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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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Osaka27139 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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Osaka27139 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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51415 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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Osaka27139 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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Osaka27139 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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Osaka27139 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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Just remember that Japan is way more expensive than Korea. A regular cheap meal will cost you a 1000 yen. The cheapest hotel youll find will proboably cost you at least 4-5000 a night.
You can find lots of hotels on rakuten. I dont know which ones are good and not. Maybe Manifesto or someone else from Osaka know more.
http://travel.rakuten.com/hotel/asia/japan/osaka/shi.html
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On September 29 2011 18:33 ShloobeR wrote:
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!
40,000 JPY is not a lot of money, even if you only stay for 5 days.
Public transportation is convenient but not cheap. I recall buying day passes while in Osaka (not sure whether it was for trains or subway), so look into that if you plan on taking the train a lot on certain days.
Umeda is pretty much central Osaka, and there's lots to do around that region. I recall there being a building where you can go up and see the city, and I definitely recommend it.
Namba is pretty close to Umeda, and inside Namba, there's a street called Dotonbori (道頓堀), where they sell a lot of food. Some recommended shops:
1. takoyaki shop with a huge octopus on top of their door
2. grill crab shop with a HUGE crab on top of their door
3. egg tart shop (I think there is only one)
Basically, if there is a huge line outside of a shop, you should line up to and try it out.
Osaka is really known for Okonomiyaki (Osaka-style) and Takoyaki, so eat them if you have a chance. Additionally, ramen can be good; look for lines.
Osaka castle is slightly out of the way, but it should still be easy to get to. If you have a lot of time, check out Amano-hashi-date, it's one of Japan's three most scenic views. It's quite far from the city, and not so convenient to get there, but I think it's worth a visit.
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I've lived in Osaka for the past three years. I know a lot of people have summed it up pretty well, but here are a few things you'll want to consider.
1.) Not staying in a regular hotel, but a business hotel.
Business hotels can be about 3,000 yen/night. This would include your own private room. For a regular hotel, just about the cheapest in Osaka is the APA Hotel, which will run you about 10,000 yen/night for two people. I often used this hotel when I would come to Osaka on weekends to see my girlfriend (when I was living in Tokyo), as it was a decent place to stay.
Don't bother staying in a love hotel. They're expensive and the machine at the front door always demands more money than was listed when you checked in.
2.) Moving around.
Kansai is a great place to travel because after an hour on the train, you can be in a completely different place. Here are some must see sights:
*Nara, especially Todaiji temple and Nara park. Nara is a great place to spend one day, but I wouldn't go there for more than one day.
*Kyoto, especially Kinkakuji and Kiyomizudera. Kinkakuji is a temple made of gold, and Kiyomizudera is absolutely beautiful in autumn. JUST GO ON A WEEKDAY; NEVER A WEEKEND. You can easily spend 2 weeks sightseeing in Kyoto alone.
*Kobe, especially Kobe Harborland. Great place to take your girlfriend, as it has some nice restaurants and scenery. There's also a China Town in Kobe and a great night view that is accessible by cable car.
*Osaka, of course. The only thing is that while Osaka may be a big busy place, there is very little to actually do here ... the three big places are Umeda (Osaka station area), Namba/Shinsaibashi (accessible VIA the Midousuji subway line), and Tennoji (again, Midousuji line). Osaka castle is also a pretty fun place to go; it's extremely popular during the cherry blossom season. But, again, Osaka is all about eating, shopping, and clubbing...
*Skip Wakayama.
*Skip Shiga.
3.) Eating.
The Osaka foods are okonomiyaki and takoyaki. Japanese style pasta is also pretty fun, and I'm sure you're going to eat plenty of ramen while you're here. Omelet rice is another one of my favorites.
You're from Korea so I'm pretty sure you won't care for the Korean BBQ places or the tonkatsu places, but you may enjoy those.
If you have any more specific questions go ahead and PM me. Hope you have a great time!
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Calgary25977 Posts
My advice:
Don't go into the girls-only car on the subway by accident. It's extremely awkward.
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Osaka27139 Posts
On September 29 2011 22:07 RosaParksStoleMySeat wrote:
*Skip Wakayama.
Boo. Wakayama is awesome! There are a lot of cool places you can go.
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On September 30 2011 04:17 Chill wrote:
My advice:
Don't go into the girls-only car on the subway by accident. It's extremely awkward.
Lol you too!
I had my Sri Lankan mate with me which made people stare even more
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Ok finally finished my booking at the place, it's like a youth hostel kind of thing but it looks more like a Korean 고시원 on the inside, (1500Y / night!) that would suck except I live in a gosiwon now as i write this so I probably won't notice! But the location seems really good (10 minutes from Umeda station)
Thanks for the comments guys, some really cool ideas here, unfortunately I don't think I have the budget to travel outside of Osaka (as Mani pointed out it's not a lot of money) But I'm happy to spend 5 days going around the city itself!
Especially looking forward to trying that Okonomiyaki : )
And I had NO idea that japan has a girl only subway carriage that is AWESOME (except I can imagine WHY they have one which is less awesome)
Invitation still out there! If you're around let me buy you a beer one night!
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What is a girls only car? Part of the subway just for girls?
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Osaka27139 Posts
Give me a PM when you arrive. You can't afford to buy me a beer, but you might be able to afford to come to me and I will take care of you. 
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