Tokyo Disneyland
Topic: Planning Osaka trip, need advice?

#	Author	Message
1	Malin Sun 6/7/2009 5:44a	So I'm looking into my next possible trip to Japan, but instead of Tokyo, I'm considering Osaka instead. Part of the reason for going is that I finally want to see Universal Studios, but also other places of interest in Japan like Kyoto, Nara and Hiroshima. I'm thinking Osaka because of its position would be the most easiest to navigate around for a Brit who speaks very little Japanese. My first question is do you think Osaka is the right choice to stay in?
2	Roger55 Sun 6/7/2009 12:00p	If it was me, I would choose to stay in Kyoto. Besides USJ, Osaka Castle and Umeda undergtound, there isn't that much to see in Osaka. Kyoto on the other hand has many more things to experience, especially if you enjoy visiting the historical temples. Kyoto is centrally located between Nara an Osaka. It is a little bit further to Hiroshima, but not significantly enough different from Osaka to justify staying in Osaka versus Kyoto. Just my opinion. Others here may have a differing opinion.
3	MagicalNezumi Sun 6/7/2009 1:22p	For a more centrally-located location, I would choose Osaka. Nara is directly east of the city, Kyoto is north-north-east of it, and Hiroshima is (way, way) to the west. All the other cities, could easily be one-day trips from Osaka. Other points of interest in the city include the Tenjinbashi-suji Arcade, Namba (Dotonbori), bunraku and comedy theaters, Osaka Dome and the Osaka Aquarium. -- MagicalNezumi
4	Mr X Sun 6/7/2009 2:12p	***Besides USJ, Osaka Castle and Umeda undergtound, there isn't that much to see in Osaka.*** While I certainly won't argue that Osaka is a better choice than Kyoto as far as uniquely "Japan" tourist attractions, saying the above is kind of like saying "Besides TDR, Asakusa Temple and Tokyo Tower, there isn't that much to see in Tokyo". It's true on the surface, but like most major cities (Osaka is, after all, bigger than Chicago) there is a TON to offer the intrepid traveller though of course most of it is of a more simple, local flavor. If you like seafood, Osaka is YOUR town. I could eat their okonomiyani all day long. It is a rather drab place though. But the people seem much friendlier than in Tokyo I thought. In any case, I don't think staying in Kyoto would really screw up your travel plans all that much (so long as you're reasonably close to Kyoto station), unless you planned to spend a lot of time in Osaka (then, what would be the point anyway right?). I do agree with Nezumi that Osaka is more central. You might consider a flight to Hiroshima though, it really is pretty far away even by high speed rail.
5	Mr X Sun 6/7/2009 2:13p	Reverse that first sentence please. :)
6	leemac Sun 6/7/2009 3:26p	Osaka is an absolute hole - very little for a tourist to see and do considering its size. If you want a central location then I'd choose Osaka - it is an easy commuter train ride to Nara and Kyoto and the shinkansen access to Hiroshima (and Nagaski if you wish). It also has some decent western hotels (the Hilton is fine although not as good as any of the others in Japan). I really don't like Osaka - it is still Matsushita-Town and immensely industrial. It just has very little charm and little history. It is a great location though for seeing Kansai. But if you want to see the real Kansai then I'd definitely choose either Nara or Kyoto as a base - it is only about an hour to Osaka from either if I recall.
7	Roger55 Mon 6/8/2009 11:54a	Sounds like my opinion of Osaka is closer to Lee's opinion and not the others. >>saying the above is kind of like saying "Besides TDR, Asakusa Temple and Tokyo Tower, there isn't that much to see in Tokyo"<< I wasn't trying to list everything there is to do in Osaka, but was trying to make the same point Lee made..."Osaka is an absolute hole - very little for a tourist to see and do considering its size".
8	Malin Tue 6/9/2009 3:06p	I can't thank you guys enough for the advice. I am kind of favouring Osaka more due to its location. I can appreciate Kyoto offers more in the way of Tourist traps, but to be honest the distance between both cities is very small and I don't mind commuting to and from each day. I won't be making any concrete decisions until after returning back from the D23 Expo later in the year. Osaka may not be a popular recommendation by some but it does cater more to my interest than what I think Kyoto would. I'm kind of looking at putting a schedule together now and working out how many days I would need. Osaka 3-4 days Kyoto 3-4 days Nara 1 day Hiroshima 1-2 days Any other places I should add to my list, how about Kobe?
9	leemac Tue 6/9/2009 3:43p	^^ Wow - that is a lot of time in Kyoto. I'm not sure I'd spend that amount of time there - it is a day or so at best. Nara and Hiroshima are about right though.
10	MagicalNezumi Tue 6/9/2009 3:54p	^^ Agreed. Unless you really really really like temples and all their intricacies, 3-4 days in Kyoto is way too long. One, maybe two days are enough. I'd also do a one-day for the Hiroshima trip. Actually, I'm going there next month. -- MagicalNezumi PS: Don't forget to include nearby Kobe while you're in Osaka.

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