Okay, I’m a huge Harry Potter fan. I’ve read the books, queued for half of them on the first day of release with other Potter geeks, watched the movies, re-watched them with my then-boyfriend now-hubby so that he could catch up with my obsession, did many random quizzes to find out where the sorting hat would sort me, and quoted the books on daily conversations. Not a crazy fan, but definitely worthy of being a …
9 articles Tag osaka
{Japan} The magical Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studio Japan, Osaka
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{Japan} Queueing for the magic at Universal Studio Japan, Osaka
Universal Studio Japan is one of the biggest theme parks in the land of the rising sun. Many tourists will make a trip to Disney Sea and/or Disneyland in Tokyo and then to the USJ in Osaka. So how was my experience at the USJ? Let’s take a look… We visited Universal Studio Japan in March this year. We arrived as early as we could (to be honest, we really wanted to be there when the park …
{Japan Winter} Osaka (Part 6): Eating our way around Dotombori & Namba
If you’re in Osaka, you’re going to be eating a whole lot. After all, Osaka is the home of takoyaki and okonomiyaki and a whole lot of other food that you should not miss out! We spent a few days in Osaka, and apart from all the touristy things we did, we also ate heaps. So here’s our food travel adventure in Osaka… Kani Doraku First one on the list: Kani Doraku, a restaurant for …
{Japan Winter} Osaka (Part 5): Neon lights & sign boards around Dotombori & Namba
When most people think of Osaka, they would think of the running man neon light and other sign boards around Dotombori area. And that’s true, I consider the most “fun” part of Osaka to be the Minami (Namba) area, because you have all the food on one side (Dotombori), shopping on the other (Shinsaibashi), and geek-lovin’ on another (Den Den Town). While we were in Osaka, it rained a fair bit. But the rain somehow …
{Japan Winter} Osaka (Part 4): Historical day at the Peace Museum & Osaka Castle
There are plenty things to see and do around Osaka, no matter what your interest is. If you love history or going to museums, then you’d love these two places that I visited with my friends using the Osaka Amazing Pass (two-day transport pass plus free entrance to many attractions/museums around Osaka). The first place we visited was the Osaka International Peace Centre, a museum located just south of the Osaka Castle Park. Peace Osaka explores Japan’s …
{Japan Winter} Osaka (Part 3): See the sealife at Kaiyukan & Tempozan Harbour Village
There’s more to Osaka than just the bright neon running man of Dotombori. As part of our two-day Osaka pass, we visited the bay area just before sunset until dinner time… and it was pretty fun! Our main purpose for the visit was to check out Kaiyukan (海遊館), the Osaka aquarium that famously housed two whale sharks. If you love aquariums, this would be one you should visit as I thoroughly enjoyed the walk around …
{Japan Winter} Osaka (Part 2): The view from up high the Hep Five & Umeda Sky Building
Ever wonder what Osaka city looks like from up high? Well, wonder no more… There are different ways to view the city. One of them would be the HEP Five ferris wheel ride with a 360 degrees view… We took the ride for free, because we had the Osaka 2-day pass which I would recommend to anyone who wants to go all touristy around Osaka! It was rather cloudy when we were up high, but we …
{Japan Winter} Osaka (Part 1): Back in time at Osaka Museum of Housing and Living & Tenjinbashisuji Shotengai
We visited Osaka mainly for the food, shopping, and bright lights that it promised (i.e. Dotombori / Namba area). However, we also squeezed in a couple of fun day trips with the Osaka 2 Day Pass. This pass allows travel within certain areas as well as free entrance to many museums and attractions, alongside discounted prices for other things. Is it worth the price? If you’re into sightseeing, then yes, definitely! Visit as many things …
{Japan Winter 2013} From itinerary to reality
We just came back from a 3.5 weeks trip to Japan, our second trip to the land of the rising sun in the past 2 years. Yes, we loved it the first time around and decided to go a little bit longer this time. And I have a feeling that we will be back again, some time soon. Meanwhile, some people have asked me about planning for this trip so I decided to write a …