Wednesday, January 10, 2018

DIY Guide: 5D/4 Nights Osaka & Kyoto for less than P30,000



Bamboo Arashimaya

Fushimi Inari 

Osaka River Cruise
Butter Beer
Osaka
Osaka Airbnb


Osaka Travel Tips
1.       Book your tickets in advance to get the best deals.  ( The average price for a promo fare going from Manila to Osaka is 7,500 Php. Which you can book via Cebu Pacific or JetStar Airways)
2.       Rent an Airbnb. Hotels in Osaka are very small and expensive
3.       Look for AIRBNB’s that have a free pocket wi-fi.
4.       If you are planning to go to Tokyo, do it on a separate time. The Shinkansen bullet train can be very expensive. I always advice my friends that if you’re going to Osaka, just stay in Osaka, Kyoto, and Nara Area.  But if you want to go to all places at once, a cheaper option is to take an airplane to Osaka from Tokyo rather than the train.  Travelling to Tokyo can be very energy consuming. It’s better to enjoy the place and relax.
5.       Enjoy the Japanese Street Food in Dotonbori.
6.       The food in Osaka is the best and is also quite cheaper compared to Tokyo.
7.       Go to Osaka during the Cherry Blossoms, or Halloween Week.
8.       If you’re purchasing the Hop on Hop Off Tour with River Cruise, wait for the tourist to get off so you can have the yacht to yourselves.
9.       If you’re on a budget, try eating at Japanese fast food restaurants, like Yoshinoya, Sukiya  &Hottomotto You can  get a big bowl of rice with meat and other vegetables for only 500 yen.   
10.   The Universal Studios Japan Experience was a fun experience. The only turn off was that the Harry Potter ride was speaking in Japanese. You might enjoy this ride more if you go to the Universal Studios in Los Angeles, or Florida.  

Top 10 Things to do in Osaka and Kyoto
1.       Walking  along the Bamboo Forest at  Arashimaya
2.       Meditating at Fushimi Inari-taisha Temple
3.       Hiking Kinakuji Temple ( Golden Pavilion)
4.       Drinking Butter Beer at the Harry Potter Ride in Universal Studios
5.       Food Tripping at Dotonbori
6.       Taking a Selfie with the Gleico Man  Billboard
7.       Shopping at Don Quijote
8.       Trying the Onsen Spa in Osaka
9.       Osaka River Cruise
10.   Eating Ramen at 2AM after Partying in Osaka


Get in Tokyo:
Airport Rapid Express- Most convenient way to travel
 Price: 1000 Yen 

Getting Around Osaka 

Osaka is relatively smaller than Tokyo. Most of the tourist spots are walking distance from each other. You can actually tour Osaka the whole day. Taking a cab can be cheaper in Osaka especially if you divide it by 4 people. Taxis are better to take, especially when you are traveling with senior citizens.
Shopping in Osaka
-You should shop at Don Quijote, which is located all over Japan. This is a discount chain store where you can buy from basic groceries to electronics and clothing. You can buy so many random stuff here and the prices are very affordable.
-If you are on a budget, try looking for 100 Yen Shops which are common all over Japan. You can find a lot of items from clothing, to housewares and food. If you want to buy gifts for your loved ones then this is the perfect place for you. You can buy lots of chocolates and Japanese products here which also have good quality.
If you are looking for cheap and original sneakers / rubber shoes, go to ABC Mart, which is located all over Japan. Note that sizes of rubber shoes here are quite small. They only have Asian sizes. You might get disappointed if your feet are big. 
If you are looking for suits, then go to Aoki. You can get a suit and 2 pants for 10,000 yen which are on sale. This store is recommended for businessmen.
H&M JAPAN is also cheap in Tokyo, especially during sale season. Out of all the countries I have ever been too, H&M Japan is the cheapest. I bought 3 dresses, 3 shorts, 4 tops for only 3,000 yen which is only 1,200 pesos. Sale Prices are ranging from 100 yen, 200 yen, 300 yen, 500 yen, 1000 yen to 1,500 yen.
Bershka Japan is also cheaper compared to the ones in Manila. Look for items which are on sale. Groceries in Japan are cheaper compared to convenience stores. You can buy lots of “pasalubong” like green tea kitkat here. If you can cook inside your hotel/ apartment, you can buy lots of ready-to-eat frozen food and microwave it. If you want to buy quality thermal wear, buy heat tech at Uniqlo.  The thermal wear at Uniqlo is very thin and effective.
There are many things to buy at the airport.
Royce is cheaper in the airport. The NAMA Chocolate will only cost you 700 Yen which is 250 Pesos. The cost of NAMA Chocolate in the Philippines is 700 pesos.  
You should buy the famous Shiroi Koibito. It’s the most famous Japanese dessert which can be only bought at the airport.



Itinerary and Costing
Day 1

Prices
PHP 44.85024
Prices
JPY
100
15:00
Depart Manila


19:55
Arrive Osaka  Round trip Osaka ( Promo Fare Cebu Pacific)  
7500
16,722.31

Travel Tax
1,620
3,612.02

Japan Visa Fee
500
1,114.8213

Pocket Wi-fi  ( Free from AIRBNB)
Free

21:00
Go to Hotel via Airport  Rapid Express
491
1094.75

Airbnb in Namba (P5,000 x 4 Nights / 6 Persons)
3,333.33
7,432.25
22:00
Late Dinner  (Eat Ramen at Ichiran)
448.5024
1000
Day 2



08:00
Breakfast
134.55
300
09:00
Osaka Tour ( Hop on Hop off & Cruise )
1,342
2,992
12:00
Lunch at Dotonbori
897
2000
19:00
Dinner  Kobe Beef
1,146.25
2500
Day 3



8:00
Breakfast at Home
134.55
300
9:00
Universal Studios Japan
3,400
7,582
11:00
Butter Beer
269.10
600
12:00
Adult Meal in Universal Studios Japan
897
2000
19:00
Dinner at Dotonburi
897
2000
Day 4
Kyoto Day Trip via Viator
3276
7,306
07:00
Breakfast
134.55
300

Coach Tour Day trip by bus to Kyoto Arashimaya from Osaka


08:40
Pickup from  Namba Station  


10:00
Fushimi Inari Temple  Entrance fee


12:00
Lunch
Free

12:30
Train from Fushimi Inari to Arashimaya


13:00
Bamboo Arashimaya


15:00
Temple of Golden Pavilion


19:00
Dinner
338.50
1000
Day 5



08:00
Breakfast
224.25
500
10:00
Shopping



Lunch
224.25
500
14:00
Late Check out from Airbnb


15:00
Roam around Osaka 


17:00
Depart Osaka ( Airport Rapid Train Express)
448.50
1000
19:00
Dinner at The Airport
448.50
1000
20:40
Depart Osaka



TOTAL EXPENSES
28,104.83
62,856.15


Additional Information
1.       Hop on Hop off Tour with Cruise
Website: Klook.com
 Price: 1,342 Php
Includes all stops at the major tourists spots around Osaka, a river cruise
Excludes Entrance Fee at Tourist Spots and Meal
2.       Day trip by bus to Kyoto Arashimaya from Osaka
Website: Viator.com
Price: 70 USD Per Head
Includes: Entrance Fee to kinakuji Temple, Local Taxes, Lunch, JR Rraub fare from Fushimi Inari to Arashimaya, Tram from Arashimaya to  GoldenPavillion, Round trip Coach Bus from Osaka to Kyoto
Exclusion: Drinks
3.       Universal Studios Japan
Website: https://www.usj.co.jp/e/
Price:
Pros: Perfect for Kids
Cons: The Ride were in Japanese. You might not feel the Harry Potter vibes, since the characters speak in Japanese.

 Feel Free to view my other blog: DIY Guide: 5D/ 4N Tokyo for less than P30,000

2 comments: