Korean Job Discussion Forums

[v88]

I'm going to Osaka and Kyoto for a few days and was wondering what folks who have been there thought were the best places to visit and shop.

I would like to see some of the sites like Kinkakuji in Kyoto and do some shopping by day in Osaka and some clubs at night.

What do you think is the best temple or garden in Kyoto?

I'm thinking the Blue Note looks good just cause I like Jazz and the wife is pregnant so we won't be clubbing. I really have no idea what would be the best shopping, either small quaint markets or malls for some fashionable clothing.

Any tips would be great.
V

[conbon78]

Personally, I loved Kyoto. There is a lot to see and the streets are great, its easy to get around and everyone was very nice. We also had a great time at some of their bars. On the other hand, there was Osaka. We thought it was a waste of time. We went only for one day/night and wished we had stayed in Kyoto.

[v88]

I'd probably agree with you, never been there, but from the tour guides I'm far more interested in Kyoto...but the wifee wants to do a little shopping in Osaka, so we shall spend a day there.

Thanks for the reply.
v

[bbb0777]

I agree that Kyoto deserves much more time than Osaka. My favorite sites were, I think in order...

Kyoto:

Pontocho Street at night
Fushimi Inari Taisha (do an image search)
Iwatayama Monkey Park (feed wild monkeys)
Kinkaku-ji Temple (Golden Pavilion)
Daitokuji Temple

Osaka:

Osaka Aquarium - which is rather good, I normally don't like aquariums
Tenjinbashi-suji (longest covered shopping street in Japan - 2.6km)
Shinsaibashi (shopping area)
Staying in a capsule hotel

I also liked spending a day in Nara, Japan. It was the capital before Kyoto, and is famous for it's horribly aggressive deer that crowed/bite you for food...

Kyoto downtown actually has a very good shopping area itself, as the city is almost 1.5 million people.

[oskinny1]

If you're in Kyoto, you have to see the monkeys!

Just make sure you get there for feeding time.

[kiwiinkorea]

My favorite thing in Kyoto was the walking tour in the evening where you got to see and learn about the Geishas.

My favorite temple was Kiyomizudera although of course you must go to kinkakuji as well.

I liked Osaka for shopping. Have a look at den den town for some interesting Japanese otaku culture.

[reactionary]

Osaka also has the much better food choices in Namba. Honestly it's only like 40 minutes away by train, so I'd say it's the better option for sleeping...It's also closer to the airport. Culture wise, there isn't much in Osaka, but in the southern part there is a rather famous Shinto shrine whose name escapes me. Both cities offer quiet, cool bars to hang out in.

It's hard to say which temple in Kyoto is the best. The "star" temples will be packed iwth people any day of the week, and some of the less popular ones are charming without the crowds. Anyway it's pretty easy to read about which ones interest you...Generall you could do one day in Arashiyama and another day in the Sanjo area. I would echo a previous poster and say Fushimi Inari is a must see, but there's quite a bit of walking involved.

Also, Nara is under an hour away by train. It's like a smaller, more compact version of Kyoto , and there are "tame" deer wandering all over begging for food. Many people prefer it over Kyoto for its walkable nature. Todaiji is one of the world's largest wooden buildings and houses a big ol' buddha.

[Andro]

I'm dying to eat my way through Osaka.