I recently visited Kyoto and Osaka, two cities I’ve been to many times because of friends living there. However, this was my first time experiencing them in autumn.
Kyoto’s autumn foliage is world-famous, attracting tourists from all over. With hotel prices skyrocketing and the city getting packed, I’d always avoided visiting during this season.
But after hearing my Preply students rave about Kyoto’s autumn charm, I couldn’t resist planning a trip myself.
As a Japanese tutor, I often teach students about Japan’s culture and language. But sometimes, I learn even more from them about Japan than they learn from me.
Though I’ve always been interested in foreign countries and languages, this job has helped me discover aspects of Japan’s beauty that I never knew before. This trip made me feel truly grateful for my work.
I hope this travel journal inspires anyone thinking about visiting Japan!
- Where I Stayed: Takatsuki — Perfect for Exploring Kyoto and Osaka
- Work Hotel Annex: Relaxing in an Onsen
- Kyoto Highlights: Arashiyama and the Magical Maple Tunnel
- Maple Tunnel: An Enchanting Night Illumination
- Osaka: Universal Studios Japan (USJ)
- Hollywood Dream: Music-Filled Roller Coaster
- So Many Souvenirs: I Chose a Star!
- Kyoto and Osaka Were Incredible: I Hope You Visit Too!
Where I Stayed: Takatsuki — Perfect for Exploring Kyoto and Osaka
This time, I stayed in Takatsuki City, Osaka.
Takatsuki is what you’d call a “bedroom town”—a primarily residential area with few tourist attractions (though Japanese history buffs might enjoy its many ancient burial mounds).
However, Takatsuki sits right between Kyoto and Osaka, making it incredibly convenient for sightseeing.
- Takatsuki Station to Kyoto Station (JR): 12 minutes
- Takatsuki Station to Osaka Station (JR): 15 minutes
These are the fastest travel time. The exact time depends on the type of train. Takatsuki-shi Station on the Hankyu Railway is also an option, offering easy access to many destinations.
Hotel prices in Kyoto can skyrocket during autumn. I recommend using Takatsuki as a base if you plan to visit both Kyoto and Osaka.
Work Hotel Annex: Relaxing in an Onsen
I stayed at Work Hotel Annex, which seems to be an extension of Work Hotel Takatsuki.
The hotel is reasonable, but has a natural hot spring, perfect for easing sore muscles after a long day of exploring.
Some rooms even come with private open-air baths—a great option if you prefer a private onsen experience.
The in-room baths are available even late at night. I wish I had booked one because I couldn’t sleep well after napping for about five hours on the bus to Kyoto.
Soaking in the onsen under a starry sky was the ultimate way to relax.
Kyoto Highlights: Arashiyama and the Magical Maple Tunnel
Kyoto is famous for its temples and shrines, many of which I’ve already visited.
This time, I focused on seeing autumn foliage at Arashiyama and the Maple Tunnel—both located away from Kyoto’s city center.
Arashiyama: Nature’s Beauty Year-Round
Arashiyama is a scenic mountain area in western Kyoto, famous for its iconic bamboo grove.
It’s also popular for its seasonal landscapes and the Hozugawa River Boat Ride.
My Preply students had highly recommended visiting, so it was already on my must-see list.
Living in the concrete jungle of central Tokyo, I found the nature-filled views incredibly refreshing.
Jojakko-ji Temple: The Essence of Wabi-Sabi
I hadn’t planned much before heading to Arashiyama, but I came across Jojakko-ji Temple while searching for must-see spots along the way.
The temple is famous for its stunning autumn foliage, so I decided to check it out—and it was truly breathtaking.
It even rained during my visit, which made the maple leaves glisten, highlighting their deep crimson color even more.
I love the temple’s name, 常寂光寺 (Jojakko-ji):
- 常 (Jo) = always
- 寂 (Jaku) = silent, lonely
- 光 (Ko) = light
- 寺 (Ji) = temple
Wabi-sabi…
The name comes from the Buddhist concept of 常寂光土 (Jojakko-do, 土[do] = land), an ideal spiritual realm in the Tendai sect of Buddhism.
Located at the edge of Arashiyama, the temple is quiet and serene—— a name that truly fits its atmosphere. From the hilltop, you can enjoy panoramic views of Kyoto’s Sagano area.
Maple Tunnel: An Enchanting Night Illumination
This was the highlight of my trip! I even posted a video of it on my X—check it out!
The Maple Tunnel is a stunning route on the Eizan Electric Railway in northern Kyoto. The train passes through a corridor of maple trees, creating a tunnel-like effect.
Every November, the area is illuminated for a limited time, and the train’s interior lights are dimmed as it passes through the tunnel, letting passengers fully enjoy the magical, painting-like scenery.
Sadly, I missed the special train with window-facing seats because my bus to Kyoto was delayed—but I highly recommend it if you go!
Surprisingly, the Maple Tunnel still seems relatively unknown. I only learned about it from one of my Preply students who had studied abroad in Kyoto.
Even the two Japanese friends who joined me had never heard of it—despite one of them living in Osaka!
I’m so grateful to my student for introducing me to this hidden gem.
Osaka: Universal Studios Japan (USJ)
When you think of Osaka, USJ is a must-visit! I love USJ and have been there many times.
Nintendo World: A Gamer’s Paradise
However, I hadn’t visited Nintendo World Area since it opened 2021, during the pandemic, so this was my first time there.
The area was much bigger than I expected! Mario characters were everywhere, making it feel like stepping into a real-life video game world.
The Hidden blocks make the familiar “clink” sound when you hit them from below, just like in the games!
I rode the Mario Kart: Koopa’s Challenge, but it was trickier than I thought. Next time, I’ll be more prepared.
I had the Mario Burger at Kinopio’s Cafe! Kawaii!
Incidentally, as I’m writing this blog, the new Donkey Kong area has just opened.
I hope they keep adding more attractions to Nintendo World!
Hollywood Dream: Music-Filled Roller Coaster
My favorite USJ ride is Hollywood Dream.
Unlike ordinal roller coasters, this one has built-in speakers on the seats, so you can listen to music while riding.
You can choose from various songs, including Japanese hits and international favorites like Taylor Swift’s Shake It Off and Michael Jackson’s BAD (the available songs change seasonally).
The default track is Osaka LOVER by a band called DREAMS COME TRUE—a perfect fitting name!
The song features the Osaka dialect (Kansai-ben), which would make it fun for Japanese learners. I might translate and introduce it in a future blog post!
So Many Souvenirs: I Chose a Star!
Nintendo World has the cutest merchandise—browsing alone was fun!
I wanted to buy the Bob-omb sweets as souvenirs for my friends, but they were too bulky. Instead, I went with the Super Star!
USJ is also selling the Super Star popcorn buckets that light up. I didn’t buy because it seemed inconvenient to bring back it to Tokyo—but now I regret it. I might end up getting next time!
Kyoto and Osaka Were Incredible: I Hope You Visit Too!
Autumn in Kyoto was even more breathtaking than I expected. Temples and shrines surrounded by fall foliage must be absolutely stunning, and I hope to visit again in the same season.
As for USJ, no matter how many times I go, it never gets old. With new attractions opening regularly, there’s always something exciting to see and do.
Growing up, I wasn’t very familiar with Disney, so I never fully understood the appeal around Disneyland.
However, visiting Nintendo World made me realize just how fun theme parks can be.
Seeing Yoshi and Thwomp move around in real life was so thrilling! If you’re a Mario fan, I can’t recommend visiting enough.
Kyoto also opened the Nintendo Museum this year. Unfortunately, I couldn’t get a reservation this time, but it’s definitely on my must-visit list for the future.
Nintendo’s very first museum offers a nostalgic trip back in video game time –– CNN
Like Akihabara, both Kyoto and USJ were packed with international tourists. almost everyone around me seemed to be from overseas since I visited on a weekday afternoon.
With the pandemic easing and the yen remaining weak, I’m sure the number of international visitors will keep rising. I hope more people get the chance to experience and enjoy Japan!
