2018 5-Day Free Travel Guide to Tokyo and Osaka, Japan

Japan is a vibrant country with a highly developed economy. People generally have high behavioral qualities, strong environmental awareness, fresh air, and well-maintained natural landscapes. It is a good place for tourism and vacation. Here I would like to share with you my 5-day travel guide for Tokyo and Osaka, Japan in 2018.

I went to Japan on November 11, a group of four, traveling freely. The five days here refer to the actual playing time, including seven days on the road. It’s been so long since I came back and I haven’t cleaned up yet. When you think about every journey in life, it still makes sense to keep some records. Looking back, you can still remember the details.

Line

Visa can be applied for online, and international roaming WiFi can be rented at the airport. Just bring your passport.

The air tickets were booked in advance with Spring Airlines, which is very cost-effective when there are special discounts. Direct flight from Wuhan to Tokyo and back to Osaka, the air ticket for one person includes tax 2200. Because it’s the National Day holiday, it’s definitely more expensive than the off-season, but compared to the first three days of the long holiday, air tickets after October 4 are still much more cost-effective. It is recommended that friends who have enough vacations can avoid it appropriately.

This time we went to Tokyo and Osaka, and experienced the Shinkansen once in the middle. The Shinkansen is similar to domestic high-speed rail. The fare is not low, it costs 800 yuan per person from Tokyo to Osaka, but it is good to save time.

The first thing to do in Japan is to apply for a watermelon card, which is popular all over the country. It's very convenient, it's close to the subway station.

Alive

Japan is a country rich in land. Accommodation is expensive and the rooms are tiny, a bit like Hong Kong. This time we booked the hotel in advance on airbnb. Not a bad experience. The room was clean, the location was good, and most importantly, it was cheap.

However, you should have appropriate expectations. There will be a difference between the actual room size and the photo. After all, the photos are all wide-angle.

Also, you can clearly see the consumption and housing prices in Tokyo and Osaka from the room. For the same price, the one in Osaka is quite spacious, while the one in Tokyo is really mini. After being stuck in Tokyo for several days, I felt so happy going to Osaka. Therefore, happiness is so comparable. Ha ha.

Another thing to note is that airbnb usually gives the approximate area of ??the room rather than the specific location. It is best to communicate with the landlord in advance about the specific street, number, and subway station. At that time, we dragged our suitcases around Namba Station for more than an hour, and finally found out that it was another subway station in the Namba business district.

Eat

Many people want to eat Japanese food before going there. I did the same before, but it is more difficult for my friends who are traveling with me and are not used to eating raw food. However, no matter how delicious the sashimi is, I can’t bear to eat it continuously, especially for a man like me who can’t live without vegetables.

In the island country, there are very few vegetables. The most are bean sprouts and cabbage, which makes me constipated and severely lacking in vitamins and fiber. Chili peppers are even rarer. Japanese food is mostly soy sauce, which is salty and salty, and has sweet peppers.

One day, the mouth really faded away, and a group of people went to eat the little fat sheep. That’s right, it’s the Chinese Little Sheep. It's a pity that the bottom of the pot is not spicy at all. Fortunately, I finally ate green vegetables, but the portion of green vegetables was really mini. Except for a little more artemisia, there are very few potatoes and coriander (see picture).

A serving of 5 potato slices is really the most expensive potato I have ever eaten. During that meal, we ordered several plates of mugwort, which were more popular than the meat. Ha ha.

Besides Japanese food, ramen is the only food worth eating. Japanese ramen is thick soup type, but compared with domestic ramen, domestic ramen has been improved and is more in line with Chinese tastes. The ramen on this island has an indescribable taste, but it is delicious. Especially the candied eggs are so delicious, you must order the noodles.

Here are some delicious noodle restaurants recommended.

1) It’s hard to make waves.

The first meal in Osaka was in a corner next to Nanpu Station. The gable is not big, but it is quite spacious when you get in. It's a circular bar where diners sit in a circle. It's a bit like a domestic watch, which is quite interesting.

There are only two types of spicy noodles, original and spicy. The original flavor is very fresh. Drink directly. The dolphin meat is neither fat nor greasy, cut very thin and melts in your mouth. You can choose spicy flavors and have something spicy at the end. The spiciness of 5 degrees is still a bit spicy. If you don’t feel it in your mouth, the spiciness will come out soon. Moreover, the spicy soup is not as good as the original flavor. If you want soup, it is recommended to use the original flavor. The downside is that I can't choose the firmness.

It's too hard for me, I like it a little softer.

It is worth mentioning that the steamed dumplings in the store are also delicious. They are small, stuffed with cabbage and pork, thin skin and generous filling, serve 10. I can finish a dumpling in one bowl of ramen, it's really delicious.

Also, the store is very considerate, cold dishes and spicy bean sprouts are free. This is like a treasure trove for those of us who haven't eaten veggies and chili in a few days. We had two large portions.

I always feel that this is modified based on the taste of the Chinese population, so it is particularly delicious (truth?). Five stars.

2) Yilan Ramen

The famous Yilan has a great reputation and there are so many people that you have to queue up to eat the noodles. We didn't go to eat. We waited in line for about 40 minutes. When ordering at the door, you can choose from soft, hard, spicy, and side dishes. It's better than a concert hall.

After entering, I was shocked. It was simply too crowded. The four of us were taken to a private room, which was really a cage, a table, and a bench, with our heads and backs facing the wall, and a small window on the side. A friend said it looked like a pig feeder. tears.

Although the environment is good and the noodles are good, the chili is not spicy and the soup tastes more MSG than Tang Yifeng's.

In general, the environment is too crowded and there are too many people, which affects the experience. Four stars.

3) Shiju Ramen

On the last day in Osaka, I went to Hot Spring World to soak in the hot springs. I originally wanted to go to Ippudo again (it was really delicious). After reading reviews on Dianping, I found a good recommendation nearby, so I gave it a try.

As soon as I entered the door, the landlady greeted me in Japanese, followed by a Chinese person, who turned out to be from Shanghai.

It is a family-owned shop and it is said that all the noodles are made in-house. The landlady is very talkative and confident, saying that her family must be better than Tang Yifeng's.

The noodles are indeed thicker, and the soup is okay, but the pork is too thick and a bit fat, so it would be better if it tastes better.

Most of the shops are for Mainland Chinese. The proprietress also brought out chili noodles bought from Hunan. This is real chili. It goes very well with the fried chicken from the store. Three stars.

By the way, before going to Hot Spring World, we tried the famous Crab Dora, which specializes in king crab.

Look at this big guy!

The environment is very good, the room layout is typical, and you can take off your shoes when eating.

We chose two packages: 8,000 yen and 7,000 yen. It's very rich. Serve it together and the waiter will serve it according to your eating speed.

The crab paste is really delicious, and the crab hot pot is also very good. The crab meat braised rice at the end was very satisfying. A meal costs 220 for an average person, which is really not expensive.

Play

Japan is a very modern country. Tokyo and Osaka are both super metropolises that feel more like Shanghai.

A city like this actually doesn’t have many places to play and is more suitable for shopping. Because it was our first time, we went to many popular attractions. The itinerary is as follows:

Day 1 in Tokyo: Imperial Palace. It is the seat of the emperor. Not all are open, only the back garden can be visited. The location is very good, right in the center of Tokyo.

Day 2 in Tokyo: Meiji Shrine. It has a long history and is famous far and wide. Inside the shrine, there are towering ancient trees and a quiet environment. We also caught up with a Japanese wedding. The male and female hosts wear exquisite kimonos to perform the ceremony, and the surrounding tourists become witnesses.

It must be said that this form is much more solemn and practical (and saves money) than the flashy and sensational ceremony in domestic hotels. Ha ha.

Day three: Take the Shinkansen to Osaka. You can see that there are many villages and fields along the way. The clouds are so low that they seem to be within reach, and the years are quiet. I had to throw up the Shinkansen. It was shaky and anyone sitting there wanted to vomit. At that time, it was still far away from the high-speed rail in Greater China (arrogant face).

I really couldn’t stand the previous stop in Osaka

Fortunately, I know the Japanese pronunciation of Osaka. After asking, I waited for the next bus. When I got off the bus, I saw my companion waiting for me at the platform and returned smoothly. Ha ha. Therefore, when traveling, it is best to carry your mobile phone and wifi with you, otherwise it will be a bit scary to get lost in a foreign country.

Day 4: Here comes the key point. The famous Universal Studios. We booked our tickets for Fliggy two days in advance. Be sure to book in advance, book in advance, book in advance, book express tickets, express tickets, express tickets (say important things three times!).

This can save you a lot of time in queuing, and people will not be so tired.

If you think about the queues at the Shanghai World Expo, you will know that there are too many people.

Every time I look at the long S-shaped queue and then we pass through the express delivery, I feel quite refreshed.

My philosophy has always been that you can live frugally and don’t treat yourself too badly when you go out to play, otherwise you will suffer a loss by spending money.

Universal Studios is the most popular attraction in Osaka, especially Harry Potter Park, where you can truly experience the scenes in the movie. The 3D effect is very realistic, and the "Flying to Hubei" in Wuhan (Wang Sicong's father) It is similar to the movie park it operates), but it is much more advanced.

The most exciting thing is "Flying Dragon". This was my first time riding a roller coaster, and I still despise the game. I screamed all the way through the Harry Potter show, but I didn’t even have the energy to scream while playing this game. My heart is in my throat, my heart is not good, my blood pressure is high, I can't stand it.

I kept my eyes closed, and when I opened them once, I felt like a kaleidoscope. I didn't feel anything after I got off. An hour later, I began to feel uncomfortable, dizzy, and nauseous. We advise those who are timid, afraid of heights, or have a weak heart not to play this game.

Two other interesting ones are Spider-Man and Jaws. "Spider-Man" is also a 3D movie with many fighting scenes, but "Harry Potter" is less exciting, mainly because there are no up and down swooping shots, and they are basically translations.

But the special effects are still good and worth a visit. Big Shark is a ride on a cruise ship, and then simulates the scene of a shark infesting and attacking the cruise ship. What impressed me most was the staff who drove the boat, who were particularly good at performing and had a good atmosphere.

Actually, it’s not just him. The entire service industry in Japan feels very standardized, warm and polite, making you feel like you are his family. Whether you are a cleaner, a ticket seller, or a staff member of a scenic spot, you always have a smile on your face and you really put your customers first.

That kind of enthusiasm and seriousness for work, even if it is just pretending, is really not easy to achieve.

After coming out of Universal Studios, we went to the Mitian Tower, which is said to be the tallest building in Osaka. After dinner, it was getting dark, so I went up to watch the night view. The night view of Osaka is beautiful, and the breeze slowly intoxicates tourists. Worth a visit.

On the fifth day, I went to Tianshou Pavilion Park in the morning and could take the red train for sightseeing. We didn't go to Tianshou Pavilion.

In the afternoon, we went to Hot Spring World. After playing for so many days, we are really tired. Let's relax. It’s not expensive at 70 per person, and you don’t need to bring a towel. It's a nude hot spring (men and women are separated of course, don't think too much about it). However, it feels similar to domestic clubs, and the natural hot springs have more artistic flavor.

As mentioned before, Tokyo and Osaka are both international metropolises, and the most suitable ones are buy buy.

Japanese skin care has always been my favorite. I have used it in Europe and the United States before, but I feel it is not suitable for me. Skin care in Korea is terrible again. The first purpose of coming to Japan this time is to buy skin care products.

Let’s start with a big collection of pictures. In fact, I didn’t buy much, I just used it all for myself.

Shopping guide:

First place: the famous SK2.

I have dry skin and my T-segment is oily. I have always heard that SK2 is not suitable for dry skin, so I have never dared to try it. I didn’t dare to buy more this time. I only bought one bottle of Qingyinglu Fairy Water Anti-Wrinkle Essence Red Bottle Cream.

Currently, we have not seen any effects after use, but there are no reports of peeling, mud rubbing, allergies, etc. online. Appears after use on dry skin. Suitability remains to be determined.

Second place: CPB. Put on some makeup.

I rarely wear make-up, and I mostly just use base makeup on my eyebrows. At most, I wear lipstick. However,

The quality of makeup is also a matter of opinion, and there are many reviews online. My opinion is that I don’t use it much anyway, so even if it’s the most basic program, I’d better use it well. After all, you get what you pay for.

Beauty experts have said that cosmetics at this price may be able to achieve the effects of big brands, but their durability and skin care properties are still far behind. I'm a lazy person and don't want to ruin my face. I'd better use a good one.

That's too far. Let’s talk about what I bought. I actually just bought the Diamond Foundation and Powder. There are various kinds of cosmetic creams at home. It feels like the powder is really fine and thin when used.

I have used Formix powder before. Very strong, the whitest color is yellow. Needless to say, it is a loose powder that is poetic and picturesque. I feel choked every time I apply it.

No, the gloss and fineness of CPB are very good. Although it is expensive, it is very malleable.

You only need to take a soybean-sized amount of powder each time to apply it all over your face. Using powder can indeed achieve the effect of eggshell skin.

The whitest color I chose is actually not that white. Just right for my skin. The duration is not bad either. Can last for a day. Just the coverage is a bit weak. But light and thin. I don’t have acne marks on my face but I have spots. Just use IPSA concealer.

Third place: NARS blush (sex toy) and LUNASOL Sunmoon crystal eyeshadow (beige).

These two models are also classic. I rarely wear makeup, all I want is to look good. My skin is very white but has no color. The color of NARS blush is not that exaggerated, and the blush is just right. Novices will no longer be afraid of drawing monkey butts after they draw a few times.

LUNASOL eye shadow is also a classic model of its family, and it will not go wrong for thousands of years (I am so conservative, haha). I tried the color at the counter and it seemed quite light. I have to try using this, I have never done eyeshadow before.

Fourth place: Ferragamo shoes. I bought it at the Ragtag second-hand store opposite Ginza for 1,200. Almost new, thick suede heels, easy to wear.

Fifth place: The highlight is here. Selling strips, known as catfish bags.

In fact, I originally wanted to buy a small box, but there is no discount in Japan compared to domestic ones. The price of 28,000 yuan is too high, and it is only a medium size, which is a bit heavy for me, so I got the catfish bag.

It has the advantages of reasonable weight, good texture, and compact appearance; the disadvantage is that it is inconvenient to open the package. I comforted myself that it was safe and it was not easy for me to open it, let alone a thief. Currently I like to carry my back to work every day. But I’m still obsessed with little boxes. Let's go there next time.

By the way, when it comes to bags, many people have recommended going to Japan’s medieval shops. So I went to several famous places including ragtag, komehyo and Daikokuya.

The displays of the first two are relatively high-end, making it very comfortable to browse. Most are Chanel and Hermès, but the stuff is also more expensive, so they're not that different from new. If you want to pick up something cheap, forget it.

Except for LV, which is really cheap and thrown in a trolley, many Chinese people shop there. I'm really not interested in old flower bags. Chanel and Hermès were too expensive and I didn’t want to buy them, so I went directly to the counter and bought Celine.

Nowadays, the Internet is very developed. Once a store becomes famous, more people will go there. I went to a few places where there were a lot of Chinese people visiting, but some of the cheap goodies had been sold out.

From this perspective, the prices of medieval shops in China are actually not high. The key is that few people know about it and there are many styles to choose from. If you have a good relationship with the store clerk, they can directly reserve a good style for you. The prerequisite, of course, is to know the basics and ensure authenticity.

I love medieval stores, I think it’s Taobao. But for those who don’t know what to do and want to get a bargain, forget it.

I am not interested in luxury goods. Everything I buy puts practicality first. Besides, luxury goods must match status, but if you don’t have the strength, it will be a hindrance to yourself. Regarding the topic of the Middle Ages, I will write another article when I have the opportunity.

In general, after Japan’s exchange rate rose last year, Japan’s price advantage is not that great, especially bags, which are still much more expensive than Europe (of course cheaper than domestically).

But for cosmetics and the like, it is quite cost-effective to choose local Japanese brands, but there are no discounts at the counters. The fairy water I bought was 30% off, and a bottle cost 980. As you can imagine, the ones bought online only cost 7,800 yuan. So be careful when shopping online.

Another feeling is that overseas shopping is really not good. I also bought some for my friends this time. Everywhere I went, there were a lot of people from China queuing up, and many counters had Chinese-speaking clerks, as you can imagine.

But the price really doesn’t have much advantage, most of them are only 55% off. Some popular products, such as Pola, are chronically out of stock. It is said that the goods in stock have been ordered by the counter sister to a familiar purchasing agent.

If you want to get a low price, you either have to be familiar with the girl at the counter, or you have to go around to see where the discounts are. It's really a tiring thing.

Japan travel experience:

Japan is a very civilized city. Although I have heard about it for a long time, I was still shocked after experiencing it personally:

The streets are very clean and tidy, with almost no litter and even very little dust. The car's tires are as clean as new. Japan does a good job of sorting garbage, and there are rules on which days to throw garbage out. Littering is illegal.

In public places, even if there are only two people, they will line up quietly and there will be no crowding. Most people in the subway also play with their mobile phones, but there are indeed more people reading books than in China. Everyone abides by the rules, giving people a safe and relaxed feeling, and not so impetuous.

In terms of medical care, small hospitals and clinics can be seen everywhere on the roadside in Japan, and there are also service vehicles that pick up and drop off dialysis patients at their doorsteps.

These all make people think that the gap between our country and Japan is probably not only urban construction, but also soft power.

Of course, one thing we are definitely much better at is the housing area. Living in a Japanese-style house really feels like your home is a mansion. Ha ha. Socialism is good.

Attachment is our itinerary list (excluding shopping):

The Shinkansen ticket is 2200 for everyone, accommodation is 800 (1200 for 6 nights), and Universal Studios is 1400. Other costs (eating, taxis, tickets) are 1600 = 7200, which is quite low per capita. It’s better for four of us to go alone, and it’s also convenient to take a taxi.