Happy Holiday in Japan - Mount Koya (Koyasan)

Mout Koya (高野山, Kōyasan) is well-known for its Shingon Buddhism. Koyasan is also one of the best places to experience temple lodging (shukubo) where you can get a taste of a monk's lifestyle, eating vegetarian monk's cuisine (shojin ryori) and attending the morning prayers. It is a very different experience from the city life. Definitely worth the visit.

It is peaceful and good for a walk to all the attractions.

How to get to Mout Koya (Koyasan) from Osaka?
Koyasan can be accessed by Nankai Railways from Osaka's Namba or Shin-Imamiya Stations. Take the Nankai Koya Line from either station to the Gokurakubashi terminal station. At Gokurakubashi, transfer to the cablecar which travels up the mountain to Koyasan. The ride takes about five minutes and costs 390 yen.

Mr Teddy and I purchased the Koyasan World Heritage Ticket to save money. The beauty of this ticket is that it provides a round trip to Mount Koya by Nankai Railway, unlimited travel on buses on Mount Koya and discounted admission to selected tourist attractions on up to two consecutive days.

Koyasan World Heritage Ticket:
Regular Version (from Namba or Shin-Imamiya) - 2,860 yen
Limited Express Version (from Namba or Shin-Imamiya) - 3,400 yen

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Temple Lodging
At Koyasan, you can get to experience the temple lodging. It is an authentic Japanese style of living. You can to stay in the temple with the monk and experience their morning prayer and food. There are a lot for temple lodging available in Koyasan. We chosen  Sekisho-in as it the cheaper. We chosen the Japanese style room with private toilet.

What to see at Koyasan?
1. Koyasan Okunoin
A Japanese cemetery along a driveway of rustling woods. It is not a cemetery like what we thought. It feels peaceful actually.

2. Kongobuji Temple

Kongobuji was originally constructed in 1593 to commemorate the death of his mother. Later it was merged with a neighboring temple.

3. Pilgrimage Trails

For people who love to hike, this is a good hiking trails.

Hotels/Apartments in Osaka (Less than $100 per night)

1. Hotel Luna Sakuranomiya
Address: 1-13-4, Nakanocho, Miyakojima-ku, Osaka Castle, Osaka, Japan 534-0027
Hotel Luna Sakuranomiya has a excellent location. It is situated just 3 km from the city center. A standard room cost about USD $88.

2. Shinsaibashi Shopping Street Private Apartment

Address: Room 1003, 3 Chome−1−8, Bakurōmachi, Chūō-ku, Namba, Osaka, Japan 541-0059

A perfect location for shopping lover. Apartment is located at Shinsaibashi. A studio apartment cost about USD $94

3. La Seine Doutonbori Riverside Apartment

Address: La Seine Shinsaibashihigashi 2 Chome−2−10 Shimanouchi, Chūō-ku,, Namba, Osaka, Japan 542-0082

A one room apartment cost about USD $87

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4. Sunset Hill Private Apartment

Address: Kyowasangyo Building, 4 Chome−3−11 Ueshio, Tennoji, Osaka, Japan 543-0002

A one bedroom apartment cost about USD $94

5. Daiwa Roynet Hotel Sakai-Higashi

Address: 5-13 Shinmachi, Sakai-ku, Sakai-shi, Sakai, Osaka, Japan 590-0079

One standard room cost about USD $91

Attractions in Osaka

Osaka has a lot of nice scenic places which is worth the time to visit.

1. Osaka Castle
Osaka Castle is one of the most famous Japan's landmark. The central castle building is five stories on the outside and eight stories on the inside, and built atop a tall stone foundation to protect its occupants from attackers.

How to get there?
By Train : Osakajokoen Station – JR Loop / Osaka Business Park Station – Subway











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2. Dotonbori
Dotonbori is a large scale downtown filled with numerous shopping arcade and restaurants. A perfect place to shop and eat.

How to get there?
By Train : Namba Station – Subway Midosuji / Sennichimae / Yotsubashi Line








3. Shinsaibashi
Shinsaibashi is also another large scale downtown which filled with numerous shopping arcade. It is a premier shopping area which filled with boutiques and departmental stores.

How to get there?
By Train : Shinsaibashi Station- Subway Midosuji Line & Nagahori Line






4. Shitennoji Temple

The Shitennoji Temple is the first and therefore the oldest Buddhist Temple in Japan. It is located in the Tennoji-ku area of Osaka.

How to get there?

By Train : Shitennoji-mae Yuhigaoka Station – Subway Tanimachi Line

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5. Sumiyoshi Taisha

Sumiyoshi Taisha is one of the oldest shrine in Japan. 

How to get there?

By Train : Sumiyoshi Taisha Station on the Nankai Main Line.

6. Minoo Park 

Minoo Park is a forested valley on the outskirts of Osaka. It is a forested park with waterfall outside. 

How to get there?

By Train : Hankyu Minoo Line to Minoo Station

7. Universal Studios Japan 

Universal Studios Japan is the first theme park in Asia. There are numerous exciting rides and famous characters. 

How to get there?

By Train : Universal City Station on the JR Yumesaki Line 

7 Must Eat Food in Osaka

One of the main reason why Mr Teddy and I love Japan other than the hospitality is because of the food. For food lover like us, Japan will never disappoint us. There are so much of variety to choose. And most importantly it taste awesome.

Below are our recommendation

1. Sashimu Sushi

Sushi is so commonly found in any parts of Japan. Coming to Japan, definitely must eat the sashimi sushi. It is so fresh and sweet. It can be found everywhere. But personally, we will recommend Daiki Suisan. It is located at Dotonbori and it can be easily found.

Daiki Suisan:

Address: Japan, 〒542-0071 Osaka Prefecture, Osaka, 中央区道頓堀１丁目７−２４

2. Okonomiyaki

Okonomiyaki is a popular Osaka dish. It is a pancake containing a variety of ingredients like green onion, pork belly, octopus, squid, shrimp, vegetables, cheese etc. 

Okonomiyaki Kiji:

Address: Japan, 〒531-6001 Osaka Prefecture, Osaka, 北区大淀中１丁目１－９０

3. Takoyaki

Takoyaki is also what we will usually called Octopus Balls. It is a famous and popular snack in Osaka.

Creo-Ru Dotonbori:

Address: Japan, 〒542-0071 Osaka Prefecture, Osaka, 中央区道頓堀1-6-4

4. Kobe Beef

For all beef lover, kobe beef is a must try dishes in Japan. It is awesome. You will never get enough of it. It is more expensive than any of the dishes but it definitely worth every single cent. You will not regret. It is tender and juicy. 

Tsurugyu:

Address: 3 Chome-5-14 Kawarayamachi, Chuo Ward, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture 542-0066, Japan

5. Fugu

Fugu is Japanese word for pufferfish. It is more common in Japan. Can hardly be found in Singapore. 

Zuboraya:

Address: 1 Chome-4-16 Ebisuhonmachi, Naniwa Ward, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture 556-0013, Japan

6. Tako Tamago

It is a popular street food. A glazed baby octopus. It is inexpensive and delicious.

Kuromon market:

Address: Japan, 〒542-0073 Osaka Prefecture, Osaka, Chuo Ward, Nipponbashi, 2 Chome−4−1

7. Japanese Rock Melon

Mr Teddy loves the rock melon in Japan. It can be found in majority of the market. It is so sweet. Mr Teddy loves it so much that he bought one back to Singapore for his family.

Happy Holiday in Japan - Osaka (Day 2, Sightseeing)

Thank goodness for the subsequent days in Japan, we did not experience any more typhoon. Rest of the time when we were in Japan, the weather was good! Sunny yet cooling. A perfect weather for sightseeing.

We woke up early in the morning to grab our breakfast at Dotonbori. Dotonbori feels different in the day. There were lesser crowd compared to the bustling feels in the night. We took a stroll along the Dotonbori river.

Should anyone be interested, you may try the Tombori river cruise. It navigates mini-Cruise of approximately 20 minutes in Dotombori of Osaka Minami.

Mt Teddy and I settled in one of the cafe called Honolulu Coffee. The cafe faces the river. A perfect spot to chill and relax. It feels zen. 

We ordered our usual long black coffee with a plate of pancakes. The pancakes were hot and fluffy. Together with the hot coffee, it was perfect for the both of us. 

After the satisfying breakfast, we started our sightseeing. Our first stop was Osaka Castle. 

Osaka Castle is one of the most famous Japan's landmark. The central castle building is five stories on the outside and eight stories on the inside, and built atop a tall stone foundation to protect its occupants from attackers.

Mr Teddy and I took a stroll around the Osaka Castle itself and the park. The park is big and peaceful. We spend quite a long time in the park. A slow walk and admire the scenic.

The next stop, we headed to Shitennoji Temple. The Shitennoji Temple is the first and therefore the oldest Buddhist Temple in Japan. It is located in the Tennoji-ku area of Osaka. 

Japan has a lot of nice scenic. However, a lot of walk is needed also. Thus, do get yourself a good pairs of shoes.

Happy Holiday in Japan - Osaka (Day 1)

The day after we touch down in Tokyo, we headed to Osaka via Japan well-known bullet train (Shinkansen). The train fare from Tokyo to Osaka was approximately SGD $190 based on the exchange rate of SGD $1 to 75 yen. It was a $3 hours journey. However, due to typhoon, the train moved at a slower speed. Thus, we took about 5 hours to reach Osaka.

The bullet train (Shinkansen) fare was relatively expensive. However, the train is clean and comfortable. 

When we reached Osaka, it was already late afternoon. We were god dam hungry as we did not eat anything the whole day. We grab the Takoyaki (Octopus balls) at Shin-Osaka train station. I cannot remember the brand but it definitely tasted way much better than anyone I had in Singapore. 

After which, we headed straight to our hotel, APA Hotel Namba-Shinsaibashi. The hotel is located at Numba and a less than 5 minutes walk to Dotonbori (the well-known bustling district in Osaka). The hotel is modern and clean. The bed is very comfortable as well. The hotel also provided Shiseido amenity. We paid about SGD $150 per night and it was booked more than 6 months in advance. Hotel rooms in Japan runs out pretty fast. Thus, I would suggest people to book earlier in order to get the hotel you wants.

After we have checked in to the hotel, we immediately headed to Dotonbori for find food for our dinner. Dotonbori is a bustling district and crowded. If anyone has been there before will notice the extremely big crab display for one of the restaurant at the entrance.

Dotonbori has tones of food. You can easily pick one. We grab our meal course a restaurant called Osaka Ohsho (大阪王将). It comes in a set menu, rice with a dish or ramen with a small plate of fried rice. I would say the food is alright and value for money.

After which we went to a sushi store called Daiki Suisan. It is store which only sell sushi. The sushi were placed on the conveyor belt and you pick it up yourself. It has a wide variety  and the price per plate varies from 100 yen to 500 yen. The sushi is fresh and cheaper than in Singapore. The best is the fatty tuna sushi. It is awesome. Mr Teddy and I love it. It cost 500 yen per plate. Is a must try in this store.

Japan is well-known for its sake. And alcohol lover like us will never missed it. We went in to one random Japanese store to have our sake. It is so much cheaper in Japan! We ordered a small bottle (300ml) and only cost approximately SGD $15 only. It was cheap, the sake was smooth and easy to drink. In Japan, sake is relatively cheap and able to get it easily.