Hello, after more than half a year of not blogging, I am finally back in action!
Today, I am going to share about my Japan trip back in July, including the itinerary, food review, budget and also tips to travel in Osaka/Kyoto :)
It gonna be long, but hope you would enjoy reading the journey! :D
Day 4: Osaka: Using Osaka Amazing Pass
Day 5: Nara
The name says it all: deers & temples. The temples in Nara are relatively larger in area size,
and this takes some time to visit all halls in the temple. Some of them require an entrance fee, and hence
the only hall we paid to visit is the Daibutsuden (Big Buddha Hall). It's a peaceful town with adorable deers all over the place.
Fun fact: The deers would bow at you, and keep bowing until you feed them food XD.
Minoo Fall is simply beautiful, and it resembles the scene in Spirited Away.
It's a tranquil forest with a pretty easy trail to the waterfall. The best time to visit is during Autumn because maple
trees are planted everywhere in the park! Also, check out the weather forecast to avoid rainy times.
I fell in ❤with the mysterious yet lively atmosphere at the park. Such a refresh from the hustle and bustle of
the city. A must for nature lovers, it's so green and peaceful!
Katsuo-ji temple is the temple located at uphill of Minoo Fall. You could reach there by bus [ need to follow their schedule :( ] or hitchhiked like we did if you're lucky :D You can feel the inner peace within yourself and enjoy the sound of nature as it's pretty much secluded up there.
Day 7: Kyoto
Nishiji market is all about food! Try as many interesting items as possible, including all the mochi, matcha, and more Kyoto delights! It's connected to the shopping district and the mall, where you could easily spend half a day or more there.
We went Fushimi-Inari afterward and climbed all the way up and completed all trails. Well, there weren't any views up there, but they say it clears your sin every torii you pass by, and it's a blessing. :')
Yasaka Shrine is located at Gion. It has different views during the daytime and nighttime, and you must make sure that you come back at night for the lanterns! :)
Day 8: Kyoto - Yukata Day
It's a Yukata Day! We went to the clothing store early in the morning. It's around ¥6,500 for 2 people. We then set off to a few places for photos. Shooting places include Arashiyama, Fushimi-Inari, and Sannen Zaka Street. :)
Day 9: Kyoto
Visited the Imperial Palace in the morning. It's free entrance and the best thing is it's a guided tour. :) The rest of the day was free and easy - eating & shopping at Kawaramachi & Kyoto Station :D
Day 10: Kyoto
Nijo Castle is one of the historical icons in Kyoto. It's interesting to understand the history of Kyoto and Japan back then. Besides, the food store at the castle sells the best matcha cake ever. It was 700 yen, pretty expensive. But it's the thickest / most concentrated matcha flavour I have ever tasted in a cake and, we ate it before the camera :3
Osaka
Nara
Today, I am going to share about my Japan trip back in July, including the itinerary, food review, budget and also tips to travel in Osaka/Kyoto :)
It gonna be long, but hope you would enjoy reading the journey! :D
Day 1: Flew to Kansai International Airport; Check in @ Dotonbori, Osaka
Day 2: Kobe
Nunobiki Herb Garden, Chinatown (Nankinmachi), Meriken Park
Day 3: Osaka Amazing Pass
Shintennoji Temple, Tempozan Ferris Wheel, Tempozan Marketplace Kaiyukan, Santa Maria Evening Cruise, Umeda Sky Building
Day 4: Osaka Amazing Pass
Osaka Castle, Osaka Castle Nakanoshima Tour, Osaka Museum of History, Suminoe Onsen, Hep Five
Day 5: Nara
Nara Park, Todaiji temple, Hōryū-ji temple, Kōfuku-ji temple
Day 6: Ikeda
Momofuku Museum, Minoo Fall, Katsuo-ji Temple
Day 7: Kyoto
Nishiki Market, Fushimi Inari, Yasaka Shrine, Gion Shinbashi
Day 8: Kyoto
Yukata Day: Photoshoot places: Arashiyama, Fushimi Inari, Higashitama, Gion
Day 9: Kyoto
Imperial Palace Kyoto, Obiyako Nishiki market
Day 10: Kyoto
Nijo Castle, Food & Shopping
Day 11: Train back to Kansai International Airport
Attractions
Day 1: Osaka
We rent an Airbnb at Dotonbori, which is within walking distance to Namba Station (Accessible to most lines).
The nighttime is when your life begins. Expect lots of street food! For food shopping, Don Quijote is a good choice,
and be prepared to make price comparisons across all outlets!
Dotonbori: Bright & Loud at night
Day 2: Kobe
Went to Nunobiki Herb Gardens for the first half of the day. It's a beautiful and tranquil garden, with many of beautiful/elegant photography spots! After that, we headed to Chinatown (Nankinmachi) for late lunch and food. In the evening, we walked around Kobe Harborland for the amazing city view.
P.S I was pretty surprised that Kobe is not a small agricultural town (for Kobe meats), but an industrial city indeed since the 1900s. The city preserves historical buildings and nature well. Worth visiting for sure!
Day 3: Osaka: Using Osaka Amazing Pass
Went to Nunobiki Herb Gardens for the first half of the day. It's a beautiful and tranquil garden, with many of beautiful/elegant photography spots! After that, we headed to Chinatown (Nankinmachi) for late lunch and food. In the evening, we walked around Kobe Harborland for the amazing city view.
P.S I was pretty surprised that Kobe is not a small agricultural town (for Kobe meats), but an industrial city indeed since the 1900s. The city preserves historical buildings and nature well. Worth visiting for sure!
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| Flowers :) |
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| Beautiful Kobe Herb Gardens :) |
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| Kobe Harborland! Where Kobe Tower, Ferris Wheel, hotels, and all the entertainment are located at :) |
Day 3: Osaka: Using Osaka Amazing Pass
Early in the morning, we visited Shintennoji Temple and the garden beside the temple. There are a few traditional Japanese houses in the garden. Then, we went to Tempozan Village for Tempozan Ferris Wheel and had lunch there.
We also reserved tickets for Santa Maria Evening Cruise to catch the sunset. By random chance, we visited Tempozan Anipa - mini zoo in the shopping small, which is not included in Amazing Pass. We paid 600 yen per pax for the visit and it was worth it! The animals are just so adorable :3
We also reserved tickets for Santa Maria Evening Cruise to catch the sunset. By random chance, we visited Tempozan Anipa - mini zoo in the shopping small, which is not included in Amazing Pass. We paid 600 yen per pax for the visit and it was worth it! The animals are just so adorable :3
At Tempozan, one of the world's largest aquariums - Osaka Aquarium is right beside it. It's also not included in Amazing Pass and there was a HUGE crowd there. But if you love marine animals, do visit :)
At night time, we went to Umeda Sky Building's rooftop - one of the tallest buildings & also an observatory deck in Osaka. The escalator's design is one-of-a-kind, different from the usual ones. The night view of Osaka is breathtaking. :)
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| Shintennoji Temple: Under renovation |
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| Garden at Shintennoji Temple. Beautiful garden, just need to be aware of the mosquito >< |
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| Tempozan Ferris Wheel, facing the sea :) |
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| View from the Ferris Wheel, it was a cloudy and rainy day :') |
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The Animal Park is inside the Tempozan Shopping Mall, and it's fascinating to see these cute creatures :3 |
Santa Maria Cruise: 1 hour of boat ride for sunset; Colourful Tempozan Ferris Wheel view at night :)
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| Umeda Building: Escalator that looks like a tunnel up and down |
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| Umeda Building in Shin Umeda City - the high end and luxurious area in Osaka |
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| Night view from Umeda Sky Building's rooftop ;) |
Day 4: Osaka: Using Osaka Amazing Pass
The famous Osaka Castle is one of the must-go attractions in Osaka. You would feel as if you were
in the ancient Japanese era, having an elegant castle as background, with bridges and rivers surrounding it.
Make sure you are there BEFORE the opening hours, because you don't want your photos to get photobombed by tons of tourists.
The boat ride is also a pleasant and relaxing activity, with the audio tour explaining the history. The Japanese Generals and their wives
used to take this boat ride during their leisure time. It's pretty relaxing and chilling to enjoy the beauty of the castle and the rivers.
*Even better if it's during cherry blossoms season!*
After this, we took a quick tour to the Osaka Museum of History, and strolled around Hep Five before heading for
Onsen (included @ Amazing Pass) for the evening. :)
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| Be here at the opening hours to avoid crowds! |
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| Nakanoshima Tour around Osaka Castle |
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| Osaka Museum of History |
The name says it all: deers & temples. The temples in Nara are relatively larger in area size,
and this takes some time to visit all halls in the temple. Some of them require an entrance fee, and hence
the only hall we paid to visit is the Daibutsuden (Big Buddha Hall). It's a peaceful town with adorable deers all over the place.
Fun fact: The deers would bow at you, and keep bowing until you feed them food XD.
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| Be prepared to get attacked by them! |
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| Todai-ji Temple: Nandaimon Gate |
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| Lake & Garden that oversee Hōryū-ji from the other side |
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| The revolution of instant noodles since 1958... |
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| The fillings and soup base that you get to choose to create a unique cup noodle :3 |
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| We could draw on the cup packaging before selecting the flavours :) |
It's a tranquil forest with a pretty easy trail to the waterfall. The best time to visit is during Autumn because maple
trees are planted everywhere in the park! Also, check out the weather forecast to avoid rainy times.
I fell in ❤with the mysterious yet lively atmosphere at the park. Such a refresh from the hustle and bustle of
the city. A must for nature lovers, it's so green and peaceful!
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| There's something magical about this place. |
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| Minoo Fall |
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| Tons of Daruma Dolls over the temple, where people leave their bad luck behind here and get blessings. :) |
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| An oasis of serenity amidst the bustling city |
Day 7: Kyoto
Nishiji market is all about food! Try as many interesting items as possible, including all the mochi, matcha, and more Kyoto delights! It's connected to the shopping district and the mall, where you could easily spend half a day or more there.
We went Fushimi-Inari afterward and climbed all the way up and completed all trails. Well, there weren't any views up there, but they say it clears your sin every torii you pass by, and it's a blessing. :')
Yasaka Shrine is located at Gion. It has different views during the daytime and nighttime, and you must make sure that you come back at night for the lanterns! :)
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| Nishiji Market: This tasted like a tofu skin, and it's good! |
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| Yasaka Shrine @ Night :D |
Day 8: Kyoto - Yukata Day
It's a Yukata Day! We went to the clothing store early in the morning. It's around ¥6,500 for 2 people. We then set off to a few places for photos. Shooting places include Arashiyama, Fushimi-Inari, and Sannen Zaka Street. :)
Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
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| Sannen Zaka Street |
Day 9: Kyoto
Visited the Imperial Palace in the morning. It's free entrance and the best thing is it's a guided tour. :) The rest of the day was free and easy - eating & shopping at Kawaramachi & Kyoto Station :D
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| Kyoto was once the capital of Japan before Tokyo. |
Day 10: Kyoto
Nijo Castle is one of the historical icons in Kyoto. It's interesting to understand the history of Kyoto and Japan back then. Besides, the food store at the castle sells the best matcha cake ever. It was 700 yen, pretty expensive. But it's the thickest / most concentrated matcha flavour I have ever tasted in a cake and, we ate it before the camera :3
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| Magnificent Gate at Nijo Castle |
Food
Kobe |
| Kobe Herb Gardens' Lavender Ice Cream :) |
Osaka
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| Hanamaruken Ramen, Dotonbori: Yum Yum :P |
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| Forgot where this was, but you should try the authentic Japanese curry there too! |
Daiwa Kaen - they have a few outlets near Namba station, Kuromon market: The softest spongecake I've tried so far, and the seasonal melon cake - the best fruit spongecake ever :D
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| Wendy's First Kitchen in Osaka is one of the best fast food I have tried so far! . They offer full meals there from burgers to spaghetti. The fillings of the burger were not dry and plain like other fast food! Not to mention, they have 5 sauces available - avocado, garlic, cheese, tomato, and sakura (if not mistaken?) On a side note, tt's good to try Pablo from its origin as well :) |
Nara
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| Nakatanidou Mochi @ Higashimuki Shopping District |
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| Sakura Burger: We ordered their signature Sakura burger & avocado smoked meat. P.S Their tomato sauce is personally handmade by the shop, and they provide drawing books for customers to record down their moments :) |
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| Sobanomi Yoshimaru: Best Set Meal of Soba |
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