Japan has always held a special place in my heart. In this blog, I will share with you my Japan travel experience, from visa application, accomodations, travel itinerary and tips that will help make your Japan adventure just as memorable.
Applying for Japan Tourist Visa
Getting a Japan visa is relatively easy as long as you have all the documents you need. If you are not applying for a tourist visa, head over to this link for more information on which type of visa you are getting.
For the full list of other accredited travel agencies, head over to this link.
Make sure to prepare the following documents:
- Passport
- Application Form or this can also be provided by your chosen travel agency.
- Birth Certificate (issued by PSA within 1 year)
- Latest Bank Certificate (and any proof of financial capability if you are sponsoring your own travel)
- Photocopy of Income Tax Return (BIR: Form 2316)
- If you don’t have a copy of your ITR like me, just write an explanation letter stating your reasons
- Japan Trip Itinerary
Once you have all the requirements, submit them to the accredited travel agency for processing. Note that no one can guarantee the approval of your Japan visa, so make sure to prepare everything as accurately as possible.
Where to Stay in Osaka
Namba Area – Near Dotonbori
Sotetsu Grand Fresa Osaka-Namba – This contemporary 3-star hotel is located just across from the iconic Dotonbori area and only 500 meters away from the famous Glico Man Sign. The hotel offers free and unlimited amenities such as coffee, tea, toiletries, bath salts, and nightwear. There is Wi-Fi throughout the entire property and an on-site restaurant. The hotel is situated within a 2-minute walk from Nippombashi Station on the Kintetsu, Sakaisuji, and Sennichimae Subway lines. The popular Dotonbori and Tsutenkaku areas, as well as Osaka Castle, are a 10-minute train ride away.
What I like about this hotel is that everything is within walking distance. You can shop at Dotonbori and Namba anytime and easily return to the hotel to leave your shopping bags. When you look out the window, you an already see the Dotonbori river. There are several convenience stores and restaurants nearby, and the hotel is easily accessible via train. The staff are all accommodating and helped us book our luggage transfer to the airport. I would definitely stay here again when I visit Osaka.
- Rates: Room starts at ₱4200+ depending on the dates and room type.
- Personal rating: 4.9/5
- Location: 1 Chome-1-13 Nipponbashi, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 542-0073, Japan
Shinsekai Area
Joytel Hotel Osaka Shinsekai – This is a 4-star hotel located just 300 meters away from the famous Tsutenkaku Tower in Shinsekai. The hotel is non-smoking and offers all the basic amenities, with standard room sizes typical in Japan. The staff were very accommodating and also offer luggage service.
What I like about this hotel is the location. There is a Daily Yamazaki convenience store across the street, and two major train lines are accessible less than a kilometer away, allowing you to access both JR Lines and Osaka Metro.
- Rates: Room starts at ₱4700+ depending on the dates and room type.
- Personal rating: 4.8/5
- Location: 2 Chome-10-9 Ebisuhigashi, Naniwa Ward, Osaka, 556-0002, Japan
All in all, here are my top 3 non-negotiables when booking an accommodation in Japan:
- Is it accessible? If you plan on using the train lines, this is a non-negotiable. My rule is that every accommodation must be at least less than a kilometer walk from the station.
- Is the area safe? Most areas in Osaka and Kyoto are generally safe. There aren’t many pickpockets or drunk people around compared to more metropolitan areas like Shinjuku or Shibuya in Tokyo.
- Are there nearby conbinis or restaurants? As a snacky person and someone who loves breakfast, I always make a point to drop by 7/11 every morning and before I go back to the hotel, so I always look out for nearby stores when looking for a hotel.
Sample Itinerary
6-Days Osaka with Day Trips in Kyoto and Nara
Day 1: Arrival in Osaka – We arrived around 9 AM in Osaka and decided to tour around since our hotel check-in was at 2 PM. Good thing we booked the Osaka Amazing Pass for unlimited train rides and free entrances to 40 tourists spots in Osaka. Get the Amazing Osaka Pass here.
We went to visit the Osaka Castle, Hep 5 Ferris Wheel, Abeno Harukas and Tsutenkaku Tower.
Day 2: Kyoto Temple Tour – We booked a package tour to visit temples and shrines in Kyoto from Osaka. We went to visit Fushimi Inari-taisha, Kinkakuji Temple, Arashiyama Bamboo Forests and Kiyomizu-dera all in one day! The package tour costs ₱ 2,892. Book here.
Day 3: Kyoto Free Day – We went back to Kyoto to rent Kimonos. It was my first time wearing a traditional kimono, and to celebrate the spring season, I chose a beautiful Sakura-themed design with matching hair accessories. The staff at the rental shop were incredibly helpful and kind, assisting me in selecting the perfect design to suit me. The rental package even included basic hairstyling with various styles to choose from. Kyoto is known for its abundance of kimono rental shops, particularly around Kiyomizudera. If you’re interested in renting a kimono, you can easily book a rental here for only ₱ 2,616 for couple package.
Day 4: Nara Day Trip – We took a day trip to Nara to visit temples and feed the friendly deers at Nara Park.
Day 5: Osaka Food Trip – We spent the whole day around Osaka for food trip and shopping! For breakfast, we headed to Kuromon market and ate sushi first in the morning! Then we went to Shinsekai and visited the iconic Tsutenkaku Tower.
Taste the best of Osaka food in Shinsekai, Kuromon Market and Dotonbori! For shopping, head over to Amemura or Shinsaibashi-suji Shopping Street and shop ’til you drop.
Day 6: Fly back to Philippines
Travel Tips
- Booking travel activities – Make your life easier and use TourScanner to browse tour activities wherever you travel. It’s such a helpful tool to compare prices and see the top-rated activities.
- Pre-departure – Make sure you have all your documents ready, and register for the Visit Japan Web at least 6 hours before your flight.
- Transportation – Get an ICOCA card for hassle-free payment on trains, buses, and even vending machines. If you’re travelling only in Osaka, get the Osaka Amazing Pass, if you are going around the Kansai region, a JR-Wide Pass or Kansai Thru Pass can save you money on transportation and attraction fees. Be sure to plan your trip ahead so you can maximize the use of each passes.
- Packing – Bring a good bagpack to carry your essentials for the day. Wear comfortable shoes for all the walking you’ll do, and bring an umbrella (which can be found in any Conbini store) for expected light rains during the Spring season.
- Navigation (Wi-Fi and Mobile Data)– One of the best options is to rent a Wi-Fi router from a reputable company in Japan. You can easily pick it up at the airport or have it delivered to your hotel. Another option is to buy a prepaid SIM card for your phone. You can purchase a SIM card at the airport or at any electronics store in Japan. For our trip, we booked a pocket wifi rental via Klook. Be sure to book here early because devices are limited.
- Download Helpful Apps – There are many apps that can help you navigate Japan easily. For our trip, we used Google Maps a lot to check train and bus schedules, we also used it to navigate around the cities. If you don’t speak or understand Japanese, download the Google Translate or Papago apps to help you communicate with locals, figure out what’s what and generally get around.
- Shopping – Always bring your passports with you because most shops in Osaka are Tax-free for tourists. Just show your passport and you get tax reductions when you pay. Here are some personal shop recommendations to visit: Don Quixote, Edion Shinsaibashi, Doton Plaza.
Japan has always been my dream destination and finally being able to visit it was truly an unforgettable experience. From researching for our itinerary to actually exploring the different cities in Kansai and witnessing my first Cherry Blossom, every part of the journey was a dream come true! The culture, food, and people have left a lasting impression on me and I’m already planning my next trip back…soon! 🙏To those who are planning their own trip to Japan, I hope this blog has been helpful and informative. Remember to plan ahead and enjoy everything this beautiful country has to offer!
Leevin Life 