Family Trip 2003 to Japan
DAY 7: Kyoto/Osaka Tour

Osaka Subway

This was another early morning wake up for Mark to get some railfanning in. He left the Ryoken at about 7am and took the Kamasuma Subway Line to Shijo. He transferred there to the Hankyu Line for one stop to Omiya. The purpose was to get photos of one of the few remaining interurban/tram operations in Kyoto, the Keifuku Railway. 

Keifuku Tramway

From here he took the Hankyu and the Subway back to Kyoto Station. Here more photography was done, as well as a visit to the Kyoto Tourist office for maps. By 9:00am he was back at the Ryoken.

East Honganji Temple

The family cleaned up and packed as we had to go to Osaka later. We checked out of the Ryoken, but left our bags in the cramped lobby. We hopped on the subway to Goju station. We walked to where the Costume museum is. But it was closed for renovation. A big disappointment for Cyn. We walked across the street to visit the large West Honganji temple complex. It was under heavy renovation. The next walk was back towards the subway, passing the East Honganji temple on the way.

Silk Fashion Show

We boarded the subway and headed to Imadegawa Station. We were hungry so we stopped at a MOS Burger for lunch. This is the Japanese equivalent to McDonalds, but with a bigger variety menu. After lunch we walked over to the Nishijin Silk Center. They had a wonderful store on the top level filled with silk items. Then there was a wonderful Kimono show with live models showing the beautiful modern kimonos that use the Nishijin silk.

Cyn purchased few items for friends and herself. Now it was nearly 1pm and we wanted to get to Osaka. We walked back to the subway to head back to our Ryoken. We picked up our luggage and went to the train station. We got the first JR Rapid train to Osaka. 30 minutes later we were at Osaka Station. The next walk was to the Nishi-Umeda station of the Yotsubashi Subway line. 2-stops later we were at Hommachi Station. It was pouring rain now. We walked 10 minutes to our hotel, a Holiday Inn Express.

Holiday Inn Express

Our room turned out to be exceptionally nice. It was a very large room with 2 full double-beds. There was plenty of room to move around in. It had a view of Utsubo Park and Tennis Center across the street. Not bad for a $100/night room rate that included continental breakfast!

Osaka Castle

It was still raining, but we wanted to see Osaka a little bit. We borrowed 3 umbrellas from the hotel front desk. We walked back to Hommachi Station to ride the Chuo Subway line. We went several stops to Tanimachi 4-Chome station. We walked from there in the rain to Osaka Castle. Osaka Castle has been destroyed 3 times in its lifetime due to fires and wars. It is in the middle of a huge park, a refuge from this very busy city. From the top of the castle you have great view of Osaka.

Universal Studios

From here we walked back down the hill to the JR Morinomiya Station. We took the Osaka Loop line to Nishi-Kujo Station. We transferred there to a Sakurajima Train to Universal Studios Japan. It was 6pm when we arrived. The park closes at 8pm so we decided not to enter the park, but we did want to eat. First we stopped at the Hard Rock Cafe there to pick up souvenirs. Second we browsed the other restaurants on City Walk. We decided upon a Japan/Korean BBQ restaurant. 

At this style restaurant you order the type of meats you want, beef, chicken or pork. Then you cook them yourself on the grills imbedded into your table. This is fun, and the meats are just wonderful tasting. We most like the Kalbe beef.

Cyn was getting very tired so we headed back to the hotel after dinner. We took a Sakurajima train to Nishi-Kujo, changed to a Loop train to Bentencho, and lastly took a Chuo Line train to Hommachi. About 10 minutes later (9pm) we were back at the hotel and relaxed for the rest of the evening.

Total Walking today, about 10 miles, Mark about 12 miles.

Continue to Day 8

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Page last edited on: 03/25/17