Everything we did on Day 1 and 2 in Osaka Japan during our wedding anniversary trip!

Hotel & accommodation

We stayed at the Bande Hotel in Osaka, Japan, conveniently located near Tamade Station. Tucked away in an alleyway, the hotel offers a charming, local vibe. Since our taxi couldn’t drive directly to the entrance, we walked in from the station, passing a variety of shops along the way, including restaurants, a thrift store, a bakery, and a grocery store.

The hotel offers breakfast for 1,300 yen per person, served from 6:30 am to 9:30 am—a great way to start your day. The lobby is stocked with complimentary essentials like house slippers, toothbrushes, and combs. Amenities include an indoor smoking area, coin-operated washing machines, and a vending machine offering coffee and other beverages.

Overall, we really enjoyed our time at the Bande Hotel. Its proximity to the station made getting around easy, while its location on the outskirts of the bustling city provided a peaceful retreat. After long days of sightseeing, it was the perfect place to unwind and slow down.

Day trip to Nara

Activities

After a long journey from Honolulu to Japan, we started our next day bright and early with a visit to Nara, a city famous for its friendly wild deer. These deer roam freely throughout the city, especially around Nara Park, creating a unique and memorable experience for visitors.

For just 200 yen, you can purchase deer crackers from vendors near the park. A delightful tradition accompanies the feeding—when you bow to the deer, they often bow back before accepting the treat. It’s a charming interaction that adds to the magic of the experience.

One tip: the deer can get a bit pushy, especially closer to lunchtime, so if you’re traveling with young children, it’s best to visit earlier in the day when they’re calmer. This way, you can fully enjoy the experience without any stress.

Food

Todaiji Temple Nagomi

We had lunch at Todaiji Temple Nagomi, a delightful spot offering a teppanyaki dining experience. We opted for the lunch set for two which included miso soup, abalone, wagyu sushi, Kobe beef, and an assortment of fresh vegetables—all expertly prepared teppanyaki style. While it was pricier at 25,000 yen, the quality and flavors made it worth the splurge.

Nagomi cafe

No meal is complete without dessert! After lunch, I treated myself to a matcha soft serve made with oat milk at Nagomi Cafe. The rich, creamy texture and subtle matcha bitterness were perfectly balanced, making it a refreshing and indulgent treat.

Manshodo

To wrap up our day trip, we visited Manshodo in the bustling Higashimuki Shopping area. I couldn’t resist trying the mitarashi dango, priced at just 140 yen. The sweet and savory glaze paired beautifully with the chewy texture of the rice dumplings—simple yet delicious.