How to travel to Osaka without any hassles? -A guide to a hassle-free holiday experience!

Japan welcomes travellers and as a gesture to strengthen this statement, the country has a visa exemption policy for citizens of many nations. If you are someone who holds a passport from the listed countries which is quality for citizens getting visa-on-arrival, you can enter and stay in Japan for up to 90 days with just your passport. You can check your passport’s eligibility for the visa by heading over to the official website of the Ministry of foreign affairs Japan. If your passport doesn’t qualify for an on-arrival visa, you can head to the nearest Japanese consulate in your country where you will need to fill in the visa application along with your passport and the required documents. 

Note: Make sure that your passport has a minimum validity of 6 months and it has enough pages for the stamp. Also, do keep a copy of your passport in case of theft or loss.

There is so much to see and explore in Osaka and unfortunately, you cannot explore every attraction during your visit. Hence you will need to plan and prioritise your itinerary based on your personal interests and preferences. 

Some of the popular attractions and places that are worth getting added to your itinerary are:

• Osaka Castle: A reconstruction of a 16th-century castle that was once the centre of power in the country.
• Universal Studios Japan: A theme park created based on the best works of universal studios. It has themed attractions which showcase movies such as Jurrasic Park, Minions, Fast and the Furious and many more!
• Dotonbori: A famous entertainment district renowned for nightlife, street food, and more!
• Minoo Park: A nature park with a scenic hiking trail.

Note: the best times to visit Osaka are during spring and summer. During spring, travellers could see the streets covered in cherry blossoms.

From many a comfortable family hotel in Osaka the likes of Travelodge Honmachi Osaka, to small and lucrative individual accommodation options, there are plenty of places to stay here. However, if you wish to indulge in a hassle-free and relaxing stay experience, you should consider booking your accommodation well in advance as the hotels will mostly be full during the peak season. If you a lucky enough, you could even find a lot of discounts for booking in advance.

Osaka has a highly efficient and affordable transportation system which includes, subways, buses, taxis bicycles and even ferries. It is recommended that you choose and settle on your preferred mode of transportation while planning your itinerary.

Osaka, like other Japanese administrative regions, has its own cultural norms. Some of them include:

• Bowing when greeting someone - this is the common way of greeting someone here in Japan.
• Using chopsticks properly - use them only if you how know to use them. If you are not, you can always request cutlery such as a fork and spoon from the staff.
• Tipping - Bear in mind, tipping is not required in Japan and the staff sometimes get offended if you tip them.
• Don't smoke in public - smoking in public indoor or outdoor spaces is strictly banned and you could be fined for breaking the law.

In summary, travelling to Osaka can indeed be a fun and exciting activity - enjoy an amazing trip at this iconic destination by following the aforementioned tips.