12D11N Osaka Overall Itinerary

This is what we covered on our trip to Japan; travelling to Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe and Himeji.

>>Flight and accommodations bookings before Japan<<

>>Other reservations/purchases made before Japan<<

>>Accommodations Review<<

>>Osaka Food Review<<
>>Kobe & Himeji Food Review<<
>>Kyoto Food Review<<

Final Itinerary

Day 1:

• Reached Kansai airport at 7.20am (Review on Vietnam Airlines)

• Breakfast @ airport

• Head to Craive New York @ Shinsaibashi to do hair (Review on Craive New York)

• Head to Osaka's apartment for check-in

• Dinner and shop around Osaka/Umeda station

Day 2:

• Breakfast at Endo Sushi

• Brunch at Kani Doraku Honten @ Dotonbori

• Explore Nipponbashi DEN-DEN Town

• Visit a maid café  

• Shop at Amerikamura

• Head back to Dotonbori

Day 3:

• Travel to Kobe

• Trek to Nunobiki Waterfall

• Head up Mount Rokko

• Explore Arima Onsen Area

• Check in Taketoritei Maruyama

Day 4:

• Check out of Taketoritei Maruyama

• Head to Meriken Park

• Visit Sorakuen Park

• Shop at Harborland

Day 5:

• Travel to Kyoto

1.     Kinkaku-ji 

2.     Ginkaku-ji 

3.     Nanzen-ji

• Dinner at Ninja Kyoto Restaurant (Review!)

• Cherry blossoms viewing at Maruyama Park 

• Stay at Kyoto's apartment

Day 6:

• Go to Fushimi Inari Shrine

• Rent kimono @ Yume Kyoto (More on kimono rental here!)

1.     Nishiki Market

2.     Kiyomizu-dera Temple (Jishu Shrine & Otowa Waterfall)

3.     Cherry blossoms viewing at Maruyama Park

• Eat at Izuu 

• Walk around Kyoto station

• Head back to Dotonbori

• Head back to Osaka's apartment

Day 7:

• Picnic & view cherry blossoms at Osaka Castle

• Shop at HEP FIVE

1.     SEGA Umeda Joypolis 

2.     Purikura

• Go to Umeda Sky Building

• Dinner at Alice Fantasy Restaurant (Review)

Day 8:

• Travel to Sumiyoshi Taisha

• Visit Shitennoji Temple @ Tennoji

• Walk around Shinsekai

• Travel to Tenjimbashi

1.     Osaka Museum of Housing & Living 

2.     Tenjinbashi-suji Shopping Street

3.     Kema Sakuranomiya Park

• Head back to Dotonbori

Day 9:

• Travel to Himeji

1.     Mount Shosha: Engyoji temple

2.     Himeji Castle

3.     Koukoen Garden

• Walk around streets near Himeji station and shop

• Head to Kuromon Ichiba Market and Dotonbori

Day 10:

• Universal Studios Japan!

• Go to Umeda Sky Building

Day 11:

• Visit Momofuku Ando Instant Ramen Museum @ Ikeda

• Go to Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan

• Purikura at HEP FIVE

Day 12: Head back to Singapore

I am sharing with you guys my planned itinerary here. Do note that when I am in Japan, I didn't managed to follow through everything planned there. There were changes here & there. This is just a brief guide for me and includes the transportation routes! Use/follow with caution!! ;P

TIPS/NOTES WHEN VISITING JAPAN!

1. Japan Guide is a good website for you to start planning for your trip!
2. You should research on train routes and travel passes you want to use before your trip using hyperdia as there are a lot train lines and different passes; making them rather complicated. Proper planning will allow you to save money on your transportation.
3. For Kyoto bus route planning, use this site. 
4. Toilet seats in Japan are heated and have various functions. Some even make flushing sounds!
5. I highly recommend purchase a Express Pass if you are visiting Universal Studios Japan! At least an Express Pass 5 to ensure entrance to Harry Potter. You do not need to spend so much time queuing and you can finish exploring USJ in a day! (Note that purchase of USJ tickets and express pass is in Japanese. Google translate is your best friend when making the purchase.)
6. Japanese are all very friendly but most are not proficient in English. Speak in simple English and pointing and gestures will help too! Most restaurants have English menu, especially if they have frequent tourists eating. Just ask the staff if they have English menu!