Osaka

Thank you so much to the butler for taking such good care of us. He brought us small gifts, worried about us getting our clothes wet, and made all the necessary arrangements. Although we weren't assigned a Chinese translator, he tried his best to understand all our ideas using Japanese and the translator. If we had more time for our adventure, I think this would have been a very worthwhile choice.

Highly recommended for families traveling with children! Changing flight times is extremely convenient, eliminating worries about flight delays and saving a lot of queuing time. When entering the station, you can scan your child's barcode first to let them pass, then scan the barcodes of accompanying family members, and finally swipe your card to enter. The whole process is smooth and convenient! Exiting the station follows the same process. Just make sure your internet connection is working after you get off the plane, otherwise you won't be able to scan your card to enter the station!

Aside from the slightly higher prices for dining inside the park, the restaurant staff were very helpful in finding seats and providing directions, which I appreciated! Everything else was great! The experience was excellent, but unfortunately, the zombie apocalypse was canceled due to rain.

Our cruise ship docked at Osaka port for the day. We were able to take the subway to Dotonbori in the morning, then returned in late afternoon to go to the aquarium and the small shopping area adjacent to the ship dock. This is the best aquarium we ever visited. You start at the top and walk in a spiral downward, around a large tank that houses both large and small fishes-sharks, manta rays and the largest sunfish I ever saw. There are many other tanks along the walls too where you can see otters and two displays for penguins (my favorite!). The jellyfish tanks are mesmerizing! Give yourself a minimum of 2 hours to see it all although at a very relaxed pace I think 3.5-4 hours would be just right. They do utilize strict entrance time frames according to time on your ticket. One of the highlights of our last Japan trip so don’t miss it!

Redeeming tickets using the QR code was a smooth process. The glass of the Abeno Harukas observation deck on the 60th floor was spotless, offering a 360-degree panoramic view of Osaka. I recommend visiting near dusk to see the daytime, sunset, and nighttime views all at once. Snacks with your ticket can be redeemed at the Sky Garden on the 58th floor. You can enjoy snacks while admiring the view at the outdoor restaurant – a truly pleasant experience.

Harry Potter and Don Quixote were so much fun! Buying time with money was such a good deal. Luckily, the crowds weren't too big this time, and we even got to see the Halloween zombies!

Two days of free Osaka transportation admission, excellent value for money; two ferry rides to the observation deck and a bungee jump will make it worthwhile.