On the first day of Osaka during the morning that I arrive to Kansai International Airport and after I pick up luggage then take limousines bus to Umeda Station. This trip is not more than 15 days so I buy return limousines bus tickets which is cheap than one ways. After get to Umeda Station and leave the luggage in the hotel then I start day plan as. I use Osaka subway day pass ticket. Because it’s easy to get around Osaka by subway and not waste my time to travel around.
Osaka One-Day Pass on Weekend and Holiday is 600 yen but normal day or weekday is 800 yen. This pass you can buy at subway station before you ride the train on ticket machine. Today I will walk around Umeda and shopping area. start at …..
1. Shin Umeda cafeteria Street
Shin Umeda cafeteria Street or Shin-Umeda Shokudogai Association located in 9-26 Kakuda-cho, Kita-ku, Osaka 530-0017. If your hotel is around Umeda you can walk to this place. But it not you can take Hankyu-Kobe Line to Umeda Station and walk from the station about 2 minutes.
Shin umeda Shokudogai has been in operation since 1950. There are many restaurants lined up with more than 100 restaurants and other restaurants around this place. This will make people known as Osaka’s cafeteria. Osaka City has been named as the kitchen of Japan because there have variety food to eat with delicious and unique flavor like local food. Foods that can be recommend in Osaka are like Takoyaki or Okonomiyaki. So this can be find in the center of Osaka-style restaurants in Shin Umeda cafeteria Street or Shin Umeda Shokudogai Osaka’s cafeteria.
After finish the delicious foods and I want to visit the popular place that most people like to visit. So the trip will go to Shinsaibashi shopping area and the Dotonbori area.
2. Shinsaibashi Shopping area
Shinsaibashi Shopping area can take subway from Umeda Station and take off at Hommachi Station then walk to Exit 12. After that turn right and you will find long shopping street line that have many things that you can look for or walk to.
If shopping is important, this Shinsaibashi area is another shopping area where gourmets, shoppers have to come like the Dotonbori area but just a different road. They have more than 180 famous Osaka stores to get and visit from the best street around 600 meters long and both side have fashion clothes, shoes, brand name stores especially cosmetics and pharmacy that are cheap and many choice to choose. Cute shop also are in this street like Disney Store and Sanrio Gallery. The building of Daimaru Shinsaibashi department store is located here,too. The large department store that collects many famous brands and restaurants will be one of the landmark in Shinsaibashi area.
There is also a coffee shops and another delicious dessert shops around this area, too. Such as famous cheese cake shop call “PABLO”. They have soft texture Cheesecake that melts in to your mouth.
3. Dotonbori area
Dotonbori area is the most famous shopping and nightlife in Osaka. A small road address along to the canal and during the nigh they have the lights on with beautifully decorated. In this area are also many people walk, shop, eat and enjoying the romantic atmosphere along the canal. You will see the Glico Running Man sign which is a runner that holding his hand.
4. America Mura
America Mura is located at Nishishinsaibashi,Chuo-ku,Osaka City. You can take subway on Metro Red Line M – Midosuji Line or Green Line and take off at Nagahoritsurumiryokuchi Station or Shinsaibashi Station (M19, N15) then walk about 3 minutes from the station to the village area.
America Mura or American Village of Osaka is the center of fashion, similar Shibuya and Harajuku in Tokyo. This village are charming of architecture and decorations suitable for strolling. This is shopping place for children’s and teenage fashion on clothing. There are cafes and bookstores that you can visit. Also many restaurants and delicious desserts that you can walk and enjoy eating with the most hip atmosphere in Osaka.
This is my plan for today on my first day of trip. On Kansai Day 2 will visit Uji city and some of main Kyoto place.
Kansai Day 2: Uji city – Kyoto
