3 Days in Kyoto and Osaka
Kyoto, a city steeped in history and tradition, holds a special place in my heart. It was where I attended college, and every visit fills me with nostalgic memories. This time, I had the pleasure of exploring the beautiful city with my kids including another popular city, Osaka right next to Kyoto, searching for kid-friendly spots that would captivate their young hearts. Join me on this enjoyable journey as we stroll through the world-famous towns.
ITINERARY
Day 1 - Arriving Kyoto from Tokyo
Day 2 - Tsutenkaku Tower, Osaka
Day 3 - Arashiyama & Train Museum, Kyoto
Day One in Kyoto : After a comfortable and scenic two-hour journey on the Shinkansen, high-speed bullet train from Tokyo, we arrived in Kyoto. The Japan Rail Pass made our travel convenient, offering a variety of Shinkansen options. Don't forget to grab an Ekiben, a delicious bento box sold at train stations, to enjoy a snack on the train.
Our accommodation for this trip was the Agora Kyoto, located in the Karasuma Shijo district. After checking in, which took us a there in less than 10 minutes by subway (Karasuma Line) after getting off Shinkansen and transferred in Kyoto station, we set out to explore the lively Kawaramachi area. This bustling neighborhood used to be my go-to spot for hanging out with friends during my college days. We took a moment to rest at a cozy café, IOLITE and later enjoyed a delicious bowl of ramen at Kibaru on Shijo street for dinner while browsing the charming streets.
Day Two in Osaka : We embarked on a short journey from Kyoto to Tsutenkaku Tower in Osaka, anticipating a reunion with a dear friend. Tsutenkaku, a renowned landmark nestled in the southern part of Osaka. To reach this iconic tower, we chose to take the Limited Express train of the Hankyu Kyoto-Osaka Line, departing from Kawaramachi, Kyoto and arriving at Umeda, Osaka. The comfortable journey lasted approximately 45 minutes. From there, we seamlessly transferred to the JR loop line at Osaka Station and alighted at Shin-Imamiya Station, just a brief 5-minute walk away from Tsutenkaku Tower.
Tsutenkaku Tower itself is an inspiring structure, soaring to a height of 103 meters (338 feet). As we ascended the tower, we discovered an array of delightful attractions and amenities. The tower houses charming souvenir shops, a tranquil garden, an exhilarating "Tower Slider" for thrill-seekers, and observation decks on the 4th and 5th floors that offer panoramic views of the bustling Osaka cityscape. We purchased tickets for 900 yen per person, granting us access to the observation decks via a swift elevator ride.
The surrounding area, known as Shinsekai, exudes a vibrant and lively atmosphere, with affordable restaurants, souvenir shops, and amusement establishments. One of the highlights of our visit was encountering the Biliken-San statue, a beloved symbol of the area. It is believed that rubbing the feet of this statue brings good luck. Try Kushikatsu, a popular dish in the region if you have a chance.
Jan-Jan Yokocho is a shopping arcade nestled in the heart of Shinsekai. To my children's delight, the arcade featured a plethora of Gacha-Gacha toy vending machines. These machines dispense capsule toys, adding an element of surprise and excitement. My kids enthusiastically inserted coins, twisted the handle, and reveled in the thrill of discovering the contents of each capsule.
For those traveling with children, Tennoji Zoo and the Ten-Shiba area within Tennoji Park also offer fantastic amusement and leisure as well.
Day Three in Kyoto: We began our day with a delightful breakfast buffet at the hotel next to us, Mitsui Garden Hotel. Although we were not staying there, we were able to walk in the hotel in the morning, and purchased the breakfast tickets at the front desk. Japanese breakfast buffet offer varieties of dishes included Japanese style, western style, and kid-friendly dishes. And I highly recommend to try one of the hotel breakfast buffet experiences while visiting Japan.
Now, our first stop was Shijo Omiya station, where we caught a tram to Arashiyama. To avoid the crowds, we made an early morning visit to this picturesque area. As we strolled through the bamboo forest which took us about 20-30 minutes, alongside the tranquil Katsura River, and crossed the iconic Togetsukyo bridge, we marveled at the serene beauty of nature. To enhance the experience, we treated ourselves to a cup of coffee from Arabica Coffee (kids got lemonade). There are souvenir shops and restaurants by the Arashiyama station you would also spend a good amount of time to enjoy. Another unique experience would be the free foot bath on the platform at the station while waiting for your train, or just relaxing and seeing the Kimono forest by there.
After the stroll, we headed to the Kyoto Railway Museum. You would be able to use the subway to get there, but since it started sprinkling, we headed back to Shijo Omiya by the tram, then took a taxi from there. It takes less than 10 minutes. This museum is a paradise for train enthusiasts of all ages. Here, we immersed ourselves in the rich history of Japanese railways, marveling at the impressive collection of locomotives and interactive exhibits. A dining area is inside of the building where you can watch the trains coming in and out included Shinkansen from the window since this museum is right next to the Kyoto station. Today my kids still talk about this memorable experience.
For dinner, our friends took us to an Okonomiyaki restaurant called Ikkakuju, where we were introduced to the delightful Yuba Okonomiyaki. This savory pancake, made with Yuba, thin tofu skin, was a unique culinary delight that perfectly captured the essence of Kyoto's culinary scene.
Kyoto, with its timeless beauty and nostalgic charm, never fails to captivate visitors. This trip, filled with cherished memories and new discoveries, was a joyous family adventure. From revisiting familiar spots to exploring new destinations, we experienced the best of Kyoto's cultural richness. As I bid farewell to this beloved city once again, I carry with me the promise of returning, knowing that the allure of Kyoto will forever beckon me back to its enchanting streets.
