I'm taking the spouse to Osaka for the Big 60 b'day. We'll be staying at the Hilton Osaka (assuming I can use the Diamond Force to get three free nights)

We'll be there from Oct 7th-10th

We've been to Japan 3 other times, seen the usual tourist sites in Tokyo, Nikko, Kyoto, Hiroshima, Myajima, etc.

Suggestions for places to go, things to see in and around Osaka?
No problem taking trains!
We are especially interested in Japanese architecture and Edo period houses, and Japanese food.

Also, what are the choices for getting from KIX to the Hilton? And, approximate costs? Would rather spend our budget on food and sights, not airport/hotel transportation.

thanks!

Also, what are the choices for getting from KIX to the Hilton? And, approximate costs? Would rather spend our budget on food and sights, not airport/hotel transportation

The Hilton is located across the street from Osaka Station.
You have many options to getting to the hotel,
Your options from KIX are layed out in this thread, there are links provided for limobuses and trains and approximate costs:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=530019&page=2
(Post #29 at the bottom of the page).

Airport bus will drop you off right at the hotel, the JR trains will drop you off at Osaka Station (the rapid train) the Haruka Limited Express train stops at Shin-Osaka where you change trains to Osaka Station.

If you like architecture, a long train ride over to Himeji (and Himeji Castle) would be a great little trip.

I would recommend getting the Surutto Kansai (Kansai Thru Pass) for a few of the days you are there if you plan on using lots of trains. It is valid on pretty much all trains, buses, and subways (excluding JR) and does not have to be used on consecutive days. Most "super" express trains (Nankai Rapi:t) require an extra fare. This pass will get you pretty much everywhere you need to go.

Using the Surutto, you could get from KIX to Umeda (where the Hilton is), but it may take a while as KIX is far out of the city and the Surutto keeps you off the "super" express trains. It may be best to either pay the up-fare for the Nankai Rapi:t to get you into Umeda (I think you have to transfer at Namba), or depending on the arrival of your flight just buy a ticket into Umeda (whichever railway you like) and save the Surutto days for the days you will use lots of trains.

Hope this helps.

www.surutto.com

It may be best to either pay the up-fare for the Nankai Rapi:t to get you into Umeda (I think you have to transfer at Namba),

The Nankai trains stop at Nankai Namba station, the walk to connect to the Subway Namba station or JR Namba station can be up to 20 minutes (depending on what Namba Station you wanted to use, there are about 4-5 different Namba stations, JR Namba, two subway namba stations, Nankai Namba, and Kintetsu Namba) navigating through shoping areas and or street level walking to connect to the other stations. A big hassle especially if you have some luggage with you.

The Airport bus is the easiest way as it drops you right off at the hotel. The cheapest way without connecting would be the JR rapid train direct to Osaka Station. Its a normal rapid commuter train so it can fill up at times with regular commuters and luggage space is a bit limited on it, but its another option you have. Prices can be seen at the link i provided.

The Nankai trains stop at Nankai Namba station, the walk to connect to the Subway Namba station or JR Namba station can be up to 20 minutes (depending on what Namba Station you wanted to use, there are about 4-5 different Namba stations, JR Namba, two subway namba stations, Nankai Namba, and Kintetsu Namba) navigating through shoping areas and or street level walking to connect to the other stations. A big hassle especially if you have some luggage with you.

The Airport bus is the easiest way as it drops you right off at the hotel. The cheapest way without connecting would be the JR rapid train direct to Osaka Station. Its a normal rapid commuter train so it can fill up at times with regular commuters and luggage space is a bit limited on it, but its another option you have. Prices can be seen at the link i provided.


I never noticed the walk being that bad, but it seems you have more experience than I. I was just so excited to ride all the trains that I never thought of taking the bus. :p

Since you have already been to Kyoto, for other sightseeing places to see around Osaka, I would recommend Himeji and Nara. Himeji has the big castle to wander around in. Nara has temples (including a very large Buddha in one) and tame deer everywhere that act like pigeons, begging for food. You can buy "deer food" there and feed the deer by hand.

If you were going one month later, I would also recommend Mino for the beautiful fall colors and the wild monkeys that run around. But in early October the colors have not changed yet, although the monkeys will probably still be running around.

I'm taking the spouse to Osaka for the Big 60 b'day. We'll be staying at the Hilton Osaka (assuming I can use the Diamond Force to get three free nights)

We'll be there from Oct 7th-10th

We've been to Japan 3 other times, seen the usual tourist sites in Tokyo, Nikko, Kyoto, Hiroshima, Myajima, etc.

Suggestions for places to go, things to see in and around Osaka?
No problem taking trains!
We are especially interested in Japanese architecture and Edo period houses, and Japanese food.

Also, what are the choices for getting from KIX to the Hilton? And, approximate costs? Would rather spend our budget on food and sights, not airport/hotel transportation.

thanks!

Osaka looks like a featureless concrete jungle at first glance, but I've found it growing on me on subsequent visits.

Check your guidebook to see if there are any festivals going on in the area in early November. These are great for people watching and even shopping for unusual souvenirs.

Osaka is the headquarters of the bunraku puppet theater, but again, you'll have to check with local information agencies to see if, when, and where they're performing during your stay. The plays are all in Japanese, of course, and 18th-century Japanese at that, so I don't really understand them, but it's fascinating to see what the puppets can do and to see and hear how the narrator (the tayu) changes his voice and posture to become the different characters.

If you were staying more than three days, I'd recommend an overnight trip to the Koya-san temple complex, which is reachable from Nankai Namba station. You could possibly do it as a day trip, and the scenery is lovely, but I think you really need the experience of staying overnight in a temple, eating the monks' vegan meals, and rising at dawn to hear them chant the morning service. So maybe you can save it for next time.

First I would suggest that there are probably still things that you have not seen in Kyoto - People usually don't see the things that require advanced reservation (the imperial properties etc.) on their first visit. With a little planning you could find another visit to Kyoto to be very rewarding.

I'll second the recommendations to visti Himeji Castle. I would add that the temple near Himeji (Shoshazan Engyoji temple) is worth visiting. I recently learnt that they used this temple as a backdrop for some scenes in "The Last Samurai"

Finally - I'll make a recommendation for Hikone Castle and Kurokabe Square in Nagahama. The remaining structures at Hikone are not as extensive or as pristine as the Himeji castle - but this is a superb castle nonetheless. It's just a short distance on the other side of Kyoto. And if you continue your trip from Hikone up the side of Lake Biwa, you can reach Nagahama which has some Edo period merchants houses etc.

Finally - I'll make a recommendation for Hikone Castle and Kurokabe Square in Nagahama. The remaining structures at Hikone are not as extensive or as pristine as the Himeji castle - but this is a superb castle nonetheless. It's just a short distance on the other side of Kyoto. And if you continue your trip from Hikone up the side of Lake Biwa, you can reach Nagahama which has some Edo period merchants houses etc.

We did spend a day at Himeji Castle on a previous trip. It was at the end of February and we had the entire Castle to ourselves. One of the most fun tours is the Ninja Temple near Kanazawa.
We also spent 5 days in Kyoto/Nara. We did see the Imperial Palace, walked the Nightingale floors in Nijo-jo, toured Gold and Silver Palaces, watched hand dying of silk kimonos and bought used kimonos at a small shop somewhere near the museum. We also had a wonderful kaiseki meal on the banks of the river, and toured Gion. I spent one afternoon walking around photographing fabulous gates.
In Nara, we watched cormorant fishing at night, and I was bitten on the butt by one of those "charming" temple deer. It required medical attention and I had a bruise for 2 months! We also had a great planked river fish dinner in Nara.

I have been filming a documentary on a small village in Shi'tara, which is famous for their 450 year old Kabuki tradition.
It started 5 years ago, when a group from the village came to the US on a culteral exchange visit. I have been to their village 3 times now (and sat thru 11 hours of Kabuki each time) as well as the Dengaku ceremony (archers, drum and flute music, lots of giant sake bottles)

For this trip, we're not looking so much for the typical tourist visit, more like something smaller and more art related. A National Treasure basket weaver or Laquerware artist, or some Edo period homes would be very nice.

I appreciate all your suggestions!

thanks,

Isn't there an underground passage between the Osaka JR station and the Hilton? That might make for a quick walk.

The Hilton is located across the street from Osaka Station.
You have many options to getting to the hotel,
Your options from KIX are layed out in this thread, there are links provided for limobuses and trains and approximate costs:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=530019&page=2
(Post #29 at the bottom of the page).

Airport bus will drop you off right at the hotel, the JR trains will drop you off at Osaka Station (the rapid train) the Haruka Limited Express train stops at Shin-Osaka where you change trains to Osaka Station.

we had a great week's leisure stay at the hilton. second the suggestions about himeji and nara - but what was really good about our trips was that we got bikes at the stations at each of these places (free at himeji - a lot of stations do this I believe). this meant that we could cycle through the back streets, which was really interesting, and also that getting to the sights was less tiring than walking. the hilton is also near the osaka night life quarter so it was really interesting to walk through this at night.

Isn't there an underground passage between the Osaka JR station and the Hilton? That might make for a quick walk.

The area has a series of underground malls that internconnet in a large maze to many other underground complexes, subway stations and department stores. I dont think there's any time saved, (possibly more time lost) than exiting the station and going across.

The area has a series of underground malls that internconnet in a large maze to many other underground complexes, subway stations and department stores. I dont think there's any time saved, (possibly more time lost) than exiting the station and going across.

I thought the real advantage of the never ending underground malls was that you didn't have to weave and jump continuously to avoid the streams of inconsiderate cyclists. It was quite relaxing to take a stroll down there compared to my fretful forays into the sunlit pavements of Osaka.

I've walked from Osaka station to the Hilton plaza on many occasions, I dont recall having to weave through steams of cyclists.

Excellent advice by jib71. ^ I think Kyoto is very suitable for "theme" travel. Some examples could be a day trip to a pre-arranged tea ceremony, the pottery district, a local matsuri or the various Kyoto food markets.

And of course I'd like to add Kobe as a modern and maritime contrast to all the history and traditions of the other Kansai cities.

First I would suggest that there are probably still things that you have not seen in Kyoto - People usually don't see the things that require advanced reservation (the imperial properties etc.) on their first visit. With a little planning you could find another visit to Kyoto to be very rewarding.

I'll second the recommendations to visti Himeji Castle. I would add that the temple near Himeji (Shoshazan Engyoji temple) is worth visiting. I recently learnt that they used this temple as a backdrop for some scenes in "The Last Samurai"

Finally - I'll make a recommendation for Hikone Castle and Kurokabe Square in Nagahama. The remaining structures at Hikone are not as extensive or as pristine as the Himeji castle - but this is a superb castle nonetheless. It's just a short distance on the other side of Kyoto. And if you continue your trip from Hikone up the side of Lake Biwa, you can reach Nagahama which has some Edo period merchants houses etc.

We did see the Imperial Palace,

When I mentioned "imperial properties," I was thinking not so much of the palace in the center of town, (which is the one I think you probably visited). Rather, I meant the Shugaku-in and Katsura Rikyu. These are both "A list" sites that somehow don't make it onto everyone's "A list" when they first visit Kyoto:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shugaku-in_Imperial_Villa
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katsura_Imperial_Villa

One of the most fun tours is the Ninja Temple near Kanazawa.

If you liked the "Ninja temple" in Kanazawa (Real name = Myoryuji) ... you would probably enjoy the Nijo Jinya in Kyoto. (Near Nijo castle).

If you consider Kanazawa to be a viable day trip from Osaka, then the list of places you could go really opens up (but really for this distance, I would suggest decamping from Osaka - and staying overnight in the place you're visiting - even if that means that you can't use Hilton points).

Some other "more distant" places that come to mind immediately - Takayama / Shirakawa go and Gokayama / Meiji Mura museum in Aichi prefecture (actually that's not so distant) / Matsumoto city / I'm sure there are dozens more - but we're getting into a game called "cool places to point to on a map of Japan."

And yes, you can find "experience tourism" in most of these places - pottery classes / factory tours / traditional crafts demonstrations etc. One of my favourite demonstrations was in one of the lacquerware making shops at Wajima (on the Noto peninsular). Unfortunately it takes months to make a lacquerware item, so this is not something that you can try your own hand at for an afternoon and come away with a completed piece of your own.

When I mentioned "imperial properties," I was thinking not so much of the palace in the center of town, (which is the one I think you probably visited). Rather, I meant the Shugaku-in and Katsura Rikyu. These are both "A list" sites that somehow don't make it onto everyone's "A list" when they first visit Kyoto:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shugaku-in_Imperial_Villa
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katsura_Imperial_Villa

Some other "more distant" places that come to mind immediately - Takayama / Shirakawa go and Gokayama / Meiji Mura museum in Aichi prefecture (actually that's not so distant) / Matsumoto city / I'm sure there are dozens more - but we're getting into a game called "cool places to point to on a map of Japan."

And yes, you can find "experience tourism" in most of these places - pottery classes / factory tours / traditional crafts demonstrations etc. One of my favourite demonstrations was in one of the lacquerware making shops at Wajima (on the Noto peninsular). Unfortunately it takes months to make a lacquerware item, so this is not something that you can try your own hand at for an afternoon and come away with a completed piece of your own.

It doesn't look as though we will be able to stay at the Osaka Hilton on points, so we are now thinking of taking your suggestion and going back to Kyoto for a day and then to Lake Biwa. That's probably all we can do in the 2 1/2 days we have.
I realize that doesn't seem like very much time in these wonderful places, but this is just a sort of special lark, not meant to be a comprehensive visit.

We will either stay overnight in Osaka (AA #125 arrives about 4:30PM) or go directly by train to Kyoto area.

So, any suggestions for either Ryokan or nice hotels? Osaka, Kyoto, Lake Biwa?
Anything in the $100/night range?

thanks so much for the advice!

Biwa-ko as an area is rather rural in appearance compared to Kyoto and Osaka. A friend went to University in Otsu and he wasn't exactly praising the town itself. But the sights mentioned by jib are well worth a day trip from Kyoto as are others like the Miho Museum ( http://www.miho.or.jp/english/index.htm ).

In Kyoto the north is usually more pleasant than southern parts and my favorite street for accomodation is Imadegawa as always. In Osaka, Nishinomiya ( well, it's legally Kobe I guess ) has nice baths, accomodation and lots of sake brewing history.

Ryokans in:

- Osaka http://www.japaneseguesthouses.com/db/osaka/index.htm

- Kyoto http://www.japaneseguesthouses.com/db/kyoto/index.htm

We did spend a day at Himeji Castle on a previous trip. It was at the end of February and we had the entire Castle to ourselves. One of the most fun tours is the Ninja Temple near Kanazawa.
We also spent 5 days in Kyoto/Nara. We did see the Imperial Palace, walked the Nightingale floors in Nijo-jo, toured Gold and Silver Palaces, watched hand dying of silk kimonos and bought used kimonos at a small shop somewhere near the museum. We also had a wonderful kaiseki meal on the banks of the river, and toured Gion. I spent one afternoon walking around photographing fabulous gates.
In Nara, we watched cormorant fishing at night, and I was bitten on the butt by one of those "charming" temple deer. It required medical attention and I had a bruise for 2 months! We also had a great planked river fish dinner in Nara.

I have been filming a documentary on a small village in Shi'tara, which is famous for their 450 year old Kabuki tradition.
It started 5 years ago, when a group from the village came to the US on a culteral exchange visit. I have been to their village 3 times now (and sat thru 11 hours of Kabuki each time) as well as the Dengaku ceremony (archers, drum and flute music, lots of giant sake bottles)

For this trip, we're not looking so much for the typical tourist visit, more like something smaller and more art related. A National Treasure basket weaver or Laquerware artist, or some Edo period homes would be very nice.

I appreciate all your suggestions!

thanks,

The Museum of Oriental Ceramics in Osaka is a big deal museum. I'm not much of a ceramics fan - but I liked the museum. We spent 3 days in Osaka this year - and did everything from this museum - to the aquarium (great aquarium) - to the "businessmen's nightlife district" - to the cherry blossom festival by the River - to the castle (I know it's a "fake" castle but it had a terrific garden festival when we were there - and we got to talk with a lot of people about gardening in Japan) - to the food market - etc. We had some excellent eating too. Osaka is like Chicago in the US - not the biggest or most famous - but there is a lot to do/see there if you scratch the surface. I very much enjoyed the city - and don't think you should miss it because you don't have enough points for a hotel stay. Robyn

P.S. Don't know if this is your birthday - or your wife's. If the former - ignore this. If the latter - all women like to be pampered. And the older we get - the more we like to be pampered :) (I just celebrated my 59th birthday in California last week - we pulled out a few stops - and who knows what we'll do for my 60th!). I think that you should budget this trip so your wife will stay in a luxury hotel - with a swell room - flowers - a massage - a great dinner - stuff like that. Even if it means a shorter stay closer to home instead of 3 days in Japan. You won't regret arranging things this way - my husband never does :) . Note that the only luxury hotel in Osaka is the Ritz Carlton - and its prices are very reasonable for a Ritz Carlton.

Isn't it in Osaka's Dotonbori area where the large mechanical crab (http://pics.livejournal.com/jvergara/pic/000aa6kd/g14?.f=1) sign is at?

I've always wanted to see it. Maybe next trip. :D

Isn't it in Osaka's Dotonbori area where the large mechanical crab sign is at?

Yes thats where it is. If I remember, the legs and claws move around.

We have our air tickets, we have a reservation for the Ramada downtown for the 1st night and the Hilton for 2 nights (thanks to the Diamond Desk!)

Now, we just have to put together a wish list of places to go, things to see and do.

We will be there from October 7th-10th

thanks to all who've made suggestions!

socoast