Wakayama Cat Train Must-Visit

Japan Travel✈️ Almost forgot to share this super niche Kansai itinerary! 🤔 This one's for those who love off-the-beaten-path cultural experiences + food adventures, and might feel anxious about language barriers! 🚗Day 1: Departure - Osaka Direct flight from Shanghai to Kansai Airport (for those without direct flights, connecting flights can be arranged). To ease the stress for those less confident in language skills, we've arranged a Chinese-speaking driver for airport pickup! Check into hotels in Shinsaibashi area - this district has amazing hotels popping up constantly! From the Ritz-Carlton near Michelin-starred Kikunoi to the reasonably priced Hilton... Personally I prefer the all-black W Hotel! Located right on Shinsaibashi main street, just 10 minutes walk to Dotonbori - perfect for shopping and dining. 🚗Day 2: Osaka - Wakayama Don't miss the themed train experience here! The train cars feature adorable cat-themed paintings and decorations - even the stationmaster is a cat! The 30-minute ride offers views of Japanese countryside shrines and pastoral landscapes, giving strong "Kikujiro's Summer" vibes! Right outside the station stands Wakayama's landmark - Wakayama Castle's main keep! Then board our private Chinese-speaking guide's vehicle to visit Kimiidera Temple, watch the tuna cutting show at the seafood market, and enjoy various Japanese BBQ. After feasting, head straight to a seaside ryokan with hot springs! 🚗Day 3-6: Koya-san - Nara - Kyoto For a deeper Koya-san experience, try temple lodging (shukubo)! This temple represents Japanese aesthetics + aristocratic lifestyle with high status - money can't necessarily buy this experience. Spend the day accompanied by morning bells, evening drums, and ancient Buddhist rituals - the ultimate travel recharge! Next day stop by Nara! For lunch I recommend a teahouse serving Yamato cuisine. Then proceed to Kyoto hotels. This time I chose Four Seasons Kyoto - opposite Kyoto National Museum, next to Myohoji Temple, across from Shin-Hie Shrine, and within walking distance to Kiyomizu-dera and Sannenzaka. Need I say more about why I picked this hotel? Kyoto is all about ancient temples and traditional/Michelin dining! My temple route: Nanzenji - Sanzenin - Kibune Shrine - Arashiyama. Kibune Shrine has special summer illuminations. Also try seasonal kawayuka dining on river platforms. Arashiyama offers boat rides, retro trains, hidden mountain Michelin vegetarian cuisine, and century-old wagashi making. Night walk to illuminated Yasaka Shrine for digestion! 🚗Day 7-8: Uji - Osaka Compact Uji can be explored in half a day - the golden Phoenix Hall at Byodoin, Uji River, vermilion torii gates, and irresistible matcha dessert street... Experiencing authentic Japanese culture without expensive tickets is my ideal travel scenario. Since Japanese summers get hot, we planned evening visits to Osaka Expo sites - besides daytime attractions, you get spectacular light shows and drone performances! Next day, with return flight at 17:45, there's still time for Shinsaibashi/Dotonbori/Umeda shopping!