November 16, 2018

Friday

4:50am – Arrive at Kansai International Airport

5:30am – Immigration and Luggage

Transportation to Hearton Hotel Shinsaibashi

Option 1 – Nankai Railways - PREFERRED

1. Nankai Railways to Namba (Nankai)
a. Nankai Airport Exp. for Namba – 5:45am – 45 mins - 920 Y
Namba (Nankai) – 6:30am
b. Nankai Airport Exp. for NAMBA – 6:14am - 48 mins - 920 Y
Namba (Nankai) – 7:02am
c. Nankai Airport Exp. for NAMBA – 6:37am - 45 mins - 920 Y
Namba (Nankai) – 7:22am
2. Uber to Hearton Hotel Shinsabashi – 10 mins

Option 2 – JR Line
1. JR Kansai Airport Rapid Service – Ltd Express Haruka to Tennoji
a. JR Yamatoji Line Rapid Service for Kyobashi to Tennoji - 5:50am – 48 mins – 1060Y
Tennoji Station – 6:48am
b. JR Yamatoji Line Rapid Service for Kyobashi to Tennoji – 6:26am – 61 mins – 1060Y
Tennoji Station – 7:27am
2. Osaka Metro – Osaka Metro Midosuji Line for Nakatsu to Shinsaibashi
a. Osaka Metro Midosuji Line for Nakatsu to Shinsaibashi – 7:28am – 9 mins - 230Y
Shinsaibashi Station - 7:37am
b. Osaka Metro Midosuji Line for Nakatsu to Shinsaibashi – 7:28am – 9 mins - 230Y
Shinsaibashi Station - 7:39am
3. Walk to Hearton Hotel Shinsaibashi – 4 mins (approximately 335 meters)

7:30am – Leave luggage at Hearton Hotel Shinsaibashi

7:30am-8:30am – Breakfast and Freshen up at Hearton Hotel Shinsaibashi

8:30am-9:00am – go to Osaka Castle and Osaka Castle Park

Transportation to Osaka Castle from Shinsaibashi Station

1. Osaka Metro (Subway) - Nagahoritsurumiryokuchi Line to Morinomiya Station/ Osaka
Business Park (Platform 1) – 10 mins - 230 Y
2. Walk to Osaka Castle

9:00am-12:00pm - Osaka Castle and Osaka Castle Park

Notes:
1. Adults 600 Y
2. Osaka Castle was first built between 1583 and 1585 by the warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi who
ruled over Japan at that time. During Hideysohi’s lifetime the castle was constantly enlarged
and improved and the town of Osaka grew with it becoming an important center of trade and
politics. Much of the castle was destroyed in the wars of the early 17th century, rebuilt again
in 1620, and then lost again to a fire caused by a lightning strike in 1665.
3. The current castle tower that we see today is a reconstruction completed in 1931. This
building survived the bombing raids of World War 2, but did suffer some damage, and was
again badly damaged by a typhoon in 1950. Happily, the castle was completely renovated in
1997, with fresh white plaster on the walls, new tiles on the roof, restored ornaments, and
gold leaf decoration. Today it stands in the midst of modern Osaka as a stunningly beautiful
symbol of the city’s pride in its past.
4. Inside the castle is a museum with eight floors of displays related to the castle’s history. There
are historical artifacts, colorful screen painting, samurai costumes that you can try on for a
fee, and a scale model of the original 16th century castle town.
5. There is an information desk on the 1st floor of the castle museum where you can rent audio
guides in Japanese, English, Chinese, and Korean. There is also a movie theater on the 1st
floor showing historical programs with subtitles in English, Chinese and Korean.
6. There are souvenir shops on the 1st and 8th floors of the castle museum. Toilets are available
on the 2nd floor.
7. On the 8th floor is the observation deck which circles the top of the tower and from which
you can enjoy truly spectacular views of the city.
8. Within the park grounds, the Nishinomaru Garden is 200 Y to enter (not suggested if not
cherry blossom season). It has a tea house and many cherry trees which are popular in the
spring, and is a good spot from which to view the castle.
9. Furthermore, every day after the sun has set and until 23:00, the visitors can feast their eyes
upon the sparkling-white, lit up tenshukaku from up close. A somewhat mysterious
atmosphere engulfs the gates, the watchtower, and other parts of the castle, too, as the light
fall on those indirectly for an extraordinary outlook.

Sites to check for Osaka Castle:

1. https://wow-j.com/en/Allguides/osaka/sightseeing/00441_en/
2. https://www.osakastation.com/osaka-castle-osaka-castle-park/

12:00pm-1230pm - Go back to Shinsaibashi

12:30pm-1:00pm – Walk around and look for somewhere to eat lunch
1:00pm-2:00pm – Lunch at Ichiran
2:00pm-2:30pm Check-in at Hotel
2:30pm-3:30pm (or longer) - Freshen up and rest at Hearton Hotel Shinsaibashi
3:30pm (or later)-evening – Shinsaibashi and Dotonbori
Dinner at _____
November 17, 2018
Saturday

7:45am-8:30am breakfast
8:30am-10:00am go to Kyoto - Fushimi Inari-Taisha Shrine
10:00am-12:30pm Fushim Inari-Taisha Shrine

Notes:

12:30pm-1:00pm go to Nishiki Market

1:00pm-3:00pm Nishiki Market

Notes:

3:00pm-6:00pm Walk around Gion District

Notes:

6:00pm-6:15pm walk to Kodai-ji Temple

6:15pm-7:00pm Kodai-ji Temple

Notes:
1. Adults 600 Y
2. Kodai-ji is a temple that enshrines the daimyo Toyotomi Hideyoshi and his wife Nene, and at
the temple they hold special night entrance events where the temple is illuminated at night
in spring, summer, and autumn. In spring and autumn, you get to see the temple and the
cherry blossoms and autumn leaves, respectively, illuminated at night and in summer the
fresh greenery is illuminated, making the temple a cool refuge from hot summer days. The
refined garden and bamboo grove, the magnificent temple buildings; they are illuminated in
an elegantly simple way, which is the reason many people go to see the illumination every
year. Koda-ji Temple is also famous for the different 3D projection mapping shows they have
every year, where you get to see the combination of historical scenery and the latest
technology.
3. Autumn: From sunset until 10 p.m. (Entrance until 9:30 p.m.) Normal entrance is from 9 a.m.
to 5:30 p.m. (Entrance until 5 p.m.)
4. This temple is in the Higashiyama area where there are many sightseeing spots so many
people from the overseas visit it too. The walk from the bus stop is short, but please enjoy
the atmospheric sights on the way to the temple.
5. http://www.kodaiji.com/e_illumi.html

7:00pm-7:15pm walk to Kiyomizu-dera Temple

7:15pm-8:00pm Kiyomizu-dera Temple

Notes:
1. Adults 400 Y; Entrance for the Joju-in Garden (only in autumn): Adults 600 Y
2. Kiyomizu Temple is the most famous temple in the Higashiyama area of Kyoto, and the
temple is always bustling with tourists. In spring, summer, and autumn Special Night
Viewing events are held at the temple and it is illuminated with gentle light, and a blue
beam of light is shot into the sky from the temple, symbolizing the merciful heart of
Kannon. The main hall, a national treasure, and the stage of Kiyomizu Temple, the Niomon
Gate, and the Three-Storied Pagoda are also illuminated, and together with the mysterious
atmosphere, they make the temple feel completely different from what it feels during the
daytime. In spring the cherry blossoms are illuminated, in summer it is time for the
Thousand-day Pilgrimage and Special Viewing of Nainaijin in the Main Hall, and in autumn
the autumn leaves of the temple are illuminated. This event is sure to be something you
have to put on your itinerary. (The Main Hall of Kiyomizu Temple is under renovation work
through 2020, so you cannot see the temple like it looks in this picture, but you can still
participate in the Special Night Viewing.)
3. Autumn: 5:30pm – 9:00pm, November 17 – December 2, 2018
4. This is a really popular temple, and many visitors from overseas go visit it. Their website is
also in many languages so it is easy to find information.
5. https://www.kiyomizudera.or.jp/en/visit/special_night_viewing/

8:00pm-8:30pm go to dinner restaurant

8:30pm-10:00pm Dinner at ______
10:00pm-11:30pm go back to Hearton Hotel Shinsaibashi
November 18, 2018
Saturday

8:00am-8:30am breakfast
8:30am-9:00am go to Catholic Osaka Umeda Church
9:00am-10:00 Mass at Catholic Osaka Umeda Church
Morning: Tenjimbashi-suji Shopping Street (shopping arcade)
Lunch at ______
Afternoon to Early Evening: Westin Umeda, Umeda Sky Building (~3:30pm-6:00pm)

Notes:
1. Admission to Umeda Sky Building: 1000 Y
2. http://www.skybldg.co.jp/

6:45pm-7:30pm go to Yakiniku M
7:30pm Evening Dinner: Yakiniku M Birthday Dinner
Evening Drinks: Bar in Shinsaibashi or Namba

OR

9:00am-9:30am breakfast
9:30am-10:00am go to Catholic Osaka Umeda Church
10:00am-10:15am Catholic Osaka Umeda Church
Morning: Tenjimbashi-suji Shopping Street (shopping arcade)
Late lunch at ______
Afternoon to Early Evening: Westin Umeda, Umeda Sky Building (~3:30pm-6:00pm)

Notes:
1. Admission to Umeda Sky Building: 1000 Y
2. http://www.skybldg.co.jp/

6:45pm-7:30pm go to Yakiniku M
7:30pm Evening Dinner: Yakiniku M Birthday Dinner
Evening Drinks: Bar in Shinsaibashi or Namba
November 19, 2018
Monday

9am-9:30am go to Kurumon Ichiba Market

9:30am-11:00am Brunch at Kurumon Ichiba Market
11:00am-11:30am go back to Hearton Hotel Shinsaibashi
11:30am-12:00pm check-out and leave luggage
12:00pm-2:30pm Shinsaibashi Shopping District
2:30pm go back to Hearton Hotel Shinsaibashi to get things
2:30pm-3:00pm last-minute fixing of luggage
3:00pm-4:30pm go to Kansai International Airport
4:30pm-5:30pm check-in for Cebu Pacific flight
5:30pm-6:30pm dinner at Kansai International Airport

OR

9:00am-9:30am check-out and leave luggage

9:30am-10:00am go to Kurumon Ichiba Market
10:00am-12:00pm brunch at Kurumon Ichiba Market
12:00pm-2:30pm walk to and go around Shinsaibashi Shopping District
2:30pm go back to Hearton Hotel Shinsaibashi to get things
2:30pm-3:00pm last-minute fixing of luggage
3:00pm-4:30pm go to Kansai International Airport
4:30pm-5:30pm check-in for Cebu Pacific flight
5:30pm-6:30pm dinner at Kansai International Airport