi driver recommended the one in Kadoma because it was beside the Mitsui Outlet Park. As it was the same distance away, we went with his suggestion. While we did buy a few things at Costco, we weren’t there to do any serious shopping; it was more about the novelty of the products on sale. We drooled at the platters of sushi and sashimi displayed beside the seafood and meat section and had to forego purchasing a bulk box of assorted bath salts inspired by 15 Japanese onsen (hot springs).

At the outlet mall’s Tourist Information and Tax-free Counter, we found out that there’s a shuttle bus from downtown Osaka.

Eat, eat, eat! For us, food is culture and Japan’s dining experience is varied, delicious and very interesting. There’s conveyor belt sushi at Kura Sushi where you can pick up any of the items passing by or order from a screen and wait as your food zooms towards you. Or relive your school days in an exam room setting and have the best ramen at Ichiran (Ramen). For a calmer environment, go to the top floor of Takashimaya (department store) and choose from several dine-in restaurants. Of course, you must also visit the basement food hall at Takashimaya. It is not a food court and won’t have seats, but it is still dangerous to go there on an empty stomach.

We had so much fun we’re already daydreaming about our next trip.

Diana Koa, Oakville, Ont.

READERS’ TIPS

We’ve launched a new series that invites Star readers to share places they’ve visited recently and would recommend, whether it’s a weekend getaway in Elora, a Banff canoe trip, or a jaunt to Paris or Rome. If you’ve been, loved it and want to tell us about it, we’d like to hear from you.

Email us with “TRAVEL TIPS” in the subject line at travel@thestar.ca.

Please include brief responses to these questions. If your holiday experience is chosen, we’ll be in touch. 

1. Where did you go and when was it?

2. Where did you stay?

3. What was a highlight of your trip? Why?

4. Any travel tips?