A Newbie's (Mini) Guide to Osaka

Hello!!!

I can't believe summer is almost over and the kids are going back to school next week!  (I don't know who is more excited, me or them? Since both of them are now going to the same school, things will be easier for this Mama and this means a little bit more "me" time as well . . . yessss! Haha)

I am all charged up because we just came home from Philippines for a month long vacation.  We always try to visit a new place or country with my Mom and my sister whenever we are back home.  This year, our travel plans included Osaka, Japan.  They have actually visited this beautiful city last year and they loved it so much that they don't mind going back!  (And after visiting Osaka, I can't blame them!)

I know that Japan is becoming a popular tourist destination right now so I thought of sharing with you some of our experience/tips which I hope you will find useful one day when you plan to visit this country too.

1. TICKETS - We weren't really planning on going to Osaka but when there is an opportunity that  arises (like a seat sale!), you might as well grab it! LOL . . . We booked our tickets through Jetstar Asia which flies from Clark International Airport to Osaka (Kansai Airport).  This worked really well for us because the Clark is just around 30 kms away from where we live!

2. ACCOMMODATIONS - Hotel or Airbnb? That is the question. . . .

My sister and my Mom stayed at the Namba Oriental Hotel (which is in a really good location!) in their last trip to Osaka.  But since our group of 6 needs 2 rooms for 5 nights in a hotel, Airbnb is the best way to go, haha.  It is definitely cheaper and more than anything, I love that we get to be in one house together!  Plus we can do laundry for free! LOL

If you are not sure where to stay, for first time visitors (like us), I highly recommend that you stay in the Namba/Shinsaibashi area.  This area has so much to offer in terms of shopping and dining!  Seriously, I want to go back to Osaka, just to EAT! Haha . . .

For more details about Osaka and its other districts, please click on this link.

3. ITINERARY - When we were planning for our itinerary, we just made sure we included something for the kids (5 and 7 yr old) and a day trip to Kyoto (Kyoto is a MUST!  It is another beautiful city that one day is not enough).  To give you an idea, for the kids, we went to Kaiyukan Aquarium and Kids Plaza.  I will blog more about what we did in a separate post.

4. TOUR GUIDE/GROUP TOUR - When my Mom and my sister went to Osaka for the first time, they booked a private tour guide through Triple Lights.   In our trip, we thought we will do a DIY tour of Kyoto and regard it as an adventure!  But after being in Osaka for a few days and with ALL the walking we did (did I say we have 2 kids and my Mom with us?), we thought it was best to sign up for a group tour, haha!  After seeing all the places we went to, I sure am glad we did!

We went to the Tourist Information Center in Namba and got a flyer of a travel agency.  By the way, the Tourist Center DOES NOT book any tours for visitors.  They can answer questions regarding sightseeing or anything that can be of help to tourists.  You can also get city maps from here.  For more details about the Tourist Information Center, please click on this link.

We booked online a one day bus tour (which includes 4 must visit tourist places) to Kyoto with Hankyu Travel.   For our tour, we went to a meeting point where the bus will pick up the group.

Please click here to go to Hankyu Travel's website for more details and for the other tour packages that they offer. 

At the end of the day . . . 😄

5. TRAIN TICKETS - Okay, the train system in Osaka can be overwhelming for first time visitors!  It is a bit tricky because there are different railway companies operating in different lines.  There are a variety of deals/rail passes you can avail of.  Each of these come with certain conditions.    For example, Kansai Thru Pass is a rail pass that you can use in trains, private railways and even buses.  However, you cannot use it in train lines operated by Japan Railways (JR).  See what I mean?  Haha

And that is why I let Hubby and my sister handle all train-related matters! heehee  

Don't worry, there is a button for English users 😊

We did not avail of any rail pass because when we reviewed our planned itinerary, we don't have a great need to use the train. 

If you have any questions regarding the use of train and how to get around, the staff at the Tourist Information Center are helpful and would be able to assist you on this matter.

I found something which I hope I can help you understand more about the train system in Osaka.  Please click here.

6. Pocket Wifi - SUPER important!  I suggest you rent a pocket wifi with unlimited data plan during your stay in Japan.  You can order one online and have it delivered to where you are staying (for a delivery fee).  My sister swears by Pupuru.  Returning it is easy as there are mail boxes inside the airport where you can just drop it.

For more details about Pupuru and their products and services, please click here.

During our trip, we decided to get another one (our Airbnb host actually provided pocket wifi but with limited usage per day) upon our arrival at the airport from Softbank, another reliable provider.  Please click here to know more about them. 

We suggest that you arrange for your pocket wifi in advance as there is a chance that the providers at the airport run out of rental units. 

7. USEFUL PHRASES - Most of the  Japanese population may be able to communicate English in a limited manner so having a list of useful phrases such as the list below is going to be helpful as you go around.

We survived going around just by using one word. . ."DOKO" which means "where?" I swear, just knowing this word have helped us a lot of times during our trip! Haha  

One thing that I love about the Japanese is they are sooooo helpful.  They may not be comfortable speaking in English but they will still try their best to help you. 

Source

I hope this post helps you in some way.  As I've said this is a Newbie's guide and is based on our experience. 

Please feel free to share any tips or useful information you might have about travelling to Japan.  I am sure I will put them in good use. . . when we go back!  (Huney, I know you're reading my blog so I know you got the message, haha) 😊

Arigatou gozaimasu!

My New Favorite Vegetable Recipe - Broccoli Patties!

Hello everyone!!!!

It has been a long time (like loooonnnngg!) since I posted something on the blog.  How long?  Well, let's put it this way, I haven't even finished writing a post from last year's annual family vacation and we will be taking another one in a couple of months! LOL

Since my last post, what has been going on in our casa?  Well, our Princess is now a 1st Grader and our little (not so little now) boy entered a Pre-school program.  I am still doing some part time work which I absolutely love.  So these. . .  plus everything else that needs to be done for the house and for the family pretty sums up what I've been busy with all these time.  

I haven't even done much baking (something which I love doing) and haven't tried any new recipes as well.  But today is a good day to blog because I am sooo excited to share with you a new recipe which I tried (and loved!) just this afternoon!

Broccoli is my favorite vegetable.  I love roasting them with olive oil, garlic and salt.  But I got lazy the other day so I just blanched them and ate them with my favorite salad dressing.  Then I got bored eating them like that so I had to look for another recipe to make my meals more interesting, haha.  I am lucky to have found this recipe from Just A Pinch !  (Please click on it to get the recipe).

BROCCOLI PATTIES!

How do I love thee?  Let me count the ways:

1. These patties are superb because they have broccoli (a superfood!) in it.

2. There is cheeeese in it!  Not one. . .but 3 (Parmesan, Cheddar and Mozza)!
*The only thing I added which was not in the original recipe was some Mozzarella cheese because. . . wait, do we need any reason to use more cheese?  Haha

3. The best thing about these patties are. . . . they are BAKED, not fried.  I repeat, NOT FRIED!!!

I would like to believe that it is still "healthy" even when there are 3 kinds of cheese in it, haha.  

Well, I think the fact that they are not deep fried is good enough reason to say this dish is healthy-ish? *silly grin here*

If cheese is made of milk and milk is good for the body, I therefore conclude that. . . cheese is good for our body!  LOL

As much as I like it, my picky eaters stayed away from it!  Aaarrggh.  I was hoping I can trick them into eating veggies by showing them the crusty, melted cheese on the patties!  Yummm!  These kids of mine don't know what they are missing!    

If your kids are not picky as mine, this dish is a good way for them to eat their veggies too.

This recipe is definitely a winner in my book because it is easy, tasty and healthy! =)

Hope you will like it as much as I do.  😁

By the way, try these patties with your favorite creamy salad dressing like Ranch.

Hope you are all having a great weekend!