Japan: Osaka - Holiday in Osaka

[dcb]

Bad part of Airbnb is the check in and out timing. Gotta lug the luggage all over town.

For Korea & Japan, i like Airbnb.  Staying in Nihon ji neighbourhood.

 

[inlinesix]

Bad part of Airbnb is the check in and out timing. Gotta lug the luggage all over town.

 

That's non-issue in Japan.

 

There are lockers in subway station.  I left my 29" luggage in subway & pick it up before going to airport.

[dcb]

Thats great. Never think of that as i always stay in the hotels inTokyo. Straight to Narita on the bus that picks up in Shinjuku. Thanks.

That's non-issue in Japan.

 

There are lockers in subway station.  I left my 29" luggage in subway & pick it up before going to airport.

 

[Tohto]

Is it advisable to take train from Tokyo to Kyoto, the rent car and spend about 5 - 6 days self drive surrounding area.

Or all used train and bus?

Are parking a problem or expensive in Kyoto?

 

I am still in the very start of F & E trip planning, so looking at all possibility.

[Lala81]

Thats great. Never think of that as i always stay in the hotels inTokyo. Straight to Narita on the bus that picks up in Shinjuku. Thanks.

 

there's lockers. In the big stations like tokyo station, there are services that can hold a bag for you as well for several days. About same cost as using the station locker. I'm going to use one when i go to kyoto and osaka.

 

About 8 USD/day.

[Lala81]

Is it advisable to take train from Tokyo to Kyoto, the rent car and spend about 5 - 6 days self drive surrounding area.

Or all used train and bus?

Are parking a problem or expensive in Kyoto?

 

I am still in the very start of F & E trip planning, so looking at all possibility.

 

my friends only drive around the mt fuji area for 2-3 days, so i have no idea.

[Kxbc]

Is it advisable to take train from Tokyo to Kyoto, the rent car and spend about 5 - 6 days self drive surrounding area.

Or all used train and bus?

Are parking a problem or expensive in Kyoto?

 

I am still in the very start of F & E trip planning, so looking at all possibility.

tokyo to kyoto - suggest take train

 

within kyoto - take public transport and also walk to enjoy the tranquility between sights.

[Aloe111]

IIRC train station lockers only for 3-4d max.

[Tohto]

Driving in and around Kyoto is OK, not bad compared with Tokyo, certainly better than Osaka. Some back alley roads in Kyoto are very narrow, like in other older towns in Japan. There are blind spots so slow down at every crossing.

 

Expensive is subjective, I say it's not expensive. Limited lots near tourist spots, but you can always walk a little more and there are usually many signs and parking uncle to guide you at popular places. If parking at Kyoto station, spend at Isetan (eat or shop) and get free parking.

 

Got car no need to live in town, go into the suburbs and live among the locals.

 

For Kyoto, it's nearer to fly to KIX/ITM than NRT/TYO.

 

Thanks for all the advice.

 

As I will be flying in to Tokyo (Narita) using SQ redeem flight together for my wife and daughters. Total of 13D12N.

This is 1st trip for them to Japan.

So will be spending some days in Tokyo and surround area.

Others time travel out of tokyo, current plan is looking at Kyoto and surrounding area. A friend told me by late Dec, there are not much see there already as Autumn leaves had all drop. 

Again all suggestion or advice are welcome. 

[Tohto]

Indeed late Dec no more autumn colours, early Dec still have. But Kyoto area together with Osaka, Kobe and Nara is still beautiful for the history and culture. You can also go see snow Nagano or Shirakawago (nearer than Kyoto), or Hakone and Kawaguchigko (near to Tokyo).

 

Yah. I am planning to stay a night or 2  in Hakone when in Tokyo area.

Then a day trip to Nikko.

Maybe also a day to Disneysea. Remaining time in Tokyo maybe some shopping.

I am more into nature and visit some japanese culture attraction.

And try all the yummy japanese food.

[dcb]

Anyone can advice whats the best and economical method to travel to the Osaka castle, Osaka Kaiyukan, Nara park and Kuromon market?

[Heartlander]

Anyone can advice whats the best and economical method to travel to the Osaka castle, Osaka Kaiyukan, Nara park and Kuromon market?

Stating your place of stay would be good. And all in a day?

[dcb]

Not all in a day. Will be staying near Namba station. You think which two can be done together in a day? Not sure how to plan the schedule. 

Stating your place of stay would be good. And all in a day?

 

[Heartlander]

Not all in a day. Will be staying near Namba station. You think which two can be done together in a day? Not sure how to plan the schedule. 

To go Nara, can take the Kintetsu-Nara Line from Kintetsu Nippombashi station which is near your lodging. 560yen/adult/way. I assume you only visiting the deer park and jalan around the Todaiji area to see the deers. Total would be less than 4 hours if that is the case, max 1hr on train each way and 2hr walking around. Be careful when feeding the deer and disturbing them as a few can get aggressive and bite the tourists haha.

 

Kuromon just need to walk from your lodging also. Be ready to buy fresh seafood like scallop, oysters to eat on the spot. Also can buy premium beef that they will grill on the spot if your like. There is a stall that sell a lot of fried stuff that is deep in side, their small fried shrimps realy nice. Can also buy from Takashiyama locally in Singapore. There is a tourist office with free wifi and with proper tables and chairs to rest your legs. This will take easily 4 hours if you go with a hungry tummy and really into treating yourself. A lot of selfie moments opportunity. My wife also bough a few Anello bags from there, supposedly to be genuine items at about S60 each.

 

As for Osaka Castle, you can enter from a few paths through a few subway stations. Nearest would be from the Osaka Business Park station, follow by Temmabashi station. Be prepare to walk for 2hr if want to cover the whole place, and pay for the ticket to visit the inner cordon of the castle. If to Osaka Business Park station, can take Midoshji Line from Namba station to Shinsaibashi station. From there transit to Osaka Business PArk station through the NagahoriTsurumiryokuchi Line, total 8 stops.

 

As for Kaiyukan, you can take the Sakaisuji Line from Nippombashi station to Sakaisuji Hommachi station, then from there take Chuo Line to Osakako station. Total 35min/way. I have no idea how long to stay inside the aquarium as never visit the place.

 

For me, as each of the 4 places would need about 3 to 4 hours to cover, can fit any 2 places in one day. If you want to relax, can leave lodging about 9am and take half a day to visit one of the places, then go lunch, and do the other activity. But please take note of the closing hour of the places, especially the Kaiyukan and Kuromon. The Nara Deer Park has no closing hour but the place will darken quite early in winter if I remember correctly. Osaka Castle open till quite late.

 

 

Edited February 25, 2018 by Heartlander

[Heartlander]

The Osaka Castle is a place I visited quite often when I was still working for a big Japanese company as always need to fly there for work trips. As I used to stay in company dormitories for longer trips like 3months, I used to buy a used bicycle for commute, so 1 of the favourite activity had been to cycle to the Osaka Castle on weekends to relax since it is free.

 

Take note that the place is only a replica, as the original place had been burnt to the ground. But still it is worth spending sometime there just to soak in the atmosphere and let the kids run wild. Then eat ice-cream and rest around. It is also a favorite spot for sakura viewing , as well as the lesser plum flower blooming early March which look abit like Sakura but not as nice.

[Lala81]

The Osaka Castle is a place I visited quite often when I was still working for a big Japanese company as always need to fly there for work trips. As I used to stay in company dormitories for longer trips like 3months, I used to buy a used bicycle for commute, so 1 of the favourite activity had been to cycle to the Osaka Castle on weekends to relax since it is free.

 

Take note that the place is only a replica, as the original place had been burnt to the ground. But still it is worth spending sometime there just to soak in the atmosphere and let the kids run wild. Then eat ice-cream and rest around. It is also a favorite spot for sakura viewing , as well as the lesser plum flower blooming early March which look abit like Sakura but not as nice.

 

no wonder your knowledge so solid.

 

I'm just going to the aquarium, osaka castle and jalan jalan around 

[Heartlander]

no wonder your knowledge so solid.

 

I'm just going to the aquarium, osaka castle and jalan jalan around 

No choice nothing to do on weekends. Every day work until 10pm, weekends must relax abit lah.

 

Actually I always take Osaka as a launching pad to nearby places like Kyoto, Nara, Kobe, and Wakayama. All within an hour's ride from Osaka downtown, and quite cheap at about 500yen or lesser. Kyoto can extend all the way to Biwa lake, and Keihan Line is better than JR Kyoto Line going certain places there such as Kiyomisu Temple. It would take weeks just to cover the whole place. 

 

And curious why you not consider USJ? I would prefer a theme park than a aquarium, no offence.

Edited February 25, 2018 by Heartlander

[dcb]

Thanks for the info. I appreciate it.

To go Nara, can take the Kintetsu-Nara Line from Kintetsu Nippombashi station which is near your lodging. 560yen/adult/way. I assume you only visiting the deer park and jalan around the Todaiji area to see the deers. Total would be less than 4 hours if that is the case, max 1hr on train each way and 2hr walking around. Be careful when feeding the deer and disturbing them as a few can get aggressive and bite the tourists haha.

 

Kuromon just need to walk from your lodging also. Be ready to buy fresh seafood like scallop, oysters to eat on the spot. Also can buy premium beef that they will grill on the spot if your like. There is a stall that sell a lot of fried stuff that is deep in side, their small fried shrimps realy nice. Can also buy from Takashiyama locally in Singapore. There is a tourist office with free wifi and with proper tables and chairs to rest your legs. This will take easily 4 hours if you go with a hungry tummy and really into treating yourself. A lot of selfie moments opportunity. My wife also bough a few Anello bags from there, supposedly to be genuine items at about S60 each.

 

As for Osaka Castle, you can enter from a few paths through a few subway stations. Nearest would be from the Osaka Business Park station, follow by Temmabashi station. Be prepare to walk for 2hr if want to cover the whole place, and pay for the ticket to visit the inner cordon of the castle. If to Osaka Business Park station, can take Midoshji Line from Namba station to Shinsaibashi station. From there transit to Osaka Business PArk station through the NagahoriTsurumiryokuchi Line, total 8 stops.

 

As for Kaiyukan, you can take the Sakaisuji Line from Nippombashi station to Sakaisuji Hommachi station, then from there take Chuo Line to Osakako station. Total 35min/way. I have no idea how long to stay inside the aquarium as never visit the place.

 

For me, as each of the 4 places would need about 3 to 4 hours to cover, can fit any 2 places in one day. If you want to relax, can leave lodging about 9am and take half a day to visit one of the places, then go lunch, and do the other activity. But please take note of the closing hour of the places, especially the Kaiyukan and Kuromon. The Nara Deer Park has no closing hour but the place will darken quite early in winter if I remember correctly. Osaka Castle open till quite late.