Kaneyoshi Ryokan
TATTOO OK📍 Dotonbori • Est. 1919
Century-old ryokan with traditional tatami rooms and private Japanese-style baths. Perfect for maintaining the "ancient" feel.
Transit & Accommodations
The transition from Kyoto to Universal Studios Japan is efficient via the JR rail network, taking approximately 1 hour. After two nights exploring Osaka, fly to Seoul from Kansai International Airport.
🚃 Kyoto to Universal Studios ~1 HOUR
| Step | Route | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 1. JR Special Rapid | Kyoto Station → Osaka Station | ~30 min |
| 2. JR Loop Line | Osaka Station → Nishikujo Station | ~10 min |
| 3. JR Yumesaki Line | Nishikujo → Universal City Station | ~5 min |
💡 Depart Kyoto by 08:00 to arrive before USJ gates open (09:00).
🎂 Birthday Strategy
Head immediately to Guest Services (left of main gate) for a Birthday Sticker. Crew members and characters will provide special greetings!
🎮 Power-Up Band
Purchase a Power-Up Band (¥4,200) to participate in interactive Key Challenges and collect digital stamps.
✈️ Osaka (KIX) to Seoul Flights JULY 1
| Airline | Route | Departure | Arrival | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asiana Airlines | KIX → GMP | 11:10 | 13:00 | Star Alliance |
| Korean Air ⭐ | KIX → ICN | 14:00 | 15:55 | Full Service |
| Jin Air | KIX → ICN | 18:00 | 19:55 | Low-Cost |
| Peach Aviation | KIX → ICN | 19:40 | 21:40 | Budget |
💡 Flight duration is approximately 1h 50min to 2 hours. GMP (Gimpo) is closer to central Seoul than ICN (Incheon).
🏨 Accommodations 3 OPTIONS
Scroll to explore • All with excellent dining options
Zentis Osaka
VEGAN OPTIONS📍 Central • 5-Star Boutique
Modern sophisticated design with verified halal, vegetarian, and vegan dining options on-site.
Swissotel Nankai
FAMILY📍 Above Namba Station • High-End
Large family-friendly rooms with multiple dining styles. Convenient direct access to airport trains.
🌱 Vegan Gastronomy Highlights
Paprika Shokudo
"Veganized" Izakaya experience. Perfect for birthday dinner.
Green Earth
Osaka's oldest vegan restaurant (est. 1991). Teishoku sets.
OKO Takoyaki
Rare vegan versions of Osaka's signature street food.
Shojin Sushi Minamo
High-end vegan sushi and shojin-ryori side dishes.
Trip Activity Balance
Balanced mix of adventure, culture, and cuisine.
29
Day 1: Birthday at Super Nintendo World
Monday — Son's Special Day 🎂
08:00 Depart Kyoto
↗
Transit from Kyoto to Universal City Station via JR Special Rapid and Yumesaki Line.
JR Special Rapid + Yumesaki Line
55 min
09:00 USJ Gates Open 🎂 BIRTHDAY
↗
Head to Guest Services (left of main gate) for Birthday Sticker. Crew members and characters will give special greetings all day!
Walk inside park
10 min
10:30 Super Nintendo World
↗
Explore the immersive Mario world! Use your Power-Up Band (¥4,200) to participate in interactive Key Challenges and collect digital stamps.
12:30 Birthday Lunch: Kinopio's Cafe 🌱 VEGAN
↗
Celebratory lunch at Toadstool Cafe. Try the Portobello Mushroom Pizza or Yoshi's Favorite Fruit & Veggie Salad—both plant-based!
14:30 Donkey Kong Country
↗
Visit the NEW expansion! Ride Mine Cart Madness and summon Rambi the Rhino via interactive bongo drums.
16:30 Hotel Check-in
↗
Depart USJ and check into your Osaka hotel (Swissotel Nankai or alternative). Rest before dinner.
19:00 Birthday Dinner: Paprika Shokudo Vegan 🌱 VEGAN
↗
A stylish, rustic vegan restaurant in the city center. Perfect birthday dinner with a "veganized" Izakaya experience.
Day 1 Experience Mix
All-out birthday fun!
30
Day 2: Nara "Bambi" Deer & Artisan Mochi
Tuesday — Sacred Deer, Mochi Workshop & Ancient Temples
JR Yamatoji Rapid or Kintetsu
45 min
09:30 Nara Park "Bambi" Deer
↗
Interact with 1,300 free-roaming sika deer. Purchase shika senbei and experience the unique bowing behavior of these sacred animals.
Walk through deer park
10 min
11:00 Todai-ji Temple (Great Buddha)
↗
Marvel at the 15-meter bronze Daibutsu housed in the world's largest wooden hall. A true engineering masterpiece.
Walk toward Naramachi
15 min
13:00 Lunch: Onwa Vegan Cafe 🌱 VEGAN
↗
Relaxed, fully vegan cafe near Nara Park. Enjoy seasonal plant-based plates and specialty coffee.
Walk in Naramachi area
10 min
14:00 Mochi Making Workshop
↗
Hands-on 60-minute session at Nakanishi Yosaburo. Learn traditional shaping and filling techniques for seasonal wagashi.
Walk to shopping street
5 min
16:00 Nakatanidou Mochi Show
↗
Witness Japan's fastest mochi pounding! A high-speed spectacle of traditional craftsmanship in the Naramachi district.
Day 2 Activity Flow
A profound cultural journey into Japan's ancient capital.
🍡 Artisan Mochi Tips
- • Nakanishi Yosaburo established in 1913
- • Learn to shape delicate seasonal sweets
- • Watch Nakatanidou for high-speed pounding
- • Perfect hands-on activity for all ages!
1
Day 3: Historic Osaka & Seoul Bound
Wednesday, July 1 — Architecture & Departure
09:00 Nakazakicho District
↗
A hidden gem of pre-war architecture. Wander narrow lanes of preserved wooden machiya townhouses now housing independent artisan boutiques.
🚃 Metro Tanimachi Line to Shinsaibashi 15 min
11:30 Lunch: OKO Takoyaki 🌱 VEGAN
↗
A quirky, eccentric spot to try vegan versions of Osaka's signature Takoyaki (octopus balls) and Kushikatsu.
🚶 Walk to Namba Station 10 min
12:30 Transit to Kansai Airport (KIX)
↗
Take the Nankai Rapit or JR Haruka express from Namba/Tennoji to KIX (~45-60 min).
🚃 Nankai Rapit Express to KIX 50 min
14:00 Flight to Seoul (ICN) ✈️
↗
Board your Korean Air flight to Incheon. Next adventure awaits in South Korea!
Osaka Summary
Artisan & Gastronomic Highlights
🎮
Super Nintendo World
Birthday celebration with interactive digital challenges and Power-Up Band experiences.
🍡
Artisan Mochi Workshop
Hands-on 60-minute session learning traditional sweets-making in a 1913 establishment.
🦌
Nara "Bambi" Park
Interaction with sacred, bowing sika deer in Japan's first permanent capital.
🏯
Todai-ji Daibutsu
One of the world's largest bronze Buddha statues in a massive wooden hall.
🏘️
Nakazakicho District
Pre-war machiya architecture with hidden artisan boutiques.
🏰
Kaneyoshi Ryokan
Showa-era traditional architecture with verified tattoo-friendly policies.