🌍 Journey through Japan and Taiwan: Osaka Castle to Taipei Night Markets

Peter Nguyen

11 Mar 2024

Embark on a thrilling 25-day adventure across Japan and Taiwan, exploring ancient castles, vibrant cityscapes, and bustling night markets. Immerse yourself in the rich history of Osaka Castle, marvel at the iconic Tokyo Skytree, and indulge in delicious street food at Taipei's famous night markets. Join us on this unforgettable journey of discovery and excitement!

Trip to Ōsaka-jō

Get Your Guide

Viator

Day 1Osaka Castle Park and Shinsaibashi-Suji Shopping Street

$13

$ 3

Vast green space offering gardens with cherry blossoms, athletic fields, open-air theaters & more.

8:00 AM - 11:00 AM

•

$13

19 - 23 min

Directions

Bustling shopping district featuring a wide range of high-end tax-free shops with airport delivery.

11:30 AM - 1:30 PM

•

Free

Day 2Osaka Castle, Dotonbori, and Tennoji Zoo

$50

$ 6

Revered castle dating to 1597 & since rebuilt, featuring gardens & a museum with varied exhibits.

8:00 AM - 10:00 AM

•

$25

19 - 23 min

Directions

Lively entertainment district known for its soaring illuminated billboards, restaurants & theaters.

10:30 AM - 12:30 PM

•

Free

9 - 11 min

Directions

Mainstay in Tennōji Park housing 200-plus species in varied habitats, from savanna to rainforest.

1:00 PM - 4:00 PM

•

$25

Day 3Universal Studios Japan

$200

This sprawling theme park dedicated to popular American movies features rides & live entertainment.

8:00 AM - 2:00 PM

•

$200

Budget breakdown: $1369 In total

Activities & Food:$1307

Transport:$62

Trip to Kyoto

Get Your Guide

Viator

Day 1Osaka Castle Park and Shinsaibashi-Suji Shopping Street

$38

$ 4

Contemporary space with exhibits on the railway & an array of locomotives & trains on display.

8:00 AM - 10:00 AM

•

$25

26 - 32 min

Directions

Historic, tranquil temple with a gold-leaf facade set amid landscaped gardens & a reflecting pond.

10:30 AM - 12:00 PM

•

$13

Day 2Osaka Castle, Dotonbori, and Tennoji Zoo

$33

$ 4

Built in 1603, this cypress-wood castle with extensive gardens was a home for the shogun Ieyasu.

8:00 AM - 10:00 AM

•

$20

38 - 46 min

Directions

Tours are offered of this iconic temple with a scenic pond & garden, plus a building with artifacts.

10:30 AM - 12:00 PM

•

$13

Day 3Universal Studios Japan

$25

$ 4

Mountainside Shinto shrine dating from 711 A.D. featuring a path with hundreds of traditional gates.

8:00 AM - 10:00 AM

•

Free

16 - 20 min

Directions

Iconic Buddhist temple on Mount Otowa known for the scenic views afforded from its sizable veranda.

10:30 AM - 12:30 PM

•

$25

Budget breakdown: $1369 In total

Activities & Food:$1307

Transport:$62

Trip to Tokyo

Get Your Guide

Viator

Day 1Osaka Castle Park and Shinsaibashi-Suji Shopping Street

$120

Part of the Disney resort, this large park has 7 themed ports of call with rides, shows & dining.

8:00 AM - 2:00 PM

•

$120

Day 2Osaka Castle, Dotonbori, and Tennoji Zoo

$120

$ 3

Tokyo offshoot of the iconic theme park known for its rides, live shows & costumed characters.

8:00 AM - 2:00 PM

•

$120

22 - 27 min

Directions

Sprawling waterfront green space with a Ferris wheel, lush gardens, a BBQ area & pathways.

2:30 PM - 4:30 PM

•

Free

Day 3Universal Studios Japan

$58

$ 3

World's tallest freestanding broadcasting tower with an observation deck boasting 360-degree views.

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

•

$38

15 - 18 min

Directions

Popular city park featuring ample walking paths, a lake with boat rentals, a zoo & several museums.

9:30 AM - 12:30 PM

•

Free

3 - 4 min

Directions

19th-century zoo with 400+ animal species, including pandas, a petting area & a 5-story pagoda.

1:00 PM - 4:00 PM

•

$20

Day 4Kyoto Railway Museum and Kinkaku-ji

$ 3

Large, public city park with lakes, fountains & forested areas with mature trees.

8:00 AM - 10:00 AM

•

Free

17 - 26 min

Directions

Surrounded by forest, this venerable Shinto shrine features a seasonal iris garden.

10:30 AM - 12:30 PM

•

Free

11 - 14 min

Directions

This former estate is now a 144-acre park with diverse garden areas, grassy expanses & a greenhouse.

1:00 PM - 4:00 PM

•

Day 5Nijō Castle and Byōdō-in Temple

$38

$ 6

Large, modern venue presenting temporary exhibitions of Japanese & international art.

8:00 AM - 10:00 AM

•

Free

12 - 15 min

Directions

Reminiscent of the Eiffel Tower, this landmark features observation areas & other attractions.

10:30 AM - 12:30 PM

•

$38

17 - 21 min

Directions

This site with scenic gardens & tours of the grounds is the main residence of the emperor of Japan.

1:00 PM - 4:00 PM

•

Free

Budget breakdown: $1369 In total

Activities & Food:$1307

Transport:$62

Trip to Taipei

Get Your Guide

Viator

Day 1Osaka Castle Park and Shinsaibashi-Suji Shopping Street

$ 2

Dozens of food vendors line this bustling night market, serving traditional Taiwanese street eats.

8:00 AM - 10:30 AM

•

Free

9 - 11 min

Directions

Bustling market opening in the evening for street food, snacks, drinks & apparel.

11:00 AM - 1:30 PM

•

Free

Day 2Osaka Castle, Dotonbori, and Tennoji Zoo

$ 4

Traditional night market offering a variety of street food, discount clothing & accessories.

8:00 AM - 10:30 AM

•

Free

15 - 18 min

Directions

This well-known temple originally built in the 1700s honors both Buddhist & Taoist deities.

11:00 AM - 12:30 PM

•

Free

7 - 9 min

Directions

Tranquil park with paths & pavilions, plus monuments & a museum dedicated to the 228 Massacre.

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

•

Free

Day 3Universal Studios Japan

$25

$ 4

Tall Ferris wheel on the roof of a mall, offering elevated views & a few glass-floor cabins.

8:00 AM - 9:30 AM

•

$25

20 - 24 min

Directions

Bustling nighttime market featuring traditional food options in covered, outdoor surrounds.

10:00 AM - 12:30 PM

•

Free

11 - 14 min

Directions

Celebrated memorial hall with history exhibits surrounded by a large park with fish ponds & gardens.

1:00 PM - 2:30 PM

•

Free

Day 4Kyoto Railway Museum and Kinkaku-ji

$13

$ 2

Large indoor-outdoor zoo in a scenic setting with a children’s area, gondola & shuttle train.

8:00 AM - 11:00 AM

•

$13

13 - 16 min

Directions

Buzzing, venerable nighttime street market offering shops & street food vendors.

11:30 AM - 2:30 PM

•

Free

Day 5Nijō Castle and Byōdō-in Temple

$ 4

Vibrant late-night market featuring hundreds of stalls selling local street foods & snacks.

8:00 AM - 10:30 AM

•

Free

8 - 10 min

Directions

Large city-center park offering grassy picnic areas, a playground, footpaths & ponds with wildlife.

11:00 AM - 1:00 PM

•

Free

20 - 24 min

Directions

Popular lake offering scenic cliffs, pedal boats, eateries & a suspension bridge for pedestrians.

1:30 PM - 3:30 PM

•

Free

Day 6Fushimi Inari Taisha and Kiyomizu-dera

$13

$ 2

Family-friendly attraction featuring kids' rides, indoor & outdoor play areas & arcade games.

8:00 AM - 11:00 AM

•

$13

7 - 9 min

Directions

Prominent former home of late Republic of China President Chiang Kai-shek, featuring scenic gardens.

11:30 AM - 1:30 PM

•

Free

Day 7Tokyo DisneySea

$ 4

Qing dynasty market street serving up local delicacies including pastries, duck & taro cake.

8:00 AM - 9:30 AM

•

Free

34 - 41 min

Directions

Former lake created by a volcanic eruption, now full of white calla lilies in the springtime.

10:00 AM - 11:30 AM

•

Free

46 - 56 min

Directions

Compact pedestrian road lined with shops & snack sellers, plus street performers & sculptures.

12:00 PM - 2:00 PM

•

Free

Day 8Tokyo Disneyland and Kasai Rinkai Park

Scenic destination with hot springs & hiking trails, plus the country's largest dormant volcano.

8:00 AM - 12:00 PM

•

Free

Budget breakdown: $1369 In total

Activities & Food:$1307

Transport:$62

Trip to Tokyo

Get Your Guide

Viator

Day 1Osaka Castle Park and Shinsaibashi-Suji Shopping Street

$76

$ 6

World's tallest freestanding broadcasting tower with an observation deck boasting 360-degree views.

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

•

$38

26 - 32 min

Directions

Reminiscent of the Eiffel Tower, this landmark features observation areas & other attractions.

9:30 AM - 11:30 AM

•

$38

23 - 28 min

Directions

Surrounded by forest, this venerable Shinto shrine features a seasonal iris garden.

12:00 PM - 2:00 PM

•

Free

Day 2Osaka Castle, Dotonbori, and Tennoji Zoo

This former estate is now a 144-acre park with diverse garden areas, grassy expanses & a greenhouse.

8:00 AM - 11:00 AM

•

Day 3Universal Studios Japan

$120

Tokyo offshoot of the iconic theme park known for its rides, live shows & costumed characters.

8:00 AM - 2:00 PM

•

$120

Day 4Kyoto Railway Museum and Kinkaku-ji

$120

Part of the Disney resort, this large park has 7 themed ports of call with rides, shows & dining.

8:00 AM - 2:00 PM

•

$120

Budget breakdown: $1369 In total

Activities & Food:$1307

Transport:$62

Trip to Ōsaka-jō

Get Your Guide

Viator

Day 1Osaka Castle Park and Shinsaibashi-Suji Shopping Street

$200

This sprawling theme park dedicated to popular American movies features rides & live entertainment.

8:00 AM - 2:00 PM

•

$200

Day 2Osaka Castle, Dotonbori, and Tennoji Zoo

$38

$ 3

Lively entertainment district known for its soaring illuminated billboards, restaurants & theaters.

8:00 AM - 10:00 AM

•

Free

18 - 22 min

Directions

Vast green space offering gardens with cherry blossoms, athletic fields, open-air theaters & more.

10:30 AM - 1:30 PM

•

$13

3 - 4 min

Directions

Revered castle dating to 1597 & since rebuilt, featuring gardens & a museum with varied exhibits.

2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

•

$25

Budget breakdown: $1369 In total

Activities & Food:$1307

Transport:$62