Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe One-Day Travel Itinerary!

Starting Day 2 at the Umeda Hotel, breakfast begins at 6:30 AM. Although the breakfast seems ordinary, you can enjoy Osaka specialties like kushikatsu and takoyaki. After checking out at 7:30 AM, we head to Kuzuha Mall. This marks the 62nd visit to one of the 63 Starbucks Reserve locations in Japan. I visited here last March, but it was under construction, so today is a revisit. After enjoying a morning coffee, we proceed to Uji. In Uji, I collect a manhole card and take photos of two Pokémon manholes. Since I’ve visited Byodoin Temple once before, I opt for a quick glance instead of a full tour. The growing trees have reduced the visible parts of the temple. With some time left, I also visit the Uji Starbucks, where I win a receipt survey coupon. Lucky! After exploring Uji a bit more, I head to Kyoto. I participate in an afternoon tea session. On the way to Kiyomizu Temple, I discover a hidden Japanese garden with flowing water. Interestingly, this is the same group that hosted the afternoon tea I attended two weeks ago in Yame and Dazaifu. What a surprise! This time, the restaurant’s general manager gives us a tour and even hands out business cards. He mentions that presenting his card at other locations of the same group will grant special benefits. I reply that I plan to visit their Heian Shrine branch in Kyoto or locations in Hyogo and Mie during my November trip. I collect another Pokémon manhole in Kyoto before returning to Osaka. In Osaka, I attend a second afternoon tea session with a summer ranch theme. The restaurant is part of a hotel famous for its strawberry buffets in Japan. I visited this place eight years ago. At 6:30 PM, I arrive at the hotel in Kobe for Day 2. The free shuttle bus is fully occupied, mostly by women who don’t seem to be hotel guests. It turns out they are heading to a night pool party at the hotel’s swimming pool. During the 15-minute ride, they were busy applying makeup. 🤣 After checking in, I find that my room doesn’t have a pool view but rather an IKEA view from the balcony. 😂 I visit the hotel’s 33rd-floor paid observation deck, which costs 1,000 yen for hotel guests. The regular fee is 1,500 yen, but the space is quite small despite being outdoors. It includes one drink, though. I expected something larger, like a beer garden, but it wasn’t the case. Still, the night view is stunning, making it worth the price of a hotel beer. I take the shuttle back to the city center and visit the free observation deck at Kobe City Hall. Unfortunately, the Okura Kobe Hotel blocks the view of Kobe Port Tower. For dinner, I have Yoshinoya beef bowl before taking the free shuttle back to the hotel to rest. Thank you!