2026 Japan 2nd trip Part 2 Osaka, Nara, Universal Studios

Day 13 11/10/26 Sat

Travel to Osaka

It was holiday weekend (sports day Monday), so we had trouble getting earlier trains so we took the 1045 train. Thank goodness it was a later one otherwise we may have missed it. Tokyo station was soooo big and confusing. Apparently 2 different shinkansen (bullet train) stations depending on where you are going. Didn't know that previously...so we were confused for a while. We still had plenty of time at the platform and W made a friend just waiting. Funny they were from Houston (Cypress) as well! Serena. Such a sweet and friendly kiddo. 

View of Mt Fuji from bullet train

Humeda Sky

After dropping off bags at hotel, we went to Humeda Sky, high observation deck on the 40th floor. There were so many people watching the sunset. Very pretty, but we can see that nearly every day in Houston (granted not over a river/ocean and mountain in the distance). 

People put locks here symbolizing their love

Day 14 11/11/26 Sun

It was good to get the Amazing pass to get to do a lot of activities and unlimited transportation.

Osaka Castle

We did the cruise around the moat

W and his old classmate in front of traditional Samurai clothing in the castle (which is a museum)

Silly kids looking into well

View from top 8th floor

The one who constructed Osaka Castle had an interesting story: Toyotomi Hideyoshi. 

He originally came from humble beginnings, and then worked his way up. Eventually he took over. Over the course of years he had adopted some sons, but finally when he was in his 60's his wife gave birth to a son, and Hideyoshi ended up killing his adopted son and his family because they were threatening his real son. 

Tonbori River Walk and Cruise

Ate at Kura (so cheap in Japan!), conveyer belt sushi.

Still not sure why this sign is so famous, but so many people were in front of it doing the pose. It's the company that makes Pokey sticks, and this sign has been here since start of the river walk.

HEP Five Gondola

Giant statue of takoyakis (octopus balls) at Takoyaki Market - Yum!

Day 15 10/12/26 Mon Nara

About 1 hour away by train. This is a must visit place! The wild deer are so sweet and they will even bow to you to ask for food. But be aware, if they sense you have more crackers, they can be quite demanding and head butt you. 

Yoshikien Garden (free)

Such a nice quiant garden! So beautiful and well groomed. There is a teahouse to view and also a moss garden.

W in front of Moss Garden

Tea House

Serene, few people

Toda-ji Temple

Largest wooden structure in the world! Amazing! It's even more amazing to think that this was built such a long time ago. And when it was built, it was actually even bigger (this is 7 units, and it was 11 units). 

Image of Buddhist world view (what they thought world and heaven were like) on the Lotus leaves that the Buddha is sitting on

Nara Park

So fun to feed the deer!

It's really amazing that they would bow to you to ask for food

Okonomiyaki at Usagiya Restaurant at Shinsekai Market

Noodle, egg, veggie pancake. I finally convinced AB to try it and then he couldn't stop talking about it. Haha!

Shinsekai Market and Tsutentaku Tower

Day 15 10/14/26 

Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan

Pretty cool museum where it goes from top floor down several floors and each floor is a different region of the world. There is also a gigantic tank in the middle where you can see the giant whale shark.

Good to book ahead. 

Seals are so playful

King penguins were so big!

Dolphin feeding included cool tricks!

Giant Manta Ray!

Hammer head

I'll never get over how weird sun fish look

Whale shark!!!! Pic doesn't do justice to its size

Manta Ray and Spider crab (apparently arms can be span of 3 feet!)

Baby puffer fish

More okonomiyaki!

Telemed for W finger infection: 

https://www.international-clinic.tokyo/ja/online/

W's finger got infected so he developed paronychia with abscess. Felt like a failed pediatrician and mom. Sighs...how did it get to this point? We ended up getting oral antibiotics and hot soaks helped the abscess start to ooze and I opened it up some more with knife to help it drain. Yikes.  

He even complained of the pain during the night, but I didn't turn on the light and it was covered with a bandaid so I didn't see how bad it got. And in the morning I forgot to check on it before we went to the aqaurium! :(

Day 16 10/13/26 Tue Universal Studios Japan Osaka

Got up early, but we wanted W to sleep more and bc w's finger infection, we needed to soak it and that took some time. Got to park around 7:30am (opens 8a). Already tons of ppl.

Nintendo world: 

Very cool, life size! We didn't get the fancy bracelets that let you interact. But it was still cool to experience!

Nintendo World

Will light up and make sounds like the game

Mario Cart Ride

We tried to go Mine Cart ride first thing in the morning, but decided to stop it since the wait was 180min so we went to Mario cart ride. Wait wasn't so bad yet (maybe 30 min?). Fun to go through the waiting line and see bowser's castle. We wore special glasses that allowed us to shoot at objects with turtle shells. But that part kind of distracted me and I didn't get to see the rest of what I was going through. Too focused on shooting lol. 

Yoshi Ride

Waited the longest. Said 60min, but probably 1.5 hr wait. Probably due to timing and mine cart closing. This was pretty much just riding slowly with a view of Nintendo world. Not that exciting but cute. 

Donkey Kong Mine Cart: 

We got so lucky. The ride got rained out while we were waiting for Mario cart. We decided to check it out after Yoshi ride and decided to get in the short provisional line just in case it opens soon. And 5 min later they opened so we barely had any wait! This was W and YW's favorite ride! Very dramatic changing tracks, fun dips, fun music. 

Jurassic Park Ride:

W: "I'm never going to go on that ride again!" It's too dark and didnt like going down or things appearing to about to fall on him.

Can you spot us in the purple and yellow? I was trying to cover W in the end so he didn't get so wet and AB was trying to cover us too haha. 

Jaws the ride: shocked look entire ride. And then screamed when the shark was attacking. But when we told him it was all fake he felt better. "The shark is fake too?"

Waterworld show: AB loved the pre-show shenanigans where vast members sprayed audience with water. Literally lol. But W was super surprised and scared of all the explosions and fake gun fire. He started screaming and asking to leave. Had to leave partly in.  

Harry Potter World

Ab and I each did the forbidden journey Harry potter ride as single riders do it was pretty fast (20min). Meanwhile took w to see the Hippogriff show and Olivander's wand choosing. 

Still can't get over how amazing Harry Potter world is. It really feels like you're in the movies/books. 

Olivander's Wand Choosing

Hippogriff ride

Villain Con Minion Blast

W and AB loved it so much we did it 4 times. Also pretty short lines and it was fun to sync the blaster with our phone app and see our score. W was a bit short and he kept on asking too high so AB was essentially double shooting.

I'm Yest12345 haha

Minion Meyham: pretend we become minions. W: that was kind of weird...

Ab: Did you like it? 

W: kind of...

Dinner Minion Restaurant

Such cute food! 

Freeze Ray sliders: dizzy

W got a candy by saying trick or treat. 

By the time we finished dinner it was past 6p and we had to go through the zombie area (staff roaming street pretending to be zombies bc it was October). We tried sticking to the side of the road because those zombies were scary! Tried to shield W from seeing them and I kept on saying they were being too strange or silly so close your eyes. 

Did a snoopy ride in wonderland. 

Then went to Harry potter world to do the hippogriff rollercoaster bc the line got shorter around 730p. Waited about 45 min. It was fun! Finished off with some butter beer!

Gotta have some butter beer!

What a full day! With some good luck we got to do the mine cart ride so we were happy about that!