Blog | A Happy Passport

A Relaxed 2-Day Itinerary for Osaka During Cherry Blossom Season

Osaka is a go to city for amazing cuisine, nightlife, beautiful sights, tons of nearby day trips - and also their gorgeous cherry blossoms during Sakura season in the spring. Osaka is often overlooked as a destination compared to nearby Kyoto. This large metropolis is worth a visit or even a two-day stay. Unlike Tokyo, where there are a million and one things to see and you feel like you might miss something if you don’t spend all your time out sightseeing, you can take Osaka at a more relaxed pace. Use Osaka as your break while you are in Japan, while also checking out some of Japan’s best Hanami spots.

Asia, JapanAlison MullisFebruary 15, 2020cherry blossom, Itinerary, OsakaComment

Nara, Japan | Day Trip from Kyoto

Nara is by far the most popular day trip from Kyoto – and for good reason. It is easily accessible by train and has just the right amount of sights to fill up your entire day, but not enough to warrant an extended stay in your packed schedule. Without a doubt, Nara’s deer are what makes the city famous but the remarkable shrines and scenery of the area should also be a major draw for visitors. Everything you want to see is in easy walking distance from the train station and a lot of it is free. If you have the JR rail pass, you will be able to access the city at no extra cost to you in under an hour.

Asia, JapanAlison MullisJanuary 25, 2020nara, KyotoComment

The 5 Must See Sakura Locations in Kyoto, Japan

Kyoto is a top destination, not only for its high concentration of breathtaking Buddhist temples but also for the cherry blossoms the bloom throughout the city in the spring. The cherry blossom trees of Kyoto bloom just after those in Tokyo, so once you’ve seen the blossoms in Tokyo head down south to Kyoto. Sakura (or cherry blossom) season in Japan is an extremely popular time to travel for both foreigners and Japanese alike. The season is also very fickle and the timing of peak blossoms is dependent on the winter conditions. It is hard to accurately predict if your trip will fall within the short two-week window of blooms if you are planning more than a few months in advance. The good thing is there are many different types of cherry blossom trees, and while they all have roughly a 2-week window, those windows are spread out over March and April. The locations in this list don’t all reach full bloom at the same time and they are all must-see destinations in and of themselves, even without being covered in pinkish-white flowers.

Asia, JapanAlison MullisJanuary 20, 2020cherry blossom, sakuraComment

Tips for Visiting Japan while Pregnant

We traveled to Japan when I was 11 weeks pregnant, in the midst of some pretty challenging morning sickness in my first trimester. We booked the trip several months ahead knowing that if things worked out, I would be pregnant on this trip. Unlike a lot of destinations, there isn’t too much you can’t do while pregnant. However, there are definitely things to be aware of before making your trip to the land of the rising sun. Japan makes a perfect babymoon for the couple who isn’t too keen on spending day after day laying on the beach. Beautiful sights, amazing culture, excellent food. It is also a destination that might be more of a hassle with a little one, making pregnancy a perfect time to knock Japan off your bucket list.

Asia, Japan, Family TravelAlison MullisJuly 10, 2019Pregnancy Comments

Day Trip to Himeji Castle and Hiroshima from Osaka

While Osaka is a one-of-a-kind city, offering an atmosphere unique from Kyoto or Tokyo, it does lack the number of attractions those other cities have. What Osaka does provide is a perfect transportation hub to allow you to make multiple day trips throughout the Kansai and Chügoku regions. One of the best day trips from Osaka, if you are short on time, is visiting both Himeji and Hiroshima. These two cities highlight some of the distinct eras in Japanese history. From Himeji Castle, a symbol of Japan’s feudal period, to Hiroshima, the site of WWII devastation and the eventual rebounding of Japan. Both cities can be visited easily along the same Shinkansen route.

Asia, JapanAlison MullisJuly 8, 2019Day Trip, One Day, himeji, hiroshima, HistoryComment

DIY Walking Tour of Arashiyama | Kyoto, Japan

A small district on the outskirts of Kyoto, Arashiyama is where you want to go to explore the famous bamboo grove, see wild macaques, and enjoy gorgeous cultural gardens. After a short 20-minute transit trip from central Kyoto, Arashiyama can be completely explored on foot. All of the main attractions, shops, and restaurants are within a short walk of each other. This DIY walking tour can be done at a slower pace to fill up a whole day or can easily be a half-day excursion.

Asia, JapanAlison MullisMay 17, 2019KyotoComment

Cost of 2 Weeks in Japan during Cherry Blossom Season | Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka

Japan is notorious for being on the pricey side, especially for a popular time like Cherry Blossom season. While accommodations and food are definitely more expensive than most tourist destinations – we were pleasantly surprised that we were able to keep the total cost of the trip down without sacrificing experiences. To put it in perspective, we spent the same amount on our 13 day trip to Japan as our 9 day trip to Peru. Japan is relatively inexpensive when it comes to occupying your time and even internal transport. Most gardens and shrines are free to visit and cheap convenience stores and vending machines are aplenty. There is still the initial shock of hotel prices and the cost of a rail pass, but Japan doesn’t have to be the ultra-expensive travel destination it is made out to be.

Budget, Asia, Japan, Most PopularAlison MullisApril 22, 2019Budget Comment