An Expats Adventure to Osaka Japan

Osaka Japan  is the perfect expat adventure that is only a flight away.  Osaka is located in the Kansai region of Japans main island of Honshu at the mouth of the Yodo River on Osaka Bay.  It is completely surrounded by ten smaller cities in the Osaka Prefecture established in 1892 and divided into two main areas, where the north is referred to Kita and the south Minami.  Let us feel the pulse of the third largest city in Japan which used to be the trading center for rice and creating first modern futures exchange.  

I usually book my hotel in Osaka Japan and take day trips to Kyoto and Nara.  The different seasons makes Osaka a unique place to visit.  A Japan Travel, gives you four humid seasons with a beautiful spring and fall where plants and flowers come alive with so many vibrant colors.  Make sure to take in some shopping, and entertainment while there.  Transportation makes Osaka very convenient place to visit with its international airport plus easily accessible by train, subway and taxis.  A good tip is to stop off at a visitor’s information booth at the airport or train station for more information on the city plus train schedules.  What activities are there to do in Osaka Japan we ask ourselves.

Activities – Osaka Japan

Osaka Aquarium

     Chuo Subway Line to Osaka-ko Station; 5 minute walk northwest from the station. Hrs Tues-Sun 1000-2000; last person entry at 1900

Dotombori-dori (Shopping and Nightlife)

From Umeda take Mido-sujiSubway line to Namba.

Chibo Resturant

     Famous for its variety of tasty Okonomiyaki.  Chibo Restaurant is open for lunch and dinner therefore I recommend reservations for dinner.

Osaka Shiritsu Toyo Toji Bijutsukan (Museum of Oriental Ceramics)

Located in Naka-no-shims Koen, Osaka’s oldest park. Sakai-suji Subway line to Kita-hama or the Mido-suji Subway Line to Yodoya-bashi and walk north across to Tosabori-gawa to the museum.  Hrs. Tues-Sun 0930-1700

Osaka-jo (Osaka Castle)

From Higashi-Umeda Station, take the Tani-machi Subway Line (just southeast of Osaka Station); 15 minute walk. Hrs daily 0900-1700 Y600.  Add Y210 for garden

Osaka Museum of History

     Located on the way to the Osaka Castle.  Highlight course tour under 1 hr or a complete course tour is available. Chuo or Tani-machi Subway Line to Tani-machi 4-chome Station take exit 9 or 2. Hrs. Mon, Wed, Thurs & Weekends 0930-1700.  Fri 0930-2000.

Kokuritsu Minzokugaku Hakubutsukan (National Museum of Ethnology)

Located on the east side of the main road that runs north-south through Senri Expo Park.  Hrs. Thurs-Tues 1000-1700.

Mido-suji (Shopping)

Mido-suji Subway Line. Exit 7 Shin-sai-bashi stop

InterContinental Hotel Osaka Japan

Intercontinental Hotel (western style, close to train station)

     3-60, Ofuka-cho, Kita-ku, Osaka 5300011

With a map in hand the directions are easy to follow.

My hotels are usually booked close to a train station to make transportation easier.  English is not widely spoken, a tip is to have your destination written in Japanese.

The Golden Pavillon in Kyoto Japan

Day Trip to Kyoto

A day trip to Kyoto and can be reached by train.  Kyoto Japan is one of my favorite cities to visit in Japan.  Look for more information on my up and coming blog “Kyoto Japan” from this 1Adventure Traveler.

Directions:  The JR Train from Osaka to Kyoto costs approximately Y540 and takes 30 min.  Keihan and Hankyu Lines Express Trains which take 50 min and cost between Y390 and Y460.  They depart every 15 minutes from Osaka’s Yodoyabashi and Umeda Stations.

Fushimi-Inari, Kyoto, Japan

Other – Osaka Japan

I have a few more tidbits of information on how to get to the hotel from airport.  Just leave me a comment and I will be happy to answer as best I can.  There are more wonderful places to visit Japan.  Osaka, Japan is definitely worth a visit along with other wonderful travel locations at 1AdventureTraveler.    Visit “Trip Advisor” for my reviews under “1AdventureTraveler”.

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