Osaka

Day 1 – Hilton Osaka and Surroundings

The busy Hilton Osaka is synonymous with luxury, style and opulence, and they know how to look after foreign travellers – over 50% of their guests come from overseas. The hotel looks out over JR Osaka Station (and the rest of town), and it’s a fantastic base for exploring the city.

Across the street from JR Osaka Station, the Hilton is also enviably close to the Kita-shinchi entertainment area where fortunes are made and lost over triple whisky-and-sodas in some of the most expensive and exclusive bars in town. The efficient ebb and flow of guests in the lobby is like clockwork as the competent English-speaking staff check people in or guide them to their next destination. Rooms are clean and light with shoji (paper screens) on the windows instead of curtains. Smoking and nonsmoking rooms are separated by floor. The fitness centre boasts a 15m swimming pool and the business centre is conveniently open 24 hours. The concourse attached to the hotel is a paradise for shoppers with an Armani store and other major brands like Channel, LV, Gucci.

   

 

 

 

 

Day 2 – Day Trip to Kyoto (guided by Sunrise Tour, lunch included)

Start the day with a train ride from Osaka to Kyoto, Japan’s capital from 794 to 1868. Visit Nijo Castle, the residence of Tokugawa era shoguns, and marvel at the gold-leaf covered Golden Pavilion, which houses sacred relics of Buddha. Stroll through its surrounding garden, known for its exquisite beauty. Visit Kyoto Imperial Palace, then watch traditional Japanese artisans at work at the Kyoto Handicraft Center, where you will have lunch. Walk through Sanjusangendo Temple, Japan’s longest wooden structure, and browse through the specialty shops leading up to Kiyomizudera Temple for a sweeping view of the city. Visit Heian Jingu Shrine, a partial replica of the Imperial Palace.

 

Osaka – Kyoto

Leave Osaka for Kyoto aboard a JR rapid train (non-reserved seats) with an English-Speaking tour conductor

Nijo Castle

The Kyoto Residence of the Tokugawa Shogun built in 1603, Nijo Castle is noted for the contrast of its solemn appearance and gorgeous interiors.

   No photos allowed inside the castle

Kinkakuji Temple (Golden Pavilion)

The most authentic and exquisite Japanese style garden in the world, plus the celebrated Golden Pavilion.

 

 Kyoto Imperial Palace

The ancient Imperial Palace clearly shows the Japanese taste for purity, simplicity and calmness.

  

 

Kyoto Handicraft Center

Enjoy a buffet lunch (free soft drinks included except alcoholic drink) and shopping at Kyoto Handicraft Center.

     

Did not continue with the rest of the tour… pls refer to Sunrise website for more information on Heian Jingu Shrine; Sanju – SangendoHall and Kiyomizudera Temple.

Tour disbands on arrival at JR Osaka Station between 18:00-19:00.

 

Day 3 – Where to Eat

Huge selection of food outlet everywhere in Osaka. Here are some photos of the nice and yummy food that I have tried.

Any place to smell and sight nice food is at Department Store Basements – Also known as “depa-chika,” is a fascinating place to enjoy free samples of food, comparison shopping and shopping for the tasty food, sweets, cakes, cookies, appetizers etc. You may find them at Daimaru Osaka Station, Hankyu Osaka Station and Kintetsu Abeno Station.

         

  Rock Melon that cost as much as SGD 300!

  Pastry

 Katsu Curry Take Away

 Mochi

 Mocha Dessert

 Cold Soba

 Mushroom Steak with Fried Rice

 Fruit of the Month – Mango Ice 

  Miso Ramen

  Strawberry Shortcake

  Mocha rice ball

  Fried Udon

  Fried Chicken

Day 4 – Where to Shop 

I was stunned with the size of Osaka underground shopping arcades! Enter the vast underground arcades in Umeda (where the JR, Hanshin, subway, and Hankyu train lines intersect) with names like Whity Umeda, Hankyu Sanbangai, Diamor Osaka, and Dojima Underground Shopping Center, and you may never emerge in this lifetime. Crysta Nagahori, connecting Nagahoribashi Station to Yotsubashi-suji, has a glass atrium ceiling, flowing streams of water, and 100 shops, making it one of the largest — if not the largest — shopping malls in Japan. Nearby are Namba Walk, Nan-nan Town, and Namba City, all interconnected by underground passageways.

 

  Namba Walk

  Street full of neon lights – Namba Area

 

More Shopping – Visit Rinku Premium Outlet located at Rinku Town Station (one stop before Kansai Airport Station). 100s of premium brands for you to choose from.

   

  > 100 over brands