Discovering the Most Stunning Locations in Osaka, Kyoto, and Nara
By Alejandra Mendoza Garcia - Posted on January 7th, 2026 - Ale Around the World
 

After checking out Tokyo, we're off to our next adventure in Osaka! We bought our train tickets ahead of time on the JR website. Riding the bullet train is a bit pricey—over $100 per person for the trip from Tokyo to Osaka—but it's totally worth it. The journey takes about 2.5 hours, and the train is super comfy with plenty of legroom and space for small luggage.

 

We booked an airbnb apartment about 30 minutes from the city center, but I wouldn't recommend it. The customer service was awful. We waited forever to get in because we never got the check-in instructions, and there are tons of bad reviews about them not responding. It's a shame because the room was spacious and even had its own laundry. If you're curious, it's called Enzo-shin Osaka Apartments.

 

On our first day in Osaka, we arrived early, and since check-in wasn't until 3:00 pm, we decided to use a luggage storage service at Shin-Osaka Station. It cost about $10 per bag.

 

Our first stop was Osaka Castle. It's a stunning place with a rich history dating back to 1597, surrounded by beautiful gardens and a museum with diverse exhibits. Be ready for a lot of walking, though! Our last stop of the day was the Abeno Harukas Observatory. We bought tickets in advance and enjoyed the 3-tiered observation areas on the 58th–60th floors, complete with an open-air atrium, enclosed glass, and a café. The view was amazing, and it was cheaper than the one in Tokyo, which was a nice bonus!

 

The next day, we spent the entire day at Universal Studios. Let me tell you, it was packed! Almost every popular ride had a wait time of around two hours. My favorite part of the park was the Mario Bros World. The ambiance felt so real! Just a heads up, you need to reserve a time to enter because it gets super crowded. Most of the attractions are similar to other Universal Studios parks, but the entrance fee here is a bit cheaper compared to others worldwide. If you're planning a visit, be ready to wait for rides and even at the restaurants.

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The following day, we took a tour to Kyoto and Nara. Our first stop was the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, a stunning natural bamboo forest in Arashiyama, Kyoto. It's mostly made up of mōsō bamboo and has several pathways for tourists. There's even a small shrine. The place is absolutely beautiful and sits right next to a lovely river.

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During the tour, we got to enjoy a traditional Japanese meal, sitting without shoes. The food was amazing. Unfortunately, I can't remember the name of the restaurant.

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After lunch, we headed to Nara, specifically Nara Park, which is a must-see in Nara City. The park covers a vast 660 hectares and is famous for its free-roaming deer and world-renowned temples. There are tons of deer, and they're super friendly, so don't be scared. They're used to people being around all the time. You can even buy deer food to feed them, but be careful—many deer might approach you at once! A unique thing about these deer is that some are trained to bow their heads when you bow at them, hoping to get some food.

 

After visiting our last stop, Fushimi Inari Taisha, which dates back to 711 A.D., we were blown away by the path lined with hundreds of traditional gates. It's a fantastic spot for a walk and some amazing photos, but be ready for crowds!

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The next day, we took a tour to my favorite place in Japan, Amanohashidate. Our first stop was Chionji Temple, one of the three temples in Japan dedicated to the Monju Bodhisattva, the Bodhisattva of Wisdom. Many students and their families come here to pray for success in exams, hoping to gain some wisdom. Right next to the temple, we hopped on a small ferry to Kasamatsu Park. This park is one of the two best spots to view Amanohashidate, one of Japan's Three Scenic Views. It's nestled between Motoise Kono Shrine and Nariai-ji Temple and can be reached by chairlift or cable car. I took the cable car up and the chairlift down. The experience was incredible—riding the chairlift and soaking in that breathtaking view felt like something out of this world. Even though I'm scared of heights, it wasn't scary at all; it was just stunning. At the top, you get a beautiful view of Amanohashidate. There's not much to do up there besides grabbing some souvenirs, but when you head back down, there are plenty of shops to explore. Right by the cable car entrance, there are some delicious restaurants. We had lunch there and enjoyed some big crab legs.

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After lunch, we checked out this amazing village called Kayabuki no Sato, which is the top spot to visit in Miyama. The whole place is like stepping back in time, with old thatched houses everywhere, all kept up as a cultural heritage site. You can wander around, soak in the chill vibes, and take in the stunning views of the thatched roofs against the mountains. It's a perfect spot to enjoy nature and the peace of village life. There are two cozy cafes—Cafe Gallery Saika and Cafe Milan—and a couple of B&Bs, Matabe thatched B&B and B&B Hisaya, if you want to stay over. Most of the houses are actually homes for the locals, which adds to the charm.

 

And that's how we wrapped up our Osaka adventure. Next stop, Hiroshima! Stay tuned for more on the blog.