Sharing our 7D trip to Osaka/Kyoto in Apr

[limweeli]

I would like to share an earlier trip this year to Osaka/Kyoto. We spent 7D for this trip - 3D Osaka, 3D Kyoto and 1D Osaka before flying back. This is our maiden F&E trip to Japan so we are newbies officially

We planned it on the 1st-2nd week of April where Osaka and Kyoto usually hits the full bloom. But ren suan bu ru tian suan, the season started 1 week earlier this year so we had to be contented with the tail end of the season.

Also, we confirmed this trip just in March so we had to stay in the more expensive hotels and at a higher rate too. It pays to plan and book early :/

Day 1 (5 Apr, Fri)
- Day flight to Kansai Airport
- Took the Rap:t Nankai line to JR Namba Osaka
- Checked in to Cross Hotel

Day 2
- Sakuranomiya Park
- Briefly pass the Umeda area
- Osaka Castle

Day 3
- Rinku Town Outlet
- Shinsaibashi / Dotonbori
- Dinner at Kani Doraku

Day 4
- JR train to Kyoto
- Checked in Righa Royal Hotel
- Philosopher's Path
- Dinner at Kyoto station

Day 5
- Arashiyama
- Sagano Scenic Rail
- Kiyomizudera / Higashiyama
- Gion (pass by only)
- Shijo Dori area shopping

Day 6
- Fushimi Inari
- Nishiki Market (2nd time as shops closed early yesterday)

Day 7
- JR train back to Osaka
- Explore Namba area

Day 8
- Took Nankai line to Kansai Airport
- Flight back to SG

Pics can be seen the the posts below or in my Flickr album - https://www.flickr.com/photos/wee_lit_lim/sets/72157633225291715/.

 

[limweeli]

-----
Day 1
-----

Nankai Rap:t train we took from Kansai Airpot to JR Namba station in Osaka. We blur blur sat in the reserved seat section and was charged for it.

Day 1 - Rap:t Nankai train @ Namba station by Wee-Lit, on Flickr

-----
Day 2
-----

We researched that cne of the best place to see sakura in Osaka is Sakuranomiya Park which has 300 trees. It's raining slightly when we reached and it's rather windy too. Due to this and we are also in the tail end of the season, most of the petals has fallen.

Day 2 - Sakuranomiya Park - Panorama by Wee-Lit, on Flickr

There's a river cruise which we didn't try. Trying a framing shot with the remaining sukura here.

Day 2 - Sakuranomiya Park - River cruise by Wee-Lit, on Flickr

Close up on one of the sakura flower.

Day 2 - Sakuranomiya Park - Blooming petal by Wee-Lit, on Flickr

There are some late bloomers too.

Day 2 - Sakuranomiya Park - Late blooming sakura by Wee-Lit, on Flickr

It's been raining for awhile. Some parts of the park had poor drainage so water gathers here. Strolling through this is like walking on water!

Day 2 - Sakuranomiya Park - Floating petals by Wee-Lit, on Flickr

Osaka Castle is also quite lacklustre in this gloomy weather. It's been either light rain or heavy downpour the whole day.

Day 2 - Osaka Castle by Wee-Lit, on Flickr

One thing I like about Cross Hotel is the big tub. It's nice to relax in it after a day of walking and rain.

Day 2 - Cross Hotel Bathroom by Wee-Lit, on Flickr

 

[limweeli]

Day 3
-----

We went Rinku Town the next day. It's just 1 stop from Kansai Airport. The weather continues to be gloomy and very windy as you can see from the pic.

Day 3 - Rinku Town - Very strong wind by Wee-Lit, on Flickr

When in Osaka, you gotta try the okonomiyaki which we did at the Rinku Town food court. It's so-so only.

Day 3 - Lunch - Okonomiyaki by Wee-Lit, on Flickr

Rinku Town Premium Outlets is not bad. There are 2 sides to it, separated by the road.

Day 3 - Rinku Town - Premium Outlet by Wee-Lit, on Flickr

There is lesser things on the northern side but you get to see planes taking off from the Kansai Airport.

Day 3 - Rinku Town - Plane taking off from Kansai Airport at sunset by Wee-Lit, on Flickr

Between the outlet and the train station, there is a shopping mall with a lot of children stuff called the Seacle. You can get a sheltered walk all the way to the train station if you cut through the mall. There is also a ferris wheel at the mall that changes colour at night.

Day 3 - Rinku Town - Ferris wheel turns green at night by Wee-Lit, on Flickr

 

[limweeli]

We had dinner at Kani Doraku in Dotonbori. We had a queue number and were asked to come back after an hour - it's already 8pm then. Since Cross Hotel is just nearby (across the bridge in fact), we headed back to unload in our room first.

Day 3 - Dotonbori - Kani Doraku by Wee-Lit, on Flickr

By the time we got seated, it's already 9+ and they closed at 10pm. So we had to make it quick. Most of the people had already finished their dinner.

Day 3 - Dinner @ Kani Doraku by Wee-Lit, on Flickr

We had a standard kani set.

Day 3 - Dinner @ Kani Doraku - Kani **** by Wee-Lit, on Flickr


Day 3 - Dinner @ Kani Doraku - Roast and sashimi by Wee-Lit, on Flickr

At the end of it, the waitress will cook up porridge using the remaining soup. I like this!

Day 3 - Dinner @ Kani Doraku - Porridge which I long for (but too salty this time) by Wee-Lit, on Flickr

 

[limweeli]

-----
Day 4
-----

We headed down to Kyoto via normal JR train. Cross Hotel is situated between Shinsaibashi and Namba stations. We tried walking north to Shinsaibashi station this time. It's well connected to the departmental stores and we went underground at Takashimaya (I think).

When we reach Kyoto, we dropped out luggages at Righa Royal Hotel. The hotel has a sakura report chart. Sadly, the season is over Kiyomizudera

Day 4 - Righa Royal Hotel - Sakura report by Wee-Lit, on Flickr

Next, we headed for Philosopher's Path, a famous sakura viewing spot in Kyoto. Bus 100 from the bus terminal outside Kyoto station takes us there directly.

Day 4 - Ginkakuji / Philosopher's Path bus stop by Wee-Lit, on Flickr

Prior to walking the path, we took a short detour to Ginkakuji Temple. Here's the marker for the start of Philosopher's Path.

Day 4 - Philosopher's Path - Starting point by Wee-Lit, on Flickr

Most of the sakuras have faded but there are still plenty to see.

Day 4 - Philosopher's Path - Sakuras along the path by Wee-Lit, on Flickr


Day 4 - Philosopher's Path - Probably the late bloomers by Wee-Lit, on Flickr


Day 4 - Philosopher's Path - Another turn of the river by Wee-Lit, on Flickr


Day 4 - Philosopher's Path - Bright red sakura amongst the white ones by Wee-Lit, on Flickr

 

[limweeli]

Day 4 - Philosopher's Path - Petal covered path of a house by Wee-Lit, on Flickr

-----
Day 5
-----

We went Arashiyama area. We like this place and would have love to cycle if the rented bikes comes with child seat.

Day 5 - Arashiyama - Street leading to Togetsukyo bridge by Wee-Lit, on Flickr

Here's the Togetsukyo bridge. It spans across a river and there is a small "island" in the middle which has sakura trees.

Day 5 - Arashiyama - Togetsukyo bridge by Wee-Lit, on Flickr

View from the bridge. The middle "island" with sakuras is to the right of the pic.

Day 5 - Arashiyama - Panaromic view from the Togetsukyo bridge by Wee-Lit, on Flickr

The opposite view has the mountain ranges.

Day 5 - Arashiyama - View from the mountain side of Togetsukyo bridge by Wee-Lit, on Flickr

Next, we took a train down to Umahori station for the Sagano Scenic Rail. You can either take it from the Arashiyama side or from Umahori. We chose the later. It's quite popular, thus crowded, so we reserved tickets at Kyoto station to avoid having to queue here.

Day 5 - Sagano Scenic Rail - Everyone is taking pics by Wee-Lit, on Flickr

The train ride is slow and took about half an hour. It's better to take the left side if you are taking the train from Umahori side. We didn't know that so most of the view is not on our side.

Day 5 - Sagano Scenic Rail - First row of sakuras by Wee-Lit, on Flickr

The train pass through mountain passes.

Day 5 - Sagano Scenic Rail - In the tunnel by Wee-Lit, on Flickr

 

[limweeli]

View of Hozu river.

Day 5 - Sagano Scenic Rail - Another view of Hozu river by Wee-Lit, on Flickr

Glimpse of some autumn colours. Surprised to see this in spring.

Day 5 - Sagano Scenic Rail - Feels like autumn too by Wee-Lit, on Flickr

End of the ride.

Day 5 - Sagano Scenic Rail by Wee-Lit, on Flickr

It's near the Bamboo Grove so we decided to take a stroller through and to the JR station.

Day 5 - Arashiyama Bamboo Grove - Mid section by Wee-Lit, on Flickr

Next up is Kiyomizudera.

Day 5 - Kiyomizudera / Higashiyama by Wee-Lit, on Flickr

There is one area that is still in full bloom so a lot of people are snapping here.

Day 5 - Kiyomizudera / Higashiyama - Nice full bloom by Wee-Lit, on Flickr

After that, we walked down the Higashiyama shopping street. This is one shop that I had to stop by for ice-cream. I did that 3 years ago during a winter guided tour too. From what I can recall, it hasn't changed much.

Day 5 - Kiyomizudera / Higashiyama - Cream puff shop by Wee-Lit, on Flickr


Day 5 - Kiyomizudera / Higashiyama - Ice-cream puff with vanilla cream inside by Wee-Lit, on Flickr

 

[limweeli]

We cut through the Gion area (would be better to come later at night) to the Shijo station for a train ride back.

Day 5 - Gion by Wee-Lit, on Flickr


Day 5 - Shijo Dori - Evening by Wee-Lit, on Flickr

-----
Day 6
-----

We felt like exercising so Fushimi Inari! We like this place too. Recommended. Here's the start of the Senbon Torii (thousands of torii gates).

Day 6 - Fushimi Inari - Start of the torii gates by Wee-Lit, on Flickr


Day 6 - Fushimi Inari - Torii gates by Wee-Lit, on Flickr

If you turn around, you can see words (I guess is the donor) written in the reverse side.

Day 6 - Fushimi Inari - Torii gates by Wee-Lit, on Flickr


Day 6 - Fushimi Inari - Torii gates by Wee-Lit, on Flickr

Finally, we hit the Yotsutsuji Point. It's not easy especially when we are carrying a 7+kg (then) baby up. Wife is panting hard as she carried our daughter most of the time.

Day 6 - Fushimi Inari - Yotsutsuji point by Wee-Lit, on Flickr

There were a group of young kids having an excursion. They seems so energetic despite the climb.

Day 6 - Fushimi Inari - Japanese children going down after picnic by Wee-Lit, on Flickr

 

[limweeli]

On the way down, we stopped at this place for lunch.

Day 6 - Fushimi Inari by Wee-Lit, on Flickr

We waited for the window seat to be available. It has a nice view (this photo does no justice to the view).

Day 6 - Fushimi Inari by Wee-Lit, on Flickr

Tempura udon, Inari sushi and 2 cup of tea, The Inari sushi is nice.

Day 6 - Fushimi Inari - Inari Sushi and Tempura Udon by Wee-Lit, on Flickr

After getting down, we went back to Nishiki Market as it's closed yesterday.

Day 6 - Nishiki Market by Wee-Lit, on Flickr

One of the objective is to eat sashimi.

Day 6 - Nishiki Market - Sashimi by Wee-Lit, on Flickr


Day 6 - Nishiki Market - Sashimi by Wee-Lit, on Flickr

The other is for mochi. Our friend recommends this shop - Mochi Tsuki Ya. My wife loves mochi and says it's good. I find it good too.

Day 6 - Nishiki Market - Mochi place by Wee-Lit, on Flickr

We had the sampler set.

Day 6 - Nishiki Market - Mochi place by Wee-Lit, on Flickr

 

[limweeli]

Every hour, they show us how they make mochi.

Day 6 - Nishiki Market - Mochi place by Wee-Lit, on Flickr

-----
Day 7
-----

Back in Osaka, we bought a cheesecake at this shop in Shinsaibashi. It's usually very crowded but the queue wasn't there this morning.

Day 7 - Pablo cheesecake by Wee-Lit, on Flickr

Not really a cheesecake person (my wife loves it) but I must say it's really good.

Day 7 - Pablo cheesecake by Wee-Lit, on Flickr

We went to Kuromon Market but most of the shops are closed. We do see some Japanese eating freshly cut fish at one stall but we were not adventurous enough to just try it.

Day 7 - Kuromon market in Nipponbashi by Wee-Lit, on Flickr

We had skewers in underground walkway in Nipponbashi station. Set is around 800 yen.

Day 7 - Yaki niku shop in Nipponbashi by Wee-Lit, on Flickr

And another cut-steak bento there too. This set is only 800 yen!

Day 7 - Beef bento and shabu shabu shop by Wee-Lit, on Flickr

We end our day (and trip) buying cosmetic at Matsumoto KiYoshi in Shinsaibashi. We are in Shinsaibashi very often because our Hotel is just behind this place.

Day 7 - Matsumoto KiYoshi pharmancy by Wee-Lit, on Flickr

End of sharing … hope you like it.

 

[cpuer]

Nice write up and beautiful pictures.

 

[limweeli]

Added Flickr album link - https://www.flickr.com/photos/wee_lit_lim/sets/72157633225291715/

 

[kevin301]

Thank you for sharing this!
It has been quite informative. Good for my planning.

Great pics too!

 

[limweeli]

Thx. I rushed through my trip but will go back again!

 

[kevin301]

Which did you prefer between Osaka and Kyoto?

 

[bermudas]

Light snow now in Osaka!

 

[limweeli]

Which did you prefer between Osaka and Kyoto?

If comparing only these 2, I prefer Kyoto as it's more scenic. Our fav is still Hokkaido hehe

 

[limweeli]

Light snow now in Osaka!

Nice. I miss snow white holidays. Now got 2 young kids so hard to go during winter :/

 

[kevin301]

If comparing only these 2, I prefer Kyoto as it's more scenic. Our fav is still Hokkaido hehe

haha ok.
No wonder my friend keeps recommending me to go to Hokkaido!
But my upcoming trip will be based on Kyoto all 7 days (same accommodation) and then explore the area from there. Taking it real slow this time since it will be cold and less hours of daylight.

 

[luvwings]

I got a question, normally when people go Fushimi Inari, how long can you spend there on average if u look look see see. I see that on website it states it takes 30-45mins to trek to midway. Since it is not near any other attraction, wonder is it worth allocating 1 day for it

Im planning 2 days in Kyoto, 1 day for west side for places at Arashiyama (嵐山) and the other day on the east side for places at Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion)

Which day is more suitable. Im trying to squeeze in Fushimi Inari into the day i go Arashiyama (嵐山), is it advisable?