Summer's Family Trip to Osaka
After our trip to Tokyo less than a year ago, we thought we've seen what there was to see in Japan and did not really plan on going back soon. But a few months later, we decided Osaka would be a great place to visit to just eat and enjoy food.
Day 1
Unlike most of our trips that left late at night or at dawn, our plane to Osaka left early in the afternoon and arrived at around 9:00pm in Kansai airport (because of the 1 hour difference between Manila and Japan).
Everything was pretty much easy from luggage claim to checking in to our apartment.
1. Luggage claim
2. SIM cards
3. Money exchange / ATM withdrawal
4. Buy HARUKA line (train from airport to your hotel's nearest station) and ICOCA prepaid card (for going around during your trip; this can be reloaded)
The train ride from airport to our station in Namba was quick, easy and comfortable. The train is one of the things we love most about Japan. Namba station can be quite confusing when you first arrive but you get used to it by the second or third day. Since it was late, we took a taxi to our apartment.
I always have a habit of washing the bottles, unpacking, laying out the daily clothes and allocation no matter how late we arrive so I slept at around 2:00 am the first night.
Day 2
After chores, some work and breakfast, we headed out for the day. During this trip, we left the house no earlier than 9:00am each day.
First thing was to the nearest convenience store to buy a liter of fresh milk for Summer. We did this everyday to make sure we always have just enough. The labels are in Japanese so be sure to have a Google translate app.
Today's itinerary
Umeda Sky Building
Lunch in Takimi Koji located at the basement of Umeda Sky Building
Osaka Castle
Dotonbori
Dinner in Ichiran Ramen in Dotonbori
Walk along Dotonbori and Shinsaibashi Suji
It was quite a long and hot walk from the train station to Umeda Sky Building. Summer alternately walked and sat on her stroller.
We skipped the observatory because it was under renovation when we visited. This was right after the powerful typhoon in Osaka.
There were a lot of restaurants to choose from in Takimi Koji. We finally decided on Japanese Okonomiyaki.
We reached Osaka Castle at around 3:00pm. It was sunny. There were mini carts that you can pay to take you inside and around the area. We opted to walk.
Inside the place complex, there were food stalls and some street performers. Summer had so much fun watching them that she watched it to the very end.
More than the castle, we enjoyed walking around the complex. The trees lined up along the pathway were so beautiful and calming. By this time, it was late in the afternoon and the breeze was beginning to become cooler. Summer napped in her stroller for an hour while we sat on one of the park benches. I was glad I brought insect repellent because there were huge mosquito flying around.
It was almost 6:00pm when we got to Dotonbori. The streets were already packed but the street vendors were just starting to set their stalls up.
Dinner was in Ichiran Ramen. Summer loved pressing the buttons on the vendo machine to order. She also loved the egg, the noodles and the soup.
We then took a quick walk around Dotonbori and Shinsaibashi Suji before heading home.
The day's weather - sunny but cool. The evenings were chilly but light jackets were enough.
Highlights of Summer's day
Street performers in Osaka Castle
Ichiran Ramen!
Day 3
Today's itinerary
Tempozan Ferris Wheel
Tempozan Market Place for lunch
Osaka Aquarium Home to rest
Grocery store - Kohyo
The Tempozan complex is quite large with lots of fun things to do so you might want to plan a whole day for this area.
We started the day by riding the Tempozan Ferris Wheel. You can choose between the ordinary carts (with no lines) or the transparent carts (with about 30 minutes waiting time). We chose the ordinary and it was nevertheless a great experience. The view of Osaka at the top was amazing, even on that cloudy day. Summer liked it at first but eventually got bored because of the long ride.
We then had lunch in Tempozan Market Place in a restaurant called Jiyuken where they serve original curry. There were more affordable food selections in the food court, just beside the Tempozan Market Place.
Right after lunch, it started to pour. It was the perfect time to go indoors in the Osaka Aquarium. I read good reviews about it but still exceeded our expectations. It is the best aquarium we have ever visited so far. The animals were diverse and there were parts where visitors can interact with the animals by gently touching them. We spent three whole hours here. If possible, leave your stroller at the concierge. There are too many people inside and it will be difficult to navigate with a stroller in tow. There was so much to see that Summer walked the whole time, with only a few stops to rest and sit down.
Several hours of walking Tempozan left us tired so we went home to rest and work for a couple of hours. In the evening, at around 7:00pm, we went to check out the nearest grocery store from our place (Kohyo). It was complete with the grocery essentials, produce, cooked meals and more! Summer always loves grocery shopping, even when in Manila. She especially enjoys pushing the cart and putting the items inside the cart. Of course, it is extra fun when she's with her Papu because they can run around the store while waiting for Mama to finish shopping.
The day's weather - rainy and cool. The evenings were chilly but light jackets were enough.
Highlights of Summer's day
Osaka aquarium
Grocery shopping
Day 4
Today's itinerary
Tenjimbashisuji Shopping Street
Lunch in Kuromon Ichiba
Grocery stores
Super Tamade
Kohyo
Home to rest and work
Dotonbori and Shinsaibashi Suji
Day 4 was for a relaxed, free day. First was Tenjimbashisuji Shopping Street which was a covered shopping street selling all sorts of stuff. After looking around, we walked straight to Kuromon Ichiba. It was a huge market with raw ingredients, food made to order, cooked food, fruits, drinks, desserts and more! We did not see the dining areas at first so we ate most of our lunch standing up.
After lunch, we visited two grocery stores and bought all the items to bring home to Manila so it will be ready to pack in our bags. The little girl was so happy because her Ahma bought her lots of treats!
In the evening, we walked to Dotonbori and Shinsaibashi Suji. We were not too hungry so we just tried several street food and the infamous takoyaki.
The day's weather - cloudy and cool. The evenings were chilly but light jackets were enough.
Highlights of Summer's day
Buying bubbles in Daiso
Steamed sweet potato - super sweet! (more of a highlight for Mama and Ahma)
Grocery shopping with Ahma
Day 5(Kyoto day)
Arashyama
Fushimi-Inari Temple
Kiyomizu-dera
Gion District
Home to rest and work
Coco Ichibanya dinner
It was an early start for us because the train ride to Kyoto is much longer that our rides the previous days.
Lunch was right at the entrance of Fusimi- Inari temple were we had tempura in one of the intimate restaurants in the area.
The pathway to the Fusimi- Inari temple was long but mostly paved. We left our stroller just before the stairs. It is not ideal for wheels because it is uphill and there are stairs in between. Summer loved running and skipping along the pathway.
Next stop was Kiyomizu-dera. This place was extra packed. The way to the temple was uphill. There were many people and many stalls selling food and souvenirs. Summer did not mind the uphill walk because we bought her matcha and vanilla ice cream.
Coming to Goin district in late afternoon was quite uneventful but it was a treat to see several real geisha walking along the streets!
Dinner was Papu's favorite Coco Ichibanya in Namba.
The day's weather - cloudy and cool. The evenings were chilly but light jackets were enough.
Highlights of Summer's day
Train ride to Kyoto
Running along the pathways in Arashiyama Bambo Grove and Fushimi - Inari
Her matcha vanilla ice cream
Day 6
Buy train tickets to the airport
Namba parks and the other malls Gyudon meal
Dotonbori
Cheers to more amazing trips. It was tiring but nothing short of amazing!
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