Kyoto is such a popular place in the Kansai region. Its probably the most popular from a tourism perspective.

Kyoto for a first time visitor is a challenging experience because you need to take either the subway or a bus from the train station to a majority of the major sites. There are two that are very close to the Kyoto train station, but the really popular ones are not within walking distance. This is coming from someone who likes to walk 7-8 miles per day while on vacation.

We found having two guide books between 4 of us was necessary, but even still did not encompass enough information. We still used the internet + the bus station tourism office as well as the guide books to find out the best routes, the exact transportation required, and schedules and costs of temples.

Without further ado, here are the Kyoto Guidebooks.

Total Japan Books

When you want the best Kobe Beef you go to the source. Kobe, Japan. This isn’t American Wagyu. If you have never been to Kobe before and don’t know what Kobe Beef is, I’ve created a brief historical paragraph.

To be termed, “Kobe Beef” the cattle must be raised in particular region of Kobe. It is rumored that the cattle is raised drinking beer, brushed with sake, and massaged daily. This routine, coupled with the unique terrain produces a more marbled beef than the best beef in the US and Australia. There are breeds in both countries that are producing American and Australian Wagyu Beef that is supposedly close in taste.
In Kobe they have sectioned off a “Kobe Beef” district in Sannomiya. This is NOT the only place to get Kobe Beef, but there are specialty restaurants here just for Kobe Steak. However, it is served and sought after throughout Japan. Sannomiya is easily accessible via the JR line from Osaka.

One item of note is there are several ways Kobe Beef is prepared and eaten. Kobe Beef can be cooked a variety of ways, but the top 3 are sukiyaki, shabu shabu, and teppanyaki. I had Kobe Beef teppanyaki style.

When the steak if cooked teppanyaki style, its cooked over a charcoal grill where the meat is seared on all sides similar to the way seared tuna is cooked.

I elected to eat at an A-1. If you are facing this torii gate, then an A-1 (that only accepts cash) is directly to your left. It is also shown on the map if you click the link at the top left of this page. A Tokyu Hands store is also right here on the opposite side of the street.
A-1 is a Kobe beef franchise, if you could call it that. There are several A-1’s in the Sannomiya district and some allow credit cards and some don’t so just look for the credit card sign in the window. The Japanese are excellent about keeping up with these sort of things. You may have to walk around for a few blocks, but there are 3 in very close proximity if you want to use your credit card. If you don’t choose A-1 there are alot of other choices that are probably just as good. Here is a review of an A-1 on Bento.

The prices vary and in this picture you can see how pricey this meal can be. I have yet to taste anything quite like the steak served here anywhere in the US. It was worth every penny.

What is Yodobashi Camera?

Its a camera store of course! Oh, but its so much more. Yodobashi does cover the gamut when it comes to cameras, but they also throw the gauntlet down when it comes to having the largest selection I’ve ever seen in TV’s, computers, watches, film, photo albums, cell phones, and more.

This is a definite place for any gaijin (foreigner) to check out while in Osaka, Japan. This is probably the best electronics store in the world. Yes, that’s an opinion, but this place is simply crazy and once you see it you will believe it.

Want a cellphone? How about several thousand choices. Sprint in the US has about 20 in their stores.

Cameras? Laptops? Picture frames? Watches? Vintage film? Luggage? Dishwashers? They have it all and I mean all. Yodobashi probably has over 100 different rice cookers.
Even though Yodobashi has everything you could want from an electronics store, typically prices are better in the United States for major electronics. I was able to find some unique items at Yodobashi to take home such as their

bottle top camera tripod.

How to get to Yodobashi Camera?

Yodobashi is right behind the train station as you can see on the map. In this example, I’ll assume you are at the front entrance of the Umeda train station. You can either walk underground to get to Yodobashi or walk topside across the overhead crosswalk that connects Hanshin Department Store, Hankyu Department Store, and Umeda Station. If you are new in town, take the topside skywalk. Its easier to navigate up top. You can get lost in the Osaka subway for quite a while if you are bad at navigating.

Once you are on the skywalk, its easy to spot Yodobashi Camera because it has cartoon eyes on the building. It also says Yodobashi Camera on the building as well. Even though you can see Yodobashi Camera from the skywalk, getting there from this point is still a hair confusing.

If you are facing Yodobashi Camera at the spot of the skywalk where it forks then you want to go right. If you go left it takes you back to the train station through a different entrance. So go right towards Hankyu department store, down the stairs and take the walkway that runs parallel to the street. Its covered overhead and you may see people sleeping on the street here (don’t worry its perfectly safe–its different in Japan). When you hit day light you cross 2 little drive way streets in front of you and then you can cross the main street on your left at the big (lines on the ground). If you think this sounds like some back street route, its not. Its always busy with plenty of people. This is the least busy route though.

Videos of Yodabashi Camera

Videos from other people

People traveling solo will find Japan very accomodating. There are capsule hotels, and lots of hotels have single priced rooms that don’t cause extra. A large portion of restaurants and eating establishments have either counters inside or walk up counters outside.

Tourist offices located in most train stations can handle booking accomodations for you too.

The Hilton Osaka is situated directly across from the main entrance to JR Umeda station. The Hilton Osaka also has a luxury shopping center attached to it with subway access underground. The subway is easily accessible from this hotel. The Hilton in Osaka is a 4 star hotel with 5 star service.

Check availability

The Ritz-Carlton is located in Nishi-Umeda across from the JR Umeda Rail Station.

The Hotel sits on top of a large high end shopping center as well as easy access to the Yotsubashi, Midosuji, and Tanimachi subway lines as well as the JR.

2-5-25 Umeda
Kita
Osaka, Osaka 530-0001
Japan

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The Swissotel Nankai Osaka hotel is located at:

5-1-60 Namba Chuo
542-0076
Osaka, Japan

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Probably Osaka’s biggest tourist attraction, Osaka Castle, sits on an island filled with trees, large rock walls, and moat around the outside. The castle is a museum as well as an observation deck at the top floor. Prepare to climb tight staircases.

Since this is one of the few traditional tourist sites in Osaka, go see it.

The castle restored to its full glory in 1997.

Getting to Osaka Castle

Take the JR Loop Line to Osakajo Koen

You can also take the subway to:

Morinomiya station via the Chuo line (dark green) or the Nagahori Tsurumi-ryokuchi line (light green)

Temmabashi station on the Tanimachi line (purple)

Ryouan-ji is a temple that contains perhaps the most famous Japanese rock garden in the world. The reason being it was the first rock garden.

The entrance fee is a little high in our opinion for what you get to see at the temple. Ryouanji is not very large and there is not much to see here aside from the rock garden. As usual, you swap your shoes for sandals and walk through the small temple.

There are many tourists sitting and watching the rock garden quietly. If you think you won ‘t be upset missing this attraction we would recommend skipping it. However, the grounds of Ryouanji are quite beautiful and definitely worth the trip by themselves.

The Temple and Rock Garden

The Grounds of Ryouanji

On top of Mt. Hiei sits Enryaku-ji temple. The founder of the Tendai sect of Buddhism, Saicho established the temple in 788. Enryaku-ji is still a very active temple where monks practice. Monks at this temple have kept a sacred fire going for 1200 years straight.