Wakayama: A Warm & Welcoming City Just Beyond Osaka! 🐱🚂

#summervacay Wakayama, a city easily accessible from Osaka, offers a truly heartwarming experience. My recent trip landed me in Osaka, and from there, I took the JR express line directly to Wakayama, checking into the convenient Hotel Granvia. Hotel Granvia Wakayama: Comfort & Convenience The Hotel Granvia Wakayama is incredibly convenient, located just a 5-minute walk from JR Wakayama Station. While not huge, its main advantage is its unbeatable proximity to the train station, perfect when you're traveling with luggage. The staff speak English, and there's complimentary coffee and beverages available. The Beloved Cat Train: A Must-Do! If you're traveling with kids, the "Cat Train" (猫猫火车) is an absolute must-do! It's a delightful themed train perfect for photos and collecting stamps. To boost tourism, Wakayama transformed some lesser-used city lines into themed trains. There are five unique themes: the Cat Train, Museum Train, Strawberry Train, Robot Train, and a standard version. The journey typically takes about an hour and a half to its final stop, Kishi Station. At the station, you can even see the famous Cat Stationmaster and visit a charming cat-themed cafe! Food & Leisurely Strolls Wakayama is a wonderfully peaceful and quiet city with a small population. It's perfect for leisurely strolls, discovering small local barbecue restaurants and authentic local snacks. You'll also find various small city parks where you can pause, rest, and simply soak in the tranquility of this charming countryside-like urban setting. #wakayama #japantravel