Japan - Our arrival in the Land of the Rising Sun
Let’s admit it: including Japan among the destinations for a low-budget backpacking trip might seem risky. It’s often said how expensive this destination is and how, in just two weeks, you can spend thousands of euros. We were also skeptical at first and unsure if we could afford this trip. But Giorgio insisted and planned every detail of an itinerary that turned out to be one of the best ever. Thanks to his careful organization, we managed to live our Japanese dream on a limited budget.
For us, Japan was a true breath of fresh air. Coming from Vietnam, a chaotic and noisy country, we suddenly found ourselves immersed in a silent and orderly environment. We couldn’t believe it. The excitement of our first authentic sushi, the impeccable cleanliness, the kindness of the people, the majestic Mount Fuji, and the ancient temples are just some of the elements that made our trip unforgettable. The "Japan blues" is real: we never imagined we’d fall so deeply in love with a country and long so much to return. If you’re planning your first trip to Japan, be prepared to leave a piece of your heart there.
We spent just over three weeks in Japan, which was more than enough to visit the cities we wanted to see: Osaka, Nara, Kyoto, Fujiyoshida, and Tokyo.
To book accommodations in Japan, we mainly used Airbnb, as it was the cheapest option at the time. But you can also find great deals on Booking.com, Trip.com, Agoda, or Rakuten Travel.
Disclaimer: this story proves how Giulia, who didn’t even want to go to Japan (but was dragged there by Giorgio), ended up falling madly in love with it. So, if you’re reading this article and, like her, are still a bit skeptical, do yourself a favor: buy that plane ticket and take the plunge! The "Japan blues" will hit you too, guaranteed!
Osaka
Our journey started with an early morning wake-up call in a Vietnamese homestay, disturbed by the karaoke from nearby locals. We arrived at the airport about four hours early, not because it was necessary, but because we had booked a flight to Osaka on a site we didn’t know and didn’t want to risk being left behind due to overbooking or, worse, the flight not existing. Was it worth it? Absolutely not. We anxiously waited for over an hour at check-in, waiting for our flight to appear on the screen. When we discovered that the plane to Japan actually existed, everything started to take a different turn.
As soon as we landed at Osaka airport, we were welcomed by an oasis of peace. No honking, no frantic rush, just surreal silence and impeccable road etiquette. Every little detail seemed incredible to us. One thing to keep in mind? English is not widely spoken in Japan, but the Japanese people are extremely kind and will do everything to help you, even using mini pocket translators!
Getting around Japan is easy thanks to a super-organized transportation system, but it can be expensive. That’s why it’s important to plan ahead which passes and tickets are worth it based on the length of your trip. In our case, getting from the airport to downtown Osaka was very easy: a train to Tennoji and then the subway, with the help of Google Maps.
Do Japanese transportation systems seem like a maze to you? Don’t panic! We wrote a guide to help you navigate them easily 🚆🇯🇵
The only hiccup? We hadn’t bought a SIM card yet, and Giorgio had forgotten to download the information for our Airbnb. The desperate search for a Wi-Fi connection made us lose an hour since free networks in Japan are not as widespread as one might think. In the end, though, we managed to access our accommodation and settle in, thanks to the help of a very kind store clerk.
Once the connection was sorted, it was time to start exploring! Osaka is a city with so much to offer, and there’s no shortage of things to do! So get ready to walk up to 15 km a day!
Dotonbori by night
We were staying just a few steps away from Dotonbori, the most iconic and lively district of Osaka. With its neon lights, restaurants, and street food, it’s the beating heart of the city. The best time to visit? At night! The nighttime atmosphere is electrifying, with giant illuminated signs, including the famous Glico Man, perfect for a souvenir photo.
What to do in Dotonbori?
Try street food: Takoyaki, Okonomiyaki, and Mitarashi Dango are just some of the local specialties. Orders are placed through machines entirely in Japanese… get ready for a bit of adventure!
Admire the neon signs: from mechanical crabs to comic book characters, every corner holds a surprise.
Explore shops and game arcades: from vintage boutiques to Pachinko parlors, there’s truly everything here!
Before heading out, make sure you have a SIM card: we recommend buying one from BIC Camera to avoid connection problems.
Besides visiting Dotonbori at night, we dedicated almost an entire day to it. The reason? There are so many unique shops (like vending machine stores), boutiques, and interesting spots to discover!
If you love shopping, there are two areas you absolutely cannot miss:
Shinsaibashi: The ultimate shopping district, with stores ranging from major international brands to small local shops.
Amerikamura: The hipster and alternative district, perfect for those looking for streetwear, vintage, and niche fashion (our favorite! 😍).
Our favorite food in Osaka
In Osaka, also in the Namba area, inside one of the many mega shopping malls, you can buy the famous Japanese cheesecake at Rikuro Ojisan no Mise. The bakery is located in the basement, where you can watch the pastry chefs prepare, bake, and sell them directly to you. We loved it, it’s like eating a cloud, and we absolutely recommend trying it. It costs about 900 yen (updated to 2023) and is definitely worth it!
Osaka was the place where we had the honor of tasting our first real sushi. A magical moment, an explosion of flavors… nothing like what you find in most Italian restaurants!
We chose to try it at Daiki Suisan Kaitenzushi in Dotonbori, a conveyor belt sushi chain. Here, plates move along a conveyor belt, ready to be grabbed based on your taste and budget. Everything is accompanied by a delicious free hot green tea! And if the dish you want doesn’t appear on the belt, you can always order it directly from their iPad.
We were very satisfied… we know Japan has thousands of more refined sushi restaurants, but traveling on a budget, this seemed like the perfect balance of quality and price. Plus, the place was full of Japanese people, so it couldn’t have been that bad!
The budget-friendly conveyor belt sushi places we recommend are:
Sushi Kura
Daiki Suisan Kaitenzushi
Daiki Suisan Kaitenzushi remains our favorite, but both are great for enjoying quality sushi at affordable prices, and you can find them in almost every major city. At first, you might feel a little lost, especially since almost everything is in Japanese, but after going a few times, you’ll get the hang of it. You’ll understand how to reserve a table, when it’s your turn to sit down, and most importantly, you won’t accidentally take someone else’s ordered food like we did! What an embarrassment… but we didn’t know that among the sushi passing on the belt, there were also ones that had been specially ordered!
We also feel the need to stand up for McDonald’s! Anyone traveling on a budget like us knows well that when you start missing Western flavors, it’s the cheapest place to find something similar to what you’re used to. Here, McDonald’s was a real discovery: we’ve never had fast food this good anywhere else! The care in preparing the sandwiches and the fantastic flavors really surprised us, so much so that we went back multiple times in three weeks. Be sure to try the Shrimp O’ Fillet and the Chicken Teriyaki Burger! And remember: after 5 PM, you get double protein in your sandwich for free.
Last but not least on our list is 7-Eleven! A true institution for budget travelers… and not only! These convenience stores (or konbini, as they are called in Japan) are everywhere and offer plenty of cheap, tasty food options, perfect for those always on the go. At any time of the day or night, 7-Eleven is a reliable friend in Japan 🇯🇵💖
Anime, Manga, and Pop Culture
If, like Giorgio, you are a big fan of manga and anime, we could dedicate an entire article to telling you about all the places we visited in search of the perfect unique item!
In Osaka, some of our favorite spots were:
Mandarake: One of the largest chains of new and used Japanese items. Originally a bookstore, it boasts an immense collection of manga. Imagine all the wonders you can find here!
Animate: The largest retailer in Japan for manga, anime merchandise, and video games.
For an even more immersive experience, take a trip to Den Den Town, in the Nipponbashidistrict, an area entirely dedicated to anime, manga, and electronics. Here, you’ll find iconic Japanese arcade halls, maid cafés, vending machine shops, and some of the best manga-themed stores, like Animate, Yellow Submarine (perfect for trading card fans), Gee! Store, and many others.
History and Tradition: Osaka Castle and Temples
Osaka, however, is not just sushi and manga, but also history and tradition! The city has so much to offer, and there are truly many things to see… so get ready to walk a lot, but trust us, it will be absolutely worth it!
We dedicated almost an entire morning to visiting Osaka-jo Park and its majestic Osaka Castle, one of the most iconic symbols of the city. You absolutely cannot miss it! And if you’re lucky enough to visit during cherry blossom season 🌸, the scenery will be even more magical.
Entrance to the castle costs 600 yen (the fee will be doubled starting April 1, 2025), and the structure is one of the greatest historical landmarks of Japan. It houses a museum that tells the story of the castle and Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the legendary feudal lord who built it. From the top of the tower, you can also enjoy a spectacular view of the city!
After the visit, we recommend taking a walk through Osaka-jo Park, perfect for relaxing among well-kept gardens, ponds, and panoramic views. We even stumbled upon a kendocompetition, a Japanese martial art practiced with bamboo swords.
Walking through the park is very relaxing and allows you to observe scenes of daily life among the city’s inhabitants, making you feel, even if just for a moment, like a part of that place too.
Before leaving the castle area, don’t forget to collect the Osaka Castle stamp to start or add to your special booklet collection! Because yes, one of the most fun and, above all, free hobbies was collecting as many stamps as possible from famous places around the country: from train stations to temples. We still keep our notebook carefully, ready to take it with us next time we go back to Japan!
After the castle, we walked to Shitenno-ji Temple, one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Japan and the first to be built by the state. It’s an oasis of peace, with its five-story pagoda and zen garden, a perfect place to relax after the hustle and bustle of the city. Entrance to the complex is generally free; however, some specific areas require a ticket.
After spending some time at this magnificent temple, we wandered through Shinsekai. This district has some similarities with other major cities in the world since the area was inspired by Paris and New York. We stumbled upon it by chance, and while we wouldn’t call it a must-see stop, if you have extra time, it’s still a very unique and authentic area.
After this short break from temples, we continued our walk (yes, we could have taken public transport, but Giorgio wanted to walk!!!) to the Namba Yasaka Shrine, a shrine famous for its gigantic lion head statue. Associated with protection and good fortune, it is said to ward off evil spirits.
Entrance is free, and once you arrive, you’ll find yourself immersed in a tranquil atmosphere, where you can observe the faithful and take a look at the omikuji: small folded paper slips that you’ll see tied up at the temples. Omikuji contain divine predictions and can be drawn from special wooden boxes. If the prediction is good, you can take it home; if it’s bad, you tie it to a pine branch at the temple, hoping the curse will be exorcized. Recently, some temples have started offering English-translated omikuji, so now you can draw your own and hope for good luck!
We forgot to tell you one thing: Japan is truly amazing, and it’s a must to look up at its buildings and temples in awe. But don’t forget to look down too, because the manhole covers are real gems! Each city has its own design, and they’re true works of art to photograph and collect! Apparently, there’s even a national card game featuring manhole cover photos—we never saw it in stores, but if you ever find it, let us know what it’s like! Here’s a small collection of our favorites:
Day Trips from Osaka
Osaka is in a strategic location, making it easy to visit some beautiful destinations in just a day. Here are two great options:
Kobe: a major port city, Kobe is famous worldwide for its high-quality Kobe beef. We decided not to visit it this time, but if you have some extra time, it’s definitely worth considering!
Nara: one of Japan’s ancient capitals, Nara is renowned for its stunning temples and its park filled with wild deer—a must-visit destination!
Getting to Nara from Osaka is incredibly easy, and once you arrive, you’ll be just a short walk from Nara Park, home to hundreds of freely roaming deer. In Shinto belief, deer are considered messengers of the gods, so it's important to treat them with respect. If you do, they’ll return the favor!
In the park, for just 200 yen, you can buy a pack of crackers called shika-senbei and feed the deer yourself. Here’s a fun tip: before handing them the food, bow to them, and—believe it or not—they’ll bow back before accepting the treat!
Another little trick: if you run out of food but the deer keep following you, raise your hands and shake them. If you don’t, they’ll keep insisting—and trust us, they can be quite persistent! Giulia even had one nibble her backside! But don’t worry, they’re harmless—just a little mischievous.
Nara is also home to several historic temples and shrines. The Todai-ji Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, houses one of the largest bronze Buddha statues in the world and is one of Nara’s most iconic landmarks. Another must-visit is Kasuga Taisha, a Shinto shrine famous for its beautiful stone and bronze lanterns.
Nara is well known for its tea ceremony culture, making it a great place to enjoy an authentic experience. The city is also home to one of the most famous mochi shops: Nakatanidou. This traditional rice cake filled with sweet red bean paste has become a local attraction. Here, you can watch the traditional mochi-making process, but be warned! Due to its rising popularity, the store now follows a set schedule for demonstrations, so be sure to arrive early to secure a good spot. And of course, don’t leave without trying the mochi! It wasn’t exactly our favorite, but it was definitely worth the experience!
Osaka was just the beginning of our trip to Japan, but it already made us fall in love. With its culture, modernity, and gastronomy, this city has everything to win over any traveler. If you’re planning a trip to Japan, know that leaving without nostalgia won’t be easy… and maybe, like us, you’ll start dreaming of coming back before you’ve even left!