Assalamualaikum and hello to my readers. It has been over a month since I came back to Malaysia. It hasn't been easy getting back to normal rhythm and to tell you all the truth I haven't find it yet. I'm not eating healthy as I should and I don't exercise. I've put on some weight and losing them back so slowly.
Enough about me, now I would like to share some of my travel in Japan. This could be some what a guide to anyone that wants to travel to Japan. I'll be sharing about the places that I've been to. Keep in mind that I don't really like places that are popular among tourists because I don't like to be in a crowded place. Most of the places that I'll share are free to enter except several that needed some fees. This post will be focusing on Osaka.
Interesting Places in Osaka
1. Osaka Castle [Sightseeing]
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| Main Tower of Osaka Castle. |
Osaka Castle is the symbol of Osaka. The construction began on 1583 by Hideyoshi Toyotomi that has successfully unified the nation. The castle is surrounded by Osaka Castle Park that welcomes visitors with changing views from season to season.
I went there twice and both times I just walk from Osaka Station which took about one hour. You can go to Osaka Castle from Osaka Station with JR Osaka Loop Line with a fare of ¥160 one way.
2. Universal Studios Japan (USJ) [Activity]
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| Main entrance of Universal Studio Japan. |
USJ is one of four Universal Studios theme parks in the world. There are a lot of attractions at the theme park that I personally think you need a two-days pass to really enjoy them. 1 day studio pass is ¥7,400 with tax and 2 day studio pass is ¥12,450 with tax. The pass will let you enjoy every attractions at the theme park. Unless you have Universal Express Pass, you wouldn't have enough time to enjoy every attractions offered.
I really enjoyed my time here. With no express pass, I managed to enjoy three rides and 1 show namely The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man, Hollywood Dream - The Ride, Flight of Hippogriff and T2 3-D: Battle Across Time.
From Osaka Station you can ride the JR Osaka Loop Line train to Universal City Station for ¥180. Ride the train towards Kamo and get off at Nishikujo Station. From Nishikujo Station, transfer to the train towards Sakurajima and you'll arrive at the destination.
3. Shinsaibashi [Shopping]
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| Some establishments at Shinsaibashi. |
Located in between Umeda and Namba one of Osaka's oldest and busiest shopping destination which runs about 600 meter in length is known as Shinsaibashi Suji. From brand name stores, chain stores, independent boutiques, restaurant franchises, Shinsaibashi Suji offered almost everything to nearly every kind of shoppers.
Amerikamura, an American-themed shopping area and center of Osaka's youth culture is at the western area of Shinsaibashi. I was amazed by the clothing, the style and overall feeling of the youths there.
You can walk from Osaka Station for about 45 minutes to go to Shinsaibashi or you can ride the subway Midosuji Line from Umeda Station for ¥240.
4. Hattori Ryokuchi Arboretum [Sightseeing]
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| Trees at Hattori Ryokuchi Arboretum. |
Hattori Ryokuchi Arboretum is located within Hattori Ryokuchi Park, Toyonaka, Osaka. The arboretum contains bamboo gardens and some 2,500 cherry trees planted across the park. Hattori Ryokuchi Arboretum opens daily and the entrance fee is ¥210.
I went to the arboretum on late autumn/early winter so I still can enjoy the red leaves panorama. The place was so beautiful that I don't feel like leaving. I can't imagine how the place will looks like with the cherry tree blossoming.
You can go to Hattori Ryokuchi Arboretum from Umeda Station via subway Midosuji Line towards Senrichuo for a fare of ¥330.
5. Satsukiyama Park [Sightseeing] [Activity]
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| The Big Harp Bridge from an observation point at Satsukiyama. |
Satsukiyama Park is a park that spread from the foot to the middle of of Mount Satsuki that is renowned for cherry blossoms, azaleas and autumn foliage. There are five hiking courses and one observation tower that provide the prefect location to view the Osaka Plain. There is also a small zoo with free admission.
I went hiking there twice, and the first time it was so beautiful with red and yellow autumn foliage here and there.
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| Autumn foliage at Satsukiyama Park. |
Satsukiyama Park is a 10 minutes walk from Ikeda Station of the Hankyu Takarazuka Line. The fare from Umeda Station to Ikeda Station is ¥270 one way.
6. Meiji-no-mori Minō Quasi-National Park [Sightseeing]
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| Minō Falls. |
Located at the northern part of Minō City, Meiji-no-mori Minō Quasi-national Park (natural park) has scenic beauty with its 100- to 600- meter high mountains. A long gorge runs through forests from the beautiful Minō Waterfall forming a habitat for lots of species of plants and insects.
The park also has an insect museum that is well known for its ample samples of insects. Walking along the the approach to the waterfall you will see wild monkeys at times. Which is a plus while enjoying the beautiful scenery the park has to offer.
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| A wild monkey at the park. |
Minō Quasi-national Park is less than an hour drive from the center of Osaka City. You can go to the park by train Hankyu-Takarazuka Line from Umeda Station and transfer at Ishibashi Station for Hankyu-Mino Line, and you'll arrive at Mino-O Station with a fare of ¥270. You will have to walk about an hour to reach the waterfall but the scene is so beautiful (especially on late autumn) that you won't feel tired.
7. Katsuo-Ji Temple [Sightseeing]
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| Main gate of Katsuo-ji Temple. |
Katsuo-ji Temple is a historic old temple located deep in the mountains within Minō Quasi-national Park. If you go to Minō Waterfall, you should really consider making way to Katsuo-ji Temple. After leaving the waterfall the mountain trail leading to the temple will give you magnificent experience with the beautiful views. I personally thought I was in a dream in several spots along the trail because they were so beautiful.
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| On the nature trail towards Katsuo-ji Temple. |
Katsuo-ji Temple is famous as a temple at which to pray for victory in many things like business, examinations, love, sports and so on. With daruma dolls everywhere unique atmosphere is created.
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| Daruma dolls at Katsuo-ji Temple. |
Katsuo-ji Temple is about 40 minutes walk from Minō Waterfall and about one hour 30 minutes from Mino-O Station. You can also take a taxi from Mino-O Station that will take 15 minutes to reach the temple or by bus (Hankyu Bus 29) from Senri-Chuo Station that will take about half an hour.
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Next on from5xtoanx: Japan Travel - Osaka: Where to Eat?
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