Day 1
Shinagawa Shinatatsu Ramen Street, Shinagawa Station
Beside Shinagawa Station is a little enclave of ramen restaurants under the tracks. Welcome to Shinatatsu Ramen Street, where you can enjoy hearty ramen. Each of the ramen restaurants specializes in a different style of ramen. One shop on Shinatatsu Ramen Street is Mouko Tanmen Nakamoto, offering several types of ramen that vary in spiciness (from 1-10). Their specialty dish is miso tanmen, coming in at level 3 spiciness, while their cold miso ramen is at a whopping level 10. For those who aren’t confident about their spice tolerance, Nakamoto offers cold soy sauce tanmen. Other ramen shops in Shinagawa Shitatatsu Ramen Street include Natsuttei for Kumamoto-style ramen with black garlic and Tetsu for tsukemen (dipping-style ramen). Another celebrated haven for ramen lovers is Tokyo Ramen Street in Tokyo Station, just a 10 minute train ride from Shinagawa Station. We’ve covered all of their ramen shops in Tokyo Ramen Street: 8 of the Best Ramen Restaurants in Tokyo.
Getting to the hotel, ibis Umeda, Osaka
Take JR line from JR Shin-Osaka station to JR Osaka station.
Getting to Namba (Kuromon Market) from Hotel
Midosuji Line to Namba Station (30min)
JR RAIL PASS
Take the Osaka Loop line to Imamiya Station, and then just one stop to JR Namba by the Yamatoji Line.
HEP FIVE Ferris Wheel
5min walk from hotel
Dotonbori to Osaka Station
At Shinsaibashi Station, get on a subway to go to Osaka Business Park. From there it is an easy walk to the southwest over a bridge to Osaka Castle.
Day 2
Universal Studios Japan
While in Osaka, from Osaka Station City, take the Osaka loop line, also known as Osaka Kanjo line, to Nishikujo Station, then, take the Sakurajima line (also known as Yumesaki line) to Universal-City Station. Once in there, Universal Studios Japan is under 5 minutes-walk.
The nearest train station to USJ is Universal City Station on the JR Yumesaki Line (aka Sakurajima Line). We’ll show you a few ways to get there from Namba or Umeda where most people are likely to stay.
You can easily get to Osaka Station from the Umeda area on foot. Once you’re at Osaka Station, take the Osaka Loop Line bound for Sakurajima or Tennoji. Transfer at Nishikujō Station to the JR Yumesaki Line bound for Sakurajima.
Day 3
How to Get to Kyoto Station
Shin-Osaka Station to Kyoto Station in 15 minutes for 1,420 yen. This is the fastest and most comfortable route from Osaka to Kyoto, and might be worthwhile if you have a Japan Rail Pass to cover the cost.
How to Get to Nishiki Market
From Kyoto Station, take the Karasuma Subway Line to Shijo Station. Nishiki Market is located one block north of Shijo Avenue, between Teramachi and Shinmachi, less than a five-minute walk from Shijo Station.Alternatively, you can utilize Karasuma Station or Kawaramachi Station on the Hankyu Line. Nishiki is a three minute walk from either station.Buses headed for Nishiki depart the Karasuma Nanajo Bus Stop every 20 minutes. Take bus number 5. It will make about five stops during the 20 minute journey.
Restaurants Near Nishiki Market
Gogyo Ramen, which specializes in flame-seared “burnt ramen,” with a distinctly smoky umami flavor.Snoopy Cha-Ya, or Snoopy Cafe. There is a gift shop on the ground floor, and cute Snoopy elements adorn each dish.
Gion
To reach Gion, use your Japan Rail Pass to reach Kyoto Station. Then, take bus number 100 or 206 to the Gion bus stop.
You can also take a local train in one of Kyoto’s private lines: the closes stations to Gion are Shijo Station (on the Keihan Line, 210 yen to Kyoto Station) and Kawaramachi Station (on the Hankyu Line, also 210 yen to Kyoto Station).
Himeji Castle
How to get there: There is a direct train service from Kyoto to Himeji, included in your JR Pass. Take the ShinkansenHikari train from Kyoto and arrive in Himeji station in a little over 45 minutes, or take a local express train which will get you there in 90 min.
Nara
Kyoto to Nara
There are two rail lines which connect Kyoto to Nara:
- JR Nara line
- Kintetsu Nara line
The Kintetsu line is the fastest way as it only takes 35 minutes. A one-way ticket costs 1,110 yen and it isn’t covered by the JR Pass.
The JR Nara line takes 45 minutes by express train or 70 minutes if you catch a local train from Kyoto Station. It’s covered by the JR Pass but the price is 690 yen if you don’t have one. This is the best way to get from Kyoto to Nara if you have the Japan Rail Pass.
Osaka to Nara
Yamatoji rapid trains run every hour between Osaka and Nara from JR Osaka Station. The one-way trip takes 45 minutes and is covered by the JR Pass (it costs 800 yen without one). Passengers also have the option of getting off at Osaka Tennoji Station.
There is also the option of catching the limited-express train from Osaka-Namba Station (Kintetsu Railways). It only takes 30 minutes (making it the quickest way) and costs 1070 yen. The JR Pass is not valid on Kintetsu Railways.
Way back to Osaka from JR Nara Station
look for the JR Kanjo-Yamatoji Line, which is an express train service. Arrive at JR Osaka Station in Umeda District.
Day 4
Shinagawa Station – Mercure Hotel Ginza
Shinagawa Station (Keikyu Main Line) to Higashinari-Ginza Station. Plus 4min walk from exit A8
Pachinko Parlours (Game)
As gambling is generally illegal in Japan so Pachinko places had to be crafty. Pachinkos are not considered gambling as you win no money. Your winnings are small pachinko balls which can be exchanged for special tokens. These tokens can be ‘sold’ in the shops next door for cash or other items. Because you did not receive any cash in the parlour no laws were broken.
Roppongi Hills (Starbucks)
From Shibuya, hop on a subway and head over to Roppongi Hills. This is where you will find a 54 story skyscraper with a sky deck open to visitors.Yes, that’s right, you can have the best views of Tokyo! It costs 2300 yen per adult (including the Sky Deck). You can buy your tickets in advance at pretty much any convenience store and save up to 300 yen per adult. You can check out the sunrise and sunset time on the Official Roppongi Hills website.
Go Kart Japan(Optional)
Tokyo Tower Course Go-Kart Rental RM300Inclusions & notes:• Go-kart rental • Tour guide driver • Fuel (no need to refuel) • GPS and portable speakers (subject to availability) • Accident insurance • Costume
Tokyo Tower
One Piece Tower
Day 5
Disneyland
Yurakucho Subway Line to Shinkiba,and then transfer to JR Keiyo Line
Day 6
Uniqlo
The Uniqlo in Ginza is the largest Uniqlo in the world. You can enjoy tax-free shopping here which makes it even more fun to shop around. This particular Uniqlo is huge, with myriad levels for men, women and kids. You won’t be disappointed.
Ginza Chuo-Dori At Sunset
No better way to end the day than by admiring the main Ginza Street during sunset. Chuo-dori is the main shopping street and it’s like a gorgeous sea of lights flooded with colours during sunset.
Ginza Sony Park
The Sony Building was designed by Japanese architect Yoshinobu Ashihara, and opened on April 29, 1966 in Tokyo’s Ginza ward. It is located at the Sukiyabashi crossroads on Harumi-dori, and is accessible directly from the Ginza subway station via exit B9. The building is an example of Postmodern architecture.
Rooftop Star Garden @Ginza
Ginza Station (Ginza, Marunouchi, Hibiya lines), exit A3
The rooftop garden at Ginza Six is piling on the romance for the year-end holidays. The illimunination feature sparkling LED pillars (there are 147 of them), turning the space into a star-filled galaxy come nighttime. In line with this concept, the ‘forest’ area has been turned into a small planetarium, with laser lights shooting through crystals to create an immersive night scene.
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