Assalamualaikum and hey it is still the same me. Today, I'm gonna blog my Kyoto, Osaka & Nara trip, which I went on 28th January - 2nd February with my family. We stayed in Osaka for the whole trip.
I'll be sharing with you the places to go, what to eat, where I stay, info on transportation in the Kansai region, and other travelling tips that might be useful for you. So let's begin!
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Application on your smartphone that you might be needed before your departure!
1) Google Maps
Before I share my itinerary, I just want to tell you guys that it is really easy to get around in the Kansai region. When I was doing my research at home, I found out it is quite confusing but thank God I found someone who's currently travelling around Kansai region on Instagram (I found her through Instagram's location btw) I asked her on how to stroll in Kansai using public transport, and she simply that she used GOOGLE MAPS for the whole trip. Yes, I didn't know that Google Maps could actually help us on which line to take in order to get to our destination.
We used Google Maps pretty much every day when I was in Japan. If you don't have the app on your smartphone, DOWNLOAD IT. With this app (and of course, internet connection is required), you can just go to any destination you want easily. Forget about your research because too many details may lead to confusion. So just download the Google Maps apps and you are ready to go!
Why I do recommend using Google Maps in Japan?
- It provides real-time information, which tells you what time the train is reaching, and how long your journey would be.
- It provides the cost information, which allows you to prepare your $$ first before purchasing the tickets.
- It suggests the best route to you based on your location, which saves you time and cost.
2) Naver Papago Translate
Eventually, I downloaded this app for the use in South Korea but it turns out useful in Japan too. This app is basically a translating language app and it provides more accurate meaning & translation compare to Google Translate. Do not worry much, this app will help you to translate in a formal way-of-speak which is super helpful because you do not want to use an informal language to a stranger. It requires the internet connection too so that you can translate the Japanese words. There are a few options on how to translate. First, type. Second, voice over. Third, chat. Fourth, capture. and with these features, you can translate easily anywhere and anytime you want.
Download via Google Play
Download via Apps Store
Okay, let's move on to the next part!
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How to get internet access in Japan?
Well, I would recommend you guys to get a pocket wifi in Japan. For this trip, we got ourselves one from Wiyo (...again). It offers unlimited data and the data can be shared among 5 devices. With this pocket wifi, I don't have to "borrow wifi" from the restaurants hahahaha and I was always able to get access to the internet whenever and wherever I want. The Internet is just so important to me because I always rely on it to use Google Maps or search for information. Check out their websites for promotion and more enquiries.
Wiyo MY | Rental Fees
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Where do I stay in Japan?
This is where we stayed during the trip
The Airbnb that we stayed in Osaka was quite comfortable for our family. It is not spacious but for an economical stay, it was perfect. There is an elevator to get to this apartment because the apartment was on the 12th-floor hehehe and the host gave us 100% guidance to get there. We don't actually mind for staying in such a small space but the fact is the houses in Japan are pretty small in general. We were okay with it. Plus, they provided lots of house equipment to make us experience living like a local. Furthermore, the location of this Airbnb was great too because the train station is just 5 min walking distance away from our stay and there's Family Mart nearby! Click the link below for a promotion on Airbnb ↴
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Places to go in Kyoto, Japan.
1) Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
in Western Kyoto
Arashiyama is famous for its bamboo forest. So it is a must to visit the bamboo forest while you're in Kyoto. We took the train from Osaka and decided to visit the bamboo forest first out of other places in Kyoto. So, we arrived at the bamboo forest around 11 am and it feels a little colder than Osaka maybe because of the natural surroundings.
hehehehehe
Grab a Japanese snack, along the way to the bamboo forest. There's a lot of stall selling varieties of snacks. We got ourselves a matcha ice cream and a Taiyaki (鯛焼き, Japanese fish-shaped cake) AND BOTH TASTE SUPER GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD!
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2) Fushimi Inari Shrine
in Southern Kyoto
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Fushimi Inari Shrine is an important Shinto Shrine in southern Kyoto. It is famous for its thousands of vermilion torii gates, which straddle a network of trails behind its main buildings. The trails lead into the wooded forest of the sacred Mount Inari. To get here, you can simply take the JR line because the JR Inari subway station is actually right in front of the entrance of this place. Worry less, there is no admission fee to get into this place! 😊
Mandatory group photo right in front of the Fushimi Inari
Take your time and stroll around the entire places. There's a lot of stalls in the shrine for you to grab your stuff (Japanese snacks and a lot more). I saw a bunch of souvenirs and stuffed dolls related to the kitsune (foxes) because it is believed that the kitsune is regarded as the messenger and often found in the Inari. So, it'll be best if you grab some of it and take it home with you!
Before entering the shrine, there's a place called chozuya for you to purify yourself.
Find girls in kimono and take a photo with 'em hehehe
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3) Other places in Kyoto
Along the way to the Bamboo Forest, we found such a breathtaking view right in front of us and made us fall in love with Kyoto even more. Oh Kyoto, aishiteru 💕
Also, do not forget to get an ice-cream from the ice-cream vending machine! We randomly picked one and it surprisingly tasted good!
Nahh, everywhere in Kyoto is definitely worth to take a picture with. We had to seize the opportunity to take some good pictures because every single steps in Japan are very precious to us hehehe.
I must say that Kyoto is well-known for traditional and old school stuff because you can even see people walking on the street with their kimono on. How cool is that? However, there are still lots of modern places around the central of Kyoto.
Places to go in Osaka, Japan.
1) Kuromon Market
just look at the crowd
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3) Don Quijote (24 hours tax-free shop)
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3) Don Quixote Ferris Wheel (Ebisu Tower)
As we walk along the Kuromon Market, everything just looked so appetising to us hahaha. Little did you know, Kuromon Market has more than 190 years of history, so it's considered a must-visit place while you're in Osaka! In this market, you will be exposed to a non-stop seafood market along your way. Prepare some cash, and you're ready to fill up your stomach with sea urchin, fresh salmon sashimi, mini-octopus, etc!
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2) Dotonbori
As one of the most principal tourist destinations, Dotonbori is a very lively street that is full of restaurants, snacks, shops and clothing stores.
I was amazed by the bright neon signs and flashing billboards that set the Dotonbori street ablaze, making it more livelier than ever.
Next, the iconic & famous Glico man sign that can be found on the Ebusu-bashi bridge, which connects Dotonbori and Shinsaibashi.
Brightness up if you wanna see me trynna havva good pic lmao
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3) Don Quijote (24 hours tax-free shop)
If you want to shop for free-tax items, remember to go to Don Quijote, which is a very popular tax-free shop in Osaka. They have a few branches in Osaka but the one in Dotonbori is the most crowded one. There are a few floors representing different categories. I think it was around 6-7 floors. Everything was in there! Just name it, they have everything from medicine, foods, snacks, necessities, electronic products, stationaries all of it! You just have to note that you'll be queuing up to pay and queuing again for tax-refund :') ikr, it's not easy to get cheap items.
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3) Don Quixote Ferris Wheel (Ebisu Tower)
Don Quixote Ferris Wheel is located right in front of Don Quijote. I bet the Ferris wheel is the first that attracts you the most when you get around because it was so funky and bright and interesting! Dude and it's yellow! How can you miss looking at the wheel? At first, we tried to figure out what is this giant yellow thing. It could be a restaurant, in such an interesting way or it could be a ride and it turns out it was a ride lol in the middle of Dotonbori wow!
For your information, the wheel has been knocked out of commision for the past nine years due to a mechanical fault. The wheel was built in 2005 but was shut down after just three years operation. The remodelling and renovation are said to cost 250 Million yen. The ride was back on track on 19th January 2018.
To do a full cycle around, the oblong wheel takes 15 minutes and each capsule can hold 4 passengers. The ride cost 600 yen per person (approximately RM22). Don Quixote Ferris Wheel stands at over 77 metres-high and holds 32 capsules. --- more info at Lonely Planet
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4) Shinsaibashi
The most popular shopping district in Osaka, Shinsaibashi is just right across Dotonbori. Yeah, you can just walk from Dotonbori to get to Shinsaibashi. There are countless fashion stores, ranging from local Japanese brands to high-end brands.
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5) Osaka Castle
Another compulsory tourist attraction in Osaka, The Osaka Castle, which is the most popular one in Osaka. It's open to the public every day from 9am to 5pm, and the admission fee is 600 yen. There are a few floors in the castle, around 7-8 floors and each floor consists of historical and interesting artifacts and more about the Japanese history. So, if you are a history geek, Osaka castle is definitely worth a visit.
There are also local shops nearby that sell the variety of souvenirs such as mini samurai, costumes, the miniature of geisha, etc.
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6) Game Taito Station
Nippombashi
This chubby minion decided to get home with us. What a luck!
Nippombashi
It's an arcade! If you're into gaming, Taito Station is your paradise. It has six floors and yeah, of course, each floor has different type of games ranging from claw machine game to shooting game. You can find your favourite floors here in Taito Station.
This chubby minion decided to get home with us. What a luck!
Not to forget to walk around Nippombashi because if you're anime lover, you'll definitely excited for the anime goods. We found a store that sells power rangers miniature for 100 yen each. What a steal! Dude, 100 yen is approximately RM4. That's insane!
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7) Universal Studio Japan
Of course, you have to visit Universal Studio Japan if you are a theme park person like me. Unfortunately, we did not enter the USJ due to the weather issue. It was raining and we can't stand the cold so it would be less the fun right? huhuhu maybe next time?
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8) Mt. Rokko Snow Park
Kobe
Kobe
Our definition of winter isn't complete without having snow with us! So we decided to get to this Snow Park. You can enjoy skiing, snowboarding or just having fun with the snow in the snow park. The snow park is closed during summer & spring. It opens every day from 17th November till 31st March. We took the Rokkosan Tourist Pass which cost 1000 yen per person for the transportation and entrance package. If you have some free time, you can explore the Mount Rokko because there's a lots of attraction up there.
For Muslim travellers, there's halal food for you at the restaurants which are Coconut chicken tomato curry and Pulau Sumatera style beef coconut curry. There's prayer room too! They provided warm water for wudhu' which is so considerate of themmmm! For me, it is more to hot water that eventually became warm because of the weather. The prayer room for male and female are separated.
Note: Make sure you wear a suitable shoe or the snow will freeze your feet!
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What to do in Nara.
1) Nara Park
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2) Kofuku-ji Temple
1) Halal Ramen Gion Naritaya
My favourite place out of all! It's an extraordinary experience that everyone should experience once in a lifetime, I would say. The deer are allowed to roam freely in Nara because it is believed that the deer is a spirit animal for the temple. Gotta admit that the deer are super scary at first because they followed everyone asking for food but the fact is the deer are super adorable! You can buy a pack of deer cookies for 500 Yen and start interacting with the deer.
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2) Kofuku-ji Temple
There is a lot of temple that you can visit in Nara. Kofukuji Temple used to be the family temple to Fujiwara. Kofukuji Temple also is the landmark and the symbol of Nara. The entrance to the temple required no admission fee and possible around the clock.
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Where to eat in Japan?
For Muslims, it is our concern to find halal foods to fill our stomach. Along the trip, we prepared our food in our apartment the most since it is quite hard to find halal restaurants nearby. Luckily, there is a Family Mart near our Airbnb. So we can buy Onigiri Tuna and instant rice.
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1) Sojibo
Kansai International Airport
1) Sojibo
Kansai International Airport
Cold Soba
Hot Soba
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1) Halal Ramen Gion Naritaya
Kyoto
There is a prayer room in the restaurant and yes it is so convenience even though the space is quite small.
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Useful phrases in Japan.
- Hello = konnichiwa
- Sorry / Excuse me = sumimasen
- Thank you = Arigatou gozaimasu
- Good morning = ohayo gozaimasu
- Where is = doko desuka
- I want to go = ikitai desu
- How much is it? = ikura desu ka?
- Is there = arimasu ka
- I've lost = nakushimashita
- I don't know Japanese = nihongo wakarimasen
- Can you speak english? = eigo dekimasu ka?
- Thank you for the meal = gochisou samadeshita
Japanese words :
- Straight = masugu
- Left = hidari
- Right = migi
- Subway station = eki
- Small police station = kouban
- Toilet = toire
- Shopping mall = shoppingu mooru
- Restaurant = resutoran
- T-shirt = t-shatsu
- Shoes = kutsu
- Passport = pasupooto
- Wallet = saifu
- Bag = kaban
- Keys = kagi
- Handphone = keitai
- Excuse me, where is the subway station? = sumimasen, eki ha doko desu ka?
- Is there a shopping mall? = shoppingu mooru arimasu ka?
- How much is the t-shirt? = t-shatsu ikura desu ka?
- I've lost my bag = kaban nakushimashita
- Sorry, I don't know Japanese. Can you speak english? = Sumimasen, nihongo wakarimasen. Eigo dekimasu ka?
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OK! After spending a few days writing this post, I'm finally done!! Hopefully, you'll find this post useful and feel free to ask in the comment section or just message me on my social media :) Thanks for reading 💗
Arigatou gozaimasu.
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Enjoy my Japan vlog below 😙
