Visit to Osaka

Hi Jeffrey Tan,

It's always hard to make recommendation without knowing what kind of things you might be interested in. I would certainly make this most of your time in Japan and see both Osaka and places around it.

Here are some possible places you could visit.

Kobe, Kyoto, Nara, Kinosaki Onsen, Wakayama, Hiroshima and Miyajima, Kurashiki and there's lots more.
Kyoto and Nara are great if you are interested in Japanese culture, Kinosaki is great if you wish to experience an Onsen or two and so on.

All these places are best reached by train and can all be visited as a day trip from Osaka. I can give you some better recommendation if you let me know what you are interested in.

Hope to hear from you,
Daniel

Hi Daniel,
Thanks for quick response.
Do you think visiting Japan without visiting Tokyo. My wife also like shopping but not necessary big shopping mall but rather more local with interesting Japanese culture in it. We also like scenic places and a bit of country side. So with all the places you recommended, I need only stay in Osaka and do day trips. Do I have to booked train tickets in advance for most of these places. I guess the weekly train pass will come in handy. By the way is Kobe the place famous for beef. I also like sashimi, and I wonder is it expensive in most places in Japan. How much you reckon I should budget for travelling and food. Simple food most time but in between with a few great treats. If so any recommendation.

Look forward to hear from you. Thanks.

Jeffrey

Hi Jeffrey,

For local shopping I'd definitely recommend visiting Shinsaibashi and Namba in Osaka and drop by Nishiki market and Kawara machi in Kyoto. Both offer local shopping experiences with almost anything on sale, from traditional pottery to modern fashion. You don't need to reserve a seat in advance for most trains. Only if you travel on the Shinkansen or a limited express train.

I would certainly recommend a visit to Hiroshima and Miyajima if you do have a rail pass, you get the experience the Shinkansen, in Hiroshima you can visit the peace park and museum and also hop on the ferry to Miyajima, which is one of the most iconic places in Japan!

Kobe beef is a must try! So is Hiroshima ramen and Okonomiyaki in Osaka.

Let me know what you think!
Daniel

Hi Daniel,
So if I am travelling all nearby places as recommended by you and may be plus Tokyo, do I really need to buy the 7days train pass.

Regards,

Jeffrey

Hi Jeffrey,

If you do visit Tokyo then yes, otherwise I'd stick to normal tickets.

Regards,
Daniel

Hi Daniel,
Do you think I should go ahead and book hotel for my trip on the 7th May to 22nd May. If so do you ave good recommendation for room for two. Also would you recommend staying in a hotel near to train station. Thanks

Regards
Jeffrey

Hi Jeffrey,

Yes you could book your hotels now. I don't have a particular hotel to recommend but it is best to look at websites to focus on Japan instead of global websites. This because booking websites that focus on Japan usually have better deals. Some examples include rakuten travel and Japanican.

-Daniel