Tag: kansai

Sakura 2024: OSAKA – Lazy but Relaxing Travel Days around Japan’s Amazing City [March 2024]

Early this year, my friends and I flew to Japan to witness the beautiful Hanami season. We started our journey in Takayama and Shirakawa-go, then went around Kansai Region, Hiroshima, before finishing our trip where we started, in Nagoya.

We spent a significant amount of time in Osaka, working on various professional commitments during our trip. After these daily commitments, we went to the usual sights and enjoyed the amazing city. We all have been to Osaka a few times in the past, so we did not pressure ourselves to see everything during our stay.

Allow me to share some of our sightings during our lazy but relaxing travel days around the bustling city of Osaka.

Osaka is not new on this website. In fact, I wrote about my previous visits in the following blog posts: The Japan Series | 3 of 3: OSAKA (2015), Going Solo in Japan Series: KYOTO & OSAKA (2016), Japan Highlights 2019: UNIVERSAL STUDIOS JAPAN – A Theme Park That Brings You Back to Being a ‘Kid’ Just for a Day (2019), and Kansai 2023: OSAKA & NARA Photoblog [April 2023] (2023).

OSAKA

Osaka is Japan’s second-most populous and famous city. This bustling port city is the center of commercial and economic activity in the Kansai Region. It is known for its modern architecture, food, entertainment, and nightlife. It is also known to be more relaxed than the very busy Tokyo.

In case you missed it, my friends and I went around Hida Takayama and Shirakawa-go before coming to Osaka on this trip. I hope you can check out the Takayama and Shirakawa-go blog post here.

Plane Tickets

My friends and I flew in and out of Nagoya. We flew with our favorite budget airline, Cebu Pacific Air, and paid ₱13,759.49 each for the return tickets, including checked baggage allowance.

Our tickets were not the usual ₱1-base fare because our travel period is during the busy Holy Week (in the Philippines) and Hanami (in Japan) seasons. I wrote about our flights to and from Nagoya in the previous flight reports. I hope you can check them out here: Cebu Pacific Air Manila to Nagoya | 5J 5038 & Cebu Pacific Air Nagoya to Manila | 5J 5039.

Takayama to Osaka

We took a not so popular route and went to Osaka directly from Takayama. Normally, people would base in Nagoya and only take a day trip to Takayama and Shirakawa-go. We took the 5.5-hour express bus from Takayama Bus Terminal to Namba OCAT in Osaka.

Kintetsu Bus operates the 8:00 a.m. bus from Takayama while Nohi Bus operates the 1:40 p.m. bus to Osaka. One-way fare costs ¥5,500 per person from Mondays to Thursdays and ¥6,000 per person every Friday to Sunday.

We left Takayama on a Saturday afternoon, so we paid the ¥6,000 bus fare. We paid ₱2,303.59 each, including our bank’s foreign transaction service fee. We arrived in Osaka on time and went straight to our accommodation.

Accommodation

We stayed in Osaka twice during this trip, after Takayama before going to Hiroshima and after Hiroshima before going to Kyoto. In both instances, my friends and I stayed with The Stay Osaka Shinsaibashi.

The Stay Osaka Shinsaibashi is a 2-star accommodation located in the heart of Osaka. Renovated in 2019, the property has 134 private and dormitory rooms across 7 floors. It also has well-designed communal areas on the second level.

I wrote about The Stay Osaka Shinsaibashi in one of the recent hostel of the day features. I hope you can check it out here.

Going Around Osaka

Osaka has an extensive subway and train system. Most, if not all, places to visit can be reached by train. My friends and I did not avail of any train or subway pass. We used our IC cards for every ride around the city.

Places Visited in Osaka

The Sakura full bloom got delayed by a little over a week during our visit. We enjoyed whatever the city had to offer during our stay.

Shinsaibashi-suji Shopping Street

This long shopping arcade is the best place to shop when in Osaka. It has a wide range of stores, from cosmetic stores to apparel shops, second-hand stores, shoe shops, and designer boutiques. It also has hundreds of nearby restaurants and cafes.

Dōtonbori

Dōtonbori is a famous commercial and entertainment district in Osaka. It is where the famous Glico man sign is found. Characterized by different LED billboards, this place is famous for local street food and restaurants.

Namba

Namba is another commercial area in Osaka that is connected to the busy Namba Station. The area has several shopping centers, hotels, restaurants, and even entertainment establishments.

Umeda Sky Building

The Umeda Sky Building is a two-tower mixed-use skyscraper with a rooftop observatory named Kuchu Teien Observatory. The observatory offers beautiful views of Osaka from its 39th floor from morning until evening.

My friends and I got our observatory tickets from Klook. We paid ₱540.30 each after discounts and went up the rooftop after sunset.

Shinsekai

Shinsekai is an old but cool neighborhood just outside the Minami ward. It has affordable restaurants, cafes, and souvenir shops. It also has the Tsutenkaku Tower, another famous local observatory. The neighborhood is best enjoyed at night when the lights are all lit up.

Osaka Castle

Osaka Castle is one of the city’s most famous landmarks. This historical landmark played an important role in unifying the country back in the 1600s. Today, it is a museum where visitors can enter for a fee.

Osaka Castle Park

The Osaka Castle Park is a massive park surrounding the beautiful Osaka Castle. This park is a famous Sakura spot in the city.

Too bad, the full bloom got delayed by a little over a week. We only saw the buds in the Sakura trees during our visit.

Nakaoe Park

Nakaoe Park is a small park near Osaka Castle. This park had beautiful Sakura trees in full bloom during our visit.

Kuromon Ichiba Market

Kuromon Ichiba Market is Osaka’s most famous fish market. Market vendors sell fresh seafood and produce daily. It is also a famous seafood and street food destination in Osaka. It also has various restaurants and souvenir shops, which visitors can check out during their visit.

This sums up our lazy but relaxing time in Osaka. We decided to just take our time and enjoy the city, and we eventually did.

Have you been to Osaka? How do you find the city? Is it a place you will come back to in the future? Share your thoughts in the comments section below. Do you have any questions about anything mentioned above? You may also send them via email to contact@thewkndtravel.com.

Thanks for joining me in today’s Osaka blogpost. In case you missed it, my friends and I flew to Japan for 20 days to experience the cherry blossom season from March to April 2024. You can find all posts related to this trip under the Sakura 2024 category.

Before you go, I hope you can like, follow and share my social media pages – Facebook and Instagram. This will help me increase my reach; it will also keep you up-to-date with the latest blog posts, itineraries and flight reports on this website. Thank you and see you in the next one!

PS. Photos were taken using my OnePlus 9 Pro.

Hostel of the Day: THE STAY OSAKA SHINSAIBASHI – The Affordable Osaka Accommodation I Keep Coming Back To | My Favorite Osaka Hostel

In the last two years, I have been to Osaka four times. Believe it or not, I only stayed in one accommodation. I enjoyed my first stay back in April 2023, to the point where I stayed in this property every single time I visited Osaka after. I will not gatekeep this any longer, and I will share my favorite Osaka hostel, The Stay Osaka Shinsaibashi, in today’s Hostel of the Day feature.

I have been to Osaka a few times in the past. If you are interested to know more about my previous visits, feel free to check out the posts under the Osaka category.

The Stay Osaka Shinsaibashi

The Stay Osaka Shinsaibashi is 2-star high-rated accommodation in the heart of Osaka. Renovated in 2019, the property has 134 well-designed private and dormitory rooms across 7 floors. The reception, communal lounge, and co-working spaces are found on the second floor.

A few years ago, I stayed with The Stay Osaka’s sister hostel, The Stay Sapporo, in Hokkaido. I also featured the said hostel in this website. I hope you can check out that hostel of the day post here.

Location & Access

The Stay Osaka Shinsaibashi is located at 1-14-29 Shimanouchi Chuo-ku, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture, 542-0082. It is in the center of Osaka, in a quiet neighborhood east of Shinsaibashi. The property is 2 minutes by foot from Exit 6 of Nagahoribashi Station (K16/N16) on the Sakaisuji & Nagahori Tsurumi-ryokuchi Subway Lines. It is 10 minutes by food from Exits 5 & 6 of Shinsaibashi Station (M19) on the Midōsuji Subway Line.

The hostel is 700 meters or 10 minutes away by foot from the Shinsaibashi Shopping Street and 1.1 kilometers or 15 minutes away by foot from Dotonbori/GGlico Man Sign. It is also near several local restaurants and convenience stores like Lawson, Family Mart, and 7-Eleven.

Planning to get a Japan tourist visa soon? I got your covered. I wrote about the 4 easy steps in securing your next Japan tourist visa.

The Stay Osaka is 25 to 30 minutes by train (Midōsuji Subway Line) from Shin-Ōsaka Station, 45 to 50 minutes away by train (Midōsuji and Sakaisuji Subway Lines) and airport bus from Osaka Itami Airport, and 50 minutes to an hour by train (Midōsuji and Sakaisuji Subway Lines, Nankai Lines, and Osaka Loop Line) from Kansai International Airport.

The hostel’s location is an easy 10 out of 10. It is close to everything one needs when traveling around Osaka. It is near the subway station, near commercial spaces, and is accessible to the airports via train.

In 2023, I stayed with another hostel in Osaka named Backpackers Hotel Toyo. It is probably the most economical hostel in the city with good quality facilities. You can check out my Backpackers Hotel Toyo hostel of the day feature here.

Room Options & Cost

The Stay Osaka Shinsaibashi has a long list of hotel- and hostel-type private and dormitory rooms that all types of guests can choose from.

The private rooms have the following configurations: queen room with private toilet, twin room with private toilet, triple room with private toilet, 4-bed bunk room with shared toilet, 4-bed bunk room with private toilet and mini kitchen, Japanese-style (futon) room (for 5 people) with private toilet, 5-bed bunk room with private toilet and mini kitchen, and 6-bed bunk room with shared toilet.

The dormitory rooms have the following bed arrangements: mixed dormitory room with shared toilet, female dormitory room with shared toilet, and mixed dormitory room with semi-double beds and shared toilet. Room or dormitory bed rates per night vary depending on season and booking platform.

I stayed with The Stay Osaka Shinsaibashi four times in the last 2 years, and I have booked the same mixed dormitory room (Room 701) with semi-double beds for all stays. Each semi-double bed features an enclosed (by curtains) space, a pillow and duvet, a safe box, in-room slippers, and toilet amenities, including bath and face towels. The room also features a large storage space and a small co-working space with tables and chairs facing the windows.

I paid an average of ¥4,322.13 per night, or ₱1,682.86 per night, with 11 out of 16 nights during peak season (long holiday weekend and Sakura season).

Guest Facilities & Amenities

Guests staying at The Stay Osaka Shinsaibashi enjoy the following facilities and amenities:

Free High-Speed Wi-Fi – All hostel guests have access to complimentary high-speed wi-fi both inside the rooms and in the communal areas. The connection is fast enough to accommodate those people working remotely while in Osaka.

Shared Kitchen – Guests can use the shared kitchen to cook meals during their stay. The kitchen is fully-equipped with a burner, pans, and everything needed for cooking.

Communal Dining Area – The hostel has a spacious and aesthetic communal dining area beside the kitchen.

Complimentary Tea, Coffee, & Ice Cubes – The Stay Osaka Shinsaibashi offers complimentary tea, coffee, and ice cubes to all guests. The hostel’s tap water is safe for drinking.

Co-Working Space – The hostel has a co-working space shared with the dining area on the second floor. Some dormitory rooms also have small co-working spaces inside the rooms.

Common Lounge & TV Area – Guests can chill and relax in the common lounge and TV area beside reception.

Clean Communal Showers & Toilets – The property makes sure that its communal showers and toilets are clean and well-maintained.

Air Conditioning & Heating Systems – All private rooms, dormitory rooms, and common areas feature air conditioning and heating systems.

Breakfast Service – The hostel offers breakfast service to those who avail themselves of it. The breakfast meals can be ordered for a fee the night before.

In-House Bar – The Stay Osaka has an in-house bar that sells alcoholic drinks and mixed drinks.

Vending Machines – The hostel has vending machines in front of reception.

Tourist Corner – The Stay Osaka has a tourist corner that has guides, city maps, flyers, and pamphlets with everything about Osaka, current promotions, and upcoming events.

Locker Rental – Guests can rent lockers for their valuables or other items when needed.

Free Boardgames Rental – Guests can borrow the boardgames near the lounge area and play with them during their stay.

Free Umbrella Rental – The Stay Osaka offers free umbrella rental during rainy days. Guests can freely get one when leaving the hostel and return it after use.

Coin-Operated Laundry & Dryer – The hostel has a coin-operated laundry and dryer, which guests can use during their stay.

Luggage Storage – The Stay Osaka offers free luggage storage before check-in until 3:00 p.m. and after check-out until 10:00 p.m.

Hostel Shop – Forgot to bring something? Fret not. The hostel has a small shop selling items the guests might need during their stay.

Seasonal Hostel Activities – The property hosts seasonal hostel activities to welcome guests from around the world. These activities are announced ahead of time in the hostel socials and on the noticeboards.

Long Reception Hours – The hostel reception is open from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. daily.  Check-in starts at 3 p.m. daily while check-out is allowed until 10:00 a.m.

Multi-Lingual & Friendly Staff – The hostel staff are all warm, welcoming, and friendly. They speak different languages including Nihongo, Korean, and English.

Lift Access – The hostel has one lift that goes to every floor. Guests who bring large luggage do not need to carry it via the stairs.

Designated Smoking Area – The Stay Osaka Shinsaibashi has a designated smoking area outside near the building entrance.

Secured Room Access – All private and dormitory rooms can only be accessed by using the assigned key cards during check-in. The key cards only work on your assigned room, the assigned floor in the lifts, and the common floors.

Secured Hostel Premises – The rooms can only be accessed by the guests. Also, the lift requires a keycard for it to go up. The main entrance door is locked every day after 11:00 p.m. The hostel is also equipped with a 24/7 security surveillance system.

Hostel Experience

I have stayed with The Stay Osaka Shinsaibashi several times in the past, and I will continue to stay with them every time I am in Osaka.

The hostel wins in some aspects. First, the mixed-dorm with semi-double beds is something I really like. I get the privacy I need for a fraction of the price of a private room. I also like that the room is spacious, has its own toilet and shower, and has a small co-working space or table.

Second, the hostel’s common area is my favorite. The common area is spacious and aesthetic. It is also perfect for those who need to do some work during their stay. It also has a fast and reliable wi-fi connection, ideal for work calls and meetings.

Third, the hostel offers complimentary amenities like shampoo, conditioner, liquid soap, coffee, tea, and even ice cubes. It is my first time to see a hostel regularly provide ice cubes to its guests. Fourth, the hostel’s location is one of the best in Osaka. It is in a quiet neighborhood near Shinsaibashi and near many Osaka sights like Dotonbori, Kuromon Market, and Namba. It is also accessible to the city’s public transportation system.

Fifth, the hostel’s rates are not the cheapest in the city but are affordable and reasonable for the location, facilities, and amenities they offer.

The Stay Osaka Shinsaibashi is not a perfect hostel. I also had some not-so-good experiences during my previous hostel stays. First, the common area can be very noisy and busy during the night when most guests are back from the days outside. There was one instance when guests were laughing out loud and shouting at 1:00 a.m. Good thing, the staff advised that group to tone down their voices.

Second, the dormitory room temperatures can be hot and uncomfortable at times. The dormitory room temperatures are controlled by the staff. There were instances when it went to the high and hot temperatures during my spring visits.

Even with these not-so-good experiences, The Stay Osaka remains to be my favorite hostel in Osaka. I enjoyed my previous stays with them and I am looking forward to coming back in the future.

If you have any curiosities about the hostel and about a potential upcoming stay, please feel free to reach out to them on the following channels:

The Stay Osaka Shinsaibashi
Address: 1-14-29 Shimanouchi Chuo-ku ,Osaka, Osaka Prefecture, 542-0082
Phone Number: +81 06-6251-3900
Email: osaka@thestay.jp
Website: www.thestay.jp/osaka/en
Instagram: www.instagram.com/the_stay_osaka_shinsaibashi 

This wraps up my post about The Stay Osaka Shinsaibashi. What do you think of the hostel? Do you have any questions about anything mentioned above? Feel free to post them in the comments section below. You may also send these questions to me via email to contact@thewkndtravel.com.

Thanks for joining me in today’s Hostel of the Day feature. Please also take time to check out my previous HOTD features by clicking this. You will find my other hostel reviews about Le Village Montmartre in Paris, The Bed KLCC in Kuala Lumpur, The RomeHello in Rome, Yesinn Youth Hostel in Hong Kong, Yeah Hostel in Barcelona, Imano Tokyo Ginza Hostel in Tokyo, and  Z Hostel here in the Philippines.

Before you go, I hope you can like, follow and share my social media pages – Facebook and Instagram. This will help me increase my reach; it will also keep you up-to-date with the latest blog posts, itineraries and flight reports on this website. Thank you and please watch out for more Sakura 2024 content in the coming weeks.

PS. Photos were taken using my OnePlus 9 Pro.

 

Hostel of the Day: BACKPACKERS HOTEL TOYO – Osaka’s Most Affordable & High-Quality Accommodation

In April 2023, I flew to Japan for the first time since the pandemic. I spent the first night in Fukuoka at Fukuoka Hana Hostel. The following day, I flew to Osaka with Peach Aviation and based there for the rest of the trip. I initially planned on taking the bus from Fukuoka, but I ended up flying because of an affordable flight.

I spent my first night in Osaka in the city’s most affordable, quality, and high-rated accommodation, Backpackers Hotel Toyo. I have seen this accommodation a lot of times when I planned my previous Osaka trips, but I only stayed here for the first time on this trip. Join me as I share with you why you should consider booking today’s hostel of the day feature, Backpackers Hotel Toyo, on your next trip to Osaka, Japan.

In case you missed it, I have been to Osaka several times in the past. Here’s the list of blogs related to Osaka: The Japan Series | 3 of 3: OSAKA (2015), Going Solo in Japan Series: KYOTO & OSAKA (2016), Japan Highlights 2019: UNIVERSAL STUDIOS JAPAN – A Theme Park That Brings You Back to Being a ‘Kid’ Just for a Day (2019) and Kansai 2023: OSAKA & NARA Photoblog (2023).

Backpackers Hotel Toyo

Backpackers Hotel Toyo is a hotel or hostel for budget-minded travelers. The property offers affordable, accessible, and comfortable accommodation options in the expensive city of Osaka and the country of Japan. The hostel is nestled in a multistory building in the quiet area of Nishinari Ward.

It has been operating for years, and it has maintained its good-quality accommodation. Backpackers Hotel Toyo is rated highly on booking websites such as Agoda (8.3/10), Booking.com (8.2/10), Hostelworld (8.7/10), and Traveloka (8.9/10). These ratings are as of early January 2024, based on over 7,400 reviews across all 4 sites.

Location & Access

Backpackers Hotel Toyo is located at 1 Chome-3-5 Taishi, Nishinari Ward, Osaka, Japan 557-0002. It may be a bit of a walk from the bustling Namba and Shinsaibashi areas, but it is close to Shinsekai, another popular area in Osaka. It is 2 minutes by foot to Exit 2 of Dobutsuen Mae Station of the Midosuji Subway Line, 3 minutes by foot to the East Exit of Shin-Imamiya Station of the JR Loop Line, and 5-10 minutes by foot to Shinsekai. It is approximately 40 minutes from both Kansai International Airport (KIX) and Osaka Itami Airport (ITM).

The property is in a relatively quiet neighborhood but is practically near everything. It is 5-6 minutes away by subway to Dōtonbori, Namba, and Shinsaibashi; 20 minutes away to Universal Studios Japan; 30 minutes away to Nara Station; and about 45 minutes to an hour away from Kyoto Station.

The hostel is also near convenience stores, restaurants, and izayakas. Its location is perfect; it is an easy 10 out of 10.

Room Options

Despite being a budget accommodation, Backpackers Hotel Toyo only offers private Japanese tatami mat rooms with shared toilets and showers. They have four room types: a Japanese-style single room without air conditioning, a Japanese-style single room with air conditioning, a Japanese-style twin room, and a Western-style twin room.

The non-air-conditioned rooms come with a fan during the summer season. The single rooms came with a small monitor, clothes hanger, and curtained windows. The twin rooms also come with a small refrigerator. All guests have access to communal shower rooms and toilets. Room prices per night vary per booking platform.

Here are the hostel’s rates (back in April 2023) if you book with them directly: Single room without air conditioning (¥1,700 per night), Single room with air conditioning (¥2,100 per night), and Twin room (¥5,000 per night).

I booked my stay with Agoda and only paid ₱823.91 for a night in a Japanese-style single room with air conditioning. I got assigned to Room 212, which was near the far end of the second floor. The room came with a tatami bed, comfortable sheets, and a pillow. It also had a small monitor, hangers, and a small dust bin.

Guest Facilities & Amenities

Free Wi-Fi Access – Hotel Toyo provides wi-fi access to all its guests.

Communal Lounge Areas – The property has two communal lounge areas on the ground floor, one near the reception and one near the kitchen and dining area.

Outdoor Terrace – The hostel has an outdoor terrace on the rooftop floor. It is a designated smoking area and clothes drying area.

Desktop Computer Access – Guests can freely use the desktop computers for whatever use they need them for.

Shared Kitchen & Dining Area – The hostel has a shared kitchen and dining area complete with kitchenware and utensils.

Shared Shower Rooms & Toilets – There are shared toilets per floor. Shared shower rooms are on the first floor. The shower rooms have complimentary shampoo, conditioner, and liquid soap.

Complimentary Water Refill – The property provides complimentary water refills to those who need to fill up their water bottles and tumblers.

Complimentary Morning Coffee & Tea – Hotel Toyo provides complimentary coffee and tea from 7:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Complimentary Public Bath in Neighboring Hotel – Guests also have complimentary access to a public bath in a neighboring hotel. Please ask the receptionist if you want to check this out.

Vending Machines – There are two vending machines found near the reception booth. These vending machines have beers, coffee, soft drinks, and water.

Video Games, Consoles, & Boardgames – There are video games, consoles, and boardgames in the first-floor common area that guests can borrow and play with.

Ping-Pong Room – Guests can also play ping-pong in the ping-pong room on the 6th floor.

Laundry & Ironing Facilities – The laundry and ironing facilities on the first floor can be used for an additional charge. Please approach the receptionist if you want to wash or iron your clothes.

Luggage Storage – The hostel can keep your luggage before check-in or up to 10:00 p.m. after check-out. After 10:00 p.m., the luggage storage fee costs ¥300 per night, unless you have an upcoming booking within the next 2 weeks.

Long Reception Hours – Hotel Toyo’s reception is open from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Guests arriving beyond 11:00 p.m. need to contact the property before check-in for instructions on what to do.

Bicycle Rental – The property offers bicycle rentals for those who want to rent one during their stay.

Hostel Shop & Merchandise – Hotel Toyo has a small shop that sells trip essentials like razors and adapters. They also sell hostel merchandise such as shirts, tote bags, and even postcards.

Multilingual Staff – The hostel staff can speak in Japanese, English, and Chinese languages.

Secured Hostel Areas – The property is equipped with a 24/7 surveillance system. There are security cameras in the common areas and in the hostel communal areas.

Hostel Experience

I had a quick but valuable stay at Backpackers Hotel Toyo. I only stayed there for one night, but I already know why this property is highly rated by its guests.

Backpackers Hotel Toyo leads the game with its affordable and valuable price point. For less than ₱850 per night, the guest can enjoy a private room with a traditional tatami bed and air conditioning. This low nightly private room rate is rare in a first-world country like Japan.

The property does a good job of keeping their communal showers and toilets clean and well-maintained. They also provide bath amenities like liquid soap, shampoo, and conditioner. The hostel may not serve any food, but it boasts complimentary morning tea and coffee and free water refills for all its guests.

The hostel vibe is fun and social. Guests easily mingle with other co-guests. They can easily find mates to join and go around the city with. Lastly, I find it nice that the hostel showcases and sells their merchandise to their guests. The hostel takes pride in their accommodation and offers souvenirs for those who want to remember the fun experience they had on the property.

During my stay, I noticed some areas in which the hostel could further improve. First, the place is already starting to show its age. Everything still works fine, but you can see that the place has been there for a long time and might need some renovation in the medium term.

Second, the hostel might need to monitor the cleanliness of the communal areas more. The living, kitchen, and dining areas were not so clean during my stay. There were leftover plastics in the living room and other misplaced stuff in the kitchen and wash areas. There is a big chance that these were left by other guests, but I believe the hostel can implement stricter measures to prevent this from happening.

Lastly, the property does not have lifts. Travelers who bring large suitcases or big luggage need to carry them up to the upper floors if they are assigned on the upper rooms. I know this can be out of the property’s control, but I am putting it here for future guests to see if this will be a factor for them or not.

Overall, it was a lovely stay at Backpackers Hotel Toyo. I will surely be back at this property for its price, location, and vibe. I hope you can consider staying in this affordable, valuable, and high-rated Osaka accommodation.

For any questions or booking-related inquiries, feel free to reach out to Backpackers Hotel Toyo on these platforms:

Backpackers Hotel Toyo
Address: 1 Chome-3-5 Taishi, Nishinari Ward, Osaka, Japan 557-0002
Phone Number: +81 6 6649 6348
Email Address: info@hotel-toyo.jp
Website: www.hotel-toyo.jp
Facebook: www.facebook.com/hoteltoyo
Instagram: www.instagram.com/backpackers_hoteltoyo

Do you have any questions about anything mentioned above? Feel free to post them in the comments section below. You may also send these questions to me via email to contact@thewkndtravel.com.

Thanks for joining me in today’s Hostel of the Day feature. Please also take time to check out my previous HOTD features by clicking this. You will find my other hostel reviews about Le Village Montmartre in Paris, The Bed KLCC in Kuala Lumpur, The RomeHello in Rome & Z Hostel here in the Philippines. Before you go, can you visit my social media pages –Facebook & Instagram – and like or follow them? Thank you & see you in the next one!

PS. Photos were taken using my OnePlus 9 Pro.

Kansai 2023: UJI – Do-It-Yourself Half-Day Tour Around Kyoto’s Green Tea Heaven + Kyoto Side Trip [April 2023]

Early this year, I flew to Japan for a week for the first time since the pandemic and since I flew to Fukuoka in 2019. I did not make any concrete plans on where to go or what to do. I went there to enjoy being in the country again after not visiting it for over 3 years.

In case you missed it, I already shared a few details about this trip. I talked about my domestic flight experience with Peach Aviation here: Flight Report: PEACH AVIATION MM 158 – Fukuoka to Osaka Kansai – Future-Proof & Efficient Japanese Domestic Low-Cost Flight. I also shared some photos of Osaka and Nara here: Kansai 2023: OSAKA & NARA Photoblog.

One of the new places I explored during this trip is Kyoto’s green tea heaven, Uji. Allow me to share with you what I did and where I went on this half-day trip to Uji. I will also share photos and details of my side trip to Kyoto on the same day.

I have been to Kyoto a few times in the past. I went there last October 2015 during my first trip to Japan. I re-visited the city again in 2016 during my 13-day expedition around Nagoya, Kansai and Hiroshima. In 2019, I spent a day in Kyoto from Osaka with my sisters and explored the city highlights.

Uji

Uji is a small city nestled between Kyoto and Nara. The city became a beneficiary of developments during the Heian Period when Byōdō-in Temple and Ujigami Shrine were constructed.

Today, the city is famous for its quality green tea products. It is one of Japan’s most important green tea production and distribution areas; it is also the place-to-be for green tea and matcha lovers.

Transportation & Access

Going around Uji is easy and tourist-friendly. The best way to get around the important sights is by foot. The city center is so small to the point where you can walk around the center in one morning or one afternoon. The city’s tourist information center suggests a typical walking route to see and explore the city’s attractions in one loop.

The city is connected to the rest of Japan through two stations: JR Uji Station in the Nara Line (south of the Uji River) and Keihan Uji Station in the Keihan Uji Line (north of the Uji River). JR Pass holders are advised to get off at the JR Uji Station, while IC card holders can take the Uji local train line. Both stations are connected to other major train lines in Kyoto, Nara, and Osaka.

Places Visited in Uji

I took the local trains from Osaka and got off at Keihan Uji Station. I dropped by the tourist information center and asked for the recommended walking loop, and I was given a map with the best possible route. I went to the following places:

UJIGAMI SHRINE

Ujigami Shrine is a Shinto shrine on the north side of the Uji River. It is believed to be one of Japan’s longest-standing shrines and is linked to the Byōdō-in Temple. The shrine was recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1994.

UJI SHRINE

Uji Shrine is another Shinto shrine found lower than the Ujigami Shrine, also on the north side of the Uji River.

UJI RIVER

The Uji River is a beautiful river that flows through the city. River cruises and traditional fishing activities happen on this river during peak seasons.

ASAGIRIBASHI BRIDGE

Asagiribashi Bridge is a walking bridge that connects the northern part of the city to Kyoto Prefectural Uji Park.

KYOTO PREFECTURAL UJI PARK

Kyoto Prefectural Uji Park is an island park with scenic views of the city and a 13th-century stone pagoda. The park is on two islands – Tachibana Island and Tō-no-shima Island.

UJI CITY MUNICIPAL TEA HOUSE TAIHOAN

After crossing the river and walking around the park, I walked to the municipal tea ceremony house (taihoan) to witness a traditional tea ceremony. I had a wonderful experience watching the tea ceremony. The ceremony has a ¥1,000 fee, and it includes mochi and a high-quality Uji green tea. Photos and videos were not allowed during the ceremony.

BYŌDŌ-IN TEMPLE

Byōdō-in Temple is a Buddhist temple built during the Heian Period. This UNESCO World Heritage-listed site is also the temple found at the back of the 10-yen coin. Entry to the temple grounds costs ¥600 per person.

AGATA SHRINE

Around 100 meters from Byōdō-in’s exit is Agata Shrine. It is a Shinto guardian shrine of Byōdō-in.

MATSUSAKAYA KAHACHI

I randomly came across this local tea shop named Matsusakaya Kahachi. I was invited by the two old gentlemen to go inside their shop and was taught how to make a hot sencha green tea drink from dried tea leaves.

They offered me three small cups of sencha tea. They do not speak English but tried their best to converse with me using their hands and gestures.

I liked their sencha tea product and bought both sencha tea leaves and matcha green tea powder from this shop. I had a beautiful and heartwarming experience with these two old gentlemen. I want to visit them again in the future and buy lots of green tea leaves and matcha powder from their shop.

PS. I asked for their permission to post their photo on my website.

UJI BYODOIN OMOTESANDO

Uji Byodoin Omotesando is the city’s green tea and matcha heaven. This 300-meter street is full of wooden houses and merchant shops selling green tea leaves, matcha powder, and everything green tea or matcha.

I came across this unique restaurant that serves ramen with matcha noodles. I tried it for lunch and paired it with their signature Uji matcha gyoza. It was weird at first, but okay for the experience.

TSUEN TEA HOUSE MAIN BRANCH

On the way back to Keihan Uji Station, I dropped by Tsuen Tea House’s main branch and tried their sakura matcha soft serve ice cream. I had one of the best and most flavorful soft-serve ice creams in this store!

The soft-serve iced cream costs ¥380. Customers can choose between matcha only, sakura only, or sakura matcha (mixed) flavors.

SURUGAYA KEIHAN UJI STATION

I also dropped by a local confectionary shop named Surugaya and tried their ¥100 green tea mochi sticks.

Kyoto Side Trip

After spending 4-5 hours around Uji, I took the local from Keihan Uji Station to Gion-Shijō Station in Kyoto. I spent the remaining 3 hours walking around Gion, and I visited Nishiki Market, Ponto-chō, Ninenzaka, and the Instagram-famous Hōkan-ji Temple. Here are some photos of these famous Kyoto spots.

NISHIKI MARKET

PONTO-CHŌ

NINENZAKA

HŌKAN-JI TEMPLE

After my quick trip to Kyoto, I took the train back to Osaka, dropped by the supermarket to get some food, walked back to my hostel, had dinner, and called it a day.

This sums up my long but fun day around Uji and Kyoto. Do you have any questions about anything mentioned above? Feel free to post them in the comments section below. You may also send these questions to me via email to contact@thewkndtravel.com.

Thank you for joining me in today’s blog. I hope you stay tuned for more Japan-related content in the future. I hope you can also visit and follow my social media pages –Facebook & Instagram! Thanks again and see you in the next one.

PS. Photos were taken using my OnePlus 9 Pro.

Kansai 2023: OSAKA & NARA Photoblog [April 2023]

Last April, I went on a quick trip to Japan for the first time since Fukuoka in October 2019. I did not make any concrete plans on where to go or what to do since I revisited the same places I had been to a few years ago: Osaka and Nara.

I booked my ticket in November 2022 when Cebu Pacific Air offered a ₱1 base fare sale during 11.11. I flew in via Fukuoka, and then I took a domestic flight to Osaka afterwards. I stayed in Osaka for 6 nights and decided to just go around the city and the nearby cities for the rest of the trip.

In case you missed it, I have been to Osaka and Nara several times in the past. Here’s the list of blogs related to these 2 cities: The Japan Series | 3 of 3: OSAKA (2015), Going Solo in Japan Series: KYOTO & OSAKA (2016), Going Solo in Japan Series: NARA & KOBE (2016), Japan Highlights 2019: UNIVERSAL STUDIOS JAPAN – A Theme Park That Brings You Back to Being a ‘Kid’ Just for a Day (2019) and Japan Highlights 2019: NARA – A Morning Visit To The Deer Park (2019).

This post will be different since I will not talk about where you should go or what you should do in these cities. I will only share random photos of the places I have been on this trip. Spoiler alert! I still saw some cherry blossoms in Nara. Enjoy!

Osaka

Dōtonbori
Hozenji Yokocho
Kuromon Ichiba
Shinsekai

Nara

Todai-ji Namdaimon
Tōdai-ji Chumon
Nara Deer Park
Kōfuku-ji Chukondo & Kofuku-ji

It felt surreal visiting Dōtonbori again after a few years. It also felt amazing to see the world-famous cherry blossoms for the first time in x years of going to Japan.

Thank you for joining me in today’s photoblog. I hope you stay tuned for Japan-related content in the future. I hope you can also visit and follow my social media pages –Facebook & Instagram! Thanks again and see you in the next one.

PS. Photos were taken using my OnePlus 9 Pro.