Traveling to Osaka Japan for 7 nights/8 days Tips?

RockyRaccoon on 26/01/2014 - 16:21

Going to kansai airport in Late may. Any tips of travelling around Japan based on arriving and leaving from Osaka.

Not really interested in bars etc or Universal studios, mainly sightseeing and a little shopping (maybe 1 day). Havent booked any accommodation other than first night at airport given a late arrival.

All ideas considered, tour suggestions, past trip experiences, deals etc

While Tokyo might be considered, if there are other places that can fill the time, quite happy to skip Tokyo completely. I had travelled to Tokyo a few times in the past for business, so its not "essential" to see it again if there are other things I can see.

Have 28 degree M/Card and Citibank plus accounts….

Thanks all.

Travel

Comments

  • anna10 on 26/01/2014 - 17:07
    +2

    Don't spend much time in Osaka, go up to Kyoto and look at Tripadvisor. There's lots of info on the trains etc. Japan was the most difficult trip for me to organise as the email responses were patchy and English is not as widely utilised for tourist online bookings as it could be.

    This where I stayed attached to the Kyoto train station which is a true marvel of design. Good breakfast, but not exactly cheap.

    Hotel Granvia Kyoto TEL : +81-75-344-8888 +81-75-344-4433 (Direct for Reservation)

    FAX : +81-75-344-4400 E-mail : [email protected] http://www.granviakyoto.com/

    The rooms further from the lifts are cheaper as it's a 5 min walk.

    I was gong to stay here in Osaka, but just spent the day there as I decided Kyoto was much more interesting:

    Swissôtel Nankai Osaka

    5-1-60 Namba Chuo-ku | Osaka 542-0076 | Japan
    Phone: +81 6 6646 1111 | Fax: +81 6 6646 5013
    www.swissotel.com/osaka

    • Fully Flexible without Breakfast -

    1) Swiss Advantage Room (22-34sqm/one 160-180cm bed) on Single Occupancy
    Oct. 1st - JPY 23,500
    2) Swiss Advantage Room (22-34sqm/one 160-180cm bed) on Double Occupancy
    Oct. 1st - JPY 25,500

    • Inc. Tax and service fees

    • Inc. Complimentary Wi-Fi use and gym use (gym does not include the swimming pool)

    • Room Only Rate

    • Daily cancellation - if cancellation is made by 18:00 pm on arrival date, there is no charge

    • NancyCat on 26/01/2014 - 20:32
      +2

      Yes, you must go to Kyoto. We (2 adults + 2 kids) also stay at Hotel Granvia Kyoto. Lovely hotel, shopping, lots of restaurants all under one roof. Right above train station, so just get of the train and wheel the luggage to the hotel.
      One of the best thing we did in Kyoto was to hire bicycles and ride around the city. It was surprising very easy, even our kids were only 5 and 8 at the time. We hire the bicycles & helmets from 'Touring Kyoto by bicycle' http://www.kctp.net/en/ The shop is walking distance from Hotel Granvia/Kyoto station. Very lovely/helpful staff, they give you maps, with all the places of interest on it, suggested routes, you can ride along the river, cute little side streets, great way to expore this beautiful city. Very safe/easy (and we don't even own a bike in Melbourne!)
      Another thing we did in Kyoto was to stay in a Ryokan (Japanese style inn) in Gion. The whole traditional Japanese experience…including a FULL Japanese meal, sleeping on the floor, traditional Japanese bath, beautiful courtyard … Gion is like a movie set, with geisha walking around (and happy to take pictures with tourist). Many beautiful temples and park within walking distance.
      Would love to go back to Kyoto and do it all over again…Osaka and Tokyo is nothing compare to Kyoto.

    • moocher on 31/01/2014 - 10:27
      +2

      +1 for Swissotel Nankai. Stayed there last April. It's right above the train station, nice room with nespresso machine and 4 nespresso pods replaced daily (for 2 guests). From there you can easily walk to:

      I'd agree that spending some time in Kyoto is a must, but there is also enough in Osaka also to occupy 2 days or so. Just exploring the wonderful Osaka food specialities will take a couple of days.

  • Johnny-Kun on 26/01/2014 - 17:27
    +1

    I only spent a day in Osaka, went there cause I wanted to try Okonomiyaki and Takoyaki since that's one of the main things Osaka is famous for. Went to Osaka castle, Osaka Aquarium, Minami (Namba) and Umeda Sky Building.

    Took heaps of photos of those areas Here

    Mostly shopping, bars and restaurants around Osaka, the night life stuff. I wanted to check out Mount Kōya which is south of Osaka (about 2 hours train ride or 1.5 via express train) but didn't have enough time.

    If you have time, Head over to Nara, probably an hour driving if I remember correctly. Very relaxing and peaceful, lots of temples and nature (if your into that stuff).

    You can check out my Nara photos Here

    From Nara, You can head over to Kyoto, think its another 1.5/2hr drive.

    You can check out my Kyoto photos Here

    I stayed at a motel which was pretty much right next to Minami (Namba) Chisun Inn Osaka Hommachi , service was great, room was fantasic and cheap $58pp a night (Double bed). No WIFI but free LAN connection in room, LAN cable provided

  • altomic on 26/01/2014 - 17:39
    +2

    get a shinkansen to Hiroshima.

  • anna10 on 26/01/2014 - 18:00
    +1

    JR West Pass from KIX : http://www.westjr.co.jp/global/en/travel-information/pass/ka…. I used that.

    I got the Shinkansen from Tokyo to Kyoto and I thought it way over priced, esp if you've already been on a fast train when in Tokyo or Europe.

    • RI4V4N on 26/01/2014 - 18:50
      +1

      Yeah, if you are going to tokyo though you would be better off buying the 300 dollar one. The shinkansen between tokyo and kyoto costs like 120 bucks each way by itself. It also just makes it far less of a hasel buying tickets and crap.

      If you decide not to goto tokyo of course, the WEST JR would be the best between osaka/kyoto.

      I bought it from these guys: http://www.railguru.com.au/japan-by-rail/japan-rail-pass/pri…

      Obviously there is a ton of different people selling the rail pass, make sure you get the pass at least a few weeks before you go because it has to get mailed to you (you cant buy them in japan).

      Try to plan your trips on the shinkansen on weekdays, in the middle of the day, makes it much more pleasent and less crowded (you want a seat for these long trips).

      Kyoto is def the cultural place to go. Make sure to check out the golden temple and the ancient rock garden. Theres also just shrines stuck between busy shopping/business areas. It's much more condense than tokyo and easier to get around. If you get a hotel next to the train station there is also the bus station there, so getting around is easy. (they have english maps for the buses with sightseeing tickets etc, where you can get any bus in kyoto for a cheap daily rate (think it was like 500 yen for a day)).

      Also if you are into it (not sure how old you are), there is the toei studios in kyoto, which is kind of like a weird… theme park, but they have a few things to see there, including a huge power ranger display, some samurai shows and etc.

      A word of caution, if you have only been to tokyo, there is a lot less english in the other parts of Japan. Be prepared for pointing and nodding for food if you don't know the basics. However, in saying that, the train station/bus stops/bus guides/tourist guides all have english versions and the stations/bus stops still have english writing on them. (There is no screen in english on the local busses/trains like there is in tokyo)

  • anna10 on 26/01/2014 - 19:32
    +1

    The west JR pass is available in Japan. If you're hanging around that area, you def do not need a JR Pass for that price. On the JR Pass you cannot go on the very fast trains anyway.

    The great places to eat and buy beautiful looking food is in the department store food halls, puts DJs to shame.

    The main train stations do have English signs rolling over and lovely people on the info counters.

    • Daabido on 26/01/2014 - 20:27
      +2

      The trains are fast enough. You can't use the Nozumi, but you can use the Hikari which is almost as fast. Forget the Kodama though as it stops at more places and is slower. Hikari are very common and very fast. Definitely do Hiroshima and Miyajima island. You can get the tram down to the bay to go over to Miyajima or the train. The trains don't come very often (which is unusual for Japan), but are quicker than the tram. If you go to Miyajima and have a JR pass catch the JR ferry and it will be free.

      As suggested before, Kyoto is amazing. Fushimi Inari is a must do and is literally two or three train stops from Kyoto station. Osaka is a great jumping off point for some amazing places. I tend to stay at Shinsaibashi. It's a great part of Osaka with some good night life.

      Whirlpool has an amazing Japan thread. My tip? You're going to have an amazing time.

  • altomic on 26/01/2014 - 22:58
    +1

    oh yeah, 100yen shop.

    technically 105yen due to tax.

  • donga100 on 27/01/2014 - 02:17
    +3

    While I agree with the other posters that you should visit Kyoto and Hiroshima there is still plenty to see in Osaka. I highly recommend the Osaka Unlimited Pass which gives you free travel on the trains, subway and buses along with entry to a huge number of attractions. Osaka Castle is definitely the must-see attraction in Osaka.

    By the way, Kyoto is only 15 minutes shinkansen ride away from Osaka so it's not essential to stay there if you already have a hotel organised in Osaka.

    • ubor on 02/05/2016 - 22:01

      Hi Donga100, can you use Osaka Unlimited Pass going to Kyoto, Nara or Kobe from Osaka? Thanks.

  • Djent on 27/01/2014 - 02:38
    +2

    Don't forget to try Green Tea Kit-Kats!

    • donga100 on 27/01/2014 - 02:45
      +1

      Also, you can try puffer fish (fugu) in Tennoji (Osaka). The main streets there have many restaurants specialising in it.

  • RockyRaccoon on 27/01/2014 - 05:21
    +2

    Great comments from all. All of these have been most welcome.

    Rather than replying to all the great suggestions I have been voting on each one to indicate I have been reading them and taking the ideas in.

  • Baa on 01/02/2014 - 12:23
    +1

    There is a great Japan travel thread in the whirlpool forum that has a tonne if information. Used it heaps when I went to Japan last year.

    There is heaps to do in Osaka, it does tend to get neglected when Kyoto is do close by. I would post more but I am lazy to type on my phone.

  • ctd on 02/02/2014 - 11:51
    +1

    A lot of good suggestions have been posted already. I'd definitely +1 the Osaka Unlimited pass and taking day trips to Kyoto,Hiroshima,Nara,etc. whilst basing yourself in Osaka.

    If you're a beer drinker, arrange yourself a tour of the Asahi brewery at Suita. Free tour with 3 free drinks at the end. :-)

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