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Switzerland tops the charts where tourism is concerned. I have cited many reasons why this small European country should be your target vacation destination, especially if you're travelling with kids. Read more about it by clicking on the link below https://www.journeys2memories.com/post/planning-a-family-vacation-with-kids-to-europe-go-switzerland We were in Switzerland for 2 weeks and covered the length and breadth of this beautiful country by train using the Swiss Pass. https://www.myswitzerland.com/en/  is the official website for Swiss tourism. Please check for all updates, current prices and offers before your trip. There are additional discounts for families with kids; sometimes, kids can even travel for free! Our 14-day itinerary included 2 days in Geneva The unmistakably French vibe of Geneva will beguile your senses. Learn more about this beautiful city by clicking here https://www.journeys2memories.com/post/top-5-things-to-do-in-geneva-in-2-days   3 days in Zermatt The quaint town of Zermatt is the gateway to the stunning mountain peak of the Matterhorn. Read all about our Zermatt experience by clicking here https://www.journeys2memories.com/post/zermatt-itinerary-3-days-in-the-swiss-alps 8 days in Lucerne What makes Lucerne the coveted destination for all first-time travellers to Switzerland? And what makes it the ideal spot to start your daytrips across Switzerland? Let's find out by clicking on the link below https://www.journeys2memories.com/post/lucerne-the-perfect-base-for-first-time-travellers-to-switzerland

A whole lot of interesting sights make the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan a must-see attraction on your Osaka itinerary. The aquarium is home to almost 30,000 creatures spanning over 620 species, from the mighty whale sharks and sting rays of the ocean, to the most minuscule creatures like the jellyfish, spotted garden eels, mushroom corals and anemones. The aquarium stands out for its unique design, too. Visitors enter from the top floor and walk their way down, along the massive Pacific tank, as they get to witness all kinds of marine life at every depth of the ocean. The top attraction is the Pacific Tank, of course, which houses two massive whale sharks, male and female, Kai and Yu, measuring approximately 4 to 6 metres in length. The Pacific Tank, with its mind-boggling dimensions, is an attraction in its own right. It is 9 meters deep, 34 meters in length and holds 5400 tons of water!! The acrylic glass that holds this volume of water is 30 cm thick. You will also see intriguing exhibits of sea lions, otters, penguins, seals, and a large variety of colourful marine life. My Tips about spending a fun-filled day around Kaiyukan Kaiyukan is located in the Tempozan Harbour Village near the Osaka Bay. It's very easily accessible by public transport. You can take the Osaka Metro Midosuji Line from Namba Station and get off at Hommachi. Switch to the Chuo Line and get off at Osakako Station. From there, you would've walked for about 10 minutes before starting to see the giant wheel of the Tempozan, the largest Ferris wheel in the world and right next to it is the Osaka Aquarium and the Tempozan Marketplace. One should plan to keep an entire day around this area. You can first go to Tempozan for a ride and then to Kaiyukan, or you could first get your tickets for the aquarium and then go to the giant wheel. The latter option worked quite well for us; we first fetched tickets for the aquarium upon arrival. Our slot was 3:30 pm. We then took a ride on the Ferris Wheel, which took about 1.5 hours since there was a long queue there too; had our lunch at the Tempozan Marketplace, and then had to wait for almost an hour before entering the aquarium. The best time to visit the aquarium is on a weekday. Weekends can get really crowded since it offers great exhibits for people of all age groups. You will see families with kids and grandparents in tow, waiting in the queue to enter. Entry to the aquarium is paid. Ideally, one should book online tickets in advance. Same-day tickets can also be purchased at the ticket counter, but you might not be able to get the entry time of your choice, and waiting times could be really long, especially if it's a weekend. The price of the tickets is dynamic, meaning it depends on customer demand. The average price of a ticket could range from USD 10.00 to 18.00. Please click on the link below to the official website of Kaiyukan to determine the price of the ticket on your day of visit https://en-61698.site-translation.com/ Tempozan Marketplace is a regular shopping mall with loads of eateries and shopping options. It's a good way to spend time if you're waiting to enter the aquarium.

Siem Reap, the capital of Siem Reap Province in Cambodia, also known as the 'Gateway to the Angkor Temples', is home to the world-renowned Angkor Archaeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A visit to this vibrant resort town is a unique experience. You will see tourists everywhere, jostling around the famous attractions, hopping from one attraction to another with eager anticipation. What struck me most about this city is that, despite being extremely touristy, it has managed to avoid the madness that excessive tourism brings. There is a calm vibrance in the city, and the people are very polite, warm, and welcoming. This warmth and humility translate into an overall enriching experience that adds to the allure of these world-famous temples. Below is my list of the Top 10 not-to-miss attractions in Siem Reap, Cambodia that we covered over 3 days... #01 Angkor Wat The world's largest religious structure beckons visitors from all over the world. A lot has been written about this architectural marvel, but I'm sure this temple greets everyone differently. I'm sharing my experience of visiting Angkor Wat in the link below https://www.journeys2memories.com/post/a-day-at-the-enigmatic-angkor-wat #2 Angkor Thom Around 10 km from Angkor Wat is Angkor Thom, or the 'Great City'. Established in the 12th century, this was the capital of the mighty Khmer Empire. Read more about Angkor Thom by clicking on the link below https://www.journeys2memories.com/post/angkor-thom-the-ancient-great-city-of-the-khmer-empire-in-cambodia #3 Bayon Temple Located in the heart of the ancient city of Angkor Thom, Bayon Temple offers a variety of visages, looking down at curious onlookers. Learn more about the 'Face Temple' by clicking on the link below https://www.journeys2memories.com/post/bayon-temple-the-temple-with-the-giant-stone-faces #4 Ta Prohm Ta Prohm was the location of the shooting of the 2001 Angelina Jolie film Tomb Raider, earning it the nickname 'Tomb Raider Temple'. Learn more about this unique temple by clicking on the link below https://www.journeys2memories.com/post/ta-prohm-the-tree-temple-in-siem-reap #5 Banteay Srei This is the only Hindu temple in the Angkor group of temples and is dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. The intricate carvings on the exteriors of this temple are considered to be the finest example of Angkorian art. Learn more about this temple by clicking on the link below https://www.journeys2memories.com/post/banteay-srei-the-jewel-in-the-crown-of-angkorian-art #6 Apsara Dance The mesmerising traditional Cambodian dance form should be on your must-see attraction list. In 2008, Apsara Dance was recognised as the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. Learn about our experience of watching the Apsara Dance by clicking here https://www.journeys2memories.com/post/apsara-dance-the-dance-of-the-celestial-beauties #7 Pub Street Siem Reap is not just about temples; it also boasts a vibrant nightlife at the famous Pub Street. The street is full of life. If you have just an evening in Siem Reap, then spending it in Pub Street is a great idea. Pub Street is known for its loud music and excellent eateries and pubs. Across the road, from Pub Street, is the Riverside Night Market, a flea market where you can shop till you drop. #8 Kulen National Park About 30 kilometres from Angkor Archaeological Park, located within the Phnom Kulen Mountain Massif, is Kulen National Park. Click here to know more about a day trip to Kulen National Park https://www.journeys2memories.com/post/a-day-at-kulen-national-park-siem-reap #9 Phare Circus The Phare Cambodian Circus is a unique blend of theatre, music, dance, and circus acrobatics, delivering a one-hour riveting show accompanied by an energetic live band. Click on the link below to learn more https://www.journeys2memories.com/post/phare-the-cambodian-circus-in-siem-reap #10 Tuk Tuk ride The adorable tuk-tuk ride is a fun way to see the city of Siem Reap. Tuk-tuk drivers double up as travel guides if you want them to; they'll click pictures for you and pose in them too. They are easy to hire via the Grab app and are very economical compared to cabs. I'd go so far as to say that your trip to Siem Reap would be incomplete without embarking on a tuk-tuk ride. These are the Top 10 things that made our Siem Reap vacation memorable. Should you also visit this beautiful town, I'd love to hear your comments and feedback. Our next destination was the Cambodian capital, Phnom Penh. Learn more about our 3-day itinerary by clicking on the link https://www.journeys2memories.com/post/phnom-penh-top-ten-attractions-in-the-cambodian-capital

A visit to the famous Angkor Wat, the largest temple complex in the world, has been on my bucket list for as long as I can remember! I finally got to visit this UNESCO World Heritage site in April 2025. Time stood still as I first set my eyes upon the hauntingly beautiful ruins of Angkor Wat and its distinctive five tall spires jutting into the sky against the early morning sun. About Angkor Wat Angkor Wat is sheer poetry set in stone; the endlessly long corridors, ornate balustrades and stone galleries that wind their way around the temple narrate the tales of this glorious Khmer monument. This priceless architectural gem of Cambodia was built by Khmer King Suryavarman II in the 12th century, as a state temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the preserver in the Hindu trinity of Gods. By the late 12th century, the temple was declared a Buddhist temple by King Jayavarman VII. Since the origins of the temple are based on Hindu cosmology, the entire temple has an amalgamation of Hindu and Buddhist sculptures and bas-reliefs, depicting tales from the Hindu epics of Ramayana and Mahabharata. The complex is surrounded by a massive moat in all directions, measuring 200 meters wide and 4 meters deep, symbolising the Sheersagar , or the Cosmic Milk Ocean, where Lord Vishnu resides. A wide causeway will lead you to the Western entrance of the temple over the moat. You will see a stone rim running along the temple wall, symbolic of Sheshnag , the serpent demi-god on whose head Lord Vishnu rests. At the entrance is the head of the Sheshnag, holding guard with its huge seven-headed serpent head. This grand causeway is aligned perfectly with the entrance in the centre of the temple, which was used by the king to enter. The two adjacent entrances were used by ministers, and the two in the far corner were used for elephants, aptly called Elephant Gates. From here, you can see the tall spires of the temple representing the mythical Mount Meru , considered to be the axis of the universe in Hindu cosmology. Angkor Wat has an intriguing system of stairways. There are 12 staircases with 41 steps each, connecting the different levels of this multi-tiered temple. We were told by our guide that 41 is considered to be an auspicious number by the Khmer people. This system of stairways is also symbolic of the basic ethos of both Hinduism and Buddhism, that humans must strive hard to achieve higher levels of existence. As you walk towards the central tower, you will see an almost vertical stairway leading to the top of the tower, aptly called 'Staircase to Heaven' as it leads to the top of the tower and offers beautiful vistas of the temple grounds. View of the Western Gate from the highest point in Angkor Wat Some basic facts about Angkor Wat and some Do's and Don'ts for your visit Angkor Wat Temple is located in the Angkor Archaeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, spread over an area of 400 square kilometres, in Siem Reap. Angkor Thom is another name that you'll often hear while at the park. Angkor Thom is an ancient walled city within Angkor Archaeological Park. The park has 72 major temples and over 1000 small temples within its purview, including Angkor Wat. You can enter Angkor Wat from two gates, the East and West Gates. The East gate is less touristy and serene. You will get a beautiful view of the entire temple complex, but the main temple will be on the opposite side. This is the entrance we used. If you enter from the West gate, it's closer to the parking and the main temple. You get impressive views of the temple from the causeway over the moat. Before you visit the park, it's a good idea to shortlist the temples you wish to see. One can plan to see 4 or at most 5 temples on a day pass. The most popular temples apart from Angkor Wat are Bayon Temple, Ta Prohm Temple, Pre Rup Temple and Banteay Srei Temple. Bayon Temple, with its striking stone faces carved on the 54 towers, is a must-see attraction. Ta Prohm is popular for its giant trees that have intertwined with the stones over centuries, giving the temple a very otherworldly feel. It was also the site for the shooting of the Hollywood film 'Tomb Raider', earning it the nickname Tomb Raider Temple. Pre Rup Temple is dedicated to the Hindu God, Shiva. The temple, though small in size compared to the mighty Angkor Wat, has beautiful red brick pyramids, giving it a pinkish hue. It falls on the Grand Circuit en route to Banteay Srei. The climb to the top is quite steep but if you can do it, then the views from the top are breathtaking, especially during sunset. Banteay Srei is rightfully called the Jewel in the crown of Angkorian architecture. It's 31 kilometres away from Angkor Archaeological Park. The temple is dedicated to the Hindu Gods Shiva and his consort Parvati. The intricate stone carvings on its pinkish stone walls will blow your mind away. Angkor Archaeological Park is FREE to visit every day of the week after 5:00 p.m. You will not need any tickets to enter the park. A lot of people use this opportunity to see the sunset at the park for free on their day of arrival in Siem Reap and then buy a pass for the next day. We did not know about this when we visited Angkor Wat, but there is a practical reason for doing this. After spending an entire day exploring the temples, believe me, you will be too exhausted to go back to Angkor Wat to see the sunset. We had to skip the sunset for the very same reason. Start early. Angkor Wat attracts over 2.5 million visitors annually, so you can imagine the crowds you could encounter. Also, since most of the sightseeing has to be done in the open, it's better to do it before it gets too hot under the scorching afternoon sun. If you wish to see the sunrise, try reaching Angkor Wat by 5:00 am. Remember, you will have to go back again to see the temple later since it opens at 7:30 am. A day pass, costing USD 37.00, will grant you access to the entire Angkor Archaeological Park. There are passes available for 2 and 3 days, too. In my opinion, unless you're a historian or an archaeologist, or a tourist who wants to do an in-depth study of the area, a day pass is more than enough to see all the temples. A lot of travel is involved in going from one temple to another within the Angkor Archaeological Park. It's a good idea to hire a cab since cabs are not very expensive in this part of the world. You can hire a tuk-tuk too, but temples like Banteay Srei are quite a long way off, so decide accordingly. Hire a guide. There's a lot to see and comprehend at the temples of Angkor Archaeological Park. An English-speaking guide will enhance your Angkor experience. Here I would like to mention that ensure the guide you hire speaks proper English. Our guide, though knowledgeable, had a very distinct accent that made it very difficult for us to comprehend his words. Dress appropriately. All places of worship in Cambodia, temples, pagodas and even palaces expect tourists to dress modestly, especially female tourists. Ensure that your knees and shoulders are properly covered. A lot of uneven stone steps and steep stairways are involved in visiting most of these temples. Wear very comfortable footwear. Most of these temples do not require you to take off your shoes, except at the Vishnu Temple in Angkor Wat, so sneakers are the ideal choice. There are a lot of snacking and dining options in the Angkor Archaeological Park. After seeing Angkor Wat, one can take a short break at any of these local restaurants and try the Khmer cuisine. I don't remember seeing any international food chains here, just local restaurants serving excellent food at very reasonable prices. So, this is the 900-year-old Angkor Wat Temple for you, defying the travails of time and looking every bit glorious as ever! Watch my YouTube video about Angkor Wat by clicking on the link below https://youtu.be/nzO7PxeTHVw After Angkor Wat, we explored the rest of the Angkor Archaeological Park, starting with Bayon Temple.

Hiroshima needs no introduction. On August 6th 1945, the name of this city forever became synonymous with the ultimate devastation that human beings were capable of inflicting, when it became the first city to be the target of the atomic bomb during WWII. Today, when you visit Hiroshima, what you see is a modern, thriving city that has evolved from its scars and has transformed itself into a symbol of peace. Every year, on 6th August, the city holds memorial services at the Peace Memorial Park to remember and honour the victims of the atomic genocide. Visiting Hiroshima Like most people, we began our trip to Hiroshima as regular tourists, eager to learn more about the history behind the bombing, see the Peace Memorial that we had heard and read so much about in textbooks, take pictures, visit the museum, and see the memorabilia with our own eyes. Still, as we went along the Genbaku Dome, followed by the Peace Memorial, the Children's Memorial, the Peace Museum and looked around the Memorial Park, we were left completely speechless by the incomprehensible horrors that were unleashed by the nuclear bomb, curiously nicknamed 'Little Boy'. The horrors that one witnesses at the park don't end at the ghastly aftermath of the bombing alone, but by the cold calculation that went into the planning of its drop at this location. The park is located right in the heart of Hiroshima, on an island between two rivers, the River Motoyasu and the River Hon. This point has served as the Zero Milestone of Hiroshima Prefecture since 1889, and all distances from Hiroshima were measured from here. The reason this spot was chosen for the bombing was its clear visibility from the air, making it an 'ideal location' to gauge the exact impact. Hiroshima was a major military hub that had evaded any widespread destruction in the war; dropping a bomb on this 'undamaged urban hub' would give a fair idea about the destructive prowess of the weapon. The museum wears a sombre look as visitors go through the exhibits, utterly bewildered. Reading about this disaster in books is not the same as seeing firsthand accounts of people with real identities, their faces and their lives, twisted beyond recognition, very much like the metal bridges and other metallic equipment of the city that lay twisted and fused by the immense heat generated by the bomb. Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park The Peace Memorial Park is an expansive area spread over 120,000 square metres, which attracts over one million visitors each year. This number has been steadily rising over the past few years. Entry to the park is free. It is very well connected by both buses and trams. You can take the tram line 2 or 6 from Hiroshima Train Station to Genbaku-Domu Mae, and a 15-minute ride will take you directly to the Peace Memorial Park. The Memorial Park houses many prominent buildings and structures that can be seen on your visit... A-Bomb Dome or Genbaku Dome The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Genbaku Dome is a part of the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. The dome was originally the venue of the Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall. The atomic bomb was detonated 600 meters directly above it. The reinforced steel structure was able to resist the downward force of the bomb, although the people inside were instantly killed. In 1996, this dome was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site as a reminder of the powerful, devastating force of nuclear weapons. The dome has been preserved in the same condition as it was after the bombing. No one is allowed to enter; visitors can look at it from the outside. Children's Peace Monument A short walk from the Dome to the Aioi Bridge over the Motoyasu River will take you to the other side of the Peace Memorial Park to the Children's Peace Monument. This monument tells the heartbreaking story of Sadako Sasaki, a 12-year-old girl who was only two at the time of the bombing. She was perfectly healthy till age 11 when she developed leukaemia as a result of the radiation exposure. In 1955, she finally succumbed to the illness after months of fighting the disease. The heartbreaking part of the story is that she kept making paper cranes till the very end, hoping that making them would grant her wish to live. Visitors coming to the monument can make offerings of paper cranes. You can see hundreds of paper cranes and colourful origami floating around the monument, creating an emotionally poignant scene. Cenotaph for the A-Bomb Victims and the Peace Flame Very close to the Children's Peace Memorial is the Cenotaph, a concrete structure holding the names of all the known and unknown victims of the atomic bomb. The arch shape of the memorial symbolises shelter for the souls of the victims. Under the arch is the iconic Peace Flame that was first lit on August 1st, 1964, as a symbol of a world that is free from nuclear weapons. The flame has been kept alit ever since. Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum A visit to Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum is a trip down the darkest chapter of human history, as you see it gradually unfold, starting from the plight of the city that took the lethal hit, to the victims, and finally the perpetrators who engineered this dastardly act. Here are a few things to be aware of before you visit the museum... Opening hours for the museum and permanent exhibitions vary from month to month. Please refer to the official website of the park ( http://hpmmuseum.jp/?lang=eng ) before your visit. Massive crowds throng the museum, especially in the morning and late afternoon. To avoid long queues, it is advisable to make prior bookings, either through the official website or online platforms. The ticket price is 200 yen for adults with discounts for students, seniors and group pass holders. Please refer to the website for more information. The museum is massive. One should allocate at least 2 hours to see it, and add to it another 2 hours to see the Dome and the Memorial Park. This entire visit will take about 3 to 4 hours, depending on your level of interest, of course, to fully comprehend and appreciate the message it wishes to convey to the world. As I've discussed earlier in this post, the museum can leave you harrowed, even grieving, after seeing the level of human suffering that people had to endure. The intensely emotional graphic images of pain can be very upsetting for young kids. The East Building of the museum has kid-friendly resources like media tables with child-friendly explanations of what happened in Hiroshima. If you're travelling with kids, you can explore this area. The museum offers an immersive experience from one level to another. You will see pictures, war memorabilia and many audio-visual aids to navigate you through the history of WWII and the circumstances that led to the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Hiroshima can easily be done as a day trip from Osaka and Kyoto by taking the Shinkansen (bullet train). You can see the memorial park in the morning and visit the stunning Miyajima Island in the afternoon. We decided to stay overnight in Hiroshima and visit Miyajima early the next morning. Hiroshima National Peace Memorial Hall for the Atomic Bomb Victims Adjacent to the Cenotaph is the Hiroshima National Peace Memorial Hall for the Atomic Bomb Victims. While the museum will give you the historical, geographical and political context of the bombing, the Memorial Hall is a contemplative space for understanding this incident in terms of personal human tragedies. You will see the Hall of Remembrance with 140,000 tiles with the names of people who died in the tragedy. The Peace Memorial Park also has the famous dome with the Peace Bell, a Peace Clock, the Atomic Bomb Memorial Mound and the Korean Cenotaph. We, like every other visitor, left the park with one overwhelming thought on our mind...Is this what one atomic bomb can do to a city and its people?...followed by the inevitable uneasy afterthought...now, every country on this planet has a nuclear arsenal far deadlier than this one, but have we, as humans, learnt any lessons from Hiroshima? The next morning, we set out to see the stunning Miyajima Island, only 28 km away from Hiroshima. Coming up next...

As soon as you step out of Himeji Station, you begin to see the pristine white facade of Himeji Castle in the far distance, and you realise why this castle is nicknamed the White Heron Castle, as it resembles a white heron bird taking flight. A straight road from the Himeji Train Station will take you right up to the castle through the beautiful town of Himeji... Getting to Himeji Castle Himeji can easily be done as a day trip from both Osaka and Kyoto. The castle is one of the most visited in Japan and is well-connected by train. It takes 30 minutes from Osaka by Shinkansen and 40 minutes from Kyoto. If you wish to visit it from Tokyo, then a one-way ride will take about 5 hours and will cost you $ 75. The castle is about a mile away from the train station, and the road leading to the castle is dotted with small eateries and lots of benches for visitors to sit and relax. About Himeji Castle Himeji Castle is the first monument to be recognised in Japan as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It has been bestowed with the title of Japanese National Treasure, and it's one of the 12 castles in Japan that have been preserved in their original state. Built in the 14th Century, this stunning castle has miraculously survived many earthquakes and natural disasters over the centuries, even fire bombings during WWII, catapulting it into a very auspicious monument that stands today just as it stood 400 years ago! The castle was initially built as a strategic defence fortress and later served as an army barracks. The wide moat surrounding the castle walls, the maze-like layout, arrow slits in the outer walls and its imposing structure on a hill were all made to ward off invaders and enemies. If you've seen the popular Hollywood movie 'You Only Live Twice', starring Sean Connery, you will see that it was shot at the Himeji Castle! And that's not all...Himeji is believed to be haunted by the ghost of a servant girl called Okiku, who was falsely accused of a crime she did not commit and thrown into a well. You can see this mystery well on a tour of the castle. A few things to know about visiting the Himeji Castle The main keep of the castle becomes visible as you enter the castle grounds. Don't forget to admire it from all angles and see the sun casting luminous glows on its white exterior. The inside of the main keep is empty, but earlier it was used as an armoury. Castle grounds are free to enter. However, there is a ticket to see the castle from the inside. You can purchase the tickets from ticket vending machines at the entrance. If you are going during the peak tourist season, then making bookings can be a good idea. Very close to the castle are the beautiful Koko-en Gardens. A combo ticket for the castle and gardens is 1000 yen that grants entry to both. Please refer to the official website of Himeji Castle at the time of booking. https://www.himejicastle.jp/en/ A lot of walking is involved in visiting the Himeji Castle, first, about a mile from the train station to the castle entrance, second, as you enter the castle, a steep uphill ramp will take you inside. Multiple flights of wooden ladder-like stairs will lead you through the six storeys, leading to the top storey, where you can get vantage views of the city of Himeji. The ascent to the top can be challenging for people with limited mobility. Shoes are not allowed inside; you will have to carry them around in a plastic bag provided for the purpose. If you are a keen history buff, then you can hire an English guided tour of the castle. You will have to check the timings of the tour for the day, since only two tours are available each day. There is also a free smartphone audio guide available in multiple languages. You will have to connect to the internet at the castle, access the audio guide on the official website of Himeji Castle, and keep clicking on the numbers displayed at the exhibits as you go along. There is also a lot of information that is displayed on placards about the exhibits. I prefer reading that as we go, and that's what we did. After visiting the castle, you can leave from the main gate, the Otemon Gate, to reach the beautiful Koko-en Gardens. This Japanese-style garden has 9 distinct walled gardens, each with a theme of its own, including a tea garden, a pine garden, a bamboo garden, and a seasonal flower garden, among others. You can spend about an hour strolling along this picturesque garden. After spending half a day at the stunning Himeji Castle, we took a train to Hiroshima. Coming up next...

Vienna is a treasure trove of art and music. The city welcomes you with its magnificent Baroque and Gothic buildings at every turn, its stunning plazas and public squares with artwork dating many centuries and of course, the Vienna Opera. But if you're visiting in July and August, then the opera is closed for the summer. In its place, you will find a plethora of concerts taking place at various churches, music halls and even palaces like the Schoenbrunn Palace. Needless to say, a trip to this beautiful city would be incomplete without paying a visit to the music concert of its most famous resident, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. This blog is about one such Mozart concert at the Musikverein Golden Hall, the most spectacular music hall in Vienna and one of the best in the World! About the venue Musikverein, or the Concert Hall in Vienna, is located in the Inner District on the Ringstrasse. This beautiful building is made of neo-classical architecture and has a capacity of 1700 people. It is the permanent home of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. For the uninitiated, the Philharmonic Orchestra is an orchestra led by a conductor and comprises about 80 to 100 musicians. The instruments they play range from woodwinds, percussion, brass and strings. The concert is organised in the Golden Hall of the Musikverein. Seeing the Golden Hall is as much a delight as the performance of the musicians. The Hall, with its stunning frescos on the ceiling, the gold-rimmed archways and massive chandeliers, sets the perfect tone for an evening to remember. Tickets to the concert are easily available; you can see men dressed in traditional costumes selling tickets all over the city, over open counters. Please check that they are authorised sellers, if you buy a ticket from them, there is no cause for worry. Online tickets are also available. But then you will have to exchange the voucher for the ticket at the counter before the show. Golden Hall at Musikverein Performers bowing to the audience at the end of the show in the stunning Golden Hall! About the performance A group of 30 first-class musicians and internationally renowned opera singers, all dressed in finery and period costumes with wigs et al., create a magical atmosphere in the 90-minute stupendous performance. The atmosphere in the Golden Hall is riveting. Most people like us might not understand the finer nuances of music, but we certainly appreciate good music if we hear it. So, listening to the Mozart symphonies combined with some amazing solo concertos was an experience beyond description. Some of the melodies you hear will sound very familiar; this is because the music of Mozart has been adapted in many forms and variations on many music platforms over many decades. On a particularly foot-tapping melody, the audience, on a cue from the conductor, instinctively broke into applause and clapped along with the musicians. What struck me was the amazing acoustics of the hall. The voice of the opera singers, minus the use of any microphones, just floated effortlessly through the entire hall, holding its audience in a trance. The sound of the singers' voices, combined with their colourful attire and elaborate costumes create a mesmerizing effect on the audience. Some more tips about the concert Audiences are expected to arrive at least 20 minutes before the performance begins. Musikverein is located right behind Hotel Imperial on the Ringstrasse. The basic ticket price starts from € 59 upwards. There are many ticket options available, like VIP Packages, which offer a 4-course dinner at a restaurant along with premium seating in the hall, interaction with artists and so on. Please check their website for more information: concerts@mozart.wien The dress code for the concert is smart casual. There is a short refreshment break in the performance. Photography inside the Golden Hall during the performance is strictly prohibited. The photo here was taken after the performance. For me, this music concert was most certainly a not-to-miss attraction and easily one of the highlights of our trip to Austria!

A day trip to Ba Na Hills is like visiting the Vietnamese Disneyland, replete with fun and games, cute castles with their mock turrets reaching for the sky, perfectly manicured gardens, shows and performances, unlimited food stalls, ice cream kiosks....add to this heady mix the astounding scenic views of the lush green jungle of the Truong Son Mountains where the theme park is located. Your adventure begins right at the foot of the mountain when you embark on a 20-minute nonstop cable car ride, the scenery shifts from cityscape to the gradually unfolding beauty of the mountainside as you approach the top, and then into the theme park by Sun World! Before I go into more details about things to do inside the park, let's take a quick look all the way to the top ... About Ba Na Hills Ba Na Hills was a colonial hill station established by the French in 1919 as an escape retreat from the hot Vietnamese weather. Little wonder then that the resort has a very European feel to it! The French Village, with its quaint little passageways, seemed to have dropped straight out of a European countryside. The Le Jardin D'Amour Gardens, with its colourful array of flowers, is a sight to behold. And, of course, the iconic Golden Bridge, the architectural marvel, with its 'Hands of God', the two gigantic hands that seem to be holding the bridge in place, is the top-most attraction on your trip to Ba Na Hills. Golden Bridge is touted as Vietnam's symbol of its increasing popularity in the arena of global tourism. My first-hand tips to you before you visit Ba Na Hills Check the weather for the day. If you've seen the video above, you'll see how foggy it was the day we visited Ba Na Hills, making visibility very bad at most places on the mountain resort. We had checked the weather forecast for the day before booking our tickets to beat the crowds, but clouds gathering on the hillside is quite common. This brings me to my second tip. See the Golden Bridge first thing on your visit. It was quite cloudy when we reached the top. Luckily, we decided to see the Golden Bridge and take some pictures, because the visibility after the morning worsened. We came across some disappointed visitors who had postponed seeing the bridge for later. The visibility didn't get any better, and the crowds that hit the bridge as the day progressed were unbelievable. If you're not short of time, then you should plan to stay overnight. Overnight guests at the Mercure Danang French Village Bana Hills Hotel get to see the Golden Bridge before regular opening time at 6 am. If an overnight stay is not an option, then plan to start early. Massive crowds throng the resort, not only on weekends but perennially. You can significantly reduce waiting times if you arrive early. Tickets can be purchased both online and from the Official Website of Sunworld Ba Na Hills . Online portals like Klook and Viator also offer tickets. We visited in April 2025. The standard entrance ticket for an adult costs 950,000 VND (approximately USD 37.00), and for a child, it costs 750,000 VND (approximately USD 31.00). This price includes the cable car ride, access to main attractions like the Golden Bridge, Fantasy Park and French Village. The only exclusion is the Wax Museum and any games with prizes to be won. A lot of ticket combinations are available, if you wish to include a buffet lunch, too. Please check the website for your preference. It takes about 40 minutes to an hour to reach Ba Na Hills by road from Da Nang. The road is scenic, and you will start getting a whiff of the mountain air as you get closer to the cable car station. Once you reach the main station, a shuttle bus, which is included in the fare, will take you to the point of boarding the cable cars. The infrastructure around the hill resort is world-class; there is a variety of eateries offering all kinds of cuisines and fitting every pocket. Toilets are free to use, and most of the facilities are wheelchair-friendly. A variety of shows, performances and festivals are organised in the mountain resort. If you're interested in something in particular, then please check the website to plan your trip accordingly. At the time of our visit, the Sun Kraftbeer Festival 2025 was going on. To sum up, I'd say Ba Na Hills is a must-do activity on your Vietnam itinerary. It's wholesome entertainment for the entire family at a very reasonable price with world-class infrastructure and excellent amenities.

Japan has been on my travel list for as long as I can remember. So, a visit to this land in the Far East was a long-cherished dream come true! We spent 15 days travelling the length of the country to make the most of the limited time available to us. This blog will provide you with the 15 most important first-hand tips to help you plan the perfect Japan itinerary, and if you're planning to visit Japan now or in the near future, these tips are just what you might need! #Tip 1 First and foremost...Is Japan expensive? This is a common question to crop up whenever there is talk of a vacation to Japan. So, let's put things in perspective! A vacation to Japan is cheaper than to most European countries, but more expensive than to Asian countries such as Vietnam or Thailand, for instance. Japan can definitely not be the first go-to choice of a budget traveller. A week-long vacation to Japan could cost you anywhere from USD 2000 to 2500, including airfare. If we were to break up the cost, accommodation would be the highest expense since hotels in all touristy cities like Kyoto and Tokyo are expensive. Airbnb options are limited and not value-for-money like in Europe. Second in terms of cost would be the JR Pass that entitles you to travel on the Shinkansen (Bullet train) within Japan. Eating out and fine dining can be expensive. If you wish to cut down on costs, then street food is a very viable option in Japan, safe and hygienic. There are plenty of family supermarts like Seven-Eleven and Lawson where one can get good quality food at reasonable prices. Watching live shows is quite expensive. #Tip 2 Enjoy the luxury of free Japanese toilets wherever you go Japan can easily be rated as the country with the most efficient toilet system in the world! You will find toilets in the most unlikely of places, in remote towns and shrines. And they are totally free! And don't get me started on the Japanese bidet toilet seat, which is a tech gizmo! Motion-activated sensors, sound-creating machines that you can set to 'privacy mode' and so on. The good part is that although everything is written in Japanese, there are illustrations. Haha! So, take your time on your first outing to figure out all of them, and you won't have to worry about it on your entire trip! #Tip 3 Plan your Japan trip well in advance Japan has been the hottest tourist destination for the past many years now, which obviously translates into massive crowds. If you want to stay ahead of these crowds, then the only way is to plan well ahead. Also, the country is truly multifaceted; shrines, temples, monuments, natural beauty, river cruises, bustling cities loaded with malls and shopping arenas, street food outlets, restaurants, live shows, high-tech anime areas, and more. It's a good idea to plan your trip so that you can pick and choose what you really wish to see and do. There are a lot of things that we added to our itinerary at the last minute, and we were grateful for having done that. A day trip to Nara from Kyoto was one of them. Nara has 8 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. We could only do two: Todai-ji Temple and Kasuga Taisha. Missing seeing the majestic bronze Buddha statue, the tallest bronze statue in the world, would've been our loss. #Tip 4 Start early for a unique experience and great photos Since Japan is so crowded, the entire experience of visiting a destination can be compromised by the crowds and the direction of the sun. For me, personally, this was especially true for Fushimi Inari and Kiyomizu-dera temple in Kyoto. I think the experience of seeing both these amazing shrines would have been much better had we arrived early in the morning, as they are best viewed in a calm and relaxed atmosphere. We reached there by 10 am, but even that was a bit late. Ideally, one should plan to reach there by 8:30 am. The same can be said for the Arishiyama Bamboo Forest, too. The small forest was almost crammed with people by the time we reached. On the other hand, we arrived at the Itsukushima Shrine in Miyajima quite early and were rewarded with a surreal view of the torii gate, both at the low tide and the high tide, by the time we left. #Tip 5 For intercity transfers, trains are your best option If you want to travel between cities, then Japanese trains are your best bet. You can opt for the JR Pass (Japan Railway Pass) that is valid on all Shinkansen (Bullet trains) and JR route trains. Riding on the bullet train is as much fun as seeing one zip through past stations! The only thing to note is that some fast Shinkansen trains, such as Nozomi, are not included in the JR Pass. The best part is that reservations for this pass are free, although you will need to complete the reservation online or at the booking office in person. Even if you're unable to make reservations, all trains have some compartments, mostly the first 3 or first 5, which are unreserved. The Japanese railway system is extremely well organised. However, it took us a day to fully comprehend how it works because a lot of detailed information is displayed on the signboards at all platforms. Each train, with its name and number, and the number of its unreserved compartments, is displayed on signboards. Just follow the signboards, and you will never face any issue travelling by train in Japan. #Tip 6 Commuting by local buses Don't skip travelling on the buses in Japan. They are super crowded, mind you, but I always write in all my blogs that to fully understand a country and its people, travel by local transport. One has to board the bus from the centre and deboard from the front next to the driver and purchase your ticket at this point, except in Tokyo, I think, where you get in from the front. It'll be good to know that buses only accept either coins of a minimum 10 yen denomination and above, or currency notes up to 1000 yen only. Despite the crowds, this system works very efficiently. #Tip 7 Trash is serious business in Japan I cannot emphasise this point enough. Trash is conspicuous by its absence in the entire country. No trash and no trash cans either. You will see people carrying a small bag with their trash in it. We even saw boards and notices outside retail stores, even restaurants, forbidding passersby from throwing their trash in their cans. We travelled to so many cities, and it's like this everywhere. If you're staying in an Airbnb, then don't be lax about the instructions regarding trash disposal displayed for you. #Tip 8 Politeness and civility all the way Japan has the undeniable reputation of being a very civil society. After having spent 15 days travelling through it, I can vouch for it. Don't ever jump queues and don't speak loudly, not on trains, on buses or even in public places. Despite massive crowds on trains and buses, I never once saw anyone losing their cool or behaving inappropriately. It was almost fun to watch how effortlessly people navigate their way through the crowd to reach the driver on buses to deboard. No pushing, no jostling, only thank you and excuse me. People keep their backpacks strapped to their front rather than on their backs to avoid any inconvenience to fellow passengers. Seats marked for the physically disabled are kept vacant at all times. In restaurants, no tips, please! Tipping is considered impolite. And asking for directions can be a lesson in basic human interaction. People will step out of their way to help you with directions, albeit in Japanese! So, it's a good idea to learn a few basic phrases to set the tone for your interaction. Most young people can understand English and can even speak a little, but older people, unlikely. But the Japanese people are a helpful lot; even if they don't understand your language, they'll help you out if you're lost or looking for some help. We've had people waiting on the street with us to help us look for our hotel, or a friendly stranger telling us where to board our bus. #Tip 9 Must make advance bookings for live shows What is a Japanese vacation without watching its live shows like Geisha performances, Sumo Wrestling, among others? What you need to know is that all these shows sell out months in advance. We were travelling in October 2025 and started booking shows as early as the end of August, and we still had to struggle with dates and timings. For the Geisha show in Kyoto, we had to book very expensive premium tickets because the rest of the hall was all booked. Most of the Geisha shows do not let you take pictures or make videos, which is a shame, but these rules are followed very strictly. Sumo wrestling performance show, on the other hand, in Tokyo, not just allowed photos but also invited the audience to join in a mock fight with the wrestlers. I'll talk about this in a separate blog post. #Tip 10 Must carry small cash A lot of places, like small street food vendors, eateries and small kiosks, accept only cash. They do not accept any credit or debit cards. So, carrying some cash is a must. And, remember, exchange of cash by hand is considered very improper; you're supposed to put it in a small dish or tray kept at most counters for this purpose, and you pick up the balance also the same way. #Tip 11 You cannot leave Japan without trying its authentic cuisine I'd heard people raving about Japanese cuisine, but having tasted some of it myself, I'd say don't miss this experience. In Osaka, you'll find amazing street food around Dotonbori Street, the thought of which makes me salivate. Takayaki, a dumpling filled with octopus, served with sauce, melon bread filled with different flavours of ice cream, candied fruit like strawberries on a stick, Surimi, a kind of minced fish served on a stick, and ramen, of course. You will find many restaurants that serve Sushi on a conveyor belt...not to miss again! My favourite was the assorted blow-torched Sushi plate in Kinka, a popular cafe in Akihabara, Tokyo. A lot of towns have their own specialities. Miyajima, for instance, is known for Momiji Manju, a small maple-leaf-shaped cake filled with sweet red bean paste... ....and oyster tempura and deep-fried oysters, cooked to perfection and served in roadside kiosks. Another must-try while you're in Japan is the green-coloured matcha ice cream. You also get a variety of Sake, so know your Sake before you leave for Japan. The only thing to note is that the Japanese people do not like to eat on the go, like Europeans or Americans, where you'll often see people walking around with sandwiches or coffee in their hands. Eating on trains and other public transport is also not allowed. #Tip 12 Must have a working e-SIM and Google Maps app installed on your phone The Japanese are way too organised when it comes to arranging their cities, so locating addresses can be a nightmare. Now, with hands-on GPS systems, just ensure that you have the exact address of where you are staying, with the correct name of the building, locality, etc. On our first day in Osaka, it took us a while to locate our Airbnb because there were four apartment complexes of the same company with different names within a 100-metre radius. Since our booking was with the company, it took us some time to figure out our location. This brings me to a very important point. Most hotels and Airbnb are self-check-in, so ensure that you have all the check-in details, like key card details, passwords, etc., in place beforehand. #Tip 13 Be weather-wise Temperatures in Japan can vary dramatically from region to region since Japan lies lengthwise along many latitudes. The same applies from east to west Japan. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that you could experience a very cold climate in the north and a subtropical climate in the south of the country at the same time. So, research the region you're visiting. Before we set out on our journey, we had seen some videos about how to handle emergencies like sudden typhoons, tsunamis and earthquakes, since Japan is quite prone to these natural disasters. For any tourist to be caught in such a situation in a foreign land can be very disconcerting since language is also a barrier. There is little one can do about such contingencies, except be vigilant about where you are staying. If it's an apartment, then knowing about emergency exits can be a good idea. #Tip 14 Try local customs wherever possible Japan is an intriguing country. Their culture, traditions and customs, everything about them has always evoked a lot of curiosity. So, try as many authentic experiences as possible. We watched a Geisha show, a sumo wrestling performance, and saw a show at the famous non-verbal theatre in Japan, called GEAR Theatre. I'll discuss more about these shows in a separate blog. Another interesting cultural activity that many tourists, especially women, undertake is renting a kimono. One can spot many women strutting around in Kimonos at popular spots like the Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa, Tokyo and around many temples in Kyoto. Most rental agencies rent them for 6 to 8 hours, which includes make-up and photography. Chinese tourists dressed in Kimonos at the Kiyomizu-dera Temple in Kyoto Another fun thing to do is to stay in a Ryokan, the traditional Japanese inn, to experience the traditional lifestyle and hospitality, with Tatami mats and Futon beds. Most of them would also include a bath in the Onsen, the famous hot spring baths in Japan. Noteworthy is that all these cultural experiences have to be done with a lot of sensitivity and respect for local customs. #Tip 15 Visiting Mount Fuji No discussion about Japan can be complete without a mention of its famous mountain peak, the mesmerising Mount Fuji. There are many tour options to see this mountain, from both near and far. The simplest and most tourist-friendly option is to do a trip to Hakone on the Hakone Loop. This Loop can be done on a day trip from Tokyo, which includes a ride on the Hakone Ropeway with beautiful views of Mount Fuji en route, a short stop at the volcanic landscape of Owakudani and a boat ride on Lake Ashinoko. I'll discuss more about Hakone in a separate blog later. I can say from experience that all such places around the earth, which are bestowed with such jaw-dropping beauty, are always elusive. But call it sheer luck, we got to see glorious views of Mount Fuji on our train journey from Osaka to Kyoto. My only tip here is to sit on the left side of the train and keep a lookout about one hour into the journey. If the day is clear, you will see magnificent views like this one... However, on our day trip to Hakone, although we saw the mountain very clearly from the viewing platform in Owakudani, but its iconic snow-covered tip was partially covered by clouds although we had picked a sunny day for this day trip.. So, that's Japan for you in a nutshell. I can say with a certain amount of certainty that there are no tourist traps anywhere in Japan. The people are courteous and honest, and you will not find any touts anywhere in touristy places, trying to scam or cheat tourists. There is very little haggling in markets, maybe only in some flea markets around Osaka, but not in Tokyo. The country is safe, clean and welcoming. For more detailed blogs on our 15-day holiday in Japan, keep watching this space!

Osaka can be a great starting point for your trip to Japan. It's lively but not as crowded as Tokyo; it has many shrines but not as many as in Kyoto; it's less expensive and more friendly, making it an ideal option to ease into your Japanese vacation. When I say ease, I mean that visiting Kyoto and Tokyo literally sent our senses reeling...in a good way, of course! There is so much to do in these cities that, despite having 4 and 5 days respectively in each of them, we were running from point to point to see it all. But Osaka can be more relaxed, for sure! You can spend an evening loitering around the Dotonbori Street and Canal and savour its many yummy treats! We had 3 days in Osaka, so our itinerary featured most of the not-to-miss sights that Osaka has to offer. # Day One Namba District Dotonbori Canal and District Tombori Riverfront Shinsaibashi-suji Shopping Arcade Savouring street food Hozen-ji Temple We reached Osaka by midday, so on Day One, we decided to spend the evening at the famous Namba District of Osaka, known for its vibrant nightlife and street food outlets. Namba lies in the Minami area, where you will also find the famous Dotonbori Riverside Promenade that runs along the Dotonbori Canal. Interestingly, Dotonbori is a man-made canal, bori meaning canal in Japanese. This canal is also nicknamed the Tombori Riverfront, where you can step onto a canal cruise and see the sights from the water. You will see neon-lit signs on both sides of the canal and the streets leading up to the Dotonbori area.  Osaka has earned the nickname 'Japan's kitchen', owing to its rocking street food culture. The areas of Namba and Dotonbori are laden with shops serving authentic Japanese fare like Takoyaki and Okonomiyaki at reasonable prices. Another speciality is a slice of melon bread filled with an ice cream slice of your choice. One of the popular tourist attractions in Namba is the 600-metre-long covered shopping arcade, Shinsaibashi-suji. You will find an interesting mix of street food outlets, local tailors, and small boutiques lining the street. Just a few meters away from the Dotonbori area is a small Buddhist Temple called Hozen-ji Temple. A small cobblestone pathway will lead you to this charming temple, where you will see a moss-covered statue of Mizikake Fudo, a revered deity believed to dispel ignorance and evil. It's considered sacred to splash water on the deity to bring good luck. My Tip Namba is a must-visit place in Osaka; you will get an instant taste of Japan, its cuisine and culture on your visit. Must try the amazing street food, especially the melon bread filled with ice cream! # Day Two Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine Osaka Castle Tempozan Giant Wheel Osaka Aquarium - Kaiyukan Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine After a relaxed Day One that we had spent sauntering around the streets of Osaka, we decided to cover major ground on Day Two. We started our day early with a visit to the Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine. Sumiyoshi Taisha is the head of over 2000 Sumiyoshi shrines across Japan and is one of the most famous Shinto shrines. Read more about this shrine by clicking on the link below https://www.journeys2memories.com/post/sumiyoshi-taisha-shrine-osaka Osaka Castle Osaka Castle is Japan's most famous landmark. Read more about this castle by clicking on the link below https://www.journeys2memories.com/post/a-day-at-the-osaka-castle Tempozan Giant Wheel How does it feel to sit atop the world's largest giant wheel? That's Tempozan for you! The Tempozan is a whopping 369 feet high and 330 feet in diameter. 60 closed cabins take about 15 minutes to go around in one rotation, and when you reach the top, you get stunning views of the Osaka skyline and the Osaka Bay with Rokko Mountains to the north and Mount Ikoma to the east. My Tip The Tempozan is a must-visit attraction; you will find a massive queue leading to the wheel, so try to reach early. The wheel goes around very slowly owing to its mammoth size, but the thrill of watching great scenic views from the top is worth the wait. Tempozan is very close to the Osaka Aquarium; if you plan to do both, then keep aside at least 3 to 4 hours. The aquarium is a very busy place; one is required to buy a ticket, and then you are allocated a slot to enter. So, you should buy your aquarium tickets first and then go to the Tempozan. We did not know about this and had to wait for almost 2 hours to enter the aquarium after finishing our ride on the Tempozan. Kaiyukan - Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan is one of the largest aquariums in the world, and its spectacular Pacific Tank with its massive whale sharks will blow your mind. Learn everything you wish to know about Kaiyukan by clicking on the link below https://www.journeys2memories.com/post/a-day-at-kaiyukan-one-of-the-world-s-largest-aquariums-in-osaka # Day 3 Shitennoji Temple Shinsekai District and Tsutenkaku Tower with its Tower Slider Last evening at Dotonbori District Shitennoji Temple This was our last day in Osaka. We set out to visit the Shitennoji Temple, which is claimed to be the oldest Buddhist temple in Japan, founded in 593 by Prince Shotoku, a revered figure who dedicated his life to spreading Buddhism in Japan. The most notable feature of the temple is its symmetrical layout, serene park and the beautiful five-storey pagoda. The temple was burnt and destroyed multiple times throughout history, so what we see now are fairly new constructions built as early as the 1960s and 70s. My Tip The temple is a 15-minute walk from the Tenno-ji Station. The area around the temple is very serene, and we spent a quiet morning there. The most notable feature is that the temple is located right in the middle of a very densely populated urban residential area and still looks like an oasis of calm. The park around the temple is free to visit; it's a great place to take photos. Photography inside the temple is strictly prohibited. If you wish to see the pagoda from inside, then the entry ticket is 500 yen. Shinsekai District, Tsutenkaku Tower and Tower Slider The Shinsekai District is Osaka's vibrant, old-fashioned district popular for bars and eateries and the iconic Tsutenkaku Tower. Learn more about this rocking Osaka neighbourhood by clicking on the link below https://www.journeys2memories.com/post/shinsekai-osaka-exploring-the-retro-heart-of-the-city After spending the early part of the evening at Shinsekai, we headed to the Dotonbori District again. One can never tire of seeing this vibrant part of Osaka. Besides, it was raining on the first day we came here, so we wanted to spend our last evening in Osaka wandering around this charming district. Early next morning, we set out to see Himeji Castle. Coming up next...

Sumiyoshi Taisha, one of Japan's oldest shrines and the head of all Sumiyoshi shrines, will leave you spellbound by its picturesque gardens and tranquil ambience. About Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine This is one of Japan's oldest shrines, dating back to the 3rd century, before the advent of Buddhism. There are over 2000 Sumiyoshi shrines across Japan, and they worship Kami, the gods who protect fishermen and sailors. Sumiyoshi Taisha is considered to be the protective shrine of the Port of Osaka. ope This is the shrine of celebration for the people of Osaka...around 2 million people come to visit the shrine each year in January, a ritual called Hatsumode, meaning the traditional first shrine visit of the year! This is the time when tens of thousands of people throng this shrine to pray for good luck and draw their paper fortunes, called Omikuji , a practice that is prevalent throughout Japan across all shrines. Sumiyoshi Taisha is a Shinto shrine. Shinto religion embodies a belief in the Animistic religion that is centred on the worship of Kami, the supernatural entities or gods, believed to inhabit all animate and inanimate objects. These supernatural entities inhabit all living and non-living objects, including trees, rocks, sacred animal messengers, and landscapes. We were drawn to this shrine owing to the amazing similarity it shares with Hinduism in its belief in Kami. Interestingly, you will see many colourful statues of rabbits and cats, believed to be divine messengers. Cats are believed to bring good fortune. Visiting Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine in Osaka Sumiyoshi Taisha is very easily accessible by local trains. You can take the Nankai Line from Namba Station. The shrine is located very close to the Sumiyoshi Taisha Station; from there, it's barely a 5-minute walk to the shrine. The shrine is open from 6:00 am to 5:00 pm daily. Entry is free. As you enter the shrine, you will be greeted by the beautiful vermillion-coloured bridge, the Sorihashi Bridge. From there, you can walk into the main pavilion of the shrine. Plan to spend about an hour at the shrine and soak in its calm vibrance. The shrine is very close to Tempozan, the giant Ferris wheel and the Osaka Aquarium. This was a bright, sunny day and we had plans to visit the Osaka Castle after this. Coming up next...

After spending close to 2 hours at the Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine, we headed to one of Japan's most famous landmarks, the Osaka Castle. Interestingly, Osaka Castle was built in the 16th century, and it has played a very significant role in the unification and history of Japan. Still, the iconic main Tower that we see now was destroyed and rebuilt many times over, with the latest reconstruction as recent as 1931, when reinforced concrete was used to re-create the tower. The castle was yet again a target of air raids in WWII. In 1997, the restoration work was completed, and the Main Tower was converted into a museum. The amazing thing is that, despite repeated reconstructions over the years, Osaka Castle has maintained its old-world charm and classic traditional Japanese architecture, featuring the five-storey Main Keep or Tower, which now houses an observation platform offering city views and a History Museum. The castle has gained a lot of popularity in recent times since it's one of the most popular hanami spots, hanami meaning cherry blossom viewing. It's an iconic spot to see cherry blossoms or Sakura from late March to early April. Castle Park, especially Nishinomaru Garden, has over 4000 thousand cherry trees that bloom in the spring. During this time, the castle comes alive with festive events and stunning nighttime illuminations. This magnificent castle is built on a raised platform, and you will see stone walls made of massive rocks that support the platform. These rocks were sourced from all across Japan, and some of them weigh over 100 tons, with the famous megalith that weighs 120 tons, called the Octopus Stone! The stone is visible as you enter from the Sakuramon Gate. There are two moats surrounding the castle; the outer moat goes around the entire castle with water-filled ponds in all four cardinal directions. Handy tips to know about Osaka Castle Osaka Castle is open every day with timings typically from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Castle Park is free to enter. However, you will need a ticket to enter the Main Tower and at least 3 hours to see the Castle Park and the Main Tower, including the waiting time in the queue. Like most public places in Japan, the castle has excellent amenities, including clean, free toilets close to the Main Tower. There are lots of places to sit and laze around, too, munch and generally have a good time. The entire area around the Osaka Castle is abuzz with events that you can explore, like the Nishinomaru Garden, which is a hotspot for great views of the castle and photography. The garden has a paid entry. If you happen to be in Osaka in July, then the castle is host to one of Japan's famous festivals, Tenjin Matsuri. Castle Park is an active hub for a lot of activities in all kinds of weather, so plan to spend some time to explore this beautiful haven of green. The picturesque outer facade of the castle can be a great spot for photography. You will find massive queues waiting to get into the Main Tower. The history museum is not what one would expect from a castle this old; it is very modern with 3D images and holograms to narrate the history of the castle. Not my idea of visiting an old castle museum. Besides, we were leaving for Himeji the next day to see the famous Himeji Castle, so we gave this one a miss. Osaka Castle is well-connected by train. You can take the Osaka Loop Line from the Osaka Station to Morinomiya Station. As you step out, you will get beautiful views of the castle from here... you can keep walking in the direction of the castle for about 12 to 15 minutes. First view of the castle from the Morinomiya Station I'm pasting the link to my Instagram reel about the Osaka Castle for your reference. You can follow my Instagram page for more videos on Japan https://www.instagram.com/reel/DRRP2DIk0hJ/?igsh=cXVpOHljbTMzZmV3