🎢 Osaka (Days 8-10)
🏨 Hotel
Hotel Hankyu RESPIRE OSAKA
📍 Umeda area • April 4 - April 8 (4 nights)
Premium Hankyu hotel in Umeda with easy access to Dotonbori and shopping areas. Great base for Day 8-10 activities.
Day 8 | April 5 — Universal Studios Japan (Super Nintendo World + Harry Potter!)
7:00-8:30 AM: Early breakfast at hotel, head to USJ
8:30 AM: Arrive at park 60-90 min early (gates open early!)
8:30 AM-1:30 PM: Hit high-demand attractions BEFORE SNW entry:
Morning Attractions (Timed Entry):
- The Flying Dinosaur (7-8 min ride, ~60-90 min wait)
- Harry Potter & Forbidden Journey (4-5 min, ~45-60 min wait)
- Jurassic Park: The Ride (4 min, ~40-50 min wait)
11:00 AM-1:00 PM: EARLY LUNCH (avoid 12-2pm rush)
Lunch Options (USJ):
- Kinopio's Cafe — Super Nintendo World, Mario-themed (reserve QR slot in park)
- Three Broomsticks — Harry Potter area, butterbeer, generous portions
- Louie's NY Pizza Parlor — Quick pizza, less crowded
- Happiness Cafe — Minion keema curry, waffles (great for kids!)
1:30-5:00 PM: SUPER NINTENDO WORLD (Your reserved timed entry):
Reserved Attractions (Time Slots):
- 1:30-2:00 PM: Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge
- 2:00-2:30 PM: Yoshi's Adventure
- 2:30-3:00 PM: Donkey Kong's Crazy Mine Cart
- After: Explore SNW, grab snacks, buy merchandise
5:00-6:30 PM: Rest & dinner break
6:30-7:00 PM: Evening attraction — Flight of the Hippogriff (reserved 18:10-18:40)
7:00 PM+: Final strolls, shops, head back to hotel
Pro Tips:
- 📱 Download USJ app for real-time wait times
- 🎫 Use single rider lines if group can split (saves 20-30 min waits)
- 🛒 Book stroller rental at park (~¥2,000-2,500/day) for 2yo + rest breaks
- 🍕 Eat at 11 AM to avoid lunch crowds (12-2 PM is chaos)
- ⏰ No re-entry policy — plan bathroom breaks wisely
🛒 Stroller rental essential for long park day + tired guests (both kids).
Day 9 | April 6 — Himeji Castle + Mint Bureau + Umeda Sky Building
8:00 AM: Breakfast
9:00 AM-12:00 PM: Train to Himeji (~45 mins), explore Himeji Castle (stunning, lots of stairs & crowds!)
12:00-1:00 PM: Lunch in Himeji
Lunch Options (Yakitori & Ramen - Himeji):
- Toriyoshi (Sumiyaki Toriyoshi) — High-quality yakitori, right at Himeji Station
- Himeji Tammen Ekimaeten — "Himeji style" ramen with ginger, 1-min north of station
- Genjiro — #1 yakitori by locals (Shiroganemachi 94, Himeji)
- Marumasaya Himeji Ekimae — Large charcoal-grilled yakitori, 2-min from station
2:00 PM: Return to Osaka
3:00-4:30 PM: Mint Bureau Cherry Blossom Walkway (late March/early April = perfect timing!)
4:30-6:00 PM: Umeda Sky Building (observation deck, evening views)
✨ Evening Tip: Stay at Umeda Sky Building through sunset for incredible city lights and night photos
6:00-7:00 PM: Snack break
7:00 PM+: Dinner, rest
Dinner Options (Yakitori & Ramen - Osaka):
- Torijiro Dotonbori — Budget-friendly yakitori chain, famous "Jumbo Jiro" (Dotonbori)
- Ramen Yashichi — Creamy chicken ramen (3-4-8 Toyosaki, Kita Ward, 531-0072)
- Akiyoshi Umeda — Yakitori chain, English menu, group-friendly (Umeda)
- Kadoya Shokudo Honten — 60+ years, light soy ramen (4-16-13 Shinmachi, Nishi Ward, 550-0013)
🛒 Bring for castle grounds, use carrier for stairs.
Day 10 | April 7 — Shinsekai District + Travel to Hiroshima
9:00 AM: Breakfast
10:00 AM-12:00 PM: Shinsekai Street (local, casual, street food!)
✨ Evening Tip: Dotonbori is BEST in the evening! Neon lights reflected in the canal, vibrant atmosphere (walk along canal-side for stroller-friendly paths)
12:00-1:00 PM: Lunch (takoyaki, okonomiyaki, street eats)
Lunch Options (Shinsekai/Dotonbori):
- Takoyaki Museum — Multiple takoyaki vendors
- Kiji Dotonbori — Canal-side okonomiyaki
- Street food stalls (takoyaki, yakitori)
1:00-2:00 PM: Tsutenkaku Tower (observation deck, fun views)
2:00-4:00 PM: Rest at hotel, pack up
4:00 PM: Travel Osaka → Hiroshima (JR, ~90 mins)
6:00 PM: Arrive Hiroshima, check in
6:30-8:00 PM: Early dinner, rest
🍽️ Restaurants
✓ Check off restaurants as you visit them (stored on your device)
Kushikatsu Daruma
Dotonbori • Deep-fried skewers, fun atmosphere
Dotonbori • Deep-fried skewers, fun atmosphere
Takoyaki Museum
Dotonbori • Multiple takoyaki vendors
Dotonbori • Multiple takoyaki vendors
Okonomiyaki Kiji
Osaka • Traditional savory pancakes
Osaka • Traditional savory pancakes
Kiji Dotonbori
Canal-side dining, local specialties
Canal-side dining, local specialties
Rikuro's Cheesecake
Namba • Famous Japanese cheesecake (Age 3+)
Namba • Famous Japanese cheesecake (Age 3+)
USJ Restaurants
Multiple on-site options (book fast-pass dining)
Multiple on-site options (book fast-pass dining)