Adventures Abroad: Highlights of Osaka

It was going to be a long holiday weekend and so I decided to make full use of it by going to one of my most favorite countries---Japan. But this time, I went on a tour package as it’s been a while since I’ve been on one. After the experience, it made me miss just sitting there and waiting for someone to take me to the best sights in the city (cities, for that matter as we also went outside Osaka).

Todai-ji Temple (Nara)

Our first stop was the Todai-ji Temple, ranked as the number one attraction in Nara on Trip Advisor.

“Todaiji is one of Japan's most famous and historically significant temples and a landmark of Nara. The temple was constructed in 752 as the head temple of all provincial Buddhist temples of Japan and grew so powerful that the capital was moved from Nara to Nagaoka in 784 in order to lower the temple's influence on government affairs.” -Japan Guide

There are several Buddhist statues for people to pray to and in most cases that I observed, take pictures of. Although photography is allowed, tripods are not, in order to protect the flooring.

Other than the temple, there was also a park, café, museum and naturally, a souvenir shop.

But with all due respect, the best part about the temple for me was the presence of Bambi. There were a lot of deers just lying around, standing, and even interacting with the visitors although we were warned that they can get dangerous with their bites. This particular deer yanked the fan away from the tourist who was just happy to comply.

For more information, visit here.

Kiyomizu Temple (Kyoto)

Next we headed off to Kyoto, the city that was recently chosen as the number one destination by Travel + Leisure magazine.

There, we saw Kiyomizu Temple that was built in 798 A.D.

UNESCO World Heritage has listed it as part of the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto.

And again, with all due respect, what I enjoyed the most at the temple was seeing a lot of tourists dressed in rented kimonos walking up and down the steep street where rows upon rows of souvenir shops are lined up.

And if you’re a Ghibli fan, there’s a merchandise shop located almost near the parking lot.

For more information, click here.

We also went to a textile store where we watched a mini-kimono fashion show. I’m sorry but I can’t remember the name of the store and can’t find it on the internet as well. Anyway, we were told that the best kimono fabric comes from Kyoto.

The Hakutsuru Sake Brewery Museum (Kobe)

Whenever I travel, I always want to see how products are made so I was excited when we were brought to a sake brewery museum, even though my hardest drink is a soft drink.

But I was a bit disappointed as there were no tour guides to explain the process. We were just given a brochure.

Nevertheless, I wasn’t that disappointed as the almost realistic and artistic depictions made up for it.

For my companions in my tour group, the free sake taste more than made up for it.

Sake is undoubtedly part of the Japanese culture in the same way that San Miguel Beer and Ginebra San Miguel are Pinoy to the core. Perhaps they might want to follow suit and open a museum as well and contribute to our tourism industry?

For more information, visit here.

Kobe Nunobiki Herb Gardens & Ropeway (Kobe)

Our next stop was the Kobe Nunobiki Herb Garden….

…where for a moment made me terrified as we had to take a cable car. For all my flying, I have a fear of heights and unless I want to walk for 15 minutes under the blistering heat of the noonday sun, I had to ride the cable car. I am proud to say that I did not panic nor did I pass out as the ride was very smooth and I avoided looking down.

After getting off the cable car, you are encouraged to walk back to enjoy the 75,000 herbs and 200 kinds of flowers.

Just make sure you keep yourself hydrated.

Wear comfortable shoes.

And don’t do it under the heat of the sun like we did.

I don’t know how far we walked but one man from our group was still cursing and complaining about his aching back and legs two days later.

For more information, click here.

And of course, you can’t go to Kobe without tasting its famous beef. We were brought to Steak Land to where I want to migrate.

Did you just gulp?

Our very young chef cooked for two tables simultaneously!

Floating Garden Observatory (Osaka)

Next we went to the Floating Garden Observatory for a 360 degree view of Osaka.

But first, be amazed by its vertical garden that is as high as its neighboring buildings.

Then go on a high-speed elevator to the 39^th floor where the souvenir shop is.

There, you can pledge your undying devotion to one another.

After which, take the escalator to enjoy Osaka.

For more information, visit this website.

Osaka Museum of Housing and Living (Osaka)

On our free day, I went to Osaka Museum of Housing and Living as it was the only one open as most museums in Japan are closed on a Monday.

The museum features replicas of houses and rooms of ancient Japan.

You are allowed to enter in all the rooms although for some, you are required to remove your shoes.

You can rent a kimono to go around the museum.

Replicas of household items in ancient Japan…

…as well as actual appliances in not-so-ancient Japan.

For more information, go here.

We tried going to Osaka Castle twice but we ran out of time the first time with the tour group and out of breath the second time on our own as it takes about 15 minutes just to get to the entrance. It already took us at least 30 minutes of walking and subway rides to locate it and with the summer heat, we gave up and just took pictures from afar. I even developed an allergic reaction when I crossed a shrubbery and I don’t even have allergies!

Overall, Osaka (as well as Nara, Kyoto and Kobe) is a nice place to visit but perhaps nicer if you were to go in the fall.

Sayonara!

-The Paranoid Traveler

Adventures Abroad: Highlights of Osaka

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