Icons of Japan

Travel to Osaka

From Minami’s neon-lighted Dotombori and historic Tenno-ji to the high-rise class and underground shopping labyrinths of Kita, Osaka is a city that pulses with its own unique rhythm. Though Osaka has no shortage of tourist sites, it is the city itself that is the greatest attraction. Home to some of Japan’s best food, most unique fashions, and warmest locals, Osaka does not beg to be explored—it demands it. More than anywhere else in Japan, it rewards the impulsive turn down an interesting side street or the chat with a random stranger. People do not come here to see the city, they come to experience it.Excluded from the formal circles of power and aristocratic culture in 16th-century Edo (Tokyo), Osaka took advantage of its position as Japan’s trading center, developing its own art forms such as Bunraku puppet theater and Rakugo comic storytelling. It was in Osaka that feudal Japan’s famed Floating World—the dining, theater, and pleasure district—was at its strongest and most inventive. Wealthy merchants and common laborers alike squandered fortunes on culinary delights, turning Osaka into “Japan’s Kitchen,” a moniker the city still has today. Though the city suffered a blow when the Meiji government canceled all of the samurai class’s outstanding debts to the merchants, it was quick to recover. At the turn of the 20th century, it had become Japan’s largest and most prosperous city, a center of commerce and manufacturing.Today Osaka remains Japan’s iconoclastic metropolis, refusing to fit Tokyo’s norms and expectations. Unlike the hordes of Tokyo, Osakans are fiercely independent. As a contrast to the neon and concrete surroundings, the people of Osaka are known as Japan’s friendliest and most outgoing. Ask someone on the street for directions in Tokyo and you are lucky to get so much as a glance. Ask someone in Osaka and you get a conversation.The main areas of the city, Kita (north) and Minami (south), are divided by two rivers: the Dojima-gawa and the Tosabori-gawa. Between Kita and Minami is Naka-no-shima, an island and the municipal center of Osaka. Kita (north of Chuo Dori) is Osaka’s economic hub and contains Osaka’s largest stations: JR Osaka and Hankyu Umeda. The area is crammed with shops, department stores, and restaurants. Nearby are a nightlife district, Kita-shinchi; Naka-no-shima and the Museum of Oriental Ceramics; Osaka-jo (Osaka Castle); and Osaka Koen (Osaka Park). Restaurants, bars, department stores, and boutiques attract Osaka’s youth to Minami (south Chuo Dori); theatergoers head to the National Bunraku Theatre and electronics-lovers to Den Den Town. For a glimpse of old Osaka, visit Tenno-ji Temple and Shin Sekai. The main stations are Namba, Shin-sai-bashi, Namba Nankai, and Tenno-ji. There’s easy access to the Municipal Museum of Fine Art and Sumiyoshi Taisha (Sumiyoshi Grand Shrine).The bay area, to the west of the city center, is home to the Osaka Aquarium and Universal Studios Japan. The Shinkansen stops at Shin-Osaka, three stops (about five minutes) north of Osaka Station on the Mido-suji subway line. To the north of Shin-Osaka is Senri Expo Park.

Kyoto – After a leisurely morning acclimatising and exploring the hotel’s facilities, including a private spa, we’ll spend the afternoon in the company of a local expert for a tour of the city.

The former capital city of Japan and its cultural heart, Kyoto attracts millions of visitors every year looking for a taste of traditional Japanese culture. Our tour starts with Kinkakuji, an incredible golden temple that glistens in the sun from its picturesque lakeside perch, before heading to Nijo Castle. Built in 1603, this impressive complex takes us back to the dominance of the Shogun, showcasing some of the famed architectural styles. We also enjoy the nearby Honmaru Gardens, created for the visit of Emperor Meiji in 1896. The zen garden was designed, in part, by the emperor, who had a full view of the garden from the top floor of Honmaru-Goten Palace. While we’re there, walk along the garden’s winding pathways and vast lawns and go up to the foundations of the castle-keep to enjoy the view.

We’ll continue to the famous rock garden at Ryōan-ji, a piece of Japanese cultural heritage. During the Heian Period, the temple was an aristocrat’s villa but was converted into a zen temple in 1450 by a top-ranking warlord in the Ashikaga Shogunate. The temple’s deceptively simple garden consists of fifteen rocks spread out on white sand in 248 square metres. These rocks are arranged so that at least one cannot be seen from any angle. However, who designed it and why remains a mystery.

In the early evening, we’ll join a local guide for a fascinating walk around the Gion district of Kyoto. Gion is regarded as Kyoto’s entertainment neighbourhood with modern and traditional theatres, atmospheric tea houses, and so much more. In the early evening, lanterns bathe the area in soft light, adding to the magical ambience. You may even spot traditional Geisha as they head to their engagements.

The Bullet Train – This morning we’ll head to southeast Kyoto to the incredible Fushimi Inari-Taisha Shrine. Dedicated to the Inari, the deity of a good harvest and success in business, the shrine features thousands of bright vermillion and black shrine gates, known as tori. The shrine sits at the base of Mount Inari, and it’s designed to draw guests through forest, pagodas and koi ponds.

In the afternoon, we’ll continue our journey west to Mount Fuji on another Japanese icon: the Bullet Train. The two-hour train ride is an interesting experience; watch the Japanese countryside fly by as you cruise at up 200 mph.

Mount Fuji – We’ll spend the day around Mount Fuji. We start our day with a visit to Lake Yamanaka, the largest of the five lakes surrounding Fuji. Encompassed by pretty parkland, the views of the mountain are incredible if you wish to take photos. We continue to Lake Kawaguchi. Smaller but equally beautiful, you may even be lucky enough to see a perfect reflection of the mountain on a calm day.

Nearby, at the Ichiku Kubota Museum, we’ll discover more about the national dress of Japan, the Kimono. The vibrant colours and patterns are synonymous with Japanese culture, and you may even decide to treat yourself to a keepsake to take home.

Finally, we’ll ascend the Kachi Kachi Ropeway in a cable car to the summit of Mount Tenjo, 400 metres over the lake shore. The observation deck at the top of Mount Tenjo offers unparalleled views of the lake and mountain.

In the evening, you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy the hotel, including the open top-floor bathing pools.

Kamakura – We’ll arrive in Kamakura along the coast of Sagai Bay. The charming small town has a selection of shops specialising in local arts and crafts as well as delicious traditional foods. Enjoy free time to visit the Great Buddha, or Kotoku-in, that dominates the town’s Buddhist temple or explore the gardens of Hasedera, known as the Hydrangea Temple. Wander through this stunning garden passing pools and shrines on the ascent up the hillside to appreciate the views out to sea.

We’ll continue to Toyko later in the afternoon and check in to a hotel located just a short walk from Tokyo Tower and the nearby Shogun’s Zojoji Temple.

Lights, sushi, manga! Sprawling, frenetic, and endlessly fascinating, Japan’s capital is a city of contrasts. Shrines and gardens are pockets of calm between famously crowded streets and soaring office buildings. Mom-and-pop noodle houses share street space with Western-style chain restaurants and exquisite fine dining. Shopping yields lovely folk arts as well as the newest electronics. And nightlife kicks off with karaoke or sake and continues with techno clubs and more. Whether you seek the traditional or the cutting edge, Tokyo will provide it.