Itineraries A Trip Filled with Unique Adventures Shop, eat, and entertain yourself with this fun-filled itinerary

A large park built on the site of Expo ‘70

Built on the site of the Japan World Exposition in 1970, this huge park is home to numerous themed gardens (it's also popular for its cherry blossoms), museums, and the huge Expocity complex. Some original landmarks remain, including the Tower of the Sun and the Expo '70 Pavilion.

Shop and be entertained

The 3-storey shopping mall, LaLaport EXPOCITY has over 300 stores, retailing a variety of Japanese and international brands ranging from fashion to household goods and electronics, as well as a food court and restaurants offering an abundant variety of cuisines from around the world. The mall is surrounded by large-scale entertainment facilities like the unique Interactive Aquazoo NIFREL, the ANIPO theme park, a cinema complex including Japan's first “IMAX® WITH LASER” theater, and Japan's largest Ferris wheel.

Explore Osaka's major entertainment and dining centre

One of Osaka's two major city centres, Minami is home to two of Osaka's most popular sites – Shinsaibashi Shopping Arcade and Dotonbori, a famous entertainment district offering abundant dining and shopping options. There's also Nipponbashi DENDEN Town for electronics and Amerika-mura for street fashion culture.

A nostalgic warren of streets lined with traditional restaurants

There are over 60 traditional restaurants and izakaya (pubs) that line the nostalgic narrow alleys of Hozenji Yokocho, just off Dotonbori's bright neon signs. It's a great place to savour takoyaki in a traditional atmosphere, and visit Hozenji Temple where you can pour water over the statues for luck.

Relax and spend the day at Universal Studios Japan

Universal Studios Japan is the top tourist destination in Osaka, no doubt because of the fun attractions it offers. The park has nine zones: Hollywood, Universal Wonderland, Amity Village, Waterworld, Jurassic Park, San Francisco, Minion Park, New York, and the most popular recent area: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

Spend the night glamping at Palm Garden Maishima

Palm Garden Maishima is a complex catered to outdoor living – in addition to BBQ facilities, accommodations come in the form of family trailers or in retro Airstream trailers, all furnished with private bathrooms. Other facilities include a kid's park, astronomical observatory, a theatre, and a go-kart ring.

Shop for denim at Kurashiki aesthetic district

The Kurashiki aesthetic district retains its pretty, historic buildings that now house shops selling denim from the Kojima district, the birthplace of Japanese denim. Explore the area in a rental denim kimono, visit Ivy Square's complex of ivy-covered brick buildings, or purchase unique souvenirs like machiya-patterned masking tapes at Nyochiku-do.

Explore Miyajima, one of the top three scenic spots in Japan

Miyajima, an island located on Hiroshima Bay, is the famous home of Itsukushima Shrine with its “floating” red torii gate. It's also known for its delicacy, the Momiji Manju – a maple-leaf shaped pastry typically filled with red bean paste which you can buy or make yourself at various workshops.

Discover Hiroshima's tragic past at the Peace Memorial Park

Hiroshima's Peace Memorial Park is located in the heart of the city and serves to commemorate the atomic bomb victims from 1945. It contains the Peace Memorial Museum, Atomic Bomb Dome and the newly-built Orizuru Tower. This tower has an observation deck, spiral slope, cafe, and souvenir shop.

Visit the historic temple Senkoji

Onomichi is a port town renowned for its Temple Walk that connects 25 temples. One of which is the eerie Senkoji, which offers a glimpse into both heaven and hell; once you've survived the inner temple, stick your head in the Hell Stone where you can supposedly hear "hell".

Shop til you drop at Onomichi Shotengai

Onomichi Shotengai is a covered shopping arcade in the heart of Onomichi that stretches over 1.2km. This thriving arcade consists of retro shops and trendy cafes that are picture-perfect for your Instagram feed. During summer, night markets are held on weekends, further enhancing the neighbourhood feel of the arcade.

Indulge in delicious Onomichi Ramen

Onomichi Ramen is the local version of ramen in Hiroshima Prefecture, characterised by its clear soy sauce base made from dashi (soup stock) which is made using chicken bones and small fish. To top off this tasty dish, chashu (barbequed pork), bamboo shoots and green onions are added.