PART 3 – OSAKA
DAY 1
Last breakfast at Comfort Inn before checking out.
Our train arrived on schedule.
We arrived at our hotel after an hour ride.
As it was still early and the rooms were not ready, the staff allowed us to drop off our luggage at the reception and look after it for us.
We walked around the area and decided to have Korean food for lunch instead.
The taste was alright. The downside was that the restaurant allowed its guests to smoke inside.
After lunch, we continued to walk around the area.
This is Osaka’s most famous shopping street, stretching nearly 600 meters with a lively mix of fashion boutiques, department stores, and local shops.
Covered by a glass arcade, it’s a bustling spot where tradition meets trend, perfect for picking up everything from luxury brands to quirky souvenirs.
A break at Starbucks to rest our tired legs.
Then we headed back to the hotel to check into our room.
After a short rest, it was time to roam the area again.
The big ferry wheel on top of HEP FIVE
Go to LUCUA Osaka, head up to the 11th Floor, from the side of Kaze-no-hiroba Plaza, and you will be able to get a birds-eye view of Osaka.
Time for dinner. There were queues at all the popular restaurants.
We decided to eat here as the displays look interesting.
Our food. Yummy.
After dinner, it’s Onsen time at the Hotel.
DAY 2
As with the other two earlier hotels, our bookings came with a morning breakfast. Those who didn’t book with breakfast will need to pay 2420 yen.
The restaurant was quite spacious.
Overall, the buffet breakfast had quite a good variety of food choices.
Our first destination for the day was Lalaport Mitsui Outlet.
Many popular brands can be found here. We spent a good few hours here.
Those who are hungry after walking can have meals at the Food Terrace.
We tried out the Karaage.
And the Sashimi rice bowl.
Our next destination was SHINSEKAI.
Meaning “New World,” it is one of Osaka’s most colorful and nostalgic districts. Built in the early 20th century, it blends retro charm with local street culture.
The area is famous for its Tsutenkaku Tower
Neon signs and bustling alleys lined with eateries serving Osaka soul food like kushikatsu (deep-fried skewers).
For dinner, we went for Yikiniku.
We had fun cooking the meat.
And it tasted even better with beer.
It was a productive day and we called it a night after dinner.
DAY 3
After breakfast at the hotel, we took the metro to Osaka Castle.
Entrance to the site.
Tori-gates can be found in many places here.
A beautiful preserved Shrine.
As it was a weekday, the crowd was fair.
A small entrance fee of 600 yen was required. You can purchase it at the ticketing machines.
Our tickets.
The recommended way to visit the castle is to first take the lift to the 8th-floor Observation Deck.
Exhibit introducing the history of Osaka.
From the observation deck, we can move around and see the surrounding areas of Osaka.
Then we take the stairs and work our way down. There were many beautiful artifacts and replicas within the castle.
And souvenirs for sale.
After the castle, we headed over to Ebisubashi-suji Shopping Street.
After walking around for a while, we decided to have lunch here.
The restaurant has a bright and airy atmosphere.
Teas available for sale here.
Isn’t the food colorful and beautifully presented?
A close-up on one of them. The food was delicious.
As we walked some more, we saw this beautiful cafe and decided to go in.
Pastries that are available here.
We were seated on the 2nd Floor. The whole cafe was beautifully decorated.
Yummy.
As nightfall, it became even more crowded, and the whole place was lit up.
The icon of Osaka, the Glico Man.
Look at the number of people gathered here.
A river cruise along the river is also available.
Some of the gigantic 3D signage here.
We read online that this is a popular Sushi restaurant here. So we decided to give it a try.
We were required to take a queue number and wait for about 15 minutes before we were given a seat.
Ordering was done through the tablet and the food would arrive in a short moment.
Before heading back to the hotel, we bought some Melon bread from this popular stall.
DAY 4
Our last breakfast in Osaka for this trip.
Getting ready to check out of the hotel.
Insert your room card into the device, and the checkout process will be completed.
We took the Monorail to the airport.
Here came our Monorail.
Checking in our luggage.
Some last-minute shopping.
And ice cream before the flight.
Our airplane getting ready.
Time to board.
Mount Fuji through the aircraft window.
This concludes our Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka Golden Route trip. Bye-bye Japan. See you again in a few months.
