ASIA: Osaka, Japan 2016

Osaka is part of the Kansai region, near Kyoto and Kobe. Osaka is famous for Okonomiyaki, Dotonbori (billboard of Glico and the giant crab), Osaka Castle, Nara Park, Universal Studios, and a whole lot more! This place is actually less crowded than Tokyo. I noticed that whenever we ride a train, we've never seen it jam-packed. In this big city, we still find the raw culture in every corner.

Japan will always have a special place in my heart. It has been my favorite country ever since. When I was in 5th grade, I used to collect laminated pictures of my favorite anime characters and slip it into an album which I bought from Comic Alley (Sm North Edsa). I was a geek for Anime back then, and I have been dreaming of going to Japan someday. I also check all the stores that sell Anime stuff. Years passed, and my geeky self slowly changed into a friends-centered girl, transitioning to more girly stuff like makeup, shopping, and girly sleepovers. I was not this geek-for-anime girl anymore, but bloomed into this I-will-die-for-Japanese-food girl. Ramen and Gyoza are my favorites! Both satiates my cravings whenever I have one. If I have a chance to go back, I will definitely go food tripping. No one can stop me, not even my mother!

How to apply for a Japan Visa?

I only entrust my visa processing to Travel Specialist Ventures ever since my family and/or I started travelling. I actually applied for a single entry visa, and paid for only P 2,500 visa processing. Surprisingly, I got a multiple entry visa for 5 years! This only means, I could go back to Japan anytime, and I have been yearning to go back again actually.

Visa Requirements for tourism(Click here)
Visa Application form (Click here)
Visa Application form SAMPLE (Click here)

Note:
FILING OF APPLICATION
Application should be filed through accredited agencies. (Please see their website for the list of Agents or get one from FAX service by Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Tokyo, or get one from visa gate of the Embassy.)
※ The applicant may be required to appear in person for interview etc.

-I would suggest to get a visa from your preferred travel agency

How to get there?
I scored my booking for only P11,078.57 via Cebu Pacific. I did a multi-city booking, Manila-Osaka & Tokyo-Manila.

Where to stay?

We booked a small apartment thru airbnb for a cheaper stay in Osaka. We were 5 in a group and booked it for P13,058 (P3,264.50 each) for 5d/4n. A portable wi-fi is also included so that you can bring it while exploring the city. We stayed at Osaka Old Town, a 5-min walk going to Zuiko 4 Chome Train Station.

OSAKA SUBWAY MAP (Click here)

Itinerary
Day 1
Arrival at Osaka, Japan
Day 2
Nara Park
Todaiji Temple
Osaka Castle
Dotonbori
Day 3
Universal Studios Japan
Dotonbori
Day 4
Kyoto (separate blog)
Day 5
Flight to Tokyo, Japan via Peach

Places we visited in Osaka, Japan
1. Nara Station
Once you alight from the train and head to the exit, you can see lots lots lots of restaurants and shops. If you have not taken lunch before navigating your way to Nara Park and Todaiji Temple, this is the place to have a stop over.

Here, you can also find the famous Mochi at Nakatanidou. You can watch how they pound so fast in making mochis. It was really amazing, and the mochi was delicious too!

2. Nara Park

You can take pictures with deers, but have to bribe them first with crackers.
There are small stalls that sell "Deer Crackers" for only 150 yen.
Don't worry they don't bite. I guess?

2. Todaiji Temple

3. Osaka Castle

4. Dotonbori

A great place to shop, eat, party, take pictures, and buy pasalubong! The place is so crowded at night, especially on weekends - just like any other tourist place.

Looking for pasalubongs? Just find Don Quijote, and not worry anymore!

5. Universal Studios Japan
Entrance fee :
Adult - Y 7,900
Child - Y 5,400

What's exciting here is The Wizarding World of Harry Potter! We queued for almost 2 hours just to get inside Hogwarts Castle, and ride the "Harry Potter and forbidden journey". It was all worth the sweat and leg cramps! So I would highly suggest to add this to your first-thing-to-visit-attraction list because you will need 2 to 4 hours just only for this place. If you are a Harry Potter fan, you must visit and enjoy each and every corner of this attraction; from the Platfrom 9 3/4, to 5972 Hogwarts Express, to drinking butter beer, to shopping at Hogsmeade, and all wizardy-ish things you can do -casting a spell, perhaps. You will definitely enjoy. I swear!