Morning
Train to Osaka
Short and easy trip from Kyoto to Osaka — about 30-50 minutes depending on which train you take.
Options:
- JR Special Rapid — Kyoto → Osaka Station (~30 min)
- Hankyu Line — Kawaramachi → Umeda (~45 min, if you're near Kawaramachi)
- Keihan Line — If heading to Namba area
Tip: No need for shinkansen — regular trains are fine for this route!
Afternoon
Hotel Check-in
Head to Namba area hotel, drop bags, get oriented.
If you're at a MIMARU, you'll have a kitchen — consider grabbing groceries for breakfast supplies!
Light Namba Shopping
Get your bearings in the neighborhood. Walk around, find key landmarks, note card shop locations for tomorrow.
Reconnaissance for: Nipponbashi/Den-Den Town card shops, Pokemon Center location, good food spots
Evening
Dotonbori Street Food Tour
This is what Osaka is famous for! The neon-lit street along the canal is packed with food, energy, and fun.
Must-try foods:
- Takoyaki — Octopus balls (Osaka's signature)
- Okonomiyaki — Savory pancake
- Kushikatsu — Deep-fried skewers (no double-dipping!)
- Gyoza
- Cheesecake — Rikuro's jiggly cheesecake
Glico Running Man
The famous neon sign — obligatory photo op!
Don Quijote (Donki)
The massive discount store with a ferris wheel on top. Great for random Japanese snacks, souvenirs, weird finds.
Pokemon Shopping Note
Today is reconnaissance — walk past the card shops in Nipponbashi, note their locations, peek at prices. Tomorrow is the focused shopping day!
No Reservations Needed
Just show up hungry!
Osaka Vibe
Osaka is known for:
- Food — “Kuidaore” means “eat till you drop”
- Friendly locals — More outgoing than Tokyo
- Comedy — Japan’s humor capital
- Direct communication — Osakans are famously straightforward
Enjoy the energy shift from Kyoto!
Family Notes
Add notes, suggestions, or memories below!