Where did we leave off? I think it was at Round1 Stadium, where I got pounded in the stomachs and my friend couldn’t stop laughing at my pain!

Well, after recovering from my pain and slighltly bruised ego, the next morning we set off to explore the wonders of Shitenno-ji Gojunoto temple (四天王寺). Built in 593 CE, it’s one of the oldest Buddhist temple in Japan and is still an active place of worship today. The term Gojunoto refers to its Five-story Pagoda, named after the number of stories it has. Seeing this magnificent structure and soaking in the entire temple complex really highlighted what I love most about Japan. With their vibrant colours and zen atmosphere, it’s easy to take a peaceful stroll through the grounds and soak in the tranquility. The day was crisp and clear, which allowed us to fully appreciate the temple’s essence and explore its museums.

After wrapping up our brisk walk and exploration of the temple, we hopped on a train and headed straight for Nara!

Nara

After about an hour-long train ride, we arrived in the scenic and charming land of Nara, located in the Kinki region. The main reason we came here, of course, was to see the famous bowing deer. But here’s a word of warning for anyone hoping to visit, Nara can get incredibly crowded with tourists, and whether you’ll get a chance to feed the deer or see them bow, well, it really depends on luck and timing. When my friend and I visited, it was a hot, sunny day, and most of the deer seemed pretty lethargic and uninterested.

We tried feeding them the crackers available for sale, but quickly realized it was much better to simply admire the deer and gently stroke them (if they allowed it) rather than compete with the hundreds of tourists shoving crackers—and their fingers—in the poor creatures’ faces. From what we saw, the deer were clearly tired of both the crackers and the constant stream of people. We made sure to approach them calmly and slowly, respecting their space, and feeding them in a way that didn’t cause stress. At least – this was the closest we would get to seeing them bow without forcing or pressuring them. After a few failed attempts at feeding, we decided to take a break and treat ourselves to some ice cream.

After enjoying our delicious dessert and soaking up the rays of the sun, we took a leisurely wander through the park—and to our dismay noticed that many of the Sakura trees hadn’t bloomed. Don’t get me wrong, there were a few trees starting to blossom, but nowhere near as many as we had hoped for. I suppose beggars can’t be choosers in this situation, so we made the most of what we had and snapped a ton of pictures.

Feeding the deer and bows

As we continued exploring, we wandered into the forest, where a friendly local was gathering snacks for the deer. Noticing our curiosity, the kind old man approached and offered us some nuts to feed the deer. His warm, comforting smile was a true reflection of the kindness in the local community. While we had come across some pushy tourists, it was clear that many locals take pride in sharing their culture and hospitality with visitors. I’ve always admired how polite, patient, and composed the Japanese people are, even when dealing with loud crowds and inconsiderate behaviour. Grateful for his gesture, we happily accepted the nuts and set off to find more deer to feed.

With nuts and crackers in hand, we continued our stroll, offering treats to a few curious deer. Away from the crowds near the park entrance, we were able to approach some deer more peacefully, feed them, and, to our delight, received a bow in return!

Nara Park is massive, with so much to see and do. From temples to Japanese gardens, there’s enough to explore to fill an entire day, and you’d still find new spots to discover. Although we only spent a few hours here, I’d recommend setting aside at least an afternoon if you want to truly experience everything the park has to offer. No matter the season, Nara Park is a gem worth visiting.

Gardens and bamboo forests

We wrapped up our afternoon by exploring a beautiful Japanese garden that featured a small bamboo forest—exactly what I had imagined when I thought of Japanese gardens. The serene, almost magical environment captured the sunlight, which filtered through the branches. Standing under the towering bamboo, we couldn’t resist taking a few photos.

Next, we ventured to Asajigahara Enchi (朝日ヶ原園地) and stumbled upon a little stand offering boat rides for tourists. Naturally, we went for it! I quickly volunteered to row, thinking it would be a piece of cake—until I steered us straight into the other boats docked… Apparently, I wasn’t quite as coordinated as I’d hoped, and the locals working nearby couldn’t help but laugh at my attempt. But after a some embarrassment and nattering amongst friends, I finally got the hang of it, and we glided across the small lake/big pond. The setting was breathtaking, with the calm water and surrounding nature, and it was a relaxing break from the crowds. Despite other boats navigating around us and a small wooden pavilion in the middle of the lake with people watching, the whole experience was rather relaxing. It was a spontaneous find, and this is why exploring is so rewarding—you never know what hidden gems you might stumble upon if you stay off the beaten path.

Nara in a Nutshell

As for Nara itself, my takeaway is that I definitely need to return and fully explore the entire park. There’s so much to discover, from temples to stunning natural spaces, all reflecting Japan’s rich culture and maintaining an essence of tranquility. While we did visit primarily for the deer, which piqued our curiosity, I don’t think I’d come back just for them. To be honest, the deer seemed disinterested, surrounded by the crowds of tourists and the noise. We were lucky enough to avoid the stories of deer biting people’s hands or clothes, which is something I’d caution others about if you’re planning to interact with them.

I think the real beauty of Nara park lies in exploring its quieter areas—like the gardens and the forest—rather than hanging around the busy entrance. If you’re a nature lover looking to escape the city, Nara is a great place to visit. After a full day of exploring, we slowly made our way back to the station and headed toward Osaka.

Fun in Universal

As you can probably guess, one of the big reasons we came to Osaka was for Universal Studios. Both of us are huge Mario Bros fans, and I, being a Harry Potter enthusiast, had been looking forward to it for ages!

I’ll spare you the frustrating saga of trying to get tickets for Nintendo World and Harry Potter Land—let’s just say it involved four hours of battling a buggy website late at night, confusion, and lots of frustration. Lesson one, if you are planning to get tickets for Nintendo World/other areas of the park, plan well in advance at a time appropriate to navigate and work this impossible website. Who knows – you’ll probably do a better job than me.

After waking up at the crack of dawn, we quickly gathered our things and rushed to the station. Despite the long queues, we managed to make our way through and took a moment to mentally prepare for what lay ahead.

There are a wide range of areas to explore in the park. You can try out Jurassic Park, where you’ll find a mix of dino-themed attractions, or stroll through Minion Park, which is full of fun and quirky rides. There’s also Downtown New York, where you can immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of the city, and Amity Village, which brings the Jaws movie to life with a boat tour. Each area offers something different, whether you’re after high-energy rides or just enjoying the immersive settings!

Nintendo world

I won’t lie—it was smaller than I expected. Even though we arrived early, it was already crowded, but there was a certain buzz to the place. Here are a few key highlights from this section of the park: the two rides where you can use the fast pass, the famous Kinopios Cafe, the interactive mini-games and blocks you can hit with your overpriced bracelet for that immersive experience, the character dress-up opportunities for photo ops, and of course, the MERCH. After battling through the crowds at the entrance, we bought an overpriced bracelet (check out my TikTok for a video) and wandered through the big green pipe into the wonderful world of Nintendo.

First, we jumped on Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge, which was super fun and immersive. You wear AR glasses and shoot fireballs at targets. The queue section, takes you through Bowser’s castle before you get to the main course. It was quirky and really on-theme. You essentially sit in a four-person cart and compete to collect coins. It’s a lot of fun and interactive, and I’d say it’s definitely the better of the two rides. Afterward, we quickly hopped onto Yoshi’s Adventure, which sits you in a Yoshi and takes you round the park higher up to view. It was (sadly to say) a bit underwhelming—though the visuals were cute, the ride itself didn’t offer much excitement.

Aside from the rides, the park is full of mini-games (with long waits), and a ton of overpriced merchandise. Of course, I couldn’t resist buying a bunch of merch, including a massive Yoshi hat. Did I look ridiculous? Probably. Did I care? Not at all! – Now of course some Merchandise wasn’t just for me, I had to purchase some for family and friends back home!

We didn’t bother waiting in line for the famous Kinopio’s Cafe, as we’d heard the food wasn’t great, and the new Donkey Kong ride hadn’t opened yet. But when the park expands in the future, it might be worth checking out!

Overall, I think the best part of Nintendo World is the atmosphere and aesthetic. The rides are ok, but it’s the setting that really brings the magic. Be prepared for huge crowds, and don’t expect to avoid long queues without a fast pass. Without one, waiting for a single ride can take hours, which can quickly sap the fun out of the experience. The key is staying calm and patient—if you can keep those in check, you’ll be able to manage the day much better.

Harry Potter World

Now Harry Potter has nailed the setting perfectly. With Hogsmede and the castle, it truly captures the magic. The first ride we tried was Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. This immersive ride takes you on a journey we 3D glasses and alongside the characters – as to what the plot was, I’m sorry to say I have no idea as it was in Japanese! – so I apologise for the lack of intel. The ride was alright, a little jolty, but then again I’m not a massive fan of 3d immersive rides too much. Is it worth the wait? – honestly, I’m not sure unlesss you have the fast pass. The other major ride in H.P world is Flight of the Hipporgriff. This ride is definitely my preference out of the two as it has a bit of speed to it, like any rollercoaster.

Overall, Harry Potter World is great for fans, but if you’re just looking for rides, the experience might be a bit average. Still, if you love the books and films, it definitely enhances the experience.

Other areas of the park

Honestly, the standout rides in the park are the big rollercoasters like Hollywood Dream – The Ride and Flying Dinosaur. Despite the long queues, they deliver the speed and thrills that any adrenaline junkie would crave. Hollywood Dream is a classic coaster with a fun twist—it lets you choose whether to ride forwards or backwards, which adds an extra layer of excitement. Flying Dinosaur, on the other hand, is a heart-pounding coaster where you’re strapped in lying down, giving you the feeling of soaring like a bird—definitely a must for thrill-seekers.

For families with younger kids, there are gentler rides like Snoopy’s Great Race and Elmo’s Go-Go Skateboard, which are probably a hit with the little ones but not something we tried ourselves. While these rides (I’m sure) are beloved by families, they don’t quite compare to the thrills of the bigger coasters. If you’re looking for that high-speed, heart-racing experience, those are the ones to aim for!

Tips for Universal Studios
Now, I know I know, I kept mentioning queues, crowds and the fast pass, as well as: Universal Studios gets mixed reviews, but if I had two pieces of advice, it would be:

1. Buy a fast pass. It’s worth it to skip long lines and get on more rides quickly.
2. Start early to avoid the massive crowds, especially in Nintendo World. The later the day goes, the busier the park gets.

We managed to use the fast pass to get on a couple of rides before heading to Nintendo World. I promise you, it made out day SO much better without having to wait horrendously too long. You can either buy directly through the website (which trust me is extremely temperamental) or go through the glorious app Look as another method. Whatever you choose, make sure you prepare well in advance.

General Thoughts on Universal Studios

Patience is key, and if you’re okay with that, you’ll have a great time. I had a lot of fun and left with fond memories, but I knew going in that waiting for hours in line and spending a lot of money would be part of the deal. On a positive note, the staff were fantastic, the atmosphere was lively, and we left happy with our merchandise.

Last evening in Osaka

After a long walk back to our accommodation to pack up all our remaining clothes, souvenirs, and anything else we had left, we stumbled upon what seemed like a local gathering. The park we wandered into was buzzing with activity, filled with chairs, food vendors, and a few guys dressed in punk, gothic-style clothing, playing portable drums, guitar, and a flute. They were singing and dancing to the beats, creating a lively atmosphere. It was pretty random, but we couldn’t help but get caught up in the madness unfolding around us, especially watching the everyone dancing and shouting along to the drum & bass beats. It was amazing to see the community come together and just have fun. While we were too shy to jump in ourselves, we clapped along with the beat, fully embracing the energy of the moment. It’s moments like these—random, unexpected, and full of surprises—that always seem to pop up in my life, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’ve learned to fully embrace the weird and wacky times!

From stumbling upon unexpected performances to meeting new friends along the way, there’s always something surprising around the corner. Trying new foods, having fresh experiences—the possibilities are endless, and it’s these moments that truly make each journey unforgettable.

Osaka: A Busy Buzzing City
Osaka is a very busy city and everyone has somewhere to be. It reminds me a lot of Tokyo, but on a slightly smaller scale (we’ll save Tokyo for later). It’s a great base for exploring day trips, and while there are definitely more tourists here, that’s because it’s a hotspot for visitors. Osaka offers a perfect blend of history, nature, and modern skyscrapers, all while being clean and efficient. The transport system is top-notch, and everything runs on time. It’s a must-see city, no question.

Despite the crowds and the occasional language barrier, you might find parts of Osaka a bit over-commercialised, particularly areas like Namba and Universal Studios, which serve as hotspots. There’s a strong emphasis on shopping and entertainment, which can sometimes overshadow the traditional culture of Japan. However, if you can look past these minor drawbacks, you’ll still have an amazing time exploring the city for a few nights.

Hiroshima vs Osaka
While it’s hard to make a direct comparison, Hiroshima had a quieter, more laid-back vibe, with a strong sense of local charm and a slower pace. The city’s focus on history and peace, especially around the Peace Memorial Park, gives it a reflective and serene atmosphere. In contrast, Osaka is a dynamic, bustling metropolis, offering a vibrant and fast-paced energy. It’s a city where you can easily dive into a mix of modern attractions, shopping districts, and hidden gems. While Hiroshima is perfect for those seeking peace a connection with history, Osaka presents other opportunities to explore—from quirky neighbourhoods to exciting nightlife, all set against a backdrop of skyscrapers and neon lights. If you’re based in Osaka, you’ll find plenty of day trips and places to discover, each with its own unique charm, so it’s a great spot to be if you’re looking for variety and a more urban experience.

The Missing Cherry Blossoms
One thing I can’t help but mention—the cherry blossoms! The reason we started our trip in the south was to catch the bloom, but we hadn’t seen nearly as many as we’d hoped. But we weren’t giving up. As we made our way to the next destination, we continued to hope for a full cherry blossom experience.

Thank you for reading my post—I hope you enjoyed.

Until my next blog of intrepid tales on my trails…!