王小鈞's Reviews Page 24/31

I visited Osaka’s landmark, Tsutenkaku Tower. During the day, you can look out over the city, and at night, it becomes even more romantic once it’s lit up. Going up to the rooftop to enjoy the night view is totally worth it!

Besides the observation deck, there’s now the super thrilling TOWER SLIDER. You slide all the way down from high up, and even though it only lasts a few seconds, the speed is such a rush. It made me want to do it again!

If you like taking photos, enjoying night views, and trying exciting attractions, Tsutenkaku is definitely one of Osaka’s must-visit spots.

When I arrived at Osaka’s Shinsekai Hon-dori Shopping Street, I was immediately blown away by the over-the-top 3D signs! Giant pufferfish, octopus, and kushikatsu signs—every shop looks like it’s competing to be the most eye-catching. Every quick photo feels so Osaka.

Even on a weekday, it was packed with tourists from all over the world and incredibly lively! The area is full of all kinds of restaurants and street food. The smell of kushikatsu, takoyaki, and grilled meat drifts through the street, making it hard to stop eating as you walk.

If you want to experience authentic, down-to-earth Osaka culture, Shinsekai is definitely a must-visit!

If you're staying in Tennoji while visiting Osaka, I really recommend spending half a day at Tennoji Zoo!

I thought it would just be a small city zoo, but it was much bigger than expected. There’s a great variety of animals, from giraffes and lions to penguins and polar bears.

The layout is easy to follow, so you don’t have to keep backtracking, and it makes for a really comfortable visit. The grounds are also kept clean and tidy.

It’s great for families with kids, and also perfect for anyone who enjoys taking a slow walk while looking at animals. If you have enough time, I’d recommend setting aside 2–3 hours to explore at a relaxed pace. You definitely won’t get bored!

We stayed near Tennoji Station this time, and the transportation was seriously super convenient. Tennoji Park was just a few minutes away on foot. The wide-open green space and relaxed atmosphere made me instantly forget I was right in the middle of busy Osaka.

The park has spacious lawns, cafes, and you can also visit Tennoji Zoo and Keitakuen Garden while you're there. It’s perfect for letting kids burn off some energy, or for slowing down and taking a break during your trip. The weather was great that day, and it felt so nice sitting on the grass, enjoying the breeze, and watching people picnic leisurely around us. If you’re staying near Tennoji Station, I definitely recommend setting aside half a day to take a walk here and experience a more laid-back side of Osaka.

For this trip to Osaka, I chose to stay near Tennoji Station, and it really turned out to be an awesome decision! It’s one of Osaka’s major transportation hubs, so getting around by JR, subway, or heading to Kansai Airport or Nara was super convenient and saved a lot of travel time. The area also has department stores, shopping centers, food courts, and supermarkets, so there’s no shortage of places to go from morning to night. In the evening, the city lights lit up the streets, and the night views were really charming. It made me want to linger a little longer. If you’re traveling independently in Osaka, I highly recommend using Tennoji as your base. The convenience and transportation access are both incredibly satisfying!

We took the train to Himeji Castle early in the morning. Since the crowds were still light, we could really enjoy this beautiful, snow-white World Heritage Site.

After visiting the castle, we stopped by the nearby Himeji City Zoo. It’s not a large zoo, but there were surprisingly quite a few animals. You can also enjoy views of Himeji Castle while strolling around, so it’s great for a family trip.

In the afternoon, we slowly walked back toward Himeji Station and browsed the shopping streets and shopping areas around the station. Compared with popular spots like Osaka and Kyoto, there were far fewer tourists, which made it feel especially relaxed and comfortable. It was nice to take our time buying souvenirs, grabbing small snacks, and enjoying the laid-back atmosphere of downtown Himeji.

Spending the day with an old castle, a zoo, and a relaxed shopping walk felt unrushed and not crowded. It really let us appreciate the charm of traveling in a smaller Japanese city.

At Himeji Castle, besides admiring the impressive white main keep, we unexpectedly found a small and charming zoo right next door.

The zoo isn’t very big, and it doesn’t have as many kinds of animals as a large zoo, but it’s kept very clean. It also hardly had that typical zoo smell, so walking around was really pleasant. It’s an easy little stop if you’re visiting with kids.

The biggest surprise was a hidden photo spot inside the zoo where you can see Himeji Castle from a different angle. The white main keep against the blue sky looked absolutely beautiful!

If you’re visiting Himeji Castle, it’s worth adding this small spot to your route. Along with seeing the historic castle, you can also take some unique and memorable photos.

When I arrived at Himeji Castle, I was genuinely blown away by its beauty at first sight! The bright white exterior and impressive main keep make it easy to see why it’s called the “White Heron Castle.” From a distance, it looks like a castle straight out of a fairy tale, so beautiful that you can’t help but keep taking photos.

I had planned to visit on a weekday, thinking I could stroll around at a relaxed pace, but there were still quite a few visitors. Everyone was busy finding the best angles to capture this centuries-old castle.

Even with the crowds, the moment I saw Himeji Castle in person, I felt it was absolutely worth it! It’s not only beautiful on the outside, but once you step inside, you can really feel the rich history. It’s a classic must-visit spot for any trip to Kansai.

Travel back in time to the Edo period!

The Osaka Museum of Housing and Living faithfully recreates the streets, townhouses, and everyday life of that era. Walking through it feels like stepping onto the set of a period drama. Every corner is super photogenic, so if you love taking pictures, you’ll probably never want to stop.

Admission is free with the Osaka Amazing Pass, which makes it a great deal. The museum isn’t huge, so 2–3 hours is just right if you take your time and snap photos.

It’s also perfect to visit along with Tenjinbashisuji Shopping Street for a taste of both old and modern Osaka!

After our fun time with Anpanman, we stopped by Kobe Harborland for a walk. The scenery by the harbor was really charming. With the relaxing sea breeze and the eye-catching Ferris wheel, it felt like being in a harbor city overseas.

There are shopping centers to browse, along with plenty of unique restaurants and places to sit and relax. There’s no need to rush your schedule here—just taking a slow stroll is really pleasant.