Hello!
I am travelling back to Japan this March. I will be travelling with my parents (both 52 yo) and my little cousin (9 yo). We will be in Osaka.
I’ve only been to Osaka once before, and it was for a measly 5 days. I would love to have any input on my rough itinerary while we’re there. Any recommendations would be amazing! I am able to read and speak a bit of Japanese.
If anything seems packed, please let me know. I’m not really that familiar with the area as most of my trips to Japan have been to Tokyo.
March | Description
—|—
8, Wed | Land in Kansai International at 8PM.
” | Check in at Airbnb.
” | My parents will probably be tired at this point, so I’ll go around and check out the local area.
” | I will be staying in Konohana-ku near Nishikujō Station. Is the area safe? Any recommendations?
” | We will be staying at this Airbnb until we leave.
9, Thu | Bring parents and little cousin to Universal Studios Japan in the morning
” | Free day; go around wherever I want in Osaka. Probably Denden Town, but since I’ve been to Akihabara enough times I’m starting to think that it won’t be worth visiting.
” | Go around coffee shops, if there are any within the area I’m in.
” | Go around film camera shops, if there are any nearby.
” | Izakayas in the evening.
10, Fri | Go around Namba in the morning, near lunch after 10AM when everything is open.
” | Lunch in Dotonbori
” | Shop in Shinsaibashi and Amerikamura in the afternoon
” | Do whatever in the evening. **Any recommendations on what to do or where to eat (on a budget) for our group?**
11, Sat | Visit Himeji Castle in the morning
” | Have lunch in Kobe. **Is there any interesting to do in Kobe for our group, aside from eating Kobe Beef?**
” | Return to Osaka to explore Umeda in the evening.
12, Sun | Visit Kyoto.
” | Fushimi Inari early in the morning. I’ve already done the hike, and my parents just want my little cousin to have a picture under the tori gates.
” | Kiyomizudera before lunch (might have to skip this if the walk proves too arduous for my parents)
” | **Lunch somewhere in Kyoto, any recommendations?**
” | Kinkaku-ji after lunch
” | Return to Osaka in the evening
13, Mon | Return to Kyoto
” | Explore Gion
” | Have lunch again in Kyoto
” | Visit Nara Deer Park in the afternoon
14, Tue | Biwako Valley Ski Resort
” | Dinner in Kyoto
15, Wed | **Free day in Osaka. Any recommendations on what to do/visit ?**
16, Thu | Free day in Osaka
” | Buy last minute souvenirs
” | Fly back home in the evening
Questions:
1. Any restaurant recommendations in Osaka/Kyoto/Nara? Something cheap but good would be great!
1. I love eating udon, katsu, and okonomiyaki. Any recommendations?
1. My parents and my little cousin will be in Universal Studios on the second day for the whole day. Any tips for them?
1. Where can we buy the cheapest green tea kitkats?