Category: Travel

We spent the last long weekend in Balesin and stayed in its newest villa—Regency Private Villas (Villa A). The villa’s location is fairly peaceful and it stays consistently quiet with a laid-back atmosphere. We came in a group of more than 20 people, so it’s just a good fit as it houses 20 bedroom suites with a Pan-Asian architectural style similar to the existing Balesin Private Villas. Going to the other seven themed villas in Balesin Island is pretty convenient and fast, thanks to the free shuttle service, vans, jeepneys, and other transfer vehicles. The Regency Private Villa A is only around 5 minutes away from the main clubhouse by car.

Review of Regency Private Villa (Balesin Island Club, Philippines)

The spacious contemporary lobby features tall ceilings, comfy couches, a lush indoor greenscape, and a fully equipped kitchen that makes guests feel just right at home and welcome. In contrast with other villages, Regency has no restaurant but guests can request food and order from the in-house cook, who will prepare full meals in the villa. I had my first breakfast in Balesin here. Food and service were good and satisfying.

Tasteful interiors have a strong local feel. There’s plenty of space to sprawl out, making this villa a great accommodation and hangout place for groups of friends or families, though there aren’t any kid specific facilities. There are eight two-bedroom suites and four one-bedroom suites, located on the upper floor and main floor.

At the back of the ground floor is a veranda where you can watch the sunset and enjoy a stunning view of the Lamon Bay. For those who want to swim, the spectacular 400-sqm infinity freshwater swimming pool with an integrated saltwater whirlpool is easily accessible as well. I especially like the infinity pool here as it offers a quiet spot for sunbathing and swimming, as well as some shade. It’s like the piece de resistance that can make you feel like you’re staying in an oasis. By the beach and pool area are four chic cabañas for dining, drinking, and leisurely lounging.

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Only the ground floor near the reception area has free Wi-Fi connection, which has both pros and cons. In the room and other parts of the villa, it’s probably recommended to connect more with nature, engage in meaningful and social activities, and do other stuff offline. 😉

Five of us stayed in Room H on the upper floor. Interior design is straightforward, with some artsy wall art decor exuding an elegant touch of native Filipino work. Large windows add a sense off airiness and fill the room with light. The furniture is made from handsome solid wood, embracing rustic-chic with enthusiasm and style. The first floor has two single beds and a sofa bed on the side, while the second floor has a queen-size bed and also a sofa on the side. In-room amenities include all the basics expected of a luxury hotel. Both floors are equipped with flat-screen TVs and coffeemakers.

The bathrooms have separate contemporary shower areas and toilet areas. Toiletries include shampoo, conditioner, and body wash. At the far end are cabinets for wardrobes with hangers, towels, and bath robes. The bathroom is also complete with “his and hers” style vanity. While hairdryers are provided, they are small and not very powerful. Timeless lighting keeps the area bright, modern, and understated.

There’s a common area outside the room, with a balcony overseeing the ground floor. It’s simply decorated with natural colors and ligh walls. The minimalism makes it feel really clean and spacious. There’s nice accents that bring a pop of color and warm wood tones throughout.

While my roommates (husband and brothers-in-law) were sleeping, I went ahead to see the lower ground floor, which happens to be a large entertainment area. It’s enough for families to lounge all day, play board games, work out in the gym room, play mahjong or poker, sing karaoke in the karaoke rooms, play table tennis, play billiards, or have a nice massage. There’s also ample space for late-night cocktails in the bar. This place is just…wow!

Wrap Up

Regency in Balesin, Philippines is like an all-inclusive private villa that offers a host of extra property features. Eating, drinking, and activities are all part of the plan, including meals, snacks, and hospitable room services. With an array of options for indoor entertainment, it’s also a nice spot to hang around when it’s raining outside. Overall, we had a convenient and comfortable 3D2N stay here. It’s highly recommended for a comprehensive family vacation, team-building, or just a quick r&r from the city.

After Balesin Regency Villa A, Balesin will be completing Villas B, C, and D within the next several months. After the completion of the Regency Private Villas, there will be a total of 52 bedroom suites in four different Regency Villa structures.

If a getaway with indulgent meals and breathtaking views sounds like your idea of an exquisite vacation, then Balesin Island Club in the Philippines is a great option. You can tour the entire island in a day, but a day isn’t enough to experience everything that it has to offer.

Why go? A destination of unmatched natural beauty located off the eastern coast of Luzon in the Philippines, Balesin Island Club is Alphaland Corporation’s flagship project. This 500-hectare tropical island paradise is only less than an hour away from Metro Manila by plane. Balesin Island Club features seven internationally-themed villages each having beautifully landscaped swimming pool and specialty restaurants that attract tourists not only with their yummy food, but also with their exclusive themes and design.

We stayed in the Regency Villa last weekend for three days and two nights and had a short stop in every village in Balesin. In this post, I’m sharing about the highlights and my personal take on the seven villages. 😉

Balesin Island Tour: 7 Themed Villages and More

Our flight was scheduled at 6:00am last Saturday. We boarded the plane on time and, without delay, we arrived in Balesin after 27 minutes! We checked in and snoozed off as we prepared for our island day tour and other activities afterwards.

Right after lunch, our tour guide took us from one villa to the next via a coaster. Balesin’s villages and amenities are nicely patterned after some of the most alluring cities in the world: Balesin, Bali, Phuket, Mykonos, St. Tropez, Costa del Sol, and Toscana. The villas are elegant, stylish, artistic, and well-equipped with premium entertainment rooms, bars, and other convenient amenities.

1. Balesin (Philippines)

Our first stop was Balesin. Only a walking distance from the welcome hall, it’s the first village we came across upon arrival at the island and it was also where we checked in. Balesin features beautiful Filipino architecture, craft, and design with a modern twist. What’s amazing is that the pieces of furniture here are all made in the island by the indigenous group. Every piece really looks unique and special.

The front of Balesin is the best beach on the island. It can be both a romantic and a family-friendly spot where guests can just hang out and relax or make use of the water sports available. With its long stretch of pristine white sand, you can take a serendipity walk leisurely. Another great privilege is a massage by the beach. There’s also an infinity pool where you can spend some time floating between the water and the sky. The main clubhouse provides easy access to the Balesin Spa, the Aquatic Sports Center, the Balesin Sala, and its surrounding villas. Everything is walking distance away.

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2. Bali (Indonesia)

Drawing inspiration from Indonesia’s native hat or the “salakot,” Bali Village is a tranquil choice for families and couples. The center of attraction here is the secluded water villa located near Nusa Dua Bar, which has the the most captivating panoramic view on the island. The bar was closed when we got there but the ambiance was enough for us to appreciate its marvel. It almost looked floating as it’s set above the water. From Nusa Dua Bar, guests have a 360-degree view of Balesin’s sparkling waters and twinkling island lights at night.

3. St. Tropez (France)

One of my personal favorite locations in Balesin is St. Tropez. I haven’t been in France, so this was the closest opportunity I could get to experience French Riviera. Surrounded by lush lawns and gardens, Saint Tropez Village was inspired by the vibe of Côte d’Azur, offering luxury in a traditional setting. Outside, there’s a large tiled swimming pool with sun loungers and parasols that dot the terrace as well as the beach. Our main agenda here was to try the famous crêpes at Crêperie. It was lovely, indeed! ❤️

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After dining, we took a respite in the Nirvana Lounge. It’s like an intimate and quiet “secret room” or a hideaway area located on the ground floor of St. Tropez. The interior design takes inspiration from the sophisticated French bar scene, but the amusingly, it’s Asian-themed.

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4. Toscana (Italy)

Another one of my favorites is Toscana Village that’s inspired from Tuscany. In front of the building, I really felt like I was somewhere in Italy! There’s a fountain and a huge balcony overseeing lush gardens, all visually reminiscent of an Italian country estate. Other key pieces that remind of Italy are the arched doorways, terracotta accents, textured stone walls, tiled finishes, and the extensive use of natural wood throughout the complex.

The facade of the Toscana Village presents the rich variety of earth tones and deep sunset colors that Tuscany is known for. You’ll see different aspects of the Tuscan experience such as an indoor stone courtyard that suggests an ancient castello, a round terrace with a fountain, surrounded by a alley of arches, a series of sitting rooms with rich colors of fabric and tile, and textures of brick, wood and stone, a grand, moon-shaped dining room, an intimate vaulted cafe, like a tunnel in a catacomb, a rooftop terrace looking out over the gardens and the sea. The architecture and landscaping is an endless and varied feast for the senses.

5. Mykonos (Greece)

Outstanding highlights are the villa’s whitewashed walls, blue windows and doors, and winding cobblestone roads. Mykonos Village is truly a great recreation of the world-famous Greek isle. Named after the gods of Greek mythology, the villas here are ideal for families and large groups who want to stay together. What I also liked most about Mykonos is that it features a dreamy infinity swimming pool that transitions from indoors to outdoors.

We had lunch at Thanassis Taverna in Mykonos Village. This restaurant serves and specializes in gyros, moussaka, grilled lamb ribs, and souvlaki. After our meal, we went down to the Cove Deck where guests usually go to enjoy the cool sea breeze with a drink in hand. It was daytime and there’s no special event so it was hard to picture this place as a party sport. Nevertheless, the Mykonos Cove Deck is an ideal venue for large gatherings.

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6. Costa Del Sol (Spain)

Costa del Sol, which literally translates to “Coast of the Sun,” features Spanish colonial architecture with arched thresholds, stucco walls and manicured courtyards. This village draws inspiration from the quaint, coastal towns of Southern Spain. Muted and formal colors dominate the area, exhibiting the characteristic Spanish play of light and shade. Each of the suites and rooms in the six ‘Casas’ – Estepona, Fuengirola, Malaga, Marbella, Ronda and Torremolinos – opens up to a picturesque view of the Pacific Ocean.

Costa del Sol is home to two beautiful swimming pools that bookend each other. One, a saltwater pool, is black-tiled while the other is a blue-tiled freshwater pool. Surrounding both pools are sun loungers and parasols.

Our tour guide also brought us down to see the Alhambra Lounge. It’s like the place to be for after-dinner drinks. With a warm mystique, this Moroccan-inspired sanctum will allow your mind to drift away while you relax with a glass of fine Spanish brandy. Further downstairs, the building also has a Music Lounge which is an excellent night spot in Balesin. It was empty when we got there but we could imagine the vibe and the energy when it’s packed with people dancing the night away to their favorite club tunes.

7. Phuket (Thailand)

Last but not least, Phuket Village is tucked away in the southern part of Balesin Island and it’s probably the most private. Each Phuket villa is characterized by multiple roof tiers, undulating serpentine shapes and blade-like roof projections which are hallmarks of the rich Thai heritage. Phuket villas are similar in layout to Bali and Balesin villas, with an outdoor deck, daybed, and lounge chairs and tables for relaxing.

Their restaurant is called the Salathip, and it’s filled with an awe-inspiring structure, with Buddha statues, scaled roofs, and authentic Thai artifacts. House specialty dishes include tom yum goong, pad Thai, and keng deng gai.

Aside from the indoor seating area, the restaurant opens up to a generous outdoor verandah for al fresco dining. Also fronting Salathip is a black-tiled 25-meter swimming pool, as well as a row of lounge recliners and parasols along the beach. The black tiles in Phuket Village’s swimming pool is not only for aesthetics but also for function. These tiles retain the sun’s heat to warm the pool to a comfortable temperature

More areas to explore in Balesin:

• Balesin Spa
• Balesin Chapel
• Ifugao Camp
• Sports Center
• Rico’s Hideaway
• Seafood Shack Aquaculture Farms
• Aegle Wellness Center
• Flower Farm
• Exotic Fruit Orchard
• Organic Vegetable Gardens
• West Jetty Port (where Alphaland’s cargo ship docks to unload people, supplies, and vehicles)
• Aquatic Sports Center

Wrap Up

In Balesin, each village has evolved to something more than just a copy of the original destination. Comfort and luxury are two best words to describe every experience. Staying in a resort or a townhouse like Deca Clark might have similar feel, just when you’re away from the city but still having a good time and the convenience you need. Balesin is still a work in progress since there will be more private villas to be constructed soon. The current buildings, while already large in scale, occupy only less than 9% of the total land area. This means that majority of the island consists of beach and grassy fields in their natural state.

The island club’s well-kept grounds, bright and breezy rooms, and effortlessly chic decor fulfill its impression as a place of unpretentious luxury. With private villas, gorgeous swimming pools, themed restaurant/s in each villa, and tons of daily activities, there is little guests can’t do on-site. The only drawback is that it’s a members-only resort. If you have friends or family who are members, Balesin is one of the best places to visit in the Philippines. 😉

You go on vacation to get away from it all, so naturally, you want the best, don’t you? It should be relaxing and luxurious but as with everything our budget only stretches so far. So how can we get the best out of our limited budget? Here we look at a few ways to make the best out of a vacation while not maxing out your funds.

5 Ways to Make Your Vacation More Stylish Without Costing the Earth 

House-Sitting 

Have you ever tried house-sitting? It’s a great way to get cheap, or even sometimes free accommodation at times. It’s a real win-win situation as home-owners sometimes need a house looked after to be secure in the knowledge it won’t be burgled while away or to have the pets looked after rather than put them in a kennel. This means that you can become a house-sitter and often get to stay in stunning properties in fantastic areas. 

Eat Out at Lunch or in Local Areas 

Eating out can be expensive but it doesn’t have to be. Why not consider having your lunches out as often restaurants have a similar menu and the same quality at lunch but at a reduced price leaving you ahead on cash. Also look at restaurants in less touristy areas, a good rule of thumb is if you see lots of locals eating there it’s likely to be OK, and often much cheaper. 

Hire Accommodation that Moves You! 

Have you ever considered hiring a mode of transport that also doubles as your accommodation? Options include touring across the USA in an RV, or something like opting to rent a boat in Croatia. These are often expensive-seeming options at first glance but the money you save on hotels actually makes it quite a saver in the end. 

Choose a Budget-Conscious Location

If you are not dead set on one particular location then it’s always fruitful to consider those other fantastic destinations that may give just as good an experience at a much lower price. For example, if you choose to travel around Southeast Asia rather than Europe the cost of everything tends to be that little bit cheaper and this will all add up over a few weeks.

There are some handy guides online, such as this one, that give ideas on some of the least expensive options and it’s a good thing to keep in mind, although certain suggestions would only be taken up by a fairly brave traveler, Iran, for example! 

Visit Free Attractions

When traveling around one of the most expensive aspects can be visiting attractions. Even the cost of entry on its own to some places can cost into the hundreds of dollars for a visit. But if you plan properly in advance you can find places that are less expensive or free, many places such as galleries or historical places of interest. It’s a good strategy to mix in some of those types of places to help your budget.

Vietnam is rising on the radar as an excellent travel destination. Vietnam, which is in Southeast Asia, features stunning natural scenery, history, culture, and architecture, and is very inexpensive. All of these factors make it prevalent on quite a few travel bucket lists.

There are certain entrance requirements to be aware of. For example, knowing Vietnam visa requirements is important to make sure you are prepared to enter the country. Beyond the technicalities and logistics, if you’re planning a trip, the following are some places you might want to add to your itinerary.

Ha Long Bay

Ha Long Bay is one of the most beautiful locations in Vietnam. Halong Bay brings in around 10 million visitors a year. There is an expressway that connects Hanoi and Halong City, so it’s easier than ever before to reach this area in Vietnam.

There’s also the Van Don International Airport, which is around 50 kilometers from Halong Bay. There are different boat cruises and tours you can take by boat on the Ha Long Bay. You can even opt for a luxury cruise, which pretty much gives you all the amenities of an upscale hotel on the water. If you don’t need a luxury experience, there are mid-priced and budget cruises on the Ha Long Bay too.

Hanoi

Hanoi has sights, food, and a lot of great color and architecture. January can be a nice time of year to visit Hanoi because even though it’s considered the cold season by Vietnam standards, in reality, it’s a nice, moderate temperature.

Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam, and when you’re there ensure you check out the Old Quarter, which is essentially an open-air museum that showcases French and Asian colonial-era architecture. Despite damage from the Vietnam War, much of the architecture is still in-tact. Other things to make sure you see while in Hanoi are the Temple of Literature, HoanKiem Lake, and the French Quarter.

Ke Bang National Park

Ke Bang National Park is more remote than some of the other destinations on this list of places to visit in Vietnam.It is fully known as World Heritage PhongNha-Ke Bang National Park.

Ke Bang National Park is the site of the Hang Son Doong, which was only discovered in the 1990s and it’s the biggest cave in the world, as confirmed in 2009. The cave is around 5 km long, and you can take a guided tour, but it can be costly to do this. Other things to do if you’re visiting the park include biking in the Bong Lai Valley, ziplining, or doing a tour that will allow you to learn about the history of war in the area. Many of these tours take place in jeeps that were part of the Army’s fleet.

Sapa

Sapa is located in the northwestern area of Vietnam. Sapa is close to the Chinese border, and natural scenery includes mountain peaks and rice fields. There are villages located on the hills where you’ll find communities from different cultural backgrounds. You should know that while Sapa can certainly be worth it, it is one of the more difficult parts of the country to visit because it’s rural and remote.

Ninh Binh

Sometimes called a hidden gem, Ninh Binh has scenery that will make you feel as if you’re truly in a wow moment when you encounter it.  You can go to Ninh Binh as part of a day trip from Hanoi because it’s about 100 km south of the city, or you can spend a few days there. The limestone cliffs and rice fields are magnificent. If you are going to Ninh Binh from Hanoi, you can go by train or bus.

Hue

Finally, Hue was once the capital of Vietnam, up until 1945. Now, Hue, which was referred to as the “Forbidden City” is a UNESCO site.

Hue has a modern downtown where you’ll find hotels and restaurants, as well as shops and other conveniences. These are intermixed with historic pagodas and temples, making for a unique juxtaposition. The Imperial City is arguably the most important site in Hue. This was where the emperors serving as rulers of Vietnam lived at one point.

Thien Mu Pagoda holds the distinction of the being the tallest religious building Vietnam, and it’s located along the Perfume River. The Temple of Literature is a little more under-the-radar compared to some of the other sites of Hue, but not less worth visiting. The Temple of Literature is quiet, and there is no entrance fee.

Osaka View Hotel Honmachi ticked all the boxes for our enjoyable 5-night stay in Osaka. It’s not exactly a budget (cheap) hotel when in Japan, but this accommodation offers a good price and a good value for money. We chose to stay here because of its prime location. Hommachi is on the Midosuji line and that is the main line accessible for most of the tourist spots. The central location makes it easy to get to the top-rated attractions in Osaka. In this post, I’m sharing a review of the hotel and our personal experience. If you’re planning to visit Osaka for a vacation, holiday, or shopping, keep Osaka View Hotel Honmachi in mind! 🙂

Review of Osaka View Hotel Honmachi (Osaka, Japan)

Ambiance:

Interiors of Osaka View Hotel Honmachi have a contemporary corporate feel, in an elegant and pleasant way. The reception area offers ample seating with potted greenery adding a nice touch. The cream, caramel, and brown color scheme is livened up with with pops of art on the walls.

Across the reception counter is a restaurant at the lobby lounge with a breakfast buffet option (Western and Asian food) for guests. It’s open until late at night where hotel guests can enjoy complimentary drinks and light snacks. This dining area features a clean and simple aesthetic.

My mom, sister, husband, and I stayed in one room (24 m²/258 ft²) with 2 single beds and 2 futons. Room was tidy and the space was enough for light travelers like us. Bedding was top quality and we slept very well. All bathroom amenities were provided. Other room amenities included: flat-screen TV, air conditioning, air purifier, alarm clock, blackout curtains, heating, humidifier, bathrobes, slippers, soundproofing, clothes rack and hangers, electric tea pot with mugs, in-room safe box, and free Wi-Fi.

Service:

Not all staff can speak in Chinese and English but this isn’t a problem if you have Google Translate. Just enter your own words/language and present your phone and they can also do the same! Staff were responsive, helpful, and very polite and courteous. Check in time is 3:00pm, and check out time is 11:00 am. We justify our luggage in the hotel in the morning upon checkout and returned for our departure to the airport without a problem.

Price for Value:

Osaka View Hotel Honmachi is an ideal place of stay for travelers seeking charm, comfort, and convenience in Osaka. We booked our stay via agoda.com. We spent a total of P34,747.66 (June 1, 2019 to June 6, 2019), so per person rate was only P8,686.92 for 5 nights. Nightly rate per person was about P1,700. Not bad!

The hotel is conveniently located within walking distance of a metro station (less than five minutes) and popular landmarks such as Shinsaibashi-suji Shopping Street (1.39 km), Umeda Sky Building (1.62 km), Dotonbori (1.75 km), Kita-Mido Temple (60 m), and Hongan-ji Temple Tsumura Betsuin (60 m). It’s also near convenient stores like 7-11 and Family Mart and coffee shops like Starbucks.

[schema type=”review” url=”https://www.agoda.com/osaka-view-hotel-honmachi_2/hotel/osaka-jp.html?cid=-218″ name=”Osaka View Hotel Honmachi” description=”4 Chome-5-2 Honmachi, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 541-0053, Japan” rev_body=” Designed for both business and leisure travel, Osaka View Hotel Honmachi is ideally situated in Chuo Ward, one of the city’s most popular locales. The excitement of the city center is only 0 km away. With its convenient location, the property offers easy access to the city’s must-see destinations.” author=”Rochkirstin Sioco” pubdate=”2019-06-20″ user_review=”4.1″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”5″ ]

From Osaka, we wanted to witness a breathtaking transition from the urban state to the lush foliage that gives off that authentic countryside vibe. Kyoto and Nara are only about an hour away from Osaka so these places are perfect for a day trip.

Instead of the usual commute, we decided to book a tour via Klook online for convenience. It’s only my third time to try Klook’s services and so far, I’m very satisfied. I don’t need to know which bus or trains to transfer to and from and how to get to places in Kyoto and Nara. No stress! If you’re also thinking of visiting these two places in Japan, check out these attractions we visited following Klook’s Kyoto and Nara Day Tour itinerary. View my Instagram Story Highlights to get a glimpse of our travel experience. Click here to book your Klook tour and get P150 off when you sign up!

5 Things to Do in Kyoto and Nara

1. Revel in the tranquility on your visit to the famed Kinkakuji Temple

Kinkakuji (金閣寺, Golden Pavilion) is a Zen temple in northern Kyoto whose top two floors are completely covered in gold leaf. Our tour guide said that it’s not real gold though. This famous golden temple served as the retirement villa of the shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu. Built overlooking a large pond, the current gold leaf-coated temple was reconstructed in 1955, five years after the 14th-century original was torched by one of the temple’s monks.

2. Take a leisurely stroll around Arashiyama and appreciate the tall bamboo trees around

The breathtaking Arashiyama (嵐山) offers a sacred and tranquil atmosphere thanks to the lush bamboo mangroves. Arashiyama Bamboo Forest in Kyoto is particularly popular during the cherry blossom and fall color seasons. But since we visited in early June during midsummer, all we saw were green leaves. Still, we had a nice stroll through the bamboo forest, enjoying a chlorophyll-colored dream, with the trees as our shade above filtering the morning sun.

We came early so it wasn’t quite packed yet with people. I just can’t imagine the number of tourists who will be here to see the cherry blossom in November and April. I bet it will be much harder to take solo pictures without someone photo-bombing into your shots in the background. When this happens, it’s best to stay alert, run fast when the crowd gets thinner, block the way, grab your golden opportunity, and show your best smile to the camera! 🙂

3. Walk along the Kimono Forest in Arashimaya

After our tour in Arashimaya Bamboo Forest, we had lunch in the different food stalls in Arashimaya Station and found the Kimono Forest located in Randen Arashiyama Station, which is just off the main street of Arashiyama near the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Tenryu-ji Temple. It’s like an off-the-beaten-track destination as there’s fewer tourists so you can take your time to really appreciate the site and take as many photos as you want.

Why is it called a kimono forest? What you’ll see here are about 600 pillars of a variety of kimono colors and patterns that create a breathtaking and delightful entrance to the station. The cylinder-shaped pillars stand in rows like a forest winding its way through a fantasy dreamland. These are made with fabric dyed using the traditional Kyo-Yuzen technique, a style of dyeing and printing used to create the brilliantly colored Yuzen Kimono in Kyoto. A real delight to the eyes!

4. Take a trip down to the vibrant orange path of the Fushimi Inari Shrine

After lunch, our bus drove us to Fushimi Inari Shrine, an important Shinto shrine famous for its thousands of vermilion torii gates leading to the wooded forest of Mount Inari, also covered by the shrine’s grounds. If green is the theme of Arashimaya Bamboo Forest, and pink is of the Kimono Forest, orange is what you’ll see everywhere in Inari Shrine. If you don’t like orange, Inari Shrine is still a must-see attraction when in Kyoto. 😛

Fushimi Inari Shrine (伏見稲荷大社) is famous for its thousands of vermilion torii gates, which straddle a network of trails behind its main buildings. The trails lead into the wooded forest of the sacred Mount Inari, which stands at 233 meters and belongs to the shrine grounds. The torii gates along the entire trail are donations by individuals and companies, and you will find the donors’ names and the dates of the donation inscribed on the back of each gate (which we first thought as wishes or good luck scripts of the multiple shrine).

Like in the Arashimaya Bamboo Forest, expect to see A LOT of tourists in Fushimi Inari Shrine. If possible, go as early as you can as it is open 24 hours. Wear comfortable clothing and footwear since there’s a small hike before you start walking through the gates. If you like exercise, this is the place to come because this shrine goes on and on and on, up hill and downhill with about 1000 steps maybe even more. Our tour guide advised to time ourselves: walk 10 minutes upwards and head down for another 10 minutes because you’ll just see the same thing over and over again until you reach the top.

5. Interact with countless of freely roaming deer at Nara Park

With clean and beautiful surroundings, Nara Park (奈良公園) houses hundreds of roaming deer that have become a natural treasure. You don’t have to even set foot inside the park to see deer streaming out and they wander around as they please. It’s quite a sight!

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Special deer crackers, which cost 150 yen per pack, can be fed to the friendly deer. They willingly pose for pictures and even bow to you when you feed them. We especially enjoyed our interaction with them and laughed a lot when we’re swarmed by more than four at a time. Watch out though as they can get aggressive when they see or smell food. As long as you keep paper and food away from them, they won’t do any harm. 😉

We went to Osaka last week and we had an amazing trip! We spent four days in Osaka and one day in Kyoto and Nara. Thanks to Google Trips, Google Translate, Google Maps, and Google Search, we were able to travel, communicate, and search for whatever we fancy quickly and without the hassle. We didn’t even had to hire a translator or a tourist guide because in most places, the Japanese locals and the staff in train stations, restaurants, and shops can communicate in English, Chinese (Mandarin), and basic sign language (pointing here and there). 😉

Where to Go in Osaka

Osaka has a vibrant streetscape with friendly people and delicious food. While its origins date back to the mythological early days of the Japanese Empire, today it is undoubtedly one of the most modern cities in Japan. If you’re wondering where to go, here’s a list of top-rated tourist attractions in Osaka. It can be tricky to select which ones to visit especially if you only have a few days. On the flip side, regardless of what you choose, you’re guaranteed to have a good time! Check out these places we visited in this glittering Japanese metropolis, and view my Instagram Story Highlights to get a glimpse of our travel experience.

Top 11 Places We Visited in Our First Time in Osaka, Japan

1. Shitennoji Temple

Shitennoji Temple (四天王寺) was our first stop on Day 1. The reason why I thought it’s interesting is that it’s the first Buddhist temple in Japan. Founded by Prince Shotoku in AD 593, Shitennoji Temple was built under Emperor Suiko, but like many buildings in Japan, it was destroyed during the World War II. Despite repeated fires over the temple’s 1,400-year history, the grounds remain the same.

There are some parts with ongoing reconstruction, but the temple compound still offers a good stroll and some great examples of Japanese religious architecture. We went on a Sunday and were fortunate to see and purchase items from the temple’s flea market. Different vendors sell accessories, plants in pots, jewelry, food, Japanese pottery, and more.

2. Osaka Nipponbashi Denden Town

Located in the southern Minami district of Osaka, Nipponbashi is known for offering cheap electronics and appliances. This is also famous as a center of otaku (or geek) culture. Nicknamed Denki Machi which means “Electric Town” or just Denden Town, this area is Osaka’s answer to Tokyo’s famous Akihabara electronics district. My husband is a fan of so many Japanese anime, so we decided to include this in our travel plan.

The area was quiet in the morning and got busy only in the afternoon. Along Otaku Road, we entered some stores that sell manga comics, anime music and videos, retro toys and games, cosplay costumes, and collectible models and figures.

In Denden Town, we also visited Maidreamin, a maid cafe where girls in maid costumes serve drinks and chat with customers. Note that there’s a required entrance fee of 500 yen per person (as of June 2019), aside from the bill for food and drinks.

3. Kuromon Ichiba Market

Near Denden Town, we followed Google Maps and walked to Kuromon Ichiba (黒門市場) for a food trip. This place is a must-visit destination for those who want to eat a lot of fresh seafood, Japanese kobe beef, wagyu beef, and other authentic Japanese street food. With over 190 years of history, Kuromon Market is also called “Osaka’s Kitchen.” It started raining when we arrived, but the good news is that the market is covered by plastic roof.

Kuromon Ichiba is travel-friendly and you don’t need to speak in Japanese to order food. There’s also free Wi-Fi, currency exchange machines, and coin lockers, so you can shop and dine worry-free. Furthermore, it has an information center where you can get a brochure featuring the best food to try. There are approximately 180 shops lining this marketplace, so you won’t leave hungry for sure. 🙂

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4. Hozenji Temple

A temple with a dreamy atmosphere right in the middle of crowded Namba is Hozenji Temple. It’s a very small temple but you can still expect to find solitude. This was where I first experienced cleansing in the purification fountain using the wooden dipper, scooping water, and washing my hands following traditional Japanese etiquette. The alleyways surrounding Hozenji hark back to an older Osaka, with cobblestone streets and noren-cloth-covered entryways.

5. Dotonbori

Located in Minami area, Dotonbori (道頓堀) is one of the most must-see attractions in Osaka. It’s Osaka’s most touristic neighborhood, and it’s easy to see why. If you love Japanese food, this place is definitely for you. Dotonbori is your heaven as it offers superb okonomiyaki, takoyaki, kushikatsu, ramen, and more than you can imagine. We stayed here for hours and we didn’t get bored for a sec!

The top attractions in Dotonbori include the photogenic billboards (don’t miss the Glico Running Man), the moving gigantic crab, flashy neon lights everywhere, and restaurants with captivating front displays. The crowd gets thicker by the hour especially at dinnertime, the pace is frantic, almost like a scene in a movie.

6. Shinsaibashi-suji

Just a few steps away from Dotonbori, you’ll land in Shinsaibashi (心斎橋), the best district for shopping in Osaka. It’s the place to shop till you drop, literally! Luxury brands, fast fashion retailers, drugstores, cafes, and souvenir stores offer countless of clothes, accessories, bags, household items, snacks, handicrafts, office supplies, etc. If you’re searching for gifts or mementos for your friends, family, or yourself, Shinsaibashi is right up your alley. We also spent hours here and enjoyed every minute. 🙂

7. Universal Studios Japan (USJ)

On Day 2, we reserved the whole day for our Universal Studios Japan (USJ) visit. If you’re a kid at heart, you can’t miss this place! USJ is the most visited amusement park in Japan along with Tokyo Disney Resort (Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea). It has fun and thrilling attractions in different zones of Hollywood, New York, San Francisco, Jurassic Park, Waterworld, Jaws, Amity Village, Universal Wonderland, Minion Park, and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter (our favorite!). There’s also a Japanese twist that we really appreciated. You’ll find some of the most popular Japanese entertainment like Sailor Moon, Attack on Titan, Neon Genesis Evangelion and even Godzilla.

Tips: Book your ticket in advance (we got ours from Klook) to skip the long line. Buy an express pass to avoid waiting lines in the rides. Definitely stay until 8-8:30pm for the night parade and have a magical experience meeting your childhood superheroes and characters in action.

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8. Shinsekai

On Day 3, we went to Shinsekai (新世界), Osaka’s old downtown district where the nostalgic atmosphere strongly remains. We were happy to discover that food and items in this place cost way cheaper than in Shinsaibashi, Dotonbori, and others we’ve been to. Hence, we grabbed the chance to eat lunch two times: in a conveyor-belt sushi restaurant and in a kushikatsu pub. Two full meals = more reason to walk for hours to burn the calories. 😛

What’s most famous in Shinsekai is probably the Tsutenkaku Tower, one of the biggest/tallest landmarks of Osaka, as it closely resembles the Eiffel Tower which it’s modeled after. The observatory deck is a great spot to view the charming city.

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9. America Mura (American Village)

In the afternoon, we rode the train to America Mura or American Village (アメリカ村) to have a peek of the “young culture” in Osaka. Per my research, America Mura is compared with Harajuku district in Tokyo, and it’s also lined with shops selling trendy and fashionable clothing (vintage, second-hand, unique, Japan street fashion, you name it). We got into most of the stores and found many fashion trends. We also didn’t pass up the chance to try the delicious takoyaki in Kogaryu, listed in ‘Michelin Guide Kyoto Osaka 2016,” near Sankaku Koen, the triangle-shaped park.

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10. Osaka Castle

On Day 4, we explored the Osaka Castle (大阪城). Inside the castle is a museum which tells mostly about the great history of Hideyoshi Toyotomi, the man that unified Japan. Osaka Castle today is a symbol of Osaka and is one of the top castles in their country. Visitors can rent out an audio guide for free for a guided educational learning while walking through the exhibitions inside the building.

11. Tenjinbashisuji Shopping Street

Tenjinbashi-suji Shopping Street was our last stop before going to Kansai International Airport (back to Manila). Stretching for over 2 km, it’s the longest shopping street in Japan where you can find a huge range of items for sale just like in Shinsaibashi-suji. However, unlike Shinsaibashi, this place sells more local and not internationally branded clothes, household items, shoes, books, and other souvenirs.