Japan: Food crawl and Cafes in Osaka

 

Which cafe and restaurants have you visited in Osaka?

Japan: Book cafes in Nagoya, Kyoto, Osaka

If you are adding libraries, bookstores, or book cafes in your itinerary, you may want to look at these places. 

Osaka, Japan: Katsuo-ji Temple

We are chasing autumn in Osaka and looking between Minoh Falls or Katsuo-ji temple.  But since we had already been forest bathing in Kyoto and it seems like the temple has more character, thus we chose Katsuo-ji.

Osaka, Japan: Hankyu Brick Museum

Osaka, Japan: teamLab Botanical Garden

We went to visit this teamLab because of the lights and it is in an open garden.  

First artwork is seasonal for autumn, Life is Continuous Light - Bald Cypress.

Osaka, Japan: Catholic Tamatsukuri Church

Catholic Tamatsukuri Church

Japan: Hotel Hankyu Osaka Annex

Hotel new Hankyu Osaka Annex

1 Chome-8-1 Shibata, Kita Ward, Osaka, 530-0012, Japan

https://www.hankyu-hotel.com/en/hotel/hh/shhannex

Travel Date: November 2023

Japan: Nagoya, Kyoto and Osaka - 9 days Itinerary and Expenses

Japan: Nagoya, Kyoto and Osaka - 9 days Itinerary and Expenses

Japan: Osaka, Okayama, Kobe, Kyoto: 3 days Spring Itinerary

Destinations: Osaka, Okayama, Kobe, Kyoto, Japan
Travel Date: May 16-19 2014 (3d3n)

Temperature
May 17 (Kobe): 19.3 (mean), 22.5 (max), 14.8 (min)
May 18 (Kyoto): 21 (mean), 28.2 (max), 13 (min)
May 19 (Osaka): 21.6 (mean), 26.7 (max), 16.6 (min)

Osaka Weather History (2013-2015)
http://en.tutiempo.net/climate/10-2015/ws-477720.html
http://en.tutiempo.net/climate/10-2014/ws-477720.html
http://en.tutiempo.net/climate/10-2013/ws-477720.html

If its nearly 2 weeks upon your visit, check the weather forecast or sunrise/sunrise timings: 

Osaka - http://www.timeanddate.com/weather/japan/osaka/ext

Kyoto - http://www.timeanddate.com/weather/japan/kyoto/ext
Kobe - http://www.timeanddate.com/weather/japan/kobe/ext


Accommodation: Where to stay in Osaka?
Hotel IL Cuore Namba
Address: 556-0011, Osaka Naniwa-ku Nambanaka 1-15-15
ホテルイルクオーレなんば   556-0011, 大阪市 浪速区難波中1-15-15
Hotel Review

Food and Restaurant Tip - Kampai!

Itinerary: Places to go, Things to see, What to do in Osaka?
Saturday
-From Osaka, go to Okayama by train
-Visit Wake Wisteria Park, Wake Folk Museum
-Go to Kobe by train
-Visit old Western-style buildings in Kitano area
-Walk along Flower Road
-Return to Osaka by train

Sunday
-From Osaka, go to Kyoto by train
-Visit Mimuroto-ji Temple (Azalea)
-Kawaramachi Catholic Church
-TOEI Kyoto Studio Park
-Return to Osaka by train
-Namba Parks

Monday
-In Osaka, visit Nakanoshima Park (Roses)
-Tsurumi Ryokuchi Park
-Departure in Kansai International Airport (KIX)

2014 May: Japan: Osaka: Tsurumi Ryokuchi Park

Travel Date: May 19. 2014

Location: Tsurumi Ryokuchi Park, Osaka

Humbling experience to see the locals running along with their bikes, the kids playing along the sprinklers and water, ajumma and ajusshi hold their hands while walking.  

After a 10-15 minute walk in lush greenery, it is so much surprising to see this at the end of the road.

2014 May: Japan: Osaka: Nakanoshima Park

Travel Date: May 19. 2014
Location: Nakanoshima Park (Rose Garden)

May is the month when roses bloom in most parts of Japan.  I have visited Nakanoshima Park (Rose Garden).  Coming from Sakaisuji line, drop off at Kitahama station and get off Naniwabashi exit, it is surprising to see the garden in the middle of the river and cityscape.

Tip: Try to visit earlier of the morning or very late in the afternoon.  You don’t want to walk along the park with a very hot 26 degrees Celsius.

2014 May: Japan: Osaka: Namba Parks

Travel Date: May 18, 2014 Sunday
Namba Parks, Osaka
〒556-0011 Osaka Prefecture, Osaka, Naniwa-ku, Nanbanaka, 2−10−70

2014 May: Japan: Oishi (Delicious), Itadakimasu! (Let's eat!)

Your Japan trip can be inexpensive if you know where to find an affordable meal.  It is a balance between being thrifty and having the Japanese experience. 

Convenience stores - Bento boxed meals or rice covered with seaweed are available in Mini Mart, 7/11, Family Mart, etc.  

Supermarket - Few minutes before closing, supermarkets would offer dimsum or suchi for half of its price.  You could also buy cheaper drinks and omiyage in supermarkets. [Read more tips]

Street Food – Try toasted dumplings.  Just like Kenshin.  Mitarashi dango is a traditional rice dumpling with sweet soy glaze and is normally skewered on a bamboo stick.

TOEI Kyoto Studio Park

2014 May: Japan: Osaka: Hotel Il Coure

Arrival at Kansai International Airport (KIX)
It is my second time to arrive at Kansai International Airport (KIX).  Since I'll always be out for the earlier time of the day and can't wait for the opening of foreign exchange in Namba, I decided to exchange most of my USD on the counter outside the terminal near the ticket machines for Nankai.

Instead of using the ICOCA machine reload, I went to the ICOCA office for them to do the reload on my behalf. (Before hand, I already have the computation of my estimated train expenses. In total, I’ll spend 10000yen (5000php, 2014) for my 4days-3nights stay in Kansai.)

Going to the Accommodation

From the airport station, I took the Express Rapid Train (yen).  Arrived at Namba Station and took escalators going to Swiss Hotel exit gates.  It is just nearby Subway Exit 5 and main pedestrian crossing going to Hotel Il Coure Namba. 

Price: Average - For walk-ins, it would cost 9000 yen.  So try look for early bird discounts.  I got my 3 nights stay for 20000 yen (8500 php, 2014)

Book Hotel IL Cuore Namba, Osaka in Agoda

Location: Superb - Very accessible from Namba Station.  Take subway exit 5 or exit going to Swiss Hotel.  Staying in Namba means you have direct access from and to the airport, you can take Midosuji Line and Sennichimae Line.  You can also see Namba Parks and Takashimaya.  There are a lot of convenient stores and restaurants around the area.

Japan: 5 days Autumn Itinerary in Osaka and Kyoto

Itinerary: Places to go, Things to see, What to do in Osaka and Kyoto?

2012 Dec: Japan: Trains

Are you ready to get lost?  Are you up to the challenge to see these signs?

Will you be able to locate where you are or going to if you are given less English maps?

I don’t want to confuse myself on getting a ticket each time I use the train, and I need to have a ticket that can be used on all types of trains in Osaka and Kyoto.  Do you have the same issues on mind, ICOCA is the answer!

2012 Dec: Japan: Bicycle

Bicycles are widely used in Japan for everyday life by people of all age groups and social standings.[Reference]

All I wanna do is... I want to ride my bicycle,

I want to ride my bike, I want to ride my bicycle,

Bicycle races are coming your way,

So forget all your duties oh yeah! --queen

2012 Dec: Osaka Castle

Destination: Osaka Castle
Travel Date: December 2, 2012
Location: １-１ Osakajo, Chuo Ward, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture 540-0002, Japan
Open: 9:00am - 5:00pm (last 4:30pm)

Entrance: Osaka Castle (600yen) + Osaka Museum History (600yen) = 900yen

Map: http://www.osakacastle.net/english/park/map_new.pdf

How to get there:

From Osaka City Subway Chuo Line, drop-off at: TANIMACHIYONCHOME (C18), and take EXIT 09.

  

Crossing several streets until we had a view of Osaka Castle.

I was welcomed by these waste bags of dried leaves, Oh no!  As if I wanted to throw them back on the castle grounds.  

2012 Dec: Osaka: Umeda Sky Building

Destination: Umeda Sky Building (known as: Umeda Sukai Biru, 梅田スカイビル)

Address: 1-1-88, Oyodonaka, Kita-ku, Osaka

One of the city's most recognizable landmarks. It consists of two 40-story towers that connect at their two uppermost stories, with bridges and an escalator crossing the wide atrium-like space in the center. [Read]  Considered to be the 13th tallest building in Osaka. [Read]

Other information:
-The building was mainly owned by Toshiba Corporation
-Tenants: Mazda,  Consulate-General of Germany in Osaka [Read]
-On media: The Floating Garden Observatory in the Umeda Sky Building was visited in Leg 10 of Amazing Race 12; Location shoot of Rain's (Korean Star) Runaway series

How to get there:

Take Exit No. 4 of Umeda Station (Midosuji line)

Check the map below for the better visual, it will take almost 15 minutes walking until you reach the building.

2012 Dec: Osaka: Sacra Famiglia

Destination: Sacra Famiglia (Catholic Church)

Address: Toyosaki 3-12-8, Kita Ward, Osaka City, Osaka 〒531-0072

How to get there:

1. From SHINSAIBASHI, take Line: Osaka City Subway Midosuji Line and

2. Drop-off: NAKATSU(SUBWAY).  It would take 9 mins travel time with distance of 4.2 km (230yen, 2012)

3. Take Exit No.4 of Nakatsu station.  Starbucks will be on your left side, proceed and continue walking.

4. Take a left turn (either on the first or second street) you’ll see different Family Mart convenient stores on your left side.

5.  Recognize the tall building of Pias Tower.  Across it is the church.

Here is the map for better visuals:

The main lobby and ground floor is the office area. Also, you can visit their mass schedule from their website: http://www.osaka-umeda-church.jp/en/category/mass-hours/