Jetstar take a friend sale - 8 days Osaka - Any suggestions ?

[DontGetMeStarted]

Hi ..managed to score two sale seats today Melb-Osaka return in October 2010. ($1150) Have never been before so my hope is that someone can assist with some options on day trips from Osaka or some suggested itineraries to fill the 8 days. I about not worried about getting to Tokyo as Osaka seems like a large city but thought some time spent in Hiroshima/Kyoto would be good, so if anyone has any advice I would be grateful. Looking at getting a 7 day rail pass prior to leaving and want to get the best use from that. Also can anyone recommend a hotel in Osaka that is close to the rail station for the bullet train too. Should we base ourselves in Osaka or spend a few nights in different places? I would like to spend some time close to shops too - Hope I have posted this in the correct area too...thanks

 

[deka2]

First of all hyperdia.com is an excellent site and will allow you to check timetables and book trains throughout Japan. Their trains are efficient, fast and clean and do run strictly to time.
Secondly in my opinion Kyoto is a better place to stay than Osaka. Kyoto being smaller and more traditional. Only about 40mins further from the airport than Osaka.
With only eight days you should probably limit yourself to three places at the most. Kyoto, Tokyo and one other. The third depends on what things you are looking at doing. I have always found the tripadviser forums very helpful.

 

[blu]

Some info here:
Japan: Rail Travel in Japan - TripAdvisor

http://www.jtboi.com.au/jr_pass/jrpass.htm

 

[serfty]

The FlyerTalk Japan forum is quite useful as well:

Japan - FlyerTalk Forums

Here's a thread I used last year:

Japan for 3

Plus there good information on the really efficient rail systems ...

 

[Happy Dude]

How much ground you cover really depends on your style.

Osaka is Tokyo's ugly sister but there's enough for 2-3 days. Food is the priority for me in Japan. I'm a sucker for the food halls in department stores and grab some takoyaki at a train station in the early evening. Find an okonimiyaki restaurant. Definitely check out Kobe too.

Unfortunately there's no sumo tournament in October and it's a bit early for the snow. If you're into temples, then you'll love Kyoto/Nara, else a few days there would satisfy most. It may be a good time to see the autumn coulours. Visiting an outdoor onsen somewhere is fantastic, staying at an onsen hotel eaven better. You may be able to book an all-in package (incl shinkansen) from AUS, but if not and you're not adverse to winging it, find a JTB (usually at big train stations) and they'll help you book. Grab the LP for Osaka.....

 

[psi999]

My suggestion would be to stay somewhere in shinosaka around the Shinkansen station.... will make day trips a breeze.

Good, clean, cheap & modern hotel i usually stay at is the following:

Osaka Garden Palace [SHINOSAKA]
Address: 1-3-35 Nishimiyahara, Yodogawa-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka

Easy walking distance to the station & also provides a free transfer bus to the station (once you work out where it stops... shinosaka is a massive station).

8 day stay i would pickup a 7 day Shinkansen pass & activate on the 2nd day of your stay (JR office at shinosaka station) which will leave you having to cough up for the transfer from KIX -> shinosaka. From memory the Nankai line is cheaper to Namba (then transfer to subway lines for transfer to shinosaka station).

Hiroshima, Nara, Kyoto, Tokyo - all great places to visit.

But IMO you would be mad not to day trip to Tokyo (as once you have the 7-day pass travel is unlimited). can also put you onto a hotel there that i usually stay at (room ~$140 aud night)

(I would personally split my time between Tokyo & Osaka)

If your looking to pack a lot into your visit (and split between Osaka & Tokyo) i can suggest an itinerary.... let me know and i'll find it.

Hope this helps.

 

[anat0l]

+1 for hyperdia.com for excellent journey planner.

I can recommend the Osaka Unlimited pass - it allows travel on most trains and buses in Osaka for 1 or 2 days unlimited, plus a plethora of vouchers for free or discounted admissions to attractions, as well as vouchers for restaurants etc. A map will be provided to you to guide your use of the vouchers. Great for a full couple of days, but pick the right days of the week so you can get the most out of the pass (as some of the attractions are closed on certain days).

Of course, that kind of aforementioned touring might be your idea of a tourist trap, so....

I went to Himeji (for Himeji castle), Kyoto (for Kinkakuji and some other places, but well worth a day or two) and Nara (very lovely place with temples and parks - spent a day there) - all recommended and reachable on either Shinkansen or express train. You can cover some of these on your way to other cities if you so desire.

If you want maximum convenience, stay in Umeda or near Shin-Osaka station (that area), as you will have the most connections there; certainly all Shinkansen leave from Shin-Osaka station. Namba is the heart of the Minami area where there are lots of places to shop, eat and drink. Many connections between Namba and Umeda.

 

[DontGetMeStarted]

A big thank you to everyone that responded I really appreciate all the info and now busy looking at the links provided and other information supplied, looks as though we may leave out Tokyo this trip and concentrate on the areas surrounding Osaka as we only have the 7 days, ie see Kyoto, Nara, Kobe, Hiroshima and the island that is close to Hiroshima. Still trying to decide if we do those as day trips from Osaka and just book the one hotel for our stay or spend a few nights Kyoto and Hiroshi.ma...we want to get the best use of the rail pass so if we do have time maybe a trip to Tokyo for the day. If any of have done a similar trip and have an itinerary I would love to see it. Japan is a bit out of my comfort zone as normally we go to the USA or Europe but really looking forward to experiencing the culture and sights..I really like shopping but believe there is not too much bargain shopping there unless anyone else has some info on that and I would love to hear about any shops etc. What/where should we eat..nothing too adventurous but would like to get out and about

This is a fantastic sight and a brilliant resource so thanks again

 

[kamchatsky]

I've just come back from Japan 1 week ago, stayed in Hilton Osaka for 4 nights, which is at Umeda and is very convenient to go anywhere. I based there to go to Nara and Kyoto. I had to skip Himeji because I was not feeling well.

In regard to 7-day JR pass, unless you catch Shinkansen a lot it is actually not worth it.

This is what I did:
Osaka (Umeda) - Kyoto on JR Special Rapid: 540 Yen each way, 30 minutes only.
Osaka (Umeda) - Namba - KinetsuNara on Kinetsu Train: 540 Yen + 230 Yen subway (unless you have subway economy pass for 600 or 600 Yen), about 40 minutes only.
Osaka (Umeda) - Himeji on JR Special Rapid: 1450 Yen each way, about 90 minutes.

For Kyoto, it is almost no point catching shinkansen, as the time saving compared with JR Special Rapid service is like only about 10 mintues. Also, for Kyoto, they have 500 Yen all day bus pass which I recommend (you don't really need the Kyoto subways), also I only stayed in Kyoto for 1 day, but actually preferred to go for 2 days.

There are tons of passes which you can consider. You may want to consider JR West Rail Pass instead for 1 day trip to Himeji from Osaka and back:

JR-WEST : Travel Information > Japan Rail Pass & JR-WEST RAIL PASS

There are heaps of passes which you can also consider:

Osaka Municipal Transportation Bureau

Rail Pass: Kansai Thru Pass (Surutto Kansai)

Definitely +1 on Hyperdia website to work out train timetables and fares, it really helped me planning for trips.

 

[kamchatsky]

A big thank you to everyone that responded I really appreciate all the info and now busy looking at the links provided and other information supplied, looks as though we may leave out Tokyo this trip and concentrate on the areas surrounding Osaka as we only have the 7 days, ie see Kyoto, Nara, Kobe, Hiroshima and the island that is close to Hiroshima. Still trying to decide if we do those as day trips from Osaka and just book the one hotel for our stay or spend a few nights Kyoto and Hiroshi.ma...we want to get the best use of the rail pass so if we do have time maybe a trip to Tokyo for the day. If any of have done a similar trip and have an itinerary I would love to see it. Japan is a bit out of my comfort zone as normally we go to the USA or Europe but really looking forward to experiencing the culture and sights..I really like shopping but believe there is not too much bargain shopping there unless anyone else has some info on that and I would love to hear about any shops etc. What/where should we eat..nothing too adventurous but would like to get out and about

This is a fantastic sight and a brilliant resource so thanks again

Actually, just wondering whether you can do Tokyo, then catch back to Osaka last day for your flights? It would have been wonderful to also go Tokyo. If you really use JR Passes then Tokyo - Osaka would only be 3.5 hours away (on Hikari trains and not Nozomi trains which requires surcharges on the JR 7 day pass).

My better half did quite a lot of clothes shopping in Japan, as she loves their design and quality at reasonable prices. She did most of them in underground shopping centres in Osaka (Namba/Umeda) as well as Fukuoka.

 

[kamchatsky]

How much ground you cover really depends on your style.

Osaka is Tokyo's ugly sister but there's enough for 2-3 days. Food is the priority for me in Japan. I'm a sucker for the food halls in department stores and grab some takoyaki at a train station in the early evening. Find an okonimiyaki restaurant. Definitely check out Kobe too.

Unfortunately there's no sumo tournament in October and it's a bit early for the snow. If you're into temples, then you'll love Kyoto/Nara, else a few days there would satisfy most. It may be a good time to see the autumn coulours. Visiting an outdoor onsen somewhere is fantastic, staying at an onsen hotel eaven better. You may be able to book an all-in package (incl shinkansen) from AUS, but if not and you're not adverse to winging it, find a JTB (usually at big train stations) and they'll help you book. Grab the LP for Osaka.....

Not sure about Osaka being ugly sister. I actually enjoyed Osaka very much especially at Namba area (Dontonbori/Shinsaibashi) at night. Also I like the fact that it is close to Kyoto/Nara/Himeji/Kobe.

 

[auriga]

There is no need to try to squeeze Tokyo into your trip, since your time is so limited. Osaka is a great city in its own right.

I dare say you will love Japan, and will be back to see the other areas!

 

[Happy Dude]

Not sure about Osaka being ugly sister. I actually enjoyed Osaka very much especially at Namba area (Dontonbori/Shinsaibashi) at night. Also I like the fact that it is close to Kyoto/Nara/Himeji/Kobe.

There's not a lot to do in Osaka, which is why most are talking about the places nearby, but it does not compare to Tokyo. Don't get me wrong, Osaka is a fine place to visit. It's just that, you know,.....if the better looking girl has plans, then take her less attractive sister out instead....you may still have fun anyways