Japan – TravelDiaries

When I started planning my first trip to Japan, I feel so excited but somehow I heard a lot of stories that Japan’s subway system is very challenging. So, I studied Japan’s subway map using different Travel app e.g Japan Travel app, Google Map etc. and it is indeed a serious challenge for us Filipinos who has no subway line since birth! I started to look and find alternative ways — why not ask some help from Japanese local guides?

I learned that Japan government is kind enough to offer free volunteer guides in any of their cities. Sounds good right? Here’s what I did and how I successfully travel in Japan with the help of my Japanese volunteer guide and a little research on my 5-day travel to Osaka.

First Step: Select your chosen Club from Japan’s list of volunteer tour guides. It is very helpful since each city has various Club to choose from. Since I am planning to visit Osaka, Kyoto and Kobe, I choose a club who can assist me in all these cities. I selected Osaka SGG Club from the list and get the club’s email address and send a message. I just simplify my message — state my travel dates, places to visit, and reason of travelling to Japan. This information will help the club to know us a little bit so that they can check if we are really interested in Japan or specifically with their club.

Second Step: After a day or two, I received response from the president of Osaka SGG Club. The club president will send you an important information about their club, their rules and what they offer. They are 100% free of charge but you also have to find some time to review their club rules and regulations. If you are okay with their rules, you can start accomplishing the Request Form which are both found at the president’s email or their official website.

What is Osaka SGG Club?

You may use below official website for complete information about the Club: http://osakasgg.org/eng/participation/index.html

Third and Last Step: The president and the rest of the club members will review your request and find you a volunteer guide based from your schedule and location. After submission of my request form, the next email is information about my volunteer guide, her name and contact information. We started communicating with each other and I actually started to ask some little help and her tips on how to study their subway system, the confusing lines and challenging colors of Japan’s subway.

Here’s my actual travel itinerary in Osaka, Kyoto, Nara and Kobe:

Day 1 – Arrival in Osaka. I arrived in Kansai Airport via CebuPacific at 8pm. I picked up my pre-booked Pocket Wifi Rental and ICOCA Transport Card and proceed to South Arrival Exit at the first floor. Afterwards, I proceed at the second floor and take Nankai subway train from Kansai airport to my hotel. Nearest station is Shin-Imamiya. Check in at my hotel and have some light dinner.

Day 2 – My first meeting with my volunteer guide. I proceed at our meeting place and meeting time as early as possible. I used to call her Chie-san and she used to call me Arnie-san too. She was very kind and very helpful. Since I will be the one to shoulder all our transportation in exchange of her free tour guide in Osaka, she suggested we bought a One day Osaka pass for both of us. This card allows us to go around Osaka area with no limits! Our first stop is Osaka Castle. For first timer in Japan, it will be helpful if you have pocket wifi so you can be able to navigate after exit in the train station since you need a lot of walking and patience. We passed by one famous TV station called NHK* and a very huge Police Station. When we arrived in Osaka Castle, she also shared some relevant information about the castle — big rocks near the entrance, the gate hacks and some other important facts. One interesting facts that I learned is the Osaka Castle is not owned by royal families, it is actually owned by a famous and rich samurai. She also explained about the structure of the castle. After a lot of strolling and walking around, I humbly ask my guide if we can eat Okonomiyaki or japanese pancake. It is also included in SGG Club’s terms that aside from transportation, I will also shoulder my tour guide’s food and drinks. And since one of my goal is to try japanese pancake, it will be a memorable experience to share the food with my travel guide.

After our heavy lunch, we proceed at the Pokemon Center in Umeda and also visited Anello Store. We also visited the famous Dotonbori and have some souvenir picture at the famous Glico man. I also buy some foods and souvenir at Don Quiqote, one of the cheapest supermarket in Japan and they also offer tax free if you meet the required minimum amount. On our way back, we passed by old Osaka town and she is still very informative. Did you know that there is one fish that can only be cooked by a licensed chef? I learned that the putterfish dish is famous cuisine in Japan because it has to be prepared carefully because the fish itself is very poisonous. Of course, this might be not a budget-friendly meal but it is interesting to try for some foreigners, right?

Day 3 – Prior on my arrival to Osaka, I have pre-booked a one-day travel bus tour. The tour covers the must see and famous tourist spots in both Kyoto and Nara. It is a whole day bus tour and we went to famous tourist destination like Fushimi Inari, Arashiyama, Nara Deer Park and some Temples in Kyoto. If you love nature, you can really feel the breeze of the mountain and fresh air while you are in Kyoto. It is a memorable experience because aside from the tour, you will also have a chance to get along and share your experience with other tourist from other countries. I also had a chance to have a one-day buddy who is from Taiwan and we were together for the rest of the day. The rest of the tourist came from different countries like USA, China and Europe too.

Walk at thousands Torii gates at Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto

Day 4 – A special visit to Kobe City. It is another exciting day with my volunteer guide. My travel itinerary is more intense on my fourth day since we need a lot of leg strength. We first visited the Earthquake museum. The museum is a 4-5 storey building and it is very interesting since we all know that Kobe has been hit by strong Earthquake or they call it “The Great Hanshin earthquake” during 1995. The museum was built for all the people to have knowledge about what happened in Kobe before and after the earthquake and to establish a better preparation and awareness initiated by Japan’s Disaster Reduction and Human Renovation Institution. You can experience simulation of the Great Hanshin earthquake and there is also simulation of tsunami and you will learn how to escape too.

From Earthquake museum, we had our quick lunch and proceed to hiking. We went up and see the Nunobiki waterfalls and some view point of Kobe. It is very relaxing and it feels like I lost 10 kilograms going up and down the hill! From Nunobiki waterfall, we proceed to Kobe harborland and we take a good view of the sea, ships and unique and modern design of the area. “Be Kobe!” You can find that big word in Kobe Harborland which I guess it is pertaining to the beauty of Kobe City. One interesting sight that you can see in Harborland are those damaged rocks that are still found until now even after the earthquake in 1995. We ended our tour in Harborland and we get back to Osaka. I thanked my volunteer guide for spending her precious time and effort. She always asked me if I am okay and if I enjoyed the tour. And if I have question, she will answer it immediately. One of my question and I guess most tourist also asked her too is, “Why is it a free service?” I just loved her response which is simply because they are proud to promote their country for free. We used to share and exchange stories with each other and I also made a promise that I will come back again and we will spend time hiking in Kobe mountains too. 😊

Here’s some shots in Rokko Mountain and Harborland:

Fifth and Last Day – Visit to Nipponbashi. One of my checklist in Japan is to visit anime world. Since I am in Osaka, I had a chance to visit otaku or anime street in Nipponbashi. It is a big street which sells different kind of Japanese character or anime souvenirs from stuff toy, collectible game cards, manga, video and name it, I am really in Japan! 😊 I had a chance to buy Detective Conan and One Piece since it is one of my all-time favorites. After strolling in Nipponbashi, I decided to have a quick lunch at Yoshinoya since my good colleague recommended that Yoshinoya in Japan is cheaper and highly recommended. It is also interesting to note that aside from train station, you can also use your ICOCA card in some restaurants like Yoshinoya.

From Nipponbashi, I went to old Osaka town called Shinsekai. They said that Shinsekai is built before the war and has been developed as time goes by. I can just imagine the movie scene from the famous batusai, Samurai X here when he was walking in the market. I enjoyed the Shinsekai street — from old restaurants, street foods, old markets and souvenirs, it feels like you are in Japan during the old time. I bought ref magnets for my colleagues and some souvenirs for my family since this is my last few hours before my departure to Manila. I went back to my hotel, picked up my luggage, checked out and went to Kansai Airport. And the rest are history and good memories in Japan.😊

Strolling at Shinsekai street: