Day 02: Osaka Aquarium (海遊館) and Shinsaibashi (心斎橋)

On our second day in Osaka, the nearest attraction at Hotel Universal Port is the Universal Studio. Naturally everyone will want to go Universal Studio at the first light.  Too bad, this trip we decided to skip Universal Studio.  Many may say, what a waste!!!  Personally find that there are many fun and interesting places to visit in Osaka region than Universal Studio. Most of all, i am not a theme park fan.

Visited Universal Studio during the first year of opening.  The experiences then was not very present, mainly of the long queue for all rides.  On average, the queue of each ride is about an hour.  This really kills all my moods.

Ticket to Osaka Aquarium (海遊館) 

There are two ways to Osaka Aquarium, by train or ferry.  For convenience and time saving, we get the ferry and entrance tickets to the aquarium from the hotel's ticket counter. 

There are several ticket combinations, we get a one way ferry with aquarium entrance tickets.  After getting the tickets, just go to the jetty from the exit near to the ticket counter.  The prices for a one way ferry with aquarium entrance ticket are as follow.

1.  Adult.  ¥2,700
2.  Secondary School Student.  ¥1,800.
2.  Primary School Student.  ¥1,500.

Captain Line Ferry

Jetty to board and alight from Captain Line.

Photo taking outside the waiting room.

Arriving of Captain Line.

Half way to the aquarium.

Reaching Osaka Aquarium (海遊館).

Osaka Aquarium (海遊館)

Entrance of the Osaka Aquarium.

The main attraction of the Osaka Aquarium is the two whale sharks.  Really beautiful and we are able to have a very close view of them swimming in the tank.

There are many others species of fish and sea creatures.  There are seats around the tank for you to sit and enjoy the view of the fishes swimming round the tank.

The best part of the aquarium i love most is the jelly fish section.

There are several tanks of different types of jelly fish.  They are really beautiful drifting around the tank.

There is a touch and feel area for the kids near the exit of the aquarium, where the children are allow to touch and feel the different type of shark and ray.

There are two souvenir shops, one locate after the exit and the other locate before the exit.  The souvenirs from the shop before the exit are of better quality.  Especially the whale shark soft toy, it looks better and nicer to hug.  Brought two big size Whaley home.

The shop after the exit has more varieties, both the quality are not so good as the before.  The shopkeepers are also wearing different uniform, believe both shop are operated by different operator.

Lunch 

There is no problem in solving our lunch.  We walk over to Tempozan (天保山) Harbour Village for our lunch and to charge up for the next destination.  There are several restaurant and a big food court in the mall.  We decided to go for the food court, as the varieties are more.

Shinsaibashi (心斎橋) 

We walk to the nearest station, Osakako (大阪港駅), then transfer at Hommachi (本町駅) to Shinsaibashi Station.  It is fast and convenient, with us exit straight at the shopping arcade.

http://www.jrpass.com/images/map/map_osaka_metro.pdf

Direction toward train station.

Ticket counter at Osakako Station.

Platform of Osakako Station.

Transfer at Hommachi Station.

Middle of Shinsaibashi Shopping Arcade.

Nothing much to describe about Shinsaibash, it is the hottest and most happening shopping district in Osaka.  In order to cover the whole area, you need at least two days or more.  For this trip, my missions are as follow.

1.  Kinryu (金龍)  Ramen.
2.  Shopping at Takashimaya.

Wth only two objectives, we should able to cover in half a day.  But too bad, the ladies only manage to complete part of their shopping list only.  Mission failed because there are too many distraction along the way....

Distraction 01 - LUSH Soap 

LUSH is a shop that sell soaps and cosmetics that make of fresh ingredients.  It stated that all the soaps and cosmetics products are hand made.  The products can also be purchased online from http://www.lushsg.com

The shop assistants are full of drives and friendly.  They also do a simple product demo for each of us, applying different types of their facial or hand masks.  Very good services and colourful shop that make us spend about an hour there.

They also demonstrate making of bath bubble with their bathing soap... really lot of bubbles..  too bad the shop assistants do not allow us to take photos.  

Distraction 02 - Food and Shop along the way 

On the way to the Kinryu (金龍) Ramen shop near to the river, there are many street foods, cakes and cookie shop;  We stop, buy, eat and move to next store...

Kinryu Ramen (金龍ラーメン) 

There are three stores that located at different part of Namba and Shinsaibashi areas.  Personally prefers the one near to the Shinsaibashi and the river.  The ramen from this store tastes the best among the rest.  Think it may be also the atmosphere around this shop that enhance the taste.  

The get the best of 金龍ラーメン is to add lot of kimchi and garlic.  These side dishes will strongly enhance to taste, especially in the cold weather.

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Back to Universal Studio

Nothing much to write about Takashimaya, it is a very big shopping mall that located at the main junction between Namba and Shinsaibashi.  It is the major landmark in the region.  

Once reached the Takashimaya, the ladies and children start their hunt for bags and toys.

Luckily the departmental store close at 8.00 pm. Else we can stay there for another day.

The easiest way back to Universal Studio is to take the Hanshin Namba Line from Namba Station, which is beside Takashimaya, and transfer to JR Nishikuju Station.

However, my friends would love to explore around the neighborhood and we start walking to the JR Namba Station.  It took us about half an hour, stopping by a Lawson to top up water and food.  The JR Line was so crowded that night, we got confused and took the wrong direction and do a complete JR Osaka Loop.

Overall, it was a good experiences for us to better familiar with JR Osaka Loop.

Hotel Universal Port

The Hotel Universal Port is located outside the Universal City, within 5 minutes walk from the train station.  The direction from Universal City JR Station is as shown in the map below.

The shortest path is to turn left after walk out of the station.  It is quite easy to miss it, especially when the weather is windy and cold.

Reach at around 5.30 pm.

On the day of arrival, we were welcome with strong wind and freezing cold.  We missed the small pathway and walk straight to the Universal City, then pass through the Hotel Keihan Universal Tower.  Doing so, we just need to brave the wind for a shorter distance.

Lobby and Check In

The lobby of the hotel is very nice, decorate with a long aquarium.  The check in was fast and swift.

We get our cards and straight up to our room.

We have booked a room for 4 persons.  It room is spacious and clean.  Only disappointment is the view from our room.

Can't help it, as Osaka is an industrialized city.  From our room, we are able to see most of the Osaka Port.

Toilet (Best) 

Best part of the room is the toilet bowl.  Best of the Best you can ever have!!!

It is a FULL AUTOMATIC toilet bowl! The seat is fixed with heater, spray to wash, air dry and auto flash after used.  All the functions are shown in the photo above.

Hotel Facilities 

There are a few facilities that I love very much.

Level 2

1.  Coin operated washing machine.

2.  Coin operated cloth drying machine.

3.  Vending machine for detergent.

4.  Microwave oven.

This is really useful to me, as I can do some laundry and do not need to bring too many clothing.  Can reserve space for shopping.

Lobby

1.  Ta Q Bin delivery.

The service is very useful to send my luggage to the next hotel in advance and reduce the trouble to drag them along.  The price is very reasonable, ¥2000 for the biggest luggage from Osaka to Tokyo.

Please note that the service need a day to ensure the luggage to reach.

Comments

Overall the hotel is really valued for money and perfect for a family of four.  Although we need to use the JR Osaka Loop to travel around and it is quite inconvenience.  However, with JR Rail Pass, not to complain too much.  

In Osaka, the best way is to use the local subways or local operated train services; such as Keihan, Hankyu and Kintetsu Line.  Usually these private operated's station locate very close to the places of interest.

Day 01: Japan Narita (成田) Airport to Osaka (大阪)

Today is the starting of a long free and easy holiday to Japan.  A trip with my family and friends.  This is also my first time flying into Narita Airport and take a Shinkansen (新幹線) to Osaka (大阪).

Before the trip, have done an intensive research, still the entire journey was not as smooth as planned.

Below is the list of items "DIE DIE MUST HAVE" before taking this challenge.

1.  Air ticket to Narita Airport.

2.  JR Rail Pass.  (Only can take HIKARI ひかりor slower train)

3.  Courage to ask for direction.

From Narita (成田) Airport To Hotel Universal Port.

Reach Narita by an A380 at 6.30 am

After a long night flight, we landed at Narita Airport at around 6.30 am.  It was a bright and sunny morning, but feel very tired.

Getting ready to check into custom and collect luggage.

Once get out of the plane, we go direct to the wash room to clean up before collecting our luggage.

There are lot of people at the custom, but the queue was fast.  The custom required us to take photo and fingers print.  Interesting!!  

After collected all our luggage, we go out to the arrival hall and take an elevator down to the JR Ticket Office at the train station, which locate at the basement of the terminal.  

The staff are very friendly and able to communicate with simple English.  The registration of the JR Rail Pass do take awhile, as the staff needs to verify our passports and fill up some forms.

The counter staff also helps us to reserve the seats for both Narita Express and Shinkansen to Osaka.  Then the staff issued us the tickets for both Narita Express and Shinkansen.

JR Rail Pass (Front).

JR Rail Pass (Back).

With all the tickets ready, just walk over to the gate of the Narita Express and show the JR Rail Passes to the Station Master.  Then proceed down to the platform.

Checking for the seat number while waiting for the train to be ready.

Seats inside the Narita Express.  All our small bags can put on top the seat, with the big one put behind the car.

Train Platform, the Car Number is displayed on the train window.

Shinagawa (品川) Station.

At Shinagawa (品川) Station, alight from the Narita Express, go up the elevator and follow the direction as shown on the signboards.  

Direction to Shinkansen Platform.

One important thing before boarding the Shinkansen!!! Go get some bento set and drinks, many choices in the station.  The choice of foods and drinks on the train are very very limited.   

To Shinkansen Platform 23 or 24 for Shin-Osaka direction.

Timing and direction of Shinkansen.

Shinkansen Platform To Shin-Osaka.

The arriving train and car number are displayed on the platform.  Queue only when the train is arriving.  The train and car number are also displayed on the each carriage of the train, so one should have no problem to board the right train.

The alighting and boarding of train are done in very swift and fast pace, all done within less than 3 minutes.  Amazing!!

Mt Fuji (富士山)

Mount Fuji from far.

Mount Fuji from near.

Look out for Mt Fuji when the Shinkansen is approaching near Mishima Station (三島駅).  The mountain is on the right window seat towards the direction of Osaka (大阪).

Fantastic view of Mt Fuji... 

Shin-Osaka Station (新大阪).

The Shinkansen stop at Shin-Osaka (新大阪).  From here, we changed to the JR Line to Osaka Station (大阪駅).  Then take a direct train to Universal City or change at Nishikujo Station (西九条駅).

Gantry Between Shinkansen Station and JR Line.

There are a few shops and restaurants inside the station.  If there is no rush to reach Osaka, the ramen are not bad and take a break before the challenge ahead.

After a good meal.

JR Osaka Station.

This is the confusing and most challenging part of the entire journey.  There are many lines that can go to Osaka Station, as long there is a sign stated that the line is bound towards Osaka. 

If you are confused, just approach any Station Master.  They will able to tell you which platform. 

It is a 15 minutes journey from Shin-Osaka to Osaka Station.

At Osaka Station, we alighted from the platform and go up to the main lobby.  At the main lobby, we then proceed to Platform 1 to board a train (from any line) to Nishikujo Station (西九条駅).  Nishikujo Station is just three stations away from Osaka Station.  From Nishikujo Station, we transferred to another platform for a train towards Sakurajima Station (桜島駅).  For two stations, we reached Universal City.

新大阪駅 => 大阪駅 => 西九条駅 => Universal City.

Universal City Station.

It seems very confused to travel from Shin-Osaka to Universal City.  That day, i was tired and confused by the peak hours crowd.  After cool down in the hotel, then i remembered that we can just wait slightly long for a Sakurajima line  (桜島線) that starts from Kyobashi Station (京橋駅) and passed by Osaka Station.
                           
The crowds were terrible, till i too busy to take care of my luggage and do not have the times to take any photo at the Osaka Station.

The crowds is comparable to the Yamanote Line (山手線) in Tokyo (東京).

Hotel Universal Port

The hotel is located just outside the Universal City.  It was windy and freezing that evening.  It takes awhile for me to ask around for the direction.

The shortest path is to turn left and walk straight after coming out of the station.  It is a 5 minutes walk from the station to the hotel.

Hotel Universal Port.

The hotel is fantastic.... highly recommended... good services and values for money.

Will cover in my next blog..