Loading...

Mar 28, 2018

Osaka on Golden Week

Is it advisable to go on a vacation in Osaka and Kyoto on the Golden Week? If yes, any tips? On where to eat, sleep and where to go around the area. Thanks!

LivingFoodMoneyRecommendations
0 6
Report as spam
KAS

KAS

Follow

6 Answers

Best Answer

  • KamaT

    KamaT

    on Mar 29

    I’d largely echo the sentiments of the previous answers. However, if golden week is really the only chance you have then you might as well do it. Get onto booking tickets / accommodation asap. It’ll be easier to find accommodation for Osaka. There are a bunch of cheap hotels southeast of the Umeda/Osaka stations although the area is a bit seedy but should be OK if you are traveling with someone. In Kyoto I’ve enjoyed my stay a K’s hostel - clean, comfortable and laidback. In Kyoto perhaps avoid Shijo Dori area and head to some of the sights a bit further out. No matter how busy it gets I still think Nanzenji and around is a great place.

    0
  • genkidesu

    genkidesu

    on Mar 29

    Personally I don't like traveling at all during Golden Week if I can avoid it! Made that mistake one year and I vowed never again. Everything is just so much more crowded, accommodation goes through the roof price wise, and the sheer volume of people makes a lot of attractions less enjoyable. If it's absolutely the only time you can go, then I understand (and would say start booking accommodation ASAP) but my husband and I did a lot of travel in previous years in the week before and the week after Golden Week - and it was SO much nicer!

    0
  • Eli

    Eli

    on Mar 29

    If wouldn’t advise to anywhere on Golden Week except for very rural areas. It’s so crowded in all major areas. If you go be prepared for a lot of lining up. Trains and roads are very full, too. I once made the mistake to go by bus to Mt. Fuji during Golden Week. It was delayed by 3 hours. If you can, take the Shinkansen and make sure to get a seat reservation. Tickets can be bought a month before the desired date.

    1
  • helloalissa

    helloalissa

    on Mar 29

    I agree, it's quite crowded anywhere popular with Japanese tourists during Golden Week. If that doesn't bother you and the cost isn't an issue, there are affordable (at least not during the holidays) hostels, guesthouses, and business hotels in both Kyoto and Osaka. A smaller city that isn't as popular could be a better choice for that week - maybe Nara, Kobe, or Hikone in that area? I guess it depends on where you're coming from and how you plan to travel. I'd personally go for the staycation during any of the main traveling seasons in Japan. It's a great week to stay at home and get to know your own area better. There are probably day trips or exploring in your own city you've been wanting to do and the weather should be great.

    0
  • Heath320

    Heath320

    on Apr 18

    It will be super crowded there during golden week and most likely everything will already be booked up. While it’s busy in the fall I would suggest going then. It is beautiful!

    0
  • JapanRamen

    JapanRamen

    on May 1

    If you have the option to go to those places on any other weekends, do that instead and aim for somewhere more rural for your GW. The crowds will be crazy, restaurants will be full, and it's just overall more chaotic. On the other hand, this temp right now is perfect to enjoy the outdoors, in my opinions, so if there's been some inaka spots you want to visit, GW would be perfect for it.

    0

Awaiting More Answers

3 Answers

Favorite Japanese artists, past or present

With Yayoi Kusama's passing being covered in the media today, I wanted to know about your favorite Japanese artists, past or present. Obviously Kusama is one of mine, but I always like hearing about other artists that I haven't been introduced to before.

genkidesu

genkidesu

on Aug 27

10 Answers

What do you most associate with Shizuoka?

Today, is also Shizuoka Citizen's Day, so - the same as Fukushima - what first comes to mind / do you most associate with Shizuoka Prefecture?

BigfamJapan

BigfamJapan

on Aug 21

10 Answers

Car Essentials for a Road Trip?

I feel like this may have been asked before, but I can't find it through a search. Or maybe I thought of asking it and never did! Either way, tell us what things you like to have in your car when you are going on a road trip?

BigfamJapan

BigfamJapan

on Aug 21

4 Answers

What do you MOST associate with Fukushima Prefecture?

Given that today is Fukushima Prefecture Citizen's Day; what is the FIRST thing that comes to mind when you hear Fukushima? And / or what do you most associate with the prefecture?

BigfamJapan

BigfamJapan

on Aug 21

3 Answers

Throwback Thursday - Sustainability blogs

@Genkidesu posted about the desire for simpler packaging this week. This reminded me of our blog theme about sustainability back in 2022. A little sleuthing turned up the main link: https://www.city-cost.com/blogs/search/tag/SustainableLife Have you kept up your good habits? In the last few years, what have you observed about how you use resources or reduced waste? Me? The photo is a takeout bento box I will reuse for lunch!

TonetoEdo

TonetoEdo

on Aug 20

5 Answers

Summer Festival Changes - Yay or Nay?

Earlier I wrote about how my neighborhood's "summer" festival has been moved to autumn. I also wrote a separate post about a summer festival in Kasukabe that has been moved indoors. I know there is a bittersweetness about these changes, but some would argue that something needs to change in the face of rising temperatures. So, I am curious, what would you vote for: 1) Leaving Summer Festivals exactly as they are - same date, same set up etc. 2) Shifting the time of day the festival is on, say for example, from afternoon until after dark 3) Moving the festival from summer to another season or at least to earlier in summer, such as June 4) Moving summer festivals indoors - not really possible for the larger festivals especially those with large floats etc. but maybe they could shift some elements indoors

BigfamJapan

BigfamJapan

on Aug 3

10 Answers

Favorite Noodles

Chilled noodles because it's summer, hot noodles are also accepted. Is it somen or chukasoba or zarusoba? Reimyun or pasta salad? Chanpon or udon or ramen? Pad Thai or Pho?! This year I made somen for the first time! I'm a soba fan. I used to love ramen and tsukemen but for some reason I'm not as into the rich and oily noodles anymore.

helloalissa

helloalissa

on Jul 30

11 Answers

What are the pros and cons of Japanese Citizenship for you?

Most of the people I know here are foreign residents, have foreign family members, or have foreign coworkers, friends or employees. A handful of those have become Japanese citizens. We've been chatting about things like ethnic identity and Japanese citizenship. I don't plan to become a citizen, but it made me wonder, what are the pros and cons for changing your citizenship? Is it something you've given any thought to? (What might make you consider it?)

helloalissa

helloalissa

on Jul 30

5 Answers

Which movie will you see this summer?

I am not a movie-goer at all, but every year I bring the kids to see a film (and they often go with their friends too) during the summer holidays. There seems to be a good choice this year, including Toy Story 5, the Chiikawa movie, the real live action adaption of Moana and the usual annual Crayon Shinchan movie among others. Which movie are you planning to see this summer? Or have you already been to see one (or more)? If so, which one?

BigfamJapan

BigfamJapan

on Jul 30

6 Answers

What's your favorite 'kushiyaki'?

Just for fun; what type of skewered food do you like best in Japan? Or, if you feel like sharing, what are your top 3?

BigfamJapan

BigfamJapan

on Apr 11

2 Answers

Movie locations near you worth visiting?

The live action version of テルマエ・ロマエ Thermae Romae (2012) was shot at Nokogiriyama, Kyonan Town, Chiba Prefecture. It's one of my favourite getaways for hiking, the temple complex, and catching sea breezes. The movie is hilarious and heartwarming. Which Japanese live-action movies do you recommend, and are the filming locations worth a visit? Tell us the original title, English title, the year, and the location.

TonetoEdo

TonetoEdo

on Mar 23

5 Answers

What are our consumer rights in Japan?

Do you know your consumer rights in Japan? And if so, would you be willing to share anything about them? For example, what is the policy on returns? I am very familiar with my consumer rights in my home country, and they are very widely publicized back home, but information doesn't seem to be as transparent or readily available here. Or is that just me?

BigfamJapan

BigfamJapan

on Mar 15