Osaka was the final destination on my trip through Japan. After stunning Tokyo and disappointing Kyoto, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. But I really liked Osaka. In fact, I must admit, it became my favourite city and the best Osaka travel experience. Was it because I was staying at the top hotel in the world, with the incredible view of the Osaka Castle? Or because the city felt smaller than Tokyo and much bigger than Kyoto? I’m not sure. But the vibe, the castle and the mountains in the background were enough to win me over.
There is plenty to see in Osaka, but apart from the Osaka Castle, I didn’t really seek out the main tourist attractions. Walking the streets, exploring the castle grounds, visiting more vintage shops and relaxing at the hotel suited me perfectly. It was a great finale to my Japan trip and certainly completed my Osaka travel experience.
Read on for more about my time in Osaka and my final thoughts on Japan. And don’t miss my other Japan travel posts!
Travel tip: If you need an e-sim for your travels, I tend to use Holafly. It’s easy, covers every country and never fails. Click Holafly for more! With all my travels I find having a reliable e-sim can definitely make all the difference.
…
Osaka and Osaka Castle
By the time I arrived in Osaka, I was quite happy to just walk around and see where I ended up. The streets were even more packed with vintage shops than those in Tokyo. It was very overwhelming but also interesting and gave me something to do when walking the streets. Osaka surprised me and I really liked the city. The food was delicious and the Patina Osaka Hotel incredible. Especially with a stunning view overlooking the castle. I really enjoyed my Osaka travel experience.
And I certainly made time for Osaka Castle. Construction first began in 1583 under Toyotomi Hideyoshi, one of the leaders who helped unify Japan, and its design is unbelievably grand. The old and original walls are massive, and I really enjoyed walking around the castle grounds during the day. But seeing it lit up at night was just as beautiful.
Osaka suited me. I even used the hotel bike to cycle around the city and along the river. Osaka is big, but it is, surprisingly, a cycling city. I think I would consider staying here for longer on my next trip. We will see.
Read here: Top Luxury Hotels of Japan – my personal list. Exploring hotels was one highlight of my overall Osaka travel experience.
Katsuo-ji
One place I had been told to visit, but ran out of time to see, was Katsuo-ji. It sits in the mountains of Minoh, north of Osaka, and is famous for its little red daruma dolls. The temple is associated with good fortune and achieving your goals. It looked like something I would enjoy seeing, so I will leave it for next time.
So, after Tokyo, Kyoto, Kanazawa and Osaka, what are my final thoughts on Japan? Are you interested? Read more below…
…
Final thoughts on my Japan Trip
After hearing so many positive things about Japan, I knew I would enjoy it. But just how much, I didn’t know. And I really did like Japan. Some things lived up to my expectations, while others surprised me. Finishing in Osaka, with those beautiful views of Osaka Castle, certainly helped turn my journey into a true Osaka travel experience.
The service was one of the first things I noticed. The people were very respectful and keen to help, with their bowing, smiles and attention to detail. So many people I met took real pride in their work, and it showed. Everything they did came with several apologies. I found people polite and very friendly, even amongst themselves, always laughing and chatting. Wherever I walked, I felt safe. Something I don’t always feel in other big cities, but it was true during my Osaka travel experience.
Vintage shopping in Tokyo and Osaka
The biggest surprise once again? The vintage shops. Yes, I knew there would be plenty of second-hand bags, but I completely underestimated just how many. Same as in Tokyo, vintage shopping made my Osaka travel experience all the more unique.
Read my Tokyo blog post here: 3 days in Tokyo – hidden bars, vintage shopping and first impressions.
I still wonder how they all compete with each other. With so many shops selling similar pieces, how does anyone choose where and what to buy? Nevertheless, browsing certainly added to the fun of walking the streets in Tokyo and Osaka. I avoided the shops in Kyoto because I was shopped out. At least for a little while! That’s another snapshot from my Osaka travel experience I won’t soon forget.
…
The food
Of course, the food was absolutely delicious. I’d heard that before my trip, and I can certainly agree. Exploring the Japanese cuisine was at times challenging but certainly fun.
As mentioned in my previous blog posts, getting into a restaurant was not always easy. Some were shut, others were full, and a few had queues longer than I was willing to join. Still, there were plenty of places to choose from and I had no bad meal in Japan.
That said, Tokyo was definitely my personal favourite for restaurants. Small, intimate places with outstanding food. Kyoto, Kanazawa and Osaka had plenty of options too, although the tiny restaurants I visited there felt more casual than those in Tokyo, adding to the laidback Osaka travel experience vibe.
I also didn’t find eating out too expensive. But perhaps that was because I mainly chose soups and sashimi. The wagyu restaurants were much pricier. But as I find the meat quite rich, I often opted for a casual soup place. Just like in Vietnam, I could eat soup or ramen every day. At any time of the day!
…
And so…
My time in Japan was truly incredible. Everything was easy, and people were friendly. From catching a train, to hiring a car, I had no troubles at all. I can certainly see myself returning to Japan and maybe exploring other parts. Did you know Japan has amazing beaches?
One thing I really wanted to take home from Japan? A heated toilet seat. It would have been a fitting souvenir of my Osaka travel experience. They seemed to be everywhere. Even in public toilets and on trains. After all the beautiful hotels, delicious food and memorable places, this was one little comfort I didn’t want to leave behind. It’s funny how the little things can stay with you from a Japan and Osaka travel experience.
Read about my trip to Kanazawa and the UNESCO towns here: Shirakawa and Gokayama – best of Japan
(post 257)
