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Highlights from our Whirlwind Day in Osaka, Japan

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This is a continuation of my Japan/China trip report. See also Back from China and Japan Trip! 5 Takeaways, Worth it: JAL Premium Economy Award Seats, Better Than Expected: AA Premium Economy Shanghai PVG to DFW, Hits and Misses from our day at Tokyo DisneySea, Take this Line and Shove It (Literally): Shanghai Disneyland Hits and Misses, Dormy Inn Shibuya Jingumae Hot Spring in Tokyo, Highlights of our Tokyo Shenanigans, Surprise Upgrade at Hyatt Regency Tokyo Bay, Our Machiya Rental in Kyoto, The Deer Really Do Bow! Day Trip to Nara, Japan, Highlights of our time in Kyoto, Japaan, Was Universal Studios Japan Worth the Time and Money?, Two Nights on Miyajama Island, Highlights from Our Whirlwind Day in Osaka, Japan (this post)

After a relaxing two days on Miyajima Island, my daughter and I began a busy travel day. We started by taking the ferry from Miyajima to Hiroshima, followed by an Uber to the train station. We boarded a train heading to Osaka, Japan. This was our last night in Japan before flying to China the next day.

After we arrived at Shin-Osaka station, we looked for a luggage storage place. Our hotel was at the airport, so it wasn’t practical for us to drop our luggage off there first. Many train stations in Japan have luggage storage companies, and I highly recommend them for convenience.

The image shows the entrance to a "Luggage Station" at a location identified as Shin-Osaka. There is a large digital sign displaying information about baggage storage services. The sign lists prices for regular and large baggage storage, with regular size costing ¥1,000 and large size costing ¥2,000. The text is in both Japanese and English. Inside the station, there are luggage racks and storage areas visible. The floor is wooden, and there are signs and posters on the walls.
Luggage storage at Shin-Osaka station

Osaka Castle

From the train station we took an Uber to Osaka Castle. It’s a beautiful structure.

The image shows Osaka Castle, a historic Japanese castle with multiple tiers and ornate architectural details, including green roofs and gold accents. It is surrounded by stone walls and trees. In the foreground, there are many people walking and taking photos, indicating it is a popular tourist destination. The sky is overcast.

I definitely recommend purchasing tickets online, as we were able to skip a long queue at the entrance. In addition, be aware that there are quite a few steps leading up to the castle, and stairs are required inside.

The castle has two moats surrounding it:

The image shows a traditional Japanese castle wall with a moat in the foreground. The stone wall is topped with white structures featuring traditional Japanese architectural elements, such as tiled roofs. The moat contains water with patches of green algae or aquatic plants. Trees and greenery are visible in the background under a partly cloudy sky.

From the top level, there is a good view of the city:

A cityscape view from a high vantage point, showing a mix of modern buildings and lush green trees. In the foreground, there is a golden ornamental structure, possibly part of a historic building or castle. A river or moat runs through the greenery, and a boat is visible on the water. The sky is overcast, and the city extends into the distance with mountains on the horizon.

The inside of the castle is a museum. You can take an elevator to the 5th floor and walk up to the 8th floor to start the tour. Or, you can walk all the way up to the 8th floor. My daughter and I opted to wait for the elevator, which had a reasonable line. We had to take stairs down to see the lower levels.

On some of the floors, photos were not permitted. The museum also offered the option to dress up in traditional costumes for an upcharge. In total, we spent about 2 hours inside the castle and walking around the grounds.

Tsutenkaku Hondori Shopping Street

I wanted to visit a shopping area in Osaka, and we decided on Tsutenkaku Hondori Shopping Street.

A bustling street scene in a Japanese city, filled with people walking and shopping. The street is lined with numerous colorful signs and banners featuring Japanese text. There are bicycles parked on the right side, and various shops and eateries are visible. The atmosphere is lively and vibrant, typical of a busy urban area.

A bustling street scene in a Japanese shopping district. The street is lined with various shops displaying colorful signs and banners with Japanese text. People are walking along the street, some wearing masks. In the background, a tall tower is visible, rising above the buildings. The atmosphere is lively and vibrant, typical of a busy urban area.

It was definitely interesting to walk around that area.

The image shows a colorful and vibrant building facade in a busy urban area, likely in Japan. The building is adorned with large, eye-catching signs and decorations, including a giant maneki-neko (beckoning cat), sumo wrestler illustrations, and various Japanese characters. The signs are brightly colored with reds, yellows, and blues, and there are lanterns and other decorative elements. The building appears to be a restaurant or entertainment venue, with a tent and lights in front of it.
The area was a little worn out and modeled after Coney Island, New York. If we return to Osaka, I’d pick a different shopping street, maybe Shinsaibashi.

Hello Kitty Train

We went back to the train station, collected our luggage, and purchased tickets to the airport. We were pleasantly surprised to find out we would be on the Hello Kitty train!

The image shows a train with a colorful design featuring a cartoon character with a bow on its head, surrounded by floral patterns. The train door is visible, and there is a platform with tactile paving and markings indicating platform number 9.

The image shows the front of a train decorated with Hello Kitty-themed artwork. The design features Hello Kitty in a kimono surrounded by colorful floral patterns. The words "Hello Kitty HARUKA" are also visible on the train. The train is at a station platform.

The theming was present on the inside and outside.


The image shows the interior of a train with two seats covered in brown fabric. Each seat has a white headrest cover featuring a Hello Kitty design and the text "Hello Kitty HARUKA." The train window on the right side reveals a view of the tracks and the outside scenery.

Hotel Nikko Kansai Airport

Since our flight to China was in the morning, I decided to play it safe and booked the hotel that’s connected to Kansai Airport, Hotel Nikko Kansai Airport.

The image shows a covered walkway leading to a building labeled "AEROPLAZA." Above the walkway, there are signs indicating directions to a free shuttle bus for Terminal 2 and accommodations at Hotel Nikko Kansai Airport and First Cabin. People are walking along the path, and the background features a large building with multiple windows. The area appears to be part of an airport complex.

Check-in was automated through a kiosk:

The image shows a hand holding a hotel key card and a paper slip from Hotel Nikko Kansai Airport. The slip includes the hotel's address in Osaka, Japan, and a phone number. It also displays the room number, 5124, and provides information about checking out. The background shows a marble floor.

Our room was quite large and sound-proof from airport noise:

The image shows a hotel room with two neatly made twin beds. There is a nightstand between the beds with lamps and a telephone. A desk with a chair and a mirror is on the left side, and a flat-screen TV is placed on a cabinet. Near the window, there are two armchairs and a small round table. The room has a patterned carpet and a large window with sheer curtains, allowing natural light to enter.

The image shows a bathroom with a modern toilet featuring a bidet control panel on the side. To the left, there is a countertop with a sink. On the countertop, there are various toiletries, including a hairdryer, wrapped items, and small bottles. Above the sink is a mirror with informational signs in both English and Japanese. The floor is tiled, and there is a small trash bin under the counter.

Our rate included a breakfast buffet in the morning. It only took us a few minutes to walk to the international check-in area.

Next up: Beijing, China!

The image shows a China Eastern Airlines aircraft parked at an airport gate. The plane is connected to a jet bridge, and the ground is wet, indicating rainy weather. The aircraft is white with the airline's logo and name visible on the fuselage. A ground service vehicle is seen in the foreground.

 

Author: Nancy

Nancy lives near Dallas, Texas, with her husband and three kids. Her favorite vacations include the beach, cruising and everything Disney.

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