2018 December I traveled in Japan this time heading to Kansai area. I was traveling with 2 other friends from French and Argentina who were visiting Japan for the first time. Felt nervous and excited to show them around the country,
which I have already fell in love long time ago. Our first destinations would be Osaka, Kyoto and Nara, 3 must-to-visit destinations in Kansai area. I know there is a lot more to see there, but only having 2 weeks time to travel you must plan wisely. Following places are my favorites and also some what my friends asked me to show them.
Our trip starts from Osaka where I arrive by shinkansen (新幹線), bullet train from Tokyo and my friends arrived by airplane from Manila. We meet up at Osaka airport and then head to our hostel, Bike and bed CharinCO Hostel Osaka, to drop our bags. At first night we didn’t have energy, but we went to eat sushi, then walked around Namba area and famous Dotonbori. Then we walked back to our hostel and called a night early.
Next day we started our sightseeing “tour” from Osaka castle what is a must-to-see place in Osaka. Outer gardens and areas of the castle is free, but there is 600 yen entrance fee for the castle itself. We went inside, took an elevator to 5th floor and walked rest 3 floor by foot to observation deck. Then we came back by the stairs and explored each floor carefully. Castle is the same time museum and exhibition with focusing around Osaka castle and it’s rulers, especially to Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the builder and first ruler of the castle.
Then we headed to Tower Knives Osaka, what is specialized knife shop for Japanese knives. My friends wanted to buy some Christmas presents for his bother so he ordered couple knives. This time I was just watching but definitely going back for make my own knives for my future cafe one day. While they were carving signatures for the knives we went to eat some lunch at next door Okonomiyaki shop. What is must-to-eat dish in Osaka. After lunch we went to pick up knives and then headed again to Dotonbori area.
After so window shopping we headed back to hostel before stopping at convenience store had some night snacks. We didn’t visit Umeda Sky building, but that is also nice observation deck to see Osaka’s Bay area and city areas. Also not to forget Universal studios Japan.
On our 3rd day we packed our bags and headed to Kyoto. We took a small detour and visited Nara, what is famous from its big Buddha statue in Todaiji temple and it’s street roaming deer. We arrived there at the morning and left our bags to train stations lockers. Great thing about Nara is that you can see all it attractions by walking and in just one day.
So we roamed around Nara, visiting its temples, feeding deer (they sell treats) and taking million pictures it’s beautiful streets and nature. We had our breakfast/lunch at local chain restaurant Gusto, what is my favorite places to go eat cheap comfort food. On the way back to station we bought small desserts from Melon pan shop what is Japanese sweet bread. Retrieve our bags back and then headed to Kyoto and to our hostel Imano Kyoto Kiyomizu Hostel where we would be staying 3 nights. Some sushi for dinner then was time to head to bed.
Our Kyoto tour started to our nearest attraction Kiyomizu temple where we walked from our hostel. Small hike to up the hill and you arrive to beautiful temple area. It’s also popular destination among monks and people wearing kimonos.
There we headed to down the shopping street and then to the right towards Gion area. On the way we saw many temples, shrines and beautiful old architecture buildings. We also spotted one of the world most unique Starbucks. We stopped at Maruyama park to admire beautiful garden area, then through Yasaka Shrine to Gion street. Walked toward the city to get something to eat. Visited Elk cafe where we ate delicious fluffy pancakes and then took “dessert” sashimi tunas from Nishiki market close by. They had promised some rain so headed to hostel to take a little nap before heading out again to get some dinner. It was raining but luckily they had some umbrellas to lent at the hostel.
Our second day at Kyoto started from Fushimi Inari Shrine where we hiked up all the way, or my friends did, I stayed at viewpoint waiting for them to come back from the loop. With 1000 Toori gates Fushimi Inari Shrine is the attraction to see and experience in Kyoto. I love the fox, kitsune, statues and small shrines along the way to the top. I bought Omamori (御守), a lucky charm, for the 2019 and now it’s attached to my handbag so I carry it around everywhere where I go feeling protected by the fox gods.
About 4 km later and many many stairs after, we took a train to Kyoto station to head to next attraction, Kyoto Imperial palace what is actually really nice place and also free entrance. You go there by marked road, quite quick tour there and then to the next bus towards Kinkakuji temple, the Golden pavilion. 300 yen entrance fee and we were in. We were raising little bit against time as sun was about to go down and I wanted to arrive to Arashiyama‘s bamboo forest before dark. Luckily Kinkakuji area is not too wide so it was quickly walked through and then we hop to a next bus.
Just after sunset we arrive to Arashiyama. It was getting dark but we still had some daylight and we headed right away to bamboo forest. But actually it was more prettier than day time as the had arranged different light spots and lanterns on the way. They had also some light illustrations at bamboo forest and also at the Arashiyama. We took a loop at the forest, then headed toward Arashiyama station, they have light poles covered with kimono fabrics and a wishing pond middle of the poles.
Air getting colder we decide to head back to the city but before heading back it started to rain and it was getting freezing. Thank gods for Japanese vending machines as they have also hot drinks. I bought a milk tea bottle and it was lovely warm and good heater for my hands. About 1 hour bus drive back to city, some food and it was time for head back to the hostel.
In these 5 days we walked around 10-15 km per day, about 20 000 steps, and saw so much that it’s hard to remember it all. If you are going travel in Kansai area these 3 cities are must-to-see. Of course there is a lot to see else where in Kansai area, and in Japan overall. Next day our trip continued toward Hiroshima stopping on the way at Himeji castle on the way, but that is already another story.