Our 8-Day Family Trip to Japan

May 27, 2020

Our 8-Day Family Trip to Japan

We've always been in love with Japan, (South) Korea, and China. As for me, I have always loved Asian countries - because of the beautiful sceneries, rich centuries-old culture, flavourful food, and hospitality - though I am a bit bias about saying this - it's probably that I feel more welcome or it's easier for me to adjust in Asia because I am a Filipino.

The thing is, living in the Middle East makes it more difficult for us to travel to East Asia because of the very long flight which means also that airfare is more costly compared with if we flew to nearby Europe instead.

Osaka at night

Japan is a top family favorite. Everyone would vote for it. For a Filipino, it is easier to fly to Manila first, then to Osaka, instead of flying directly from Dammam or Dubai.

Getting a Visa is also easier in Manila, and if you're lucky, the embassy can be very generous to you and give you multiple exit and re-entry Visa. This procedure is more like a third world issue, I know. If you have a powerful passport, you don't even need to go through this tedious process of getting one. Thanks to our friend Lendi and Endless Weekends (FB: @endleswkends) for helping us process our Visa on urgent-urgent basis.

Glico billboard at Dotonbori Bridge

Our Japan trip almost did not happen because I was scheduled for my Lasik treatment after two days upon arriving in Manila. We met with Lendi the day after my Lasik, with the side of my eyes still hurting a bit. I look drugged. And oh, it's so bright! Everything is so clear and bright, it's painfully glaring!

Lendi took our documents and immediately worked on our Visa. A few days later - voila! We received our Visas!

We left for Japan on August 1st via AirAsia (Manila to Osaka). We chose Osaka as our port of entry because the airfare is cheaper than Tokyo.

Naya with Tito Jo

Our flight was in the morning so that means we can already start exploring on our flight day.

Before leaving Kansai International Airport (Osaka Airport), we availed a pocket Wi-Fi router to keep us connected and find places easily in the internet and chat with hotels, etc.

We also exchanged our JR Pass vouchers in a kiosk (ATM-like) at the airport. As soon as we got our tickets, we took the train to Osaka.

If you are traveling to Japan, it is advisable to get JR Pass (Japan Rail) before your flight to Japan as it is cheaper outside. It is used for you to travel around Japan easily. There are different kinds of JR Pass - based on region, number of days, and if you intend to transfer via bullet train. Buying individual tickets anywhere in Japan is easy but comes at a high cost. We only had a few days so we planned for Osaka and Tokyo only. We took the JR Pass that allows us to travel within Osaka, Kobi, Nara, Kyoto and Tokyo, including an unlimited Tokyo-Osaka bullet train pass.

So, we're now in Osaka. Our hotel was a walking distance from JR-Namba Station, and therefore, walking distance to Namba and Shinsaibashi shopping arcades, and of course, the top tourist spot in Osaka - Dotonbori.

Dotonbori Canal

We met with Jo, my brother-in-law, where the iconic Glico billboard is. Together we snaked (or more like moused) the very crowded and happy labyrinth that is Osaka. We searched for food, souvenirs, interesting stuffs - which are all not very difficult to find - they're everywhere!

Namba is my kind of place in Osaka.

We also stayed in Umeda - the upper class side of Osaka (with shops like LV, Gucci, etc.) - before we left for Manila. It's more quiet, more organized, cleaner than Namba. But my vote still goes to Namba. Hotels are also bigger in Umeda. But I still like our small, homey hotel, in Namba. The hotel staff are very friendly and helpful.

Tourist Bus in Osaka painted with Anime characters

We woke up early on the second day. Why? Because it is Universal Studios Day!!! Naya and Alek are so excited. Also me, mom, Tita Rachel, and Lola (grandma), because it is also our first time. We purchased our USJ tickets in Klook.

The weather in Japan (both Osaka and Tokyo) in August is very warm and humid. Not the perfect time to go to Japan. If you can wait until fall (beautiful autumn leaves, but there will be rain showers) or spring (cherry blossoms), then travel in those months instead. If you insist, bring extra shirts, bottles of water, towel, portable fan, hat/cap, wear comfortable clothes and shoes.

Naya, Rachel and Jane, trying butter beer at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Since we already have our tickets, we skipped the ticket booths and went straight to the entrance gates.

First in the agenda is the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. It is the most visited attraction in USJ, therefore, plan to head first to HP before anything else, that is, if you're an HP fan like us.

USJ Parade

Long queues aren't so surprising, we've seen worse (talk about Disneyland).

We went to Fushimi Inari Taisha in Kyoto the following day. Just across the Fushimi Inari Station is one of the tallest torii gates I've seen. It is the entrance to the shrine, which means that, the shrine is walking distance from the train station. It's that easy to find - but not as easy to climb. My travel family gave up not even halfway to the summit (because it's a hill). I went up alone instead. It was a beautiful experience, nevertheless.

We found a small family ran restaurant nearby to eat lunch and enjoy some ramen.

USJ Entrance

After lunch, we went back to Kyoto Station and hopped into another train to Arashiyama Bamboo Forest. I love this place. Nothing much to do here but walk between bamboo trees (or grass) and just feel the cooling power of nature. The air here is much colder.

On our fourth day, we went to the legendary Nara. If in Fushimi Inari you'll see images of foxes everywhere, in Nara, you'll see deer! Real deer roaming the place! They don't attack you, they're not scary, but they'll follow you everywhere if they find out you have some food!

We came here to see the deer, the experience seems really fun when we saw it in one of Kim Dao's vlog, and to see the magnificent Todai-Ji Temple. The Great Buddha Hall in Nara was once the largest wooden temples or buildings in the world.

The climate in Nara is a bit colder than the rest of the region. Partly because of the pine trees, hills, and it's not a very busy/crowded city.

The following day, we moved to Tokyo via the Shinkansen Bullet Train. We've learned that the Japanese bullet trains are the fastest. I don't know really. It doesn't differ much from the Frecciarossa, or other high-speed trains in Europe.

Fushimi Inari Shrine

We stayed in a hotel with traditional Japanese rooms (no beds) in Shibuya. The hotel is a few minutes walk away from the crowded Shibuya shopping district. What to find in Shibuya: You already know this.

The whole day was well spent in Shibuya. The next day, we took a train to the historic Tokyo Station. The station retained much of its old external features. But the inside is very modern. It has a shopping mall at the basement where you can find Studio Ghibli and Pokemon stores.

From Tokyo Station, we took a walk to the Imperial Palace East Gardens - a sprawling Japanese garden in the middle of the modern Tokyo. It is still part of the Imperial Palace grounds and therefore it is within the moats (the water that surrounds castles) and thick, high stone walls, and gates made of giant timber (where in the world are they getting all these massive lumbers used to make temples and palaces?!).

Torii Gates at Fushimi Inari Shrine

After spending the entire morning in Chiyoda-Ku (Tokyo Station, Imperial Palace, Marunouchi Business District), we headed to Shinjuku, one of Tokyo's busiest district. It is also home to Tokyo Metropolitan Building. If you like to see Tokyo from above - for FREE - this is the place to be. The observation decks are at the 45th floors of the two towers. Unfortunately, the observation decks were closed for regular maintenance when we went. You better check the regular maintenance schedule before you go. Luckily, our trip did not end in vain. We were allowed to go up to the cafeteria floor which also offers stunning views of Tokyo. And since we are at the cafeteria - we also had some snacks!

A street in Fushimi Inari

Before the end of day, and upon returning to Shibuya, we took a bus to the famous "The Tokyo Roastery". It is one of the only six Starbucks Reserve Roasteries in the world. This is a good place for Starbucks lovers. You'll love the menu.

We returned to Osaka the following day and stayed in Umeda which I already talked about a little bit. So what are other places of interests in Umeda - huge shopping malls, restaurants, Don Quixote, and the ferris wheel on top of Hep Five building. When in Osaka, you have three options to see the city from above and all of them comes at different prices. There's the iconic Osaka Tower, the Umeda Sky Building, or simply take the ferris wheel at Hep Five which also happens to be the cheapest. You already know what I chose.

Arashiyama Bamboo Forest

Osaka's main train station is in Umeda. The good thing about this mega station is that it has a direct train to the airport. What you need to know is which other half of the train goes to the airport. I am saying this because somewhere, to our surprise, the train was disconnected (I dont know the proper term for that) with one part going to the airport, the other going somewhere else! Here's what you need to remember - follow the lines and signs on the platform before jumping into a train.

Given the chance to go back to Japan again, we'll definitely go there when the weather's a lot friendlier to Alek. We'd like to see snow-capped Mount Fuji, experience Sakura Festival, see more and eat more!

For more photos, you can check out my Instagram account or search for #teambasuelinjapan.

Thanks for reading!