Osaka, Kyoto, Tokyo 10-Day 9-Night In-Depth Experience—Seizing the Chance to Visit My Childhood Dreamland

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When I was in fifth grade, I happened to see a magazine from a classmate that influenced my lifelong hobby: "Electronic Game Software". From then on, I bought every gaming magazine that came out, such as "Game Console Practical Techniques" and "Computer Games & Electronic Games". The magazines brought a lot of joy to my枯燥 school life. I remember that at the end of each month, on the way home from school, I would eagerly stop by the newsstand and ask if the magazines had arrived. If I got one, that was true happiness. I never just read them once and threw them aside; I would flip through them repeatedly over the next month until the next issue came out, then carefully store the expired ones and occasionally take them out to read. This shows how deeply I loved games.

Gaming magazines opened a new world for me as a child. They taught me that the game console my parents bought me was called the "Family Computer" (FC), an 8-bit console developed by Nintendo of Japan. The first game I played, "Mushroom Stomping," was also developed by Nintendo, and its real name was "Super Mario Bros." From the FC onward, the gaming market became more vibrant, with major companies like SEGA, Sony, and Microsoft successively launching their own next-generation consoles. Although I never bought any console before the "PlayStation," I was still well-versed in various games through the magazines. This was not only my joy but also something I took pride in.

Among the many gaming companies, Nintendo always maintained unparalleled creativity. The Mario games remained timeless. As a primary school student, I actually idolized big names like Nintendo President "Hiroshi Yamauchi" and game producer "Shigeru Miyamoto." I even naively thought that when I grew up, I might one day work at Nintendo.

Later, "Electronic Game Software" gradually declined, and I switched to "Game Console Practical Techniques." It was in this magazine that I first heard about the holy land of gaming—Akihabara in Japan. In that era of rampant piracy, few purchasing channels, and many dishonest merchants, reading about Akihabara in the magazine—with its vast array of game shops—made me secretly resolve to go there someday.

Because of my love for games, I chose Japanese as my major in university. My idea was simple: I wanted to understand the storylines when playing games. During college, I watched my first Japanese drama, "Densha Otoko" (Train Man), which deepened my longing for Akihabara. After graduation, I worked for a Japanese company. Although I had been on business trips to Japan several times, the schedules were tight and I never had time to wander. So I always thought that as a passionate gamer, I should eventually make a trip to my dreamland.

On the eve of the 2024 Spring Festival, my mind kept replaying the above memories. Recalling the goals I set as a child, I decided to take an impromptu trip. Of course, being middle-aged with a family and responsibilities, I couldn't be too willful, so I used the excuse of "traveling with the family" to incidentally fulfill my own dream. Since the decision was rushed, my wife's expired passport couldn't be renewed in time. This time, she had to make do, and I went with my mother and daughter.

Logging into the Japanese embassy's website, I found the addresses of various travel agencies that handle visa applications. According to a classmate working at the embassy, it's best to choose a mid-to-large agency from the list—neither too large nor too small. The required documents for visa applications vary by agency. The most common and simplest is providing a tax payment certificate. The next option is a deposit certificate; for a single-entry visa, a deposit of 200,000 RMB is required. One important note: this deposit does not need to be frozen. Be sure to clarify this with the bank.

There are very few flights from Tianjin to Osaka. The only suitable one is an 8:05 AM flight. Arriving at the airport 1.5 hours early is sufficient. The plane took off on time and landed at Kansai Airport at 11:45 local time. The most economical and convenient way to get from the airport to downtown Osaka is by train. We chose the stylish Nankai Limited Express, which is the prototype of the Nankai Ninja train from the anime "Chotetsu Hunter" (Railway Warrior). Its front is very tough, and the windows are designed as large ovals, offering a wide view. The scenery framed by the oval windows looks even more beautiful than through ordinary windows. After exiting customs at the airport, turn left, go up the stairs marked with railway signs, and follow the signs to easily find the ticket counter. The automated ticket machines have a Chinese language option. If you're unsure how to buy a ticket, you can also go to the manual counter, where there are Chinese-speaking staff. Don't worry. Just tell them where you want to go, and they'll tell you the route. Tell them you want the Nankai Limited Express, and you'll get the ticket.

Our destination was Shinsaibashi. We took the Nankai Limited Express to Namba Station and then transferred to the subway to Shinsaibashi Station. Alternatively, a taxi would cost about 3,000 yen, which is also acceptable.

We stayed at the Nikko Hotel in Shinsaibashi, which is right above Shinsaibashi Station. You can go down to the subway without leaving the building. The hotel has a "Gourmet Corridor" on the basement floor with many restaurants. Across the hotel are PARCO and Daimaru department stores. A small path next to the mall leads to the Shinsaibashi shopping street, which has drugstores, izakayas, restaurants, and everything else. Behind the hotel are FamilyMart and 7-Eleven convenience stores, as well as restaurants and bars. And these restaurants are less crowded, so you probably won't have to wait in line. In short, the hotel's location is extremely convenient.

I booked the hotel on Ctrip. If the hotel info includes "Chinese Welcome," it means the staff speak Chinese. Even if you don't speak Japanese, don't worry. The hotel staff are very friendly. Feel free to ask them about anything; they'll give detailed answers. They can even make reservations for famous restaurants. The hotel's breakfast is served in two places: a Western buffet on the second floor and a Japanese buffet on the third floor. Since I've had Western food many times, we ate on the third floor this time. The Japanese breakfast there was a big hit with my daughter—it was delicious and very authentic.

We arrived at the hotel around 2 PM. Because check-in was after 3 PM, we stored our luggage and went out to find food. To our surprise, in such a bustling area, restaurants also closed at 2 PM. We couldn't find any open restaurant, so we ended up eating at a café on the basement floor. The food was mediocre and not tasty.

What attracted me most to Universal Studios Osaka was, of course, "Super Nintendo World." It's the only one in the world, so it's extremely popular. To enter this area, you need a timed entry ticket ("整理券") in addition to the park admission. If you don't buy the timed entry ticket in advance on Ctrip, you have to scan a QR code at the scene to get one. According to guides, to get one on-site, you have to arrive very early, which is unrealistic for a late sleeper like me. So I bought a 7-item Express Pass on Ctrip. This pass does not include the park admission ticket, so you must buy that separately. The Express Pass includes timed entry to both "Super Nintendo World" and "Harry Potter's Hogwarts." I bought a fixed-time one—just choose your entry time and go. Very convenient.

I think the rides at Universal Studios are mostly thrilling (except for two in Super Nintendo World). They're not suitable for timid girls like my daughter, so we only rode "Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem." After that, my daughter refused to go on any other rides—a waste of my Express Pass!

"Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem" starts with entering a closed room, where Minions on screen explain the rules and story background. I recall that you have to pass a challenge to avoid being turned into a Minion. After hearing the story, we go through automatic doors and sit in seats designed like spaceships, and the ride begins. A giant dome screen shows a roller-coaster-like scene, with Minions bouncing and acting mischievously. The seats move with the visuals—tilting forward, sideways, or jolting. It's immersive and thrilling, but if you focus too much, you might feel dizzy.

At the scheduled time, we finally entered Super Nintendo World. You absolutely must buy the interactive Power-Up Band at the entrance; otherwise, there's little to do in this area. There are only two major attractions—Mario Kart: Koopa's Challenge and Yoshi's Adventure. These are relatively low-key, especially Yoshi's Adventure, which is a slow ride on a track around the area—good only for photos, no real thrills.

If you have the band and have downloaded the USJ app, collecting coins and finding keys become the main activities. I don't know how tourists who don't like Mario games feel about it, but for a fan like me, it's enjoyable. It feels like you've entered the game and are completing tasks. Coins can be ranked against other players in the system. After finding three keys, you can enter Bowser's Secret Castle to rescue the Golden Mushroom. This mini-game lets you transform into Mario, eat Super Mushrooms, shoot fireballs, and defeat hordes of approaching Koopas.

The app's park map marks all task points. My daughter and I followed it and completed as many as we could, including hitting blocks, stomping Koopas, using binoculars to find hidden characters, etc. Playing it as a game felt very interesting.

By the way, the USJ app wouldn't open using my domestic carrier's Global Plus network. I had to buy a SoftBank data SIM card on Taobao in advance.

From Super Nintendo World, we headed straight to the Harry Potter area. Our first task was to buy a wand for my daughter, a die-hard Harry Potter fan. After buying the wand, we started performing magic at various spots marked on the map. The magic was difficult; even with both of us, we only succeeded at three spells. But it fulfilled my daughter's wish to become a witch. Special mention goes to the Butterbeer—refreshing and light. It tastes like kvass topped with milk foam. No matter how long the line, you have to try it.

After returning from Universal Studios, we had dinner at a yakiniku (Japanese BBQ) restaurant. Japanese BBQ really saves charcoal! You just touch the meat to the hot coals for a moment, and it's almost raw inside but tastes excellent. The meat itself is of top quality, with no gamey taste. Beer is charged per liter, and the beer tap is right in the private room—you pour your own, very convenient. However, eating too much raw meat does get greasy. Even as I write this, my daughter and I don't want to hear the word "yakiniku" again.

Today we slept in. After breakfast, we started a marathon walk around Shinsaibashi and Dotonbori, including Kuromon Market. These pedestrian streets are all connected. Our main goal today was to ride the Ferris wheel at the Don Quijote store in Dotonbori. This Ferris wheel is unusual—it's oval-shaped, like a running track. It's built inside a building in the bustling area, with half of it protruding out. When we arrived, it was still early. The Ferris wheel opens at 2 PM, so we used that time to wander. The Dotonbori pedestrian street runs along both sides of a river, with occasional sightseeing boats passing by. Some extroverts on boats and on the shore wave to each other. The street is lined with shops, especially kushikatsu (fried skewers) and takoyaki (octopus balls). There were long queues in front of every shop, so we didn't feel like trying any.

Walking and looking, our mood brightened, but our stomachs grew hungrier. We happened upon a branch of Kani Doraku (crab restaurant). There was no line in front, so we tried our luck and asked—surprisingly, there were empty seats. We had to go in and feast. The server who greeted us could actually speak Chinese, but since I spoke Japanese to her, she didn't reveal it. During our conversation, I suspected she might know Chinese. When I asked, she denied it at first, but later, when she couldn't hide it anymore, she admitted she had been a table tennis player in Changchun. Quite cheeky.

On her recommendation, we ordered two ways of eating: sashimi and hot pot. As it turned out, she didn't cheat us this time. The crab leg sashimi retained the sweetness of deep-sea crab, while the hot pot simmered in clear broth further extracted the crab's umami. The supporting role, steamed crab roe, was made into sushi by us with freshly grated wasabi. The taste reminded me of a line from Ge You in "If You Are the One": "Fishy, yet transparent!"

Satisfied in taste, it was almost 2 PM, so we headed to the Ferris wheel again. The entrance is on the third floor of the mall, and the line stretched from the third floor down to the first. But it moved quickly, and in about 20 minutes, we were at the gate. As we rode the Ferris wheel slowly up, overlooking all of Dotonbori, I felt that Japanese architecture has a unique beauty—order amidst chaos, with colorful giant signs adding vibrant scenery to the monotonous city gray. The 20-minute ride wasn't long, but I recommend it to tourists staying nearby—it gives you a different perspective of the city.

Satisfied, we returned to the hotel for a nap. In the evening, we went to Tsutenkaku Tower to see the night view. From the subway station, we passed through the Shinsekai shopping street to reach Tsutenkaku. This street feels like a big night market, with a mixed crowd. Adult gacha machines are blatantly placed on the roadside. Groups of young Japanese guys, and drunkards staggering, knocking over rows of bicycles. With my child, I didn't have a good impression of this place. But if you were here to drink with friends, your impression would probably be the opposite.

Tonight's dinner was in Shinsekai. We had the most famous kushikatsu in Osaka. You dip the skewers in batter, coat them with breadcrumbs, and fry them yourself. This style was novel, and both adults and kids enjoyed it. As for the taste, I don't have much impression—it's just average.

Osaka Castle is probably the most famous landmark in Osaka. The outer area has been turned into a park, with scattered historic remains. Like any tourist attraction, they enclose random things as historical sites—for instance, a tree root is cordoned off as the site where a monk once hung his robe. It's similar to digging a hole in a mountain in China and calling it a hermit's cave!

Crossing the moat bridge, you enter the inner castle. Inside, there's a building that is a shopping area. I recall they sell a raw meat ice cream—ice cream topped with two slices of raw beef. Too bizarre, so we didn't try it.

The main building, the keep, like the Yellow Crane Tower, is a modern concrete structure. It has both an elevator and stairs. The elevator goes from top to bottom, while the stairs go from bottom to top. The keep has eight floors. The first floor has a shop and a small theater. The second floor offers samurai costume try-ons and photo shoots. Floors three and four display the Toyotomi Hideyoshi period. The fifth floor features folding screens depicting the Summer Battle of Osaka. There's no sixth floor. The seventh floor is interesting—it uses stereoscopic imaging to show historical events. The eighth floor is an observation deck with a panoramic view of Osaka Castle.

After returning from Osaka Castle, we went to the Nintendo Shop in Umeda Daimaru. This was the second stop on my pilgrimage. The merchandise was dazzling. I bought a "The Legend of Zelda" amiibo and some useless but cute trinkets, satisfying my wish. The entire floor of Daimaru is dedicated to anime. Besides Nintendo, there are Capcom, Pokémon, One Piece, and more. Anime fans will find it hard to leave.

We had lunch at Daimaru. Craving Chinese food, we deliberately chose a Chinese restaurant called "Qing Ming" (青冥). I don't remember other restaurant names, but this one stuck out because I was curious about the eerie name. I discussed it with the server. She was very serious and called her boss to ask. Their original intention was "green plate," but I still think the name sounds ghostly. The food was, of course, adapted to local tastes, but it was delicious. The mapo tofu I ordered was, in my opinion, even better than what I've had in China, fitting the description from "Cooking Master Boy" (Shinryaku! Ika Musume). And they used hot plates, which I think is essential for this dish.

In the evening, I went out alone. The Shinsaibashi shopping street was a completely different world from daytime. Clubs and host clubs were open, with touts outside shouting in rough Japanese. The ground was littered with trash—cigarette butts, stains, everything. Passing by a pachinko parlor, a huge noise burst out, filling my ears with machine music. The daytime politeness and rule-following were almost gone. Young people in strange clothes hung around in groups, some squatting, some standing. The red traffic light had lost its authority; jaywalkers were everywhere. To me, this felt more normal, more like the real city.

Today we had reserved Osaka Aquarium (Kaiyukan) for 3:30 PM. After checking out in the morning, we had some time, so we briefly explored PARCO. It also has an anime floor—Ghibli, Godzilla, Crayon Shin-chan—all worth visiting.

For lunch, we specifically searched for ramen. Found a place in a small alley. But the ramen was really salty! The flavor was very strong, and my daughter's soy sauce ramen was also too intense, completely overturning her previous love for Japanese ramen as a noodle lover.

Kaiyukan is not far from Universal Studios. From Shinsaibashi, you need to take the subway with a transfer and walk quite a distance. My daughter is lazy about walking, so we splurged on a taxi, costing around 6,000 yen.

The aquarium's layout is unique. At the center is the main tank called "Aqua Tower," which displays the Pacific Ocean environment. Its star residents are two whale sharks named "Yu" and "Kai." Surrounding it are several smaller tanks showcasing ecosystems from rainforests, Antarctica, the Seto Inland Sea, and more. For a few thousand yen, you can go above the main tank at the entrance and stand on a platform overlooking the surface, clearly seeing the whale sharks' dorsal patterns. Staff also explain how to tell the two apart. After exiting from above, you follow a spiral pathway that descends around the main tank. Both the main tank and smaller tanks show different views from the surface to the bottom as you go down—a setup I've never seen in other aquariums. At first, I thought it was just watching a single tank from top to bottom, and I felt Japanese people were also good at tricking tourists. But as the tour progressed, my impression changed dramatically. I've never seen a tank that so closely resembles natural underwater scenery. The aquarium boldly places fish of vastly different sizes and habits in the same environment. Small fish, driven by the environment, form circular schools that you can only see in the sea. Particularly when you reach the middle-lower part of the tank, the schooling is stunning—it feels like you're underwater. Meanwhile, large whale sharks and manta rays glide overhead, as if you're scuba diving and encounter them by chance, frozen still as they pass. The sense of pressure is incomparable to a regular visit.

Kaiyukan left the deepest impression on me during this trip. For me, it was the most enjoyable experience in Osaka, far surpassing the fun at Universal Studios.

After returning from the aquarium, we had a simple dinner and then departed for Kyoto. From Shinsaibashi Station, we took the subway to Shin-Osaka Station, then transferred to the Shinkansen—15 minutes to Kyoto. By the way, this was my first time on the Shinkansen. When I was a student, I heard my family's well-traveled adults boasting about the Shinkansen. Perhaps compared to the old green trains in China, it was indeed like alien technology. But now, in terms of speed, quietness, and smoothness, the Shinkansen really can't compare with China's bullet trains.

We arrived at Kyoto Station without incident and took a taxi to the hotel. The hotel is called "Oyado Ishinaga," located in a small alley lined with traditional buildings. It's a very traditional Japanese building, formerly the residence of a famous Japanese person. Rooms have tatami mats. Every morning, staff come to fold the futons, and after dinner, they come to make the beds. I chose this hotel for this authentic Japanese experience. The only downside is that dining nearby is inconvenient. Only in the evening do the local izakayas open, and they're very hidden. We only discovered several small restaurants around the hotel when we were about to leave.

On the day we arrived, we were unfamiliar with the area. My daughter spotted an Italian-style bistro across the lane from the hotel and barged in. It was tiny—only three tables, with one owner. When we entered, two elderly ladies were chatting cheerfully. The candle on the table flickered as we opened the door. The traditional menu was only in katakana, so we had no idea what it said, and just let the owner recommend. Luckily, he didn't overcharge us. Although the flavors were not to our taste, the price and portion were just right.

Let me talk about the amazing breakfast setting. A large room with only the three of us sitting around, as if we were guests in an ancient samurai's house, treated like VIPs. Breakfast was served at a pre-arranged time, specially prepared by the hotel. It was a standard Japanese breakfast, except for the miso soup, which was too sweet for my taste. The other dishes were fine.

Compared to Osaka, the most inconvenient thing in Kyoto is the subway. Although it exists, there don't seem to be many lines, requiring transfers or long walks. So during our days in Kyoto, we mostly took taxis.

We took a taxi to Kiyomizudera Temple. The temple is built on a hillside. It had just rained, and the air was fresh with a hint of soil. The entire complex is not large, and the architectural style is very similar to Tang and Song dynasty temples in China. Following the main path up the steps, you quickly finish the tour. The real highlight today was the pedestrian streets outside the temple—Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka. They are quaint and picturesque, like the ancient Japan depicted in guidebooks. Tourists appropriate the scene by wearing kimonos, blending with the old streets. The streets are lined with shops, most selling "Kyogashi" (Kyoto-style sweets). These are nice as souvenirs, but check the expiration date—they have a short shelf life and might expire before you get back to China. We tried some local specialties. The most memorable was matcha ice cream—you could really taste the tea fragrance. Nothing amazing, but at least we experienced something authentic in the right place.

In the afternoon, we returned to the hotel for a short break, then went to Nishiki Market to find food. The food was diverse, not cheap, but of high quality. Just at the entrance, we saw an old woman selling grilled seafood. Her sign said, "Our stuff is different from others." I highly recommend her scallops—extremely savory. Also, the grilled squidlets were bright red and cute. Further in, there were many shops selling fried foods. We chose a crowded stall and tried oysters (plump and juicy) and shrimp (sweet meat). Next to the stall, they sold sake in cups. If my daughter hadn't stopped me from drinking, I would have bought one—it would have paired perfectly with the food.

Today I felt unwell, probably catching a cold, so I decided to rest at the hotel. I took this opportunity to share some personal observations.

First, in Chinese online discussions, you often hear complaints about domestic scenic spots being too commercialized, and landmarks like the Yellow Crane Tower being rebuilt. Actually, Japan is the same. The surroundings of historical sites are just as commercialized. Temples like Kiyomizudera and Osaka Castle are also later reconstructions. The museum exhibits are quite ordinary—take the Tokyo National Museum, which we'll visit later. Even common roof tiles from Beijing's hutongs are exhibited there, and the most exquisite antique pieces are from China. You could say that one Forbidden City in China outshines all Japanese antiques and historical sites.

Second, you often hear that Japanese people are more polite than Chinese people, but my feeling is that this is very tiring. It's not a matter of getting used to it; it's a social pressure. For example, standing on the right side of the escalator—is it really necessary? In China, if you're in a hurry, you say "Excuse me" and walk up the escalator. Won't people move aside? I think it's just a difference in culture and national conditions. We shouldn't belittle ourselves by thinking not standing on the right is wrong. In my view, Japanese people are restrained by this social pressure; they themselves feel suppressed and want to break free. Because at night, Japanese people also jaywalk, litter cigarette butts, and throw trash.

Every country develops its own social order based on its culture, customs, and conditions. Each has its strengths and weaknesses. But whether strengths or weaknesses, they are practices most suitable for that country's environment and should be accepted by its own people.

From Kyoto Station, the Shinkansen to Tokyo takes about 2 hours. The Shinkansen ticket office has Chinese service at the two innermost counters. The staff will first speak English; just ignore that and speak Chinese directly, and they'll switch to Chinese.

We checked into VESSEL INN in Shinjuku, Tokyo, located right above Takadanobaba Station—very convenient. Below the hotel is a shopping street with plenty of food options, and the prices are cheaper than in tourist areas. Surprisingly, there are Chinese restaurants like Yang Guofu Malatang, Chuan Chuan Xiang, and Roujiamo, but they are expensive. The three of us had Roujiamo and spent 190 RMB!

My daughter didn't want to go out, so I went alone to my dreamland—Akihabara. Going alone allowed me to wander seriously. If I had come here 20 years ago, I would have been overjoyed. But now, standing on this street, I didn't feel that excited.

The building exteriors are covered with iconic anime billboards. Under the billboards, every three to five meters, maids from maid cafés are soliciting customers. Most shops sell figurines. I picked a second-hand game store and looked around carefully. Various retro game cartridges were in excellent condition; GBA, SMS, FC consoles were also in pristine condition. Before coming to Japan, I wanted to buy a well-preserved GBA or SFC to make up for childhood regrets. But when I actually saw them, I felt it was pointless to buy them, so I gave up. This experience taught me that you should do things when the time is right. Once the moment passes, even if you make up for it, it won't feel the same.

The Tokyo National Museum has exhibits from many countries. Its collection is rich, with Chinese artifacts occupying a significant proportion and being the finest in the museum. Judging from the exhibits, Chinese culture historically far surpassed other East Asian countries. While China was already using bronze and pottery, Korea was still using clay utensils.

The museum's Japanese ancient exhibits also gave us a glimpse of a foreign culture. Exaggerated samurai helmets, exquisite katana, alien-like clay figures, and beautifully patterned ancient costumes all caught our attention. By the way, my daughter and I share a common interest: visiting museums. We are very harmonious on this point.

The most stunning exhibit for me was an Egyptian mummy. I pressed my face close to look at its black skull and deep eye sockets. The closer I looked, the more eerie it felt—as if it might suddenly sit up and lean into my face. The most surreal thing was that both my mother and I felt the mummy's chest was rising and falling as if breathing. It must have been psychological.

After leaving the museum, since I had told my daughter yesterday that Akihabara has many claw machine stores, she became very interested, so we had to go to Akihabara again. Japan is truly the birthplace of claw machines, and they are really rigged! The claw grip is extremely loose. We spent 6,000 yen and didn't win anything good. After playing, we bought a razor for my dad and returned to the hotel.

One uneventful day, we headed back to China smoothly. One thing to emphasize: arrive at the airport at least three hours early because the queues are really long.

From my years of travel, I've learned that trips don't always bring surprises and joy. The best moments might only live in photos or social media. But as long as you find one or two highlights, the trip is worth it! For example, on the plane, I saw Mount Fuji, which we hadn't visited during the trip.

Travel Diary Index

1. Day 1 – First Stop: Osaka

2. Day 2 – Universal Studios Osaka

3. Day 3 – Dotonbori Ferris Wheel & Kani Doraku's Giant Crab

4. Day 4 – Osaka Castle Tour

5. Day 5 – Osaka Kaiyukan & Check into Kyoto

6. Day 6 – Kiyomizudera, Ninenzaka & Sannenzaka

7. Day 7 – Rest Day

8. Day 8 – Move to Tokyo & Exploring Akihabara Alone

9. Day 9 – Tokyo National Museum & Back to Akihabara

10. Day 10 – Return Trip

Travel Information