Osaka trip in Mid-May!

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truewt

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Hi all,

Been trying to read up but can't seem to figure out a good starting point, so I think starting a thread might help me started!

I will be heading to Osaka from 16 May 10pm to 29 May 10am.

Am thinking of the four places only: Osaka, Kobe, Kyoto, Nara. Planning it to be more relax and chill rather than cramming a lot of itinerary for the trip. So can explore the scenic/cultural side of things

Any bros can suggest? TIA!
 
lordhawk

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truewt said:
Hi all,

Been trying to read up but can't seem to figure out a good starting point, so I think starting a thread might help me started!

I will be heading to Osaka from 16 May 10pm to 29 May 10am.

Am thinking of the four places only: Osaka, Kobe, Kyoto, Nara. Planning it to be more relax and chill rather than cramming a lot of itinerary for the trip. So can explore the scenic/cultural side of things

Any bros can suggest? TIA!
Click to expand...

Wah seh...2 weeks in Japan! Let's see...

Osaka
If you have kids, definitely the Osaka Aquarium. Where else to see a whale shark and giant manta rays in an aquarium built into a 7 storey building.
And the food...okonomiyaki, tako pachi, Osaka is renowned for street food.
And yeah, it's strawberry picking season.

If you're not visiting any other places than the 4 you mentioned, then I guess Osaka Castle is on. If you have time, two Shinkansen stops away from Osaka is Himeiji, which boasts the largest, best preserved original castle in Japan.

Kyoto
You can spend a month in Kyoto and still have things to see. Temples? Triple-check. Kyoto has them by the dozens. Skip the usual touristy ones and go for the quieter ones for the proper zeitgeist. Or visit a Shinto shrine for a change. Maiko performances? Check. Tea ceremony for gaijin? Check.
If you're outdoorsy and like scenery, try the outskirts of Kyoto like Arashiyama, Takao, Ohara. Some flavor of old Japan still resides in those places.
May is festival season in Kyoto, so lots of culture there.
 
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truewt

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lordhawk said:
Wah seh...2 weeks in Japan! Let's see...

Osaka
If you have kids, definitely the Osaka Aquarium. Where else to see a whale shark and giant manta rays in an aquarium built into a 7 storey building.
And the food...okonomiyaki, tako pachi, Osaka is renowned for street food.
And yeah, it's strawberry picking season.

If you're not visiting any other places than the 4 you mentioned, then I guess Osaka Castle is on. If you have time, two Shinkansen stops away from Osaka is Himeiji, which boasts the largest, best preserved original castle in Japan.

Kyoto
You can spend a month in Kyoto and still have things to see. Temples? Triple-check. Kyoto has them by the dozens. Skip the usual touristy ones and go for the quieter ones for the proper zeitgeist. Or visit a Shinto shrine for a change. Maiko performances? Check. Tea ceremony for gaijin? Check.
If you're outdoorsy and like scenery, try the outskirts of Kyoto like Arashiyama, Takao, Ohara. Some flavor of old Japan still resides in those places.
May is festival season in Kyoto, so lots of culture there.
Click to expand...
hi bro thanks for the prompt reply!

I'm travelling with another guy, buddy trip, so no kids..
 
evilerniex

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u got 12 full days there, which is more than enough for the 4 places u listed.

u can refer to japan guide to get an idea where to go:
Kansai Region Travel Guide - Kinki Region Travel Guide

typically most people will spend around these number of days:
- osaka 2 days (3 if going USJ)
- kyoto 3 days
- kobe 1 day
- nara 1 day

since u have extra days, u can expend a bit:
Osaka 4 days:
- USJ
- Aquarium + bay area
- Osaka Castle, Nissin museum, Umeda area
- Tennoji, Shinsekai, Namba area

Kyoto 4 days:
- Arashiyama
- Fushimi Inari , southern Kyoto
- eastern Kyoto (Kiyomizudera, Gion)
- northern and central Kyoto (Kinkakuji, Nijo castle)

Kobe 2 days:
- Kobe city (chinatown, Meriken park, Mount Rokko)
- Arima onsen town

Nara 1 day

which leaves u with 1 day left. u can have a day trip to Himeji or Amanohashidate.

if u dun want so many days in Osaka or Kyoto, u can consider adding 1 more location. for example, u can go Hiroshima and Miyajima for 2-3 days; or Mount Koya for 2 days.
 
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truewt

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evilerniex said:
u got 12 full days there, which is more than enough for the 4 places u listed.

u can refer to japan guide to get an idea where to go:
Kansai Region Travel Guide - Kinki Region Travel Guide

typically most people will spend around these number of days:
- osaka 2 days (3 if going USJ)
- kyoto 3 days
- kobe 1 day
- nara 1 day

since u have extra days, u can expend a bit:
Osaka 4 days:
- USJ
- Aquarium + bay area
- Osaka Castle, Nissin museum, Umeda area
- Tennoji, Shinsekai, Namba area

Kyoto 4 days:
- Arashiyama
- Fushimi Inari , southern Kyoto
- eastern Kyoto (Kiyomizudera, Gion)
- northern and central Kyoto (Kinkakuji, Nijo castle)

Kobe 2 days:
- Kobe city (chinatown, Meriken park, Mount Rokko)
- Arima onsen town

Nara 1 day

which leaves u with 1 day left. u can have a day trip to Himeji or Amanohashidate.

if u dun want so many days in Osaka or Kyoto, u can consider adding 1 more location. for example, u can go Hiroshima and Miyajima for 2-3 days; or Mount Koya for 2 days.
Click to expand...
thanks for the reply!

It seems that nara and kobe are places for a day trip only? Rather than staying over and chill??
 
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Himeji Castle is still undergoing restoration now, if I am not wrong. Try checking out their website to find out the progress. Probably won't be complete till 2014...
 
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anyone advise on any where I can read up on the transportation around in Japan? So confusing with the passes and stuff..
 
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Lafiel

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going end may too with gf
still researching

any fish market around osaka kyoto kobe nara? want to eat super fresh seafood

and any private hot spring for couple to intro?
 
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Seems nobody has mentioned Osamu Tezuka museum in Kobe. Sigh.
 
evilerniex

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truewt said:
anyone advise on any where I can read up on the transportation around in Japan? So confusing with the passes and stuff..
Click to expand...

u can read japan-guide website. tons of info there.
any particular question u have? maybe some of us here can help
 
evilerniex

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Lafiel said:
going end may too with gf
still researching

any fish market around osaka kyoto kobe nara? want to eat super fresh seafood

and any private hot spring for couple to intro?
Click to expand...

i guess for hotspring the nearest is arima onsen town in kobe. i havent been there b4, so dunno if there are private ones available
 
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truewt

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thanks evilerniex bro.. I haven't begin my thorough research yet because of schoolwork.. will be beginning soon now that FYP is over.. for grad trip :D:D
 
ralliart_ray

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Go read up the sticky trip reports :)

I like Kobe, can eat Kobe Beef ..worthwhile to stay for 2-2nites (including @ Arima Onsen) :o

Kobe Uonotana Fish Market

I like Osaka Aquarium, confirm better than the one at Sentosa. :zonia: (Been to both)
 
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ralliart_ray said:
Go read up the sticky trip reports :)

I like Kobe, can eat Kobe Beef ..worthwhile to stay for 2-2nites (including @ Arima Onsen) :o

Kobe Uonotana Fish Market

I like Osaka Aquarium, confirm better than the one at Sentosa. :zonia: (Been to both)
Click to expand...
The sticky trip reports are very long and a lot of terminologies and place names I find super unfamiliar.. need some totally newbie guides to start myself on :D:D but thanks for the reco!
 
MoneyHoney

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does anybody know where I can book a Nara Day Tour? preferably english/chinese speaking tour
 
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