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 Are you planning to explore the real hidden treasure of Japan this Christmas and New Year with your family?
You will have various options to explore and spend time, but
no one stand equal to Osaka — the pride of
Japan tourism. The beautiful destination will keep you surprised
and enticed for the time to come. Choosing the best and affordable Osaka holiday packages is certainly a
way of fulfilling your desire for having more fun and
pleasure during your holiday. Here is your term to find one of the rights and reliable tour operator
who has proven track record of bringing you customized tour packages.
You have to choose the right one, go through the day to day itineraries and then place your order.
Among some of the top agencies that are bringing
you attractive packages name of Tabigo comes on the top. Having been into the domain of bringing you attractive tour
packages for memorable Japan holidays, name of Tabigo comes
on the top. The leading travel operator has carved a special niche within a
very short span of time for bringing you attractive deals and offers.
You have to choose the right one that is convenient for you and fit well your budget and leave rest
of the work on experts working here.
Shinsaibashi-suji Arcade and Kuromon Ichiba Market are great places
to start! Indulge many of the local specialties and
maybe pick up a few locally-made souvenirs while you’re
at it. You can read more about food to try in Osaka below!
Visit Osaka Castle Museum. Learn about Osaka’s history
at this wonderfully preserved castle. Be sure to check out the 360°
view over the city from the observation deck and wander the
beautiful grounds. Explore Dotonbori by night.
Watch the Dotonbori River become brightly illuminated by the surrounding colourful billboards at night.
See the Glico Man. This famous billboard has been hovering above Dotonbori since
1935. The Glico Man lit up at night is a solid favourite amongst locals as well as tourists.
Don’t miss this iconic sight in Osaka! Hozen-ji:
Located a street behind bustling Dotonbori, this narrow
stone-paved laneway appears to have been frozen in time for centuries
and is home to traditional Japanese shops and cafes. Hozen-ji
temple, decorated with lanterns, is worth a visit and the
Mizukake Fudo moss-covered statue is also nearby. This is one
of the most unique things to do in Osaka. Amerika-Mura: After World War II, some stores in this area began to sell Americana items, resulting in its catchy name.
Today, this offbeat neighbourhood is known for bars,
cafes, second-hand fashion and record stores targeted at
the youth.
Although many people talk about Harajuku in Tokyo,
Amerika-Mura is often considered the birthplace of new Japanese fashion trends.
I think that experiencing the Amerika-Mura is one of the most unique things to do in Osaka that a visitor can see.
Osaka Manholes: Keep an eye out for these beautifully artistic drain coverings
beneath your feet as you explore the streets.
Find the miniature shrines around the city. In Osaka (as well as the
rest of Japan), you’re likely to stumble upon a number
of shrines spread out throughout the city. I loved how
hidden some of them were. Which museums to visit in Osaka
with two days in Osaka? Allocate spending the majority of one day
at the Osaka Castle Museum, arguably Japan’s best-preserved
castle. Osaka Castle is absolutely gorgeous and is a pristine example of the level of detail and care that was put into traditional Japanese architecture.
Built in the late 16th century and a hub for trade at the time, the castle was chosen to be
built in Osaka by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who is considered one of the
great unifiers of Japan. The castle houses
an impressive collection of over 10,000 artefacts ranging from portraits, armoury, swords and other weapons to dioramas with intricate hand painted figurines that demonstrate wars of the time, especially scenes from the Summer War of Osaka.
There are also TV screens showcasing re-enactments of related
events with English subtitles to help you gain a better understanding of Osaka’s history.
I found one of the most enjoyable experiences at
Osaka Castle was gazing over the city from the observation deck.
With 360° views, it’s easy to see how the past and present buildings blend together
so seamlessly in Japan.
Wandering around the beautiful grounds should also not be
missed. If you’re lucky enough to visit during the cherry blossom season, you’ll be in awe of all the
stunning trees blooming surrounding the castle!
Have some extra time? You can also visit the nearby Osaka Museum of History.
Getting to Osaka Castle: Approx 30 mins. From Namba station on Sennichimae
line, travel to Tanimachi 9-chome station and
switch to the Tanimachi line. Alight the train at Tanimachi 4-chome Station. Exit north past Hotel Primrose and then head east onto Hommachi-Dori street.
You’ll be able to enter the castle grounds by the Otemon Gate.
Opening Hours are 9:00am - 5:00pm daily (last admission 4:30pm).
Hours may be extended during certain times throughout spring and
summer. What to eat in Osaka? The saying in Osaka "kuidaore" literally means "eat ‘til you drop", which is very appropriate considering the number of places eat in Osaka…and
your delicious choices. Consider eating one of
your top things to do in Osaka. Keep reading for tips for authentic local cuisine in Osaka!
Takoyaki (battered octopus shaped into balls) are
Osaka’s famous culinary delight. There are loads of places to find them, from local street vendors scattered
throughout the city to restaurants along Dotonbori and in the arcades.
I highly recommend Showa Taishu Horumon on Dotonbori,
it was packed with locals which is always a good
sign!
If you’re up for something different and a bit more adventurous, these
BBQs also serve cow’s innards (horumon) like intestines.
Be sure to try okonomiyaki, a Japanese pancake made with seafood that
has its own delicious sauces and is deeply satisfying. It can be easy found
in Osaka. What to drink in Osaka? Try all the
different sakes - Japan’s traditional rice-based alcoholic beverage, which can be enjoyed either hot or cold.
The flavour range is very broad, including sweet, dry, fruity, aged, rich and mellow.
I personally love the sakura (cherry blossom) flavour, as
well as sparkling sake. Mio Sparkling sake is my absolute favourite!
Kirin and Asahi are popular beer options.
Should I purchase a JR Railpass or Suica card for train travel in Osaka?
Contrary to popular belief, you do not need to purchase a JR
Railpass before you visit Osaka if you’re travelling with a mid-range budget and want to maximise your actual time at
your destination. If you’re travelling by shinkansen (bullet train)
to Osaka, the fastest trains (Nozomi) that reach speeds of
over 300 km/h are not covered by the pass, neither are the Mizuho shinkansen (second fastest).
I can highly recommend Cross Hotel Osaka, in the centre of Osaka’s beating heart.
Just a few steps away from the famous Dotonbori Arcade, dozens of restaurants and
only a few minutes walk to Namba station, which is a very easy walk with luggage.
As a business hotel it also means there are many power points for charging devices which
is handy.TIP: Be sure to ask for a room facing Mido-suji (street entrance) side for a super quiet sleep!
Editor’s note: If you’re looking for something different,
Osaka is (in)famous in Japan for its quirky love hotels
that are often themed. NSFW link: This love hotel in Osaka has rooms with
carousels (!?), karaoke machines, and cars if you’ve ever dreamed
of sleeping in a pick-up truck. Like all Japanese cities, Osaka is very navigable by metro.
It’s inexpensive with tickets. Metro signs are in both Japanese and
English so it’s not difficult to find your way.
It’s best to learn a few Japanese phrases and likely responses so you’re able
to approach locals if you happen to need assistance.
Kindly ask them in Japanese if they’re able to speak
English and if they can help you with your query.
Downloading Google Translate offline for Japanese is also a good idea.
Also, study a map of the areas you plan to visit. On your arrival you’ll have a rough idea of the directions you need to travel
in order to reach your hotel and the sights you wish to see with
minimum fuss. Is English spoken in Osaka? Much like Tokyo, it is possible to find English-speakers in Osaka.
Many hotel staff speak English as well as some staff at metro stations.
As mentioned above, learning some basic Japanese phrases will go a long way.
In my personal experience, a friendly local actually approached me when I was exiting Namba station with my suitcase to see if I needed directions
to get to my hotel. She said she loved practising her English!
You can read tips for using Google Translate for reading Japanese menus as well as asking directions.
Thanks to Alyse for her tips! She has a helpful two week
itinerary for Japan along with more tips for visiting Japan on her
website, the Invisible Tourist! You can read tips for visiting Japan on a budget as well as the beautiful temples of Kyoto here on Wanderlustingk.
Have you been to Osaka? Any questions about visiting Osaka?
One of the best ways to get to know what Japan has to offer is to explore the best-of-highlights route
from Tokyo to Kyoto and Osaka. This itinerary allows you to see most of Japan’s famous landmarks and
truly get a taste of the culture. You will travel from the modern wonders
of Tokyo, past the natural beauty of the Japanese Alps, all the way to the traditional and ancient Kyoto.
The best thing about it? You can do it all in just 10 days!
Get ready to explore the greatest sights in the Land
of the Rising Sun, with the help of our itinerary and
recommendations, with your Japan Rail Pass in just 10 days.
Tokyo has two airports, Haneda and Narita. Our three days in Tokyo article provides all the detailed
information you will need about where and how to exchange your Japan Rail Pass.
To get to Tokyo’s city center from Narita Airport, you will need to take
the Narita Express, or the Tokyo Monorail
if coming from Haneda Airport. Tokyo is truly an incredible place to discover!
It’s a melting pot between cutting edge technology and Japanese traditional culture.
From the bustling Shibuya, Harajuku, and Shinjuku districts to
the majestic grounds of the Imperial Palace to the magnificent Sensoji Temple, to the buildings that once housed Samurai warriors.
Tokyo has it all! Start off your day by visiting the ancient Buddhist Sensoji Temple, in Asakusa.
It is Tokyo’s oldest temple, and also its most
significant. Then cross the river over to the tallest structure in Japan, Tokyo Skytree, for one of the best views of all of
Tokyo. On a good day, you will even get a glimpse of
the majestic Mt Fuji. Then travel to Harajuku where you
can check out Meiji-Jingu Shrine, Omotesando, and the Nezu Museum.
Harajuku is the most diverse neighborhood in Tokyo, where you get to experience both traditional Japanese culture, and
the craziest off the charts fashion district where young people parade in the most fashion-forward
outfits you will ever see.
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Blorg |
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