Kyoto-bound? Buy the Haruka & ICOCA combo ticket at the JR train office. 4000 Yen cash gets a roundtrip from KIX to Kyoto on Haruka express train + 2500 on a ICOCA for more transport in Kansai region.
Really lovely station with regional, express and Shinkansen service. The area around it seemed like the shadiest part of Osaka (at night) & it wasn't shady at all, really, so there you have it.
A must-visit, despite its inconvenient location a taxi ride to the southwest of Kyoto Station. Tallest pagoda in Japan. Not much else to see but the pagoda and the lovely garden. Entrance is 600 Yen
Kyoto branch ofgenius "First Cabin" hotel chain. Very clean, quiet, budget, sex-segregated, central & modern facilities. Free WiFi, pajamas & toiletries. Rooms from 2700/night, best for short stays.
Very touristy area, considering how far out it is from downtown. Bus tours can mean long lines for tickets, but the place is really lovely. Not to be confused with Kinkaku-ji across town.
The Philosopher's Path. Free. Easiest entrance is to the right of the street leading to Ginkaku-ji. Not well marked, but you'll know you're in right spot when it's a 2-by-2 stone path along a stream.
Wear socks! The large main building is open to visitors, but only if you remove your shoes and do not take photos. Be sure to continue around the garden to climb moat rampart for a great view.
It's both a bike rental & a bike shop. Bikes are new, clean & work very well. 800 Yen for a full day, but there are cheaper options. Shop is easy walking distance from Karasuma, Shijo & Gojo stations.
English menu available, but not resto aimed at tourists. It's a proper soba house (watch them make it on 1st floor), but sashimi & tempura also top notch. Many course dinner = 2700 pp
The only way in is via advanced reserved tour. There are 2 per day, & reservations can be made at the visitor centre towards the NE corner of the park. Plan in advance or only see the outside!
One-of-a-kind capsule hotel bc it's clean, female-friendly & very modern. Couldn't get WiFi signal in capsule, but that's what lounges are for. Located near the Takashimaya store & main shopping area.
Really great welcome to Kyoto when you walk out of the station to see this. Note where it is in relation to the rest of the city & it becomes a great waypoint for when you're biking all over.
The "Golden Pavilion." Much larger pond and lovely photogenic corners here, more so than across town at Ginkaku-ji. Still, can be overrun with tourists during afternoon.
Not a whole lot stays open late in Kyoto, but the restaurants, bars & shops in this district seem to. Lots of young people hanging out by the canal. Kinda reminds me of Amsterdam.
The Kamo-gawa (Kamo River), running thru Kyoto. West bank = restaurants with open-air balconies. East bank = excellent biking/walking/running trail away from traffic. I biked it for several miles.
The best restaurant at Kansai Airport, and it's actually over in the "budget" terminal, Terminal 2. Awesome interior design, as well. Check out the vintage suitcases along the walls.
The only airline here now is Peach, but that means lots of space, no rush and no crowds. There's a nice restaurant and store pre-security, & airside a Peach-only store, lots of duty-free, & free wifi.
Ichiran ramen. The entrance is on the canal-side. Come with cash, and purchase your meal & beverage tickets from a vending machine just inside the door. Don't be afraid to ask for the English menu.
BEST STORE EVER. Downstairs is travel section (w/ Kansai special items!) & upstairs is best paper goods and, occasionally, vintage airline ephemera. Beauty section has tons of Korean & JP products.
Climb the stairs, take your time, and enjoy the view at the top. On a clear day, departures and arrivals from Osaka's Itami Airport are very visible. Bring your long lens.
Extremely great location, only a quick walk from Dotonbori. Rooms are individual cabins on sex-segregated floors. Far better than a hostel, but very affordable. Only 3200 JPY per night, on average.
Okonomiyaki of a size that's friendly to solo diners. Sit at the bar, order a beer, and wait for your personal okonomiyaki to be delivered onto the small grill surface that lines the bar.
If you don't go here, we can't be friends. The center of Osaka's food culture. Takoyaki stalls line the streets at night. GET SOME.
Prim and luxurious little dessert and chocolate shop. Come for a coffee and ridiculously photogenic treat. Japanese perfection.
