Itineraries A Trip Filled with Unique Adventures Shop, eat, and entertain yourself with this fun-filled itinerary
Highlights
- Visit Harry Potter at Universal Studios Japan
- Shop for denim and unique souvenirs at Kurashiki
- Check out Onomichi's temples and slurp some local ramen
How to Get There
SIN-KIX 6 hours 10 minutes
From Kansai International Airport: 1 hour 10 minutes
Grand Front Osaka
Be entertained at the Grand Front Osaka
Grand Front Osaka is a large, modern commercial complex located north of the JR Osaka station. It consists of a variety of shops and restaurants, a hotel, an office and event space, and even a residential tower – all connected via elevated walkways to Osaka Station.
35 minutes
Expo '70 Commemorative Park
A large park built on the site of Expo ‘70
Built on the site of the Japan World Exposition in 1970, this huge park is home to numerous themed gardens (it's also popular for its cherry blossoms), museums, and the huge Expocity complex. Some original landmarks remain, including the Tower of the Sun and the Expo '70 Pavilion.
EXPOCITY
Shop and be entertained
The 3-storey shopping mall, LaLaport EXPOCITY has over 300 stores, retailing a variety of Japanese and international brands ranging from fashion to household goods and electronics, as well as a food court and restaurants offering an abundant variety of cuisines from around the world. The mall is surrounded by large-scale entertainment facilities like the unique Interactive Aquazoo NIFREL, the ANIPO theme park, a cinema complex including Japan's first “IMAX® WITH LASER” theater, and Japan's largest Ferris wheel.
40 minutes
Minami
Explore Osaka's major entertainment and dining centre
One of Osaka's two major city centres, Minami is home to two of Osaka's most popular sites – Shinsaibashi Shopping Arcade and Dotonbori, a famous entertainment district offering abundant dining and shopping options. There's also Nipponbashi DENDEN Town for electronics and Amerika-mura for street fashion culture.
Hozenji Yokocho
A nostalgic warren of streets lined with traditional restaurants
There are over 60 traditional restaurants and izakaya (pubs) that line the nostalgic narrow alleys of Hozenji Yokocho, just off Dotonbori's bright neon signs. It's a great place to savour takoyaki in a traditional atmosphere, and visit Hozenji Temple where you can pour water over the statues for luck.
15 minutes
Universal Studios Japan
Relax and spend the day at Universal Studios Japan
Universal Studios Japan is the top tourist destination in Osaka, no doubt because of the fun attractions it offers. The park has nine zones: Hollywood, Universal Wonderland, Amity Village, Waterworld, Jurassic Park, San Francisco, Minion Park, New York, and the most popular recent area: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
15 minutes
Palm Garden Maishiman
Spend the night glamping at Palm Garden Maishima
Palm Garden Maishima is a complex catered to outdoor living – in addition to BBQ facilities, accommodations come in the form of family trailers or in retro Airstream trailers, all furnished with private bathrooms. Other facilities include a kid's park, astronomical observatory, a theatre, and a go-kart ring.
Approx. 2 hours
Kurashiki aesthetic district (Denim Kimono Walk)
Shop for denim at Kurashiki aesthetic district
The Kurashiki aesthetic district retains its pretty, historic buildings that now house shops selling denim from the Kojima district, the birthplace of Japanese denim. Explore the area in a rental denim kimono, visit Ivy Square's complex of ivy-covered brick buildings, or purchase unique souvenirs like machiya-patterned masking tapes at Nyochiku-do.
1 hour 40 minutes
Miyajima
Explore Miyajima, one of the top three scenic spots in Japan
Miyajima, an island located on Hiroshima Bay, is the famous home of Itsukushima Shrine with its “floating” red torii gate. It's also known for its delicacy, the Momiji Manju – a maple-leaf shaped pastry typically filled with red bean paste which you can buy or make yourself at various workshops.
1 hour
Peace Memorial Park / Orizuru Tower
Discover Hiroshima's tragic past at the Peace Memorial Park
Hiroshima's Peace Memorial Park is located in the heart of the city and serves to commemorate the atomic bomb victims from 1945. It contains the Peace Memorial Museum, Atomic Bomb Dome and the newly-built Orizuru Tower. This tower has an observation deck, spiral slope, cafe, and souvenir shop.
1 hour 20 minutes
Senkoji
Visit the historic temple Senkoji
Onomichi is a port town renowned for its Temple Walk that connects 25 temples. One of which is the eerie Senkoji, which offers a glimpse into both heaven and hell; once you've survived the inner temple, stick your head in the Hell Stone where you can supposedly hear "hell".
10 minutes
Onomichi Shotengai
Shop til you drop at Onomichi Shotengai
Onomichi Shotengai is a covered shopping arcade in the heart of Onomichi that stretches over 1.2km. This thriving arcade consists of retro shops and trendy cafes that are picture-perfect for your Instagram feed. During summer, night markets are held on weekends, further enhancing the neighbourhood feel of the arcade.
Onomichi Ramen
Indulge in delicious Onomichi Ramen
Onomichi Ramen is the local version of ramen in Hiroshima Prefecture, characterised by its clear soy sauce base made from dashi (soup stock) which is made using chicken bones and small fish. To top off this tasty dish, chashu (barbequed pork), bamboo shoots and green onions are added.