Monday, April 7, 2014

Osaka, Kyoto, Nara & Kobe Trip Itinerary

Click here to read ALL my Japan posts.

Hello everyone! We are back from our 11-day vacation from Japan. I can't wait to share all my trip kwentos and photos with you. Because you all know how I love to DIY, this trip was of course not an exception... shempre kailangan DIY din ang itinerary! Teeheehee! The trip had a relatively relaxed pace because we did an independent tour. We do not particularly enjoy tour groups the few times we joined. We do not like that the tour schedule is always too packed and we do not have the opportunity to really get to know the place.

When the husband and I agreed that we will travel to Japan, we knew we would enjoy doing an independent tour.  C wanted to explore the Kansai region thoroughly, so we just stuck to Osaka, Kyoto, Nara and Kobe.  I wanted to take the Shinkansen to Tokyo, but C could not be swayed.  Tokyo will be done on a separate trip in the future, then. :)

I asked the kids and hubby what places they wanted to visit, and I was also able to tailor-fit the pace of our trip just right for my family.  The kids and I researched about the sights which were of interest to us and I made our itinerary based on it.  Meanwhile C did the research about how to navigate and what train and subway to take.  I will share with you in a later post what sites and apps we used to plan for our trip.

Traveling to a country where English is not spoken as much is really no trouble if a thorough research was done prior to the trip. Although there were quite a number who could easily converse with us in English, we also encountered a few who could not really understand us.

During the early stages of planning, one of the few things I requested from C is that we time our trip during the cherry blossom season.  I wanted the kids to see the cherry blossoms!  And I also wanted to take them to a hanami picnic.  In my early teens, I spent some time in Japan as a foreign exchange student, and I remember enjoying the cherry blossom season so much.  I used this cherry blossom forecast to guide me.
Hanami Picnic at the Osaka Castle grounds
It took me several days to research for our trip as I only had a few hours in the morning to devote to that.  In between, mommy and home-making duties call. I found it challenging initially since I had to take in consideration the geographical location of each attraction so I could group them together in one day.  I am not really good with remembering locations so it was an arduous task at the beginning.

After days of research, I was finally able to draw up our working itinerary, which I am going to share with you below. It is quite extensive since I also included a short write-up about the place since there are no tour guide to tell us about the attractions.  The two younger ones are very inquisitive, and it's best that I have some quick answers about the place, in the event they ask.  Although prior to the trip, I had also asked each of them to research about the places we were going to visit and write a short description in their travel journals.

We all know that there are variations and changes that come up last minute, but we were able to generally stick by it, with a few minor changes here and there.  Obviously, the time written on the itinerary were not observed. Our hotel beds were so comfy that it took maximum will-power to get out of bed. teeheehee! But it really helped that we had a solid itinerary to guide us. It provided some structure, time-wise, otherwise the trip would've gotten too relaxed and easy with everyone tempted to wake up at any time they wanted.

In case anyone of you is traveling with older kids for an extended length of time in the Kansai region of Japan, then I hope my itinerary would be of help to you when you plan for your own trip.


 












I will be posting more about our trip in the following days, but in the meantime, time for this mama to go to the grocery to replenish our pantry.:)


I've updated this post to provide a link to ALL MY JAPAN POSTS!


For ALL my Japan posts:

1. http://thephenomenalmama.blogspot.com/2014/03/phenomenal-tip-my-10-step-guide-on-how.html
2. http://thephenomenalmama.blogspot.com/2014/04/japan-2014-osaka-kyoto-nara-kobe-trip.html
3. http://thephenomenalmama.blogspot.com/2014/04/japan-2014-websites-and-apps-to-help.html



4. http://thephenomenalmama.blogspot.com/2014/04/japan-2014-snippets-of-our-vacation.html
5. http://thephenomenalmama.blogspot.com/2014/04/japan-2014-where-to-stay-in-osaka.html
6. http://thephenomenalmama.blogspot.com/2014/04/japan-2014-where-to-stay-in-osaka_25.html



7. http://thephenomenalmama.blogspot.com/2014/04/japan-2014-how-to-get-around-kansai-how.html
8. http://thephenomenalmama.blogspot.com/2014/05/japan-2014-day-1-arrival-at-osaka.html
9. http://thephenomenalmama.blogspot.com/2014/05/japan-2014-day-2-universal-studios-japan.html



10. http://thephenomenalmama.blogspot.com/2014/05/japan-2014-day-2-ippudo-ramen-osaka.html
11. http://thephenomenalmama.blogspot.com/2014/05/japan-2014-day-3-eastern-kyoto.html
12. http://thephenomenalmama.blogspot.com/2014/05/japan-2014-day-3-eastern-kyoto_16.html



13. http://thephenomenalmama.blogspot.com/2014/05/japan-2014-day-3-eastern-kyoto-kodaiji.html
14. http://thephenomenalmama.blogspot.com/2014/07/japan-2014-day-4-western-kyoto.html
15. http://thephenomenalmama.blogspot.com/2014/07/japan-2014-day-4-western-kyoto-kinkakuji.html



16. http://thephenomenalmama.blogspot.com/2014/11/japan-2014-day-5-downtown-kyoto-nishiki.html
17. http://thephenomenalmama.blogspot.com/2014/12/japan-2014-day-5-southern-kyoto-fushimi.html
18. http://thephenomenalmama.blogspot.com/2015/01/japan-2014-day-5-nara-nara-deer-park.html



19. http://thephenomenalmama.blogspot.com/2015/01/japan-2014-day-6-osaka-kuromon-ichiba.html
20. http://thephenomenalmama.blogspot.com/2015/01/japan-2014-day-6-osaka-tempozan-harbor.html
21. http://thephenomenalmama.blogspot.com/2015/01/japan-2014-day-7-osaka-shinsaibashi.html



22. http://thephenomenalmama.blogspot.com/2015/01/japan-2014-day-8-kobe-kitano-district.html
23. http://thephenomenalmama.blogspot.com/2015/01/japan-2014-day-8-kobe-kobe-steak-lunch.html
24. http://thephenomenalmama.blogspot.com/2015/01/japan-2014-day-8-kobe-meriken-park.html



25. http://thephenomenalmama.blogspot.com/2015/01/japan-2014-day-9-osaka-hanami-picnic-at.html
26. http://thephenomenalmama.blogspot.com/2015/02/japan-2014-day-9-osaka-doguyasuji.html
27. http://thephenomenalmama.blogspot.com/2015/03/japan-2014-day-9-osaka-osaka-castle.html



28. http://thephenomenalmama.blogspot.com/2015/04/japan-2014-day-10-osaka-osaka-museum-of.html
29. http://thephenomenalmama.blogspot.com/2015/04/japan-2014-drainspotting-in-japan-art.html
30. http://thephenomenalmama.blogspot.com/2015/04/japan-2014-ways-to-save-so-you-can.html

 Click here to read ALL my Japan posts.



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32 comments :

  1. Mom-FridayApril 7, 2014 at 11:06 PM

    OMG! This is so organized! I will definitely go back to your itinerary when we can tour Japan in the future.
    It's good that your kids are bigger na and can really help with the planning, and that you can all wake up at 7:30 on a vacation!!! hahahaha...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Phenomenal MamaApril 10, 2014 at 2:44 PM

      hahaha! Michelle, fail on the waking up at 7:30 part. dapat 9 nasa Kyoto na kami, ang nangyari 9 pa lang kami pa-alis ng hotel at 11 na kami nakarating ng Kyoto. But no stress for me kase no other tourmates or tour guiude to think about.:)

      Delete
  2. MrsMartinez | xoxoMrsMartinez.comApril 8, 2014 at 8:55 AM

    Oh my! This is a detailed entry! I love it! We were not able to go to Nara from Kyoto due to time constraints but we enjoyed every place that we visited in Japan. Hopefully, we can visit Tokyo soon!

    xoxo
    MrsMartinez

    ReplyDelete
  3. Patty B.April 8, 2014 at 9:19 AM

    Bravo, Tina!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Phenomenal MamaApril 10, 2014 at 2:52 PM

      Thanks for visiting, Patty! Hope all is well for you. See you soon!

      Delete
  4. UnknownApril 8, 2014 at 5:10 PM

    Bookmarked!!!! A trip to Japan is in my bucket list and this would be very helpful. Hopefully next year we can visit the Cherry Blossoms :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Phenomenal MamaApril 10, 2014 at 2:56 PM

      I shared it in the hope that other people would also benefit from it. :) Make sure to do a hanami picnic! Twas so much fun for the kids!:)

      Delete
  5. The Sunset GoddessApril 9, 2014 at 11:18 PM

    Hi Tina! It's been a while. Just dropping by for a quick hello. The itinerary is so lovely and informative :)
    xoxo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Phenomenal MamaApril 10, 2014 at 2:50 PM

      Hi Judy! Welcome back to blogging! Post more often, I miss reading updates from you.:)

      Delete
  6. DidiApril 10, 2014 at 1:07 PM

    Tina, you are a supermom!! I am in awe of the details!
    I think I'll just use your IT nalang!

    Thank you sooooo much!!!

    Love, Didi

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Phenomenal MamaApril 10, 2014 at 2:58 PM

      Hi Didi! Yes, kid-friendly ang IT na to.:) and even if we actually left the hotel at 9 am, abot pa naman sa schedule.:)

      Delete
  7. sherylJuly 18, 2014 at 6:24 PM

    I chanced upon your blog while doing a research for my Japan trip by April 2015 (cherry blossoms!). I know it's kinda' early but I would really like to make most out of the trip therefore the extensive research. Your IT rocks but then I'm a budget traveler so my stay in Japan would only be for 6 days. I hope you get to suggest what would fill up the 6 days. Osaka (USS included), Kyoto and Nara are the places of interests. Thank you so much and more power to you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Phenomenal MamaJuly 19, 2014 at 2:05 PM

      Hi Sheryl! Thanks for dropping by!:) You are doing the right thing by planning for your trip early. Hotel bookings are quite expensive that season, are usually booked months in advanced. Depends what kind of traveler you are. # days in Kyoto wasn't enough for me because I want the kids to experience the place like a local so we tend to linger to soak up the surroundings and scenery. But my husband wanted more of Osaka because he is into food and the lively nightlife of Shinsabaishi and Dotonbori. Feel free to read through all my Japan posts and come back as I will keep on posting and updating my Japan series. You can readl all my Japan posts here: http://thephenomenalmama.blogspot.com/search/label/Japan

      Delete
    2. Phenomenal MamaJuly 19, 2014 at 2:06 PM

      I meant 3 days in Kyoto

      Delete
  8. jieyiAugust 28, 2014 at 5:31 PM

    do you mind to share the itinerary file with me? thx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Phenomenal MamaOctober 6, 2014 at 11:05 AM

      Hi Jieyi! Can't seem to locate my file. I hope the itenirary I've shared above can help you plan your trip.:)

      Delete
  9. DYLASeptember 30, 2014 at 8:20 AM

    Dear Phenomenal Mama

    Would u mind to share this itinerary with me. As I will be travelling w my Todd and 8yo and cant figure out where do we start.

    Much thanks!
    Dyla chicmommainc@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Phenomenal MamaOctober 6, 2014 at 11:06 AM

      Hi Dyla! Sorry can't locate the file anymore. Hopefully, you can still use the itinerary I shared as you plan your trip. Feel free to look through my other Japan post to help you as you plan.

      Delete
    2. DYLAOctober 9, 2014 at 9:47 AM

      No worried, I copied it from here. Need to get familiar with the names. I am lost before I'm there..grrr!

      Thanks for the blog, very informative and detailed :)

      Delete
  10. JJSeptember 30, 2014 at 7:02 PM

    Hi, I have also a planned trip to Japan April 2015, just would lke to know if it is convenient to stay in one hotel in Osaka like you did then just travel back and forth to Kyoto. And what hotel you stayed in Osaka and where to book? Your blog was really helpful as i am planning everything ahead to prepare for my budget. Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Phenomenal MamaOctober 6, 2014 at 11:03 AM

      Hi JJ! You can check out my post on Fraser Residences and Toyoko Inn.

      http://thephenomenalmama.blogspot.com/2014/04/japan-2014-where-to-stay-in-osaka_25.html
      http://thephenomenalmama.blogspot.com/2014/04/japan-2014-where-to-stay-in-osaka.html

      Delete
  11. O_OOctober 30, 2014 at 11:23 PM

    Hi there phenomenal mama!

    I was browsing through the interwebs and stumbled upon your neat website. Many compliments and a huge thank you/Kudos to you on sharing your itinerary. Really detailed and well thought out trip!

    I have a few questions for you though, which I hope you don't mind answering *fingers crossed*. I'll be visiting mid April 2015 ( I understand that it is still far from now haha but would just like to plan well in advance ), and am wondering what kind of clothes should I bring and would like to know your first-hand experience. I've read other sources online that it may fluctuate but I'd just like to know the minimum essentials, and I have this slightly thick winter coat, would that be too much to wear ?

    Thank you in advance! Cheers =)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Phenomenal MamaOctober 31, 2014 at 11:39 AM

      Thank you for visiting the blog! My daughter actually brought a winter coat, but she wasn't able to use it. It's not that cold during the day, but it does get colder towards the night. No use of carrying a thick winter coat all day just to use it at night. Better to just add layers, so it's easier to put on and take off. I get cold easily so I think I wore a long-sleeved thermal, long sleeved button down, a blazer and scarf. But my kids did fine with just two layers of clothing. Visit yahoo weather a few weeks before leaving to look at the forecast to be safe!

      It's rainy though, so better bring handy umbrellas so you can still walk about even if its raining. We brought umbrellas with us, but we still bought umbrellas in Japan because the Japanese umbrellas were so lightweight, and super cheap also at Php250 each.

      Happy Planning! I am excited for you!

      Delete
  12. UnknownNovember 7, 2014 at 1:55 PM

    Have you guys heard about harry potter park in japan? is this true?

    http://www.supermorgy.com/2014/09/harry-potter-park-in-japan.html

    ReplyDelete
  13. AnonymousNovember 17, 2014 at 3:32 PM

    Wow, this is so detailed of an itenerary. We plan to go to Osaka /Kyoto area this coming April and I will definitely revisit your blog. Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  14. UnknownNovember 25, 2014 at 2:33 PM

    Dear phenomena mama,
    Your shared blog very interesting. May you share you much you spend for whole trip?

    ReplyDelete
  15. UnknownNovember 25, 2014 at 4:03 PM

    Dear Phenomena,

    If we plan to go on end Nov & early Dec is it weather is ok?

    ReplyDelete
  16. UnknownNovember 28, 2014 at 8:08 AM

    I love your itinerary! I am also the designated navigator everytime we travel- and i based it all on research. We have the same style of planning and itinerary drafting :) its good to really diy so you can choose where you want to go. The only difference sa atin is si hubby ko, he lets me plan everything at sya bakasyon talaga :) he justs ask for the itinerary the week before the trip. Thanks for sharing your experience :)

    ReplyDelete
  17. AnonymousNovember 28, 2014 at 9:51 AM

    I love your blogs! thanks for sharing. I hope someday we would be able to do this :-)

    ReplyDelete
  18. SadeMarch 2, 2015 at 5:43 PM

    Wow, your article is very detail,. Japan is one of the most beautiful country in my mind. Read your article makee me more interesting to visit there. Thank you very much for your article, :)

    ReplyDelete
  19. UnknownJune 4, 2015 at 8:44 PM

    this is realy nice post thanks for sharing it we also offer japan tours at reasonable price.

    ReplyDelete
  20. top itinerariesJune 11, 2015 at 5:56 PM

    This is just gorgeous !*love* it all as the messages, the pictures and the quality of the writing. Thanks !

    ReplyDelete

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