This is an automated archive made by the Lemmit Bot.
The original was posted on /r/japantravel by /u/Kidlike101 on 2025-10-22 13:33:20+00:00.
PRE-TRIP
Some background for context. I’m in my mid-forties, my health has been yo-yoing the past few years and I have a bad right leg (broken hip + busted knee from an old injury).
While I did visit Japan last year in spring 2024 for this trip I had one goal, climb a mountain! Ok so, this has been a bucketlist item of mine that I always saw as “haha, never-gonna-happen.” But after a health scare… anyway after some digging I settled on Mount Takao.
I wanted to experience Japan in the autumn this time and that seemed like a popular daytrip for fall. Also it’s beginner friendly with the option of multiple trails and a chairlift for the descent.
I started going on 5 kms daily walks 3 months in advance to prepare. All the main bookings were made in late March or early April, which is why the prices seem low for an October trip.
The goal, experience Japan in autumn and hike up Mt. Takao!
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DAY 0 (Singapore Airlines, KIX, Arriving in Osaka)
Singapore Airlines – 8/10
Multi-city round ticket, Economy. $600 + $60 for seat selection. Landing at KIX, Osaka. Leaving from Narita, Tokyo.
As an airline this was a comfortable trip. Service is top shelf, the meals decent and a 25kg check-in weight allowance. The ongoing flight included a one hour layover in Singapore so I was worried about that but they’re super-efficient and even with a checked bag there were no issues. I will note that the chairs are rather narrow.
The first leg of the trip the lady sitting next to me was all elbows -- and later all knees! On the second part of the journey I caught the attention of a toddler from the family one row over. For some reason she insisted on checking and rechecking the pouch of my seat. I’m not sure what she expected to find in there but she was persistent! The lady next to me this time turned out to be from Osaka and just returning from holiday, time just flew as we chatted (and the toddler’s exploration attempts!).
Once in KIX I noticed a lot had changed since last year. They finally completed the renovations and customs/immigration section was now massive. Last year I was one of only 5 people in the QR-code lane in the airport. This time, the majority were in that lane with only a few completing the paper version on-site. I actually timed it, Landed at 4:05 PM and was done with customs/immigration AND collected my bags at 4:20 PM. There were over 20 stations specifically for the Visit Japan Web QR-Code holders and everything was color coded depending on where you were classified so it moved ridiculously fast.
Tip Currently JR has a special offer for foreign tourist specifically for the Haruka Express to or from KIX. If you book your train ticket online through them (or like me, through Klook) then the ticket is heavily discounted, almost at half price. Also, it’s an open-timed ticket, so you’re not tied to a specific train or even a date. Just show up, redeem the QR code at the machine and board the train on the spot.
Shin-Osaka Station Hotel - 7.5/10
$86 per night, 5 nights.
Located 4 minutes away from Shin Osaka station this is your typical business hotel. Very clean and no frills it was a comfortable stay if rather basic. Because of the time of year + Expo 2025 the price was rather high but for Osaka it was basement bargain bin prices to be honest for this much space.
My only complaint was that after landing I did the fall-on-the-bed-to-be-embraced-by-fluffiness thing just to end up with a head injury. Turns out they use traditional buckwheat pillows (I think), just imagine a bag of Quaker Oats as your pillow and you’ve got it. Otherwise, they are a pretty solid place to stay and the location was VERY convenient, surprisingly quiet too.
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DAY 1 (Shrines, Osaka Castle, New Pillow)
Step count for the day = 32.7K steps
Today was the open (let’s explore Osaka day) taking it slow after a long flight. You saw the step count right? So you know that’s not what really happened. Ok, let’s GO GO GO!
First on the list, visit Samuhara Shrine. I heard they sell a special ring to ward off evil. Turns out you only qualify for that as a resident as its custom made. So I paid my respects and got a normal amulet, the priest was nice enough to actually write a wording spell and attach it too. I think the shrine is popular because by the time I left there was actually a very long queue of people waiting to pray.
Next stop is Osaka Castle. I got turned around a few times here because it took a while to find literally anything. Still, it end up as a highlight. The castle exterior is lovely and I opted for the boat ride as well, while waiting for that I again got lost on the grounds and found an area full of spider lilies in full bloom! So lucky, I heard they’re a September thing!
Leaving the boat I was handed a flyer for some Expo 2025 event thing, they had set up a food court of sorts just outside the castle in the baseball field so I figured why not, it was almost lunch time anyway.
I was enjoying my first Takoyaki of the trip right up until I got attacked by a murder hornet! Ok so it was just bee but dear god was it HUGE! Why are the bugs in Japan so big! I may or may not have jumped and screamed causing the entire bench to topple over and caused a fuss. I admit nothing!
Belly full and still a bit hyper I wanted to visit a few more shrines from my list. The Moss covered one (Hozenji Temple) and the lion head (Namba Yasaka Shrine). Got the first Omikuji of the trip, Great Blessings! This is going to be so ironic later, just wait.
Namba is sorta distracting to be honest. Lots of interesting food stalls and shops. At this point I was already at 25K steps and really starting to feel it, heavy with shopping bags I headed to my hotel… which is when I remembered that bludgeoning weapon of a pillow they had!
This is where the remaining steps come in. Just me, totally lost in Umeda, trying to find a department store that sold pillows and navigate my way back. Worth it, used that thing the whole trip!
Tip A random purchase today ended up the MVP of the trip. A rain + UV ultralight umbrella I picked up from the conbini for 1500 yen. Used it every single day including in the middle of a literal typhoon, and it actually held! Seriously get one, the compact type fits right into your purse without adding weight to it and Tokyo Hands has some really nice ones.
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DAY 2 (Himeji, Five Hep Mall)
Step count for the day = 23.2K steps
One of the things I wasn’t too sure of was the regional JR pass. I got the 7 day Sanyo Sanin Northern Kyushu Pass (voucher) for the trip and activated it today. I was worried it would limit my options but turns out it actually gave me more travel flexibility. Also, I want to note that even after some planned day trips got cancelled the Pass paid for itself twice over just from the base trips.
Anyway first day trip was one carried over from last year’s wishlist. Himeji! I always wanted to see the castle, because of my leg though I skipped the interior (7 flights of stairs!) and spent most of the day in Koko-in Garden. Gorgeous place and very serene, there is a little restaurant there and I strongly urge you to have a meal in it. The entire wall overlooking the waterfall is glass so no matter where you are seated you have a view of the Koi pond and waterfall. It was just the best!
Around Midday I was getting tired so back to Osaka, by the way if you ever visit Himeji just know the view outside the station is deceptive. The minute you step outside you’ll see the castle so your mind tricks you into thinking (Oh, it’s right there)… it’s a 20 minute walk, a bit longer if you’re me but yeah get ready for that.
Anyway, remember how I got lost in Umeda yesterday while looking for a pillow? Well, there was one Mall that caught my eye called Hep Five. I think it’s because of the giant red Ferris wheel on top of it (yes, ON TOP of the building). It was only after I bought a ticket and got ready to get on that I remembered something, I don’t like heights! Wait, why did I even want to do this! Eek! High, too high!
After a minor panic attack I was back on solid ground and remembered why I wanted to go here. They had an Ichiban Kuji store! D’oh! Anyway I really wanted to try that after watching quite a few youtubes about it. One epic fail later, I had a nice evening window shopping and trying different little treats.
The day was muddled a bit because on the way back I quite literally ran into my first bumping man (Butsukari otoko). The guy looked me in the eye before picking up speed to shoulder check me as hard as he could. Mind you, he was rather young and I’m old enough to be his mother so that was a really weird experience.
Tip There is a rather famous store in Kobe called Frantz. It seems they expanded because I came across a branch in Shin-Osaka station. Today I discovered why their “Magic Jars” are a must try item in Kobe. Seriously if you come across them get those Jars, they’re out of this world amazing and this is from someone that doesn’t care for pudding. Oh and they sell chocolate covered freeze dried strawberries in Narita airport. My family adored those, they are expensive but quality.
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DAY 3 (USJ)
Step count for the day = 26.5K steps
My Day in USJ…
Last year this was my most ant...
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