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Hey guys!
On Oct 3rd I'll be heading to Osaka for 10 days to check out the city, sort out my Visa and generally just try to have a good time. TLers I've met so far have been awesome people so I'm just wondering if there are any of you guys around that area who would like to meet up and grab a beer or something?
I've never been to Osaka before and I'm travelling alone, so I'm really excited but I'd like to meet some new people while I'm there. If you're around the area at that time let me know and let's try to work something out!
Cheers!
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Osaka27174 Posts
Ten days is quite a while. Where will you be staying?
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I'm going to Osaka - Kyoto with my gf as well 
Going for 2 Weeks to visit al lthe temples and stuff around New Years =]
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I love Japan.
You're a lucky bastard, wish I could be there. So many good beers 
Edit: If you're in the area (which roughly you are) I would suggest a trip on the Shinkansen down to Hiroshima. My favourite city in Japan. Whilst you are there, you have to eat as much Hiroshima Okonomiyaki as possible. It is stacked carefully and is way better than the stuff you find elsewhere.
Goodammit I want to come too!
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@probulous: Just googled it - and god it looks so nice!!! :O
http://shizuokagourmet.wordpress.com/2009/08/02/okonomiyaki-hiroshima-style/
I'm tempted to try and make it at home .. haha!!
A bit relevant to OP's blog: anybody have any suggestions in where to go/visit in the kansai region? (Mainly Kyoto/Osaka).
First time going to japan and wanted to go for like a few years!! but peopel kept on bailing out on me.
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I wanna go to Japan... Just to try out Takoyaki and Okonomiyaki. :'(
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Osaka27174 Posts
Kansai is a really big region. How long are you staying, what is your budget, what are you interested in...
I live by Kansai airport, so I can give you some ideas, I just need some parameters.
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On September 29 2011 15:47 SigmaX wrote:@probulous: Just googled it - and god it looks so nice!!! :O http://shizuokagourmet.wordpress.com/2009/08/02/okonomiyaki-hiroshima-style/ I'm tempted to try and make it at home .. haha!! A bit relevant to OP's blog: anybody have any suggestions in where to go/visit in the kansai region? (Mainly Kyoto/Osaka). First time going to japan and wanted to go for like a few years!! but peopel kept on bailing out on me.
You have no idea!
You can get okonomiyaki anywhere but only in Hiroshima do they make it into a stack. Elsewhere they chop it up into a big mushy thing. The most awesome thing is that in someplaces you don't get a plate, instead the hotplate extends around the restaurant like a sizzling bar/bench. When it is ready they just slide it infront of you and away you go.
Goddamn heaven!
PS thanks for the link, I might try it myself 
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I'm estimating to spend about $4000 AUD there (which is about 296,000 Y or so)
We're staying for 2 weeks - mainly going to be in Kyoto to visit the shrines/temples during New Years and then all the other temples around there.
Girlfriend wants to wear a Kimono during New Year's celebration.
We're kinda interested in seeing most things really. We're going to be doing some cooking lessons in how to create some sort of dessert. haha.
Cheers for your input though!!
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51622 Posts
wait, 4k not including flight? that's a shitbton haha.
for reference I'm sort of considering going to korea during the xmas/new year period for two weeks and I'm budgeting a max of 3k including flight heh.
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This is not related to Osaka, but it's the right time so I figured I'd let you know. The Saijo sake festival is happening on the 8th and 9th of October in a Hiroshima suburb. I went last year and it was amazing. Flat fee at the door to get a little sake cup, and then you chill all day in a park with tents containing sake from all over Japan. Back in the states I thought I didn't like sake, but there's a lot of variation and I came right around. By the evening, the sobriety level in the park is at a dangerous low and anything could happen. Last year we were able to cap the night by partying for a few more hours in Hiroshima, which is always a ball.
Anyways, I'll be heading up to Hiroshima on Friday. Loads of folks I know will be coming from all over western Japan. If this sounds like your cup of tea, or sake, you're welcome to join. Shoot me a PM.
EDIT:
On September 29 2011 15:54 Probulous wrote:
You can get okonomiyaki anywhere but only in Hiroshima do they make it into a stack. Elsewhere they chop it up into a big mushy thing. The most awesome thing is that in someplaces you don't get a plate, instead the hotplate extends around the restaurant like a sizzling bar/bench. When it is ready they just slide it infront of you and away you go.
Goddamn heaven!
Hells yeah. Comparing Hiroshima okonomiyaki to other okonomiyaki is like comparing a cheeseburger to a McDonalds cheeseburger.
My heart is still in Hiroshima <3...
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Osaka27174 Posts
I am much less help if you are going to be staying in Kyoto. I think wikitravel will have you covered for all the major temple stuff there. In Kyoto there are numerous (really, tons) of places where your girlfriend can get dressed in a kimono by an expert and then leave the store to walk around. She can go all the way and be painted as a maiko too if she wants.
If you have a desire to come to southern Osaka, or even into Wakayama, I can suggest some cool day trips that aren't on the travel guide.
Otherwise I will suggest this place between Osaka and Kyoto for a great room / balcony bath if you are in the mood to spoil yourselves: http://www.fushioukaku.co.jp/english/index.html
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On September 29 2011 16:13 Manifesto7 wrote:I am much less help if you are going to be staying in Kyoto. I think wikitravel will have you covered for all the major temple stuff there. In Kyoto there are numerous (really, tons) of places where your girlfriend can get dressed in a kimono by an expert and then leave the store to walk around. She can go all the way and be painted as a maiko too if she wants. If you have a desire to come to southern Osaka, or even into Wakayama, I can suggest some cool day trips that aren't on the travel guide. Otherwise I will suggest this place between Osaka and Kyoto for a great room / balcony bath if you are in the mood to spoil yourselves: http://www.fushioukaku.co.jp/english/index.html
I dont think an onsen / ryokan is that fun if youre travelling by yourself. Manifesto do you know if Himeji is still close for renovation ? If not Id would go there for at least one day. Theres tons of temple etc to watch in Kyoto. Spend 3-4 days travelling around watching them if youre interested.
If you have time visit Osaka castle. Its just a huge replica so I wouldnt be too sad if I missed it tho.
Last time I was in Osaka I went to this government tower that had a huge obeservation floor at the top. It was pretty cool and you could see all the way to Kobe. That being said, Kobe is also pretty close so I would suggest taking the train to Sannomiya and have a dinner and go with to some bar with the mafia. 
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Osaka27174 Posts
On September 29 2011 16:37 Robinsa wrote:Show nested quote +On September 29 2011 16:13 Manifesto7 wrote:I am much less help if you are going to be staying in Kyoto. I think wikitravel will have you covered for all the major temple stuff there. In Kyoto there are numerous (really, tons) of places where your girlfriend can get dressed in a kimono by an expert and then leave the store to walk around. She can go all the way and be painted as a maiko too if she wants. If you have a desire to come to southern Osaka, or even into Wakayama, I can suggest some cool day trips that aren't on the travel guide. Otherwise I will suggest this place between Osaka and Kyoto for a great room / balcony bath if you are in the mood to spoil yourselves: http://www.fushioukaku.co.jp/english/index.html I dont think an onsen / ryokan is that fun if youre travelling by yourself. Manifesto do you know if Himeji is still close for renovation ? If not Id would go there for at least one day. Theres tons of temple etc to watch in Kyoto. Spend 3-4 days travelling around watching them if youre interested. If you have time visit Osaka castle. Its just a huge replica so I wouldnt be too sad if I missed it tho. Last time I was in Osaka I went to this government tower that had a huge obeservation floor at the top. It was pretty cool and you could see all the way to Kobe. That being said, Kobe is also pretty close so I would suggest taking the train to Sannomiya and have a dinner and go with to some bar with the mafia.
Oh I was directing that at the second guy who said he was going with his girlfriend. Yeah, don't go to the ryokan by yourself haha.
I don't know about Himeji right now. I liked Osaka castle myself, even if it was a replica. That being said, I really Wakayama castle, and even Kishiwada castle is super nice for a small one. Both of those are south of Osaka.
I don't know anything about Kobe sadly. I usually just travel by there when I go to Awaji-island for cycling. To be honest, I find one big city to be like any other. I would always suggest that people find a more rural spot.
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I'm pretty sure Himeji Castle will be closed for at least a few more years.
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On September 29 2011 16:41 Manifesto7 wrote:Show nested quote +On September 29 2011 16:37 Robinsa wrote:On September 29 2011 16:13 Manifesto7 wrote:I am much less help if you are going to be staying in Kyoto. I think wikitravel will have you covered for all the major temple stuff there. In Kyoto there are numerous (really, tons) of places where your girlfriend can get dressed in a kimono by an expert and then leave the store to walk around. She can go all the way and be painted as a maiko too if she wants. If you have a desire to come to southern Osaka, or even into Wakayama, I can suggest some cool day trips that aren't on the travel guide. Otherwise I will suggest this place between Osaka and Kyoto for a great room / balcony bath if you are in the mood to spoil yourselves: http://www.fushioukaku.co.jp/english/index.html I dont think an onsen / ryokan is that fun if youre travelling by yourself. Manifesto do you know if Himeji is still close for renovation ? If not Id would go there for at least one day. Theres tons of temple etc to watch in Kyoto. Spend 3-4 days travelling around watching them if youre interested. If you have time visit Osaka castle. Its just a huge replica so I wouldnt be too sad if I missed it tho. Last time I was in Osaka I went to this government tower that had a huge obeservation floor at the top. It was pretty cool and you could see all the way to Kobe. That being said, Kobe is also pretty close so I would suggest taking the train to Sannomiya and have a dinner and go with to some bar with the mafia. Oh I was directing that at the second guy who said he was going with his girlfriend. Yeah, don't go to the ryokan by yourself haha. I don't know about Himeji right now. I liked Osaka castle myself, even if it was a replica. That being said, I really Wakayama castle, and even Kishiwada castle is super nice for a small one. Both of those are south of Osaka. I don't know anything about Kobe sadly. I usually just travel by there when I go to Awaji-island for cycling. To be honest, I find one big city to be like any other. I would always suggest that people find a more rural spot.
Haha My bad. Guess I missunderstood.
I went to Kobe after 3/11 for two weeks and I found that sannomiya was a quite lively place night time. If you like bars and so on I think theres plenty of hem there. I didnt go myself though. I just kept getting harrased by the girls in small skirts going "Girlsba- doudesuka ? "
Himeji was closed when I went but I kept getting told by the people that I live with that its the best castle in Japan to visist. If its open Id go there. Its been renovated for like 2 years so chances are theyre not done.
The aquarium in Osaka was pretty cool as well but I guess those can be visited anywhere in the world.
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just came back from japan holiday. himeji is still closed. kyoto - one or two days is enough, get the city bus pass, value for money. I recommend jnto website go check it out. osaka city is very lifely, tons of food and shopping at namba area. Osaka castle is cool, if u are into histoy and know japanese. I found some pubs area near osaka stations Kobe city has somr mountain where u could go. With ryokan etc...
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I'm going to be staying near Umeda station I think, it's not super far from the embassy and the location looks like I can get to places nearby!
I'm planning to bring about 600,000KRW after flights+hotel, (about Y40,000 according to xe) but I'm happy not to do lavish things while I'm there, I definitely want to check out the city and see what Osaka is all about.
I might not need to be there the full 10 days, it sort of depends on how fast my visa comes through, but 10 is probably a safe bet!
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Osaka27174 Posts
Osaka on 4000 yen a day? Obviously that doesn't include accommodation. That isn't a lot regardless if you plan to move around very much.
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10 days is assuming everything goes wrong, It's probably going to be closer to 8000 a day but yeh I'm on a bit of a budget! Didn't expect to be going there
I'll be there from Monday, so if anyone wants to hang out for a night let me know! : )
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EPT
