OSAKA
HOW TO GET HERE FROM TOKYO: Take the Shinkansen Bullet Train from Tokyo to Osaka. The trip gives you a peek into the expansive vistas of Japan in only 2.5 hours; the public transports all link to the Shinkansen stations making to and fro that much easier. The trains are clean, fast, and smooth; make sure to grab a bento or a snack for the short trip.
STAY: HOTEL SHE, OSAKA, A little outside of the central/tourist-friendly area of OSAKA but easily accessible via public transit, the hotel compensates with their trendy decor and cool vibes. If you stay, make sure to visit the small mom and pop taverns in the neighborhood.
EAT: TEMPURA TAROJIRO, If you happen to pass by Dontonbori and find yourself hungry, make sure to stop by this joint. The food is well executed and most of the diners in this tourist-centric area are locals. Try assortments of tempura as well as some of the fresh shellfish.
EAT: HIRATA, Cute little tavern in the Minata Ward, wonderful food and extremely hospitable chef. Lovely food and atmosphere and lively local elderly crowd; exact location details on Instagram.
GO: SPA WORLD OSAKA, If you don't want to stray too far from OSAKA for a hot spring moment just go to SPA WORLD for an equally great experience, open 24 hours. Note, no tattoos are allowed; though one can easily hide their tattoos with Band-Aids.
SHOP: TRUCK, This beautiful multi-floor/brand shop carries contemporary merchandise with a bohemian edge thoughtfully scattered throughout the lofty space. Lots of treasures with wallet-friendly finds is a must for those who visit OSAKA.
SHOP: GRAF, Established in 1998, Graf carries home wares, furniture & kitchen product designed and produced by artists in Japan. Like many shops in Japan, there is an adjoining cafe with local Japanese fare, i.e. curry.
NOTE
NOTE: CARRY CASH, Generally, it can be a good idea to have at least 20,000 yen in cash on you. If you do need to withdraw money from an ATM, then you can usually do this at a 7-Eleven or Japan Post Bank branch. IMPORTANT NOTE: Most ATM's in JAPAN only accept JAPAN issued ATM/Bank Cards.
NOTE: GET, MIFI ONLINE, Reserve a MiFi device or opt for a local SIM, internet/wifi access is necessary when traveling in Japan. If you have an opportunity to reserve the equipment in advance, choose for TEP Wireless.
NOTE: CITY CENTRAL, I can't stress enough; you need cold hard cash to buy bus/metro tickets to the city center; not something you want to worry about if you were on a long flight.
NOTE: TRANSLATION APPS, Yes, many Japanese people now speak English in the major capitals but having apps like Google Translate will be a game changer for when you travel to smaller cities or towns.
NOTE: POWER UP, Make sure to travel with an electrical adapter and power bank.
NOTE: COIN PURSE, Make sure to bring a coin purse, lots of coins as currency in Japan.
NOTE: JAPAN RAIL, As a visitor you can get a better rate by purchasing Japan Rail Tickets before entering JP; make sure you do this in advance as it will be a hassle to have the tickets delivered to NOTE: your hotel in Japan. More details outlined in the following article.
NOTE: PUBLIC TRANSPORT, Always look at the arrival times when booking your travels to Japan. Why? The subway/railways stop running at 11-12AM dependent on the line, and the Taxi's in Japan are not cheap. Unless you're made of money or have alternate travel plans, make sure to think of when you'll land in Tokyo.STAY: THE SQUARE HOTEL, GINZA, Affordable hotel with modern amenities and whimsical decor, the rooms are laid out with intentional and purpose. This centrally located hotel in Ginza also has a private hotel Onsen.