[OCTOBER 16, 2019] My last article was in January 2020 about "A Day In Hiroshima and Itsukushima Shrine Japan!" and sorry to my netifriends if I missed adding my itinerary in regard to our Japan Travels. In this article, I am giving you some points on what to do on a busy third day of our Japan Travel from Arashiyama Bamboo Grove and Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto then spending sunset at Osaka Castle then dinner and a quick tour at the heart of Osaka prefecture, Dōtonbori!

ARASHIYAMA BAMBOO GROVE/FOREST

As usual, we did not make it to our early target of arriving at our first destination in Kyoto. I can still remember my friends and I missed the train going to Saga-Arashiyama Station which is a train station near the famous Bamboo Forest. But it was okay - lesson learned! LOL

Don't forget to purchase your JR Pass from Klook in an affordable price

Anyways, I strongly recommend visiting Arashiyama Bamboo Forest on an early morning - not late morning or early afternoon. Why? A lot of people are visiting this tourist destination and expect a crowded area on an early 8-9 AM. We arrived at exactly 9:45 AM and we already felt that it would be filled with Tourists since the numbers of people on the street walking from the Train station to the Forest are huge.

A cemetery near the entrance of Arashiyama Bamboo Forest

What do you expect in Arashiyama Bamboo Forest? This is a garden or park filled with Bamboo - well taken cared of Bamboo Trees and a number of small temples and we saw a small cemetery too. Ok, a picture is worth a thousand words, so here are some shots we got in Arashiyama Bamboo Forest in Kyoto!





Address: Japan, 〒605-0028 Kyoto, Higashiyama Ward, Bunkicho, ６１
Hours: Opens 5:30 AM Closes 11:30PM
Phone: +81 75-771-5559
Reservations: gnavi.co.jp


FUSHIMI INARI SHRINE

After lunch, we headed to our second destination in Kyoto, the famous Shinto Shrine called Fushimi Inari  Shrine. It's famous for Tourists because it is tagged as the ultimate torii gate experience in Japan. Honestly, I was already tired this time but but hello, it's Japan! So, Fighting!!!!

There was a photoshoot with these beautiful ladies wearing traditional Japanese Costumes

What do we have here? Fushimi Inari Shrine is very famous to Instagram due to its number of torii gates well-aligned and straddled to a network of trails going uphill. Again, it is very crowded but of course, it is part of the experience!



We just took a round trip uphill then back to the main gate. And then we went back to Osaka to spend the rest of the afternoon and to maximize our day.



Address: 68 Fukakusa Yabunouchicho, Fushimi Ward, Kyoto, 612-0882, Japan
Opened: 711 AD
Hours: Open 24 hours
Phone: +81 75-641-7331

OSAKA CASTLE

We spent the whole afternoon in Kyoto to enjoy the place and of course, get a bowl of Ramen! I promise myself to get more bowls of Ramen when I get back to Japan! So, we headed back to Osaka where we stayed in our first half-week of our Japan Travel and went directly to another castle, the Osaka Castle!



What can we expect in Osaka Castle? Surrounding the Osaka Castle is a big park on of which is the Honmaru Park situated in the Southern part in which Tourists or even locals spend an afternoon to chill and do some picnics. Also, don't wonder if the place near Osaka is crowded as it has a big gymnasium where concerts are held. And during our visit, it was Backstreet Boys concert so yeah, a lot of people surrounded us! But it was fun!



In addition, near the castle is the famous skyline of Osaka Business Park. You would see a beautiful Crystal Tower and other buildings. Osaka castle provides a great sunset view.

Osaka Castle at night

View of Osaka Business Park from Osaka Castle

Information Details:
Address: 1-1 Osaka-jo, Chuo-ku, Osaka 540-0002
Access: It takes a 15-20 walk from each of the following station;
-Morinomiya Station or Osaka-jo Koen Station on JR Kanjo Line.
-Exit 1-B of Tanimachi 4-Chome Station or Exit 3 Tenmanbashi Statoin on Osaka Metro Tanimachi Line
-Exit 9 of Tanimachi 4-Chome Station, Exit 1 or 3-B of Morinomiya Station on Osaka Metro Chuo Line
-Exit 3-B of Morinomiya Station or Exit 1 of Osaka Business Park Station on Osaka Metro Nagahoritsurumiryokuchi Line

Open: 9:00-17:00 (Last Entry at 16:30. Opening hours may be extended depending on the season.)
Closed from Dec 28 to Jan 1.
Admission Fee: Adult: 600 yen. Free to students under junior high school, senior Osaka residents over the age of 65 (requires an ID) and disability certificate holders.
Website:http://www.osakacastle.net/english/



DOTONBORI, OSAKA

After spending a good sunset view in Osaka Castle, we headed to our next destination, the famous  Dotonbori! Why does Dotonbori famous for Tourists? Dotonbori or Dotombori is famous for its night scenes of food haven everywhere. Not to mention those eye-catching giant Crab, Octopus as signages, and billboards of the buildings and restaurants. And of course, your visit to Dotonbori won't be complete without a picture with the famous Glico running man which is near the Ebisubashi Bridge of Dotonbori.

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FLEX ko lang si GLICO running man in Dotonbori with the Ferris wheel branch of Don Quijote. (swipe left) Speaking of Donki, i already uploaded my first Japan Vlog and it's all about pasalubong to be bought in discount store, Don Quijote!! Check out my profile loves!!! and oh, thanks to @klooktravel_ph for this opportunity!!! #Japan #Osaka #Klookph

A post shared by Mark Monta (@themarkmonta) on Dec 11, 2019 at 5:00am PST

DON QUIJOTE

Before we went to bed, we did a quick buy to Don Quijote Osaka near our hostel. Check out the video below.