Hey guys! Just came back from another fabulous trip, this time: Osaka and Kyoto!
Day 1: Joined Sunrise tour from Osaka to Kyoto. My only qualm about this tour is having to take the train back and forth, would've preferred a shinkansen ride. Anyway, it didn't spoil the experience...
IT: Nijo Castle, Golden Pavillion (both are Unesco heritage sites), Kyoto Imperial Palace, Heian Shrine, Sanjusangendo Hall (houses thousands of buddhas), and Kiyomizu temple.
Price is around 200 USD, a bit steep but lunch, transpo, and gratuities are included so it's worth it. The guide was excellent too!
Tip: Skip Nara, there's so much more to see in Kyoto than a deer park! Also, there will be a bit of time for shopping during lunch (cheap stuff) and also at Kiyomizu temple (wish there was more time to explore here).
Night: Headed to Namba for an authentic Osakan dinner. The resto was perfect! English menu was available, which was great but dont be fooled! All the customers were locals so the place was not touristy at all! Had the best takoyaki, okonomiyaki, yakisoba, and kushiage ever! Best part, the resto was a griddle place, which was nice coz the food will always be hot. Unfortunately, I'm terrible with names but it's an izakaya beside Don Quixote (discount store in Osaka). And nothing washes down bar food better than a cold Asahi beer!
After dinner, did some shopping along Dotonbori, and of course the obligatory stop to take pics of Kani Doraku, Taro (clown), and Glico(running man).
Was too tired to go to a bar/club so called it a night.
Day 2: Headed to Shinsaibashi suji for some power shopping: Cecil Mcbee and some unknown stores for clothes and shoes (deals to be had: $20 espadrilles and <$10 trendy blouses/dresses), Matsumoto Kiyoshi for make ups (Canmake, Kanebo, Shiseido, Dolly Wink, Kate, etc.), hair color (Palty, Freshlight, etc.), etc. Sanrio gallery for Vivitix goods, and lots of snacks and omiyage from various souvenir shops.
There's also Daimaru for high end goods, only noteworthy I think is the Burberry blue label, exclusive only to Japan. Too bad the summer collection was boring!
For lunch, I suggest going to Ichiba Zushi. Had T***, amaebi, hakodate, unagi, etc. Everything was superb! Nothing like sitting in the counter eating authentic, not watered down sushi (lunch was about $60 for 2 pax).
Afterwards, headed to Umeda Sky Bldg. for fab views of Osaka. Highly recommend going to the topmost observatory. Great place for couples too! Entrance fee is I think around $10. Best to go at sunset.
Tip: On the basement of the bldg there are several cute restos. Very convenient too!
Day 3: Headed early to Osaka castle. Not as nice as Kyoto but picturesque nonetheless.
Then back to Umeda for some more shopping. BTW, Hankyu is where the luxury goods are. The store was amazing, nothing like department stores here in the US. Wish I had more time to look around, and money to burn LOL.
Then the highlight of my trip: Lunch at Rio teppanyaki (Daiichi hotel) for some authentic Kobe beef! Hands down, my most favorite food in the world! OMG The 3 course meal was perfect! The ambiance can't be beat. It was a nice last meal in Osaka (figure around $300 for 2 pax)
Skipped Universal Studios and Osaka Aquarium since I didn't travel with any kids. Besides, nothing beats Universal in Orlando.
Osaka was fun! More laid back than Tokyo and I'd like to think, maybe cheaper in some aspects?
Another tip: pick a hotel that is catered by the airport limo bus, like the hilton, granvia, or the new hankyu, would make your life much easier!
Whew,that was a mouthful! Hopefully, this would make you guys want to come to Osaka or Japan again! I'm glad I didn't cancel my trip. It was such a blast!
