Kid in Kansai: How to nail Kansai with a toddler in tow (Part 3)

This has to be one of the two most tiring days in our itinerary. Kobe is west of Osaka, and Himeji is west of Kobe and trains run via Kobe from Osaka. We didn't want to make two trips out to the west, so we decided to be brave and combine them into one day.

It didn't sound too daunting on paper, but in reality, we did enough walking and carrying (of our kid) to have enough exercise for a week (ok, I don't exercise much in the first place anyway).

From JR Namba, you need to make it to Osaka station by changing trains at Imamiya. Thereafter take the train to Himeji (but remember to wait for the Limited Express so that it's faster). Or you can take to Shin Osaka station and take the Shinkansen, which is more expensive.

Either way, upon embarking at Himeji (Junior should have complained about taking too many trains by now), Himeji castle can be seen in the distance. That's the good news. The bad news is, the walk, while one straight road down, will take a good 20 minutes. 

Himeji castle is gorgeous. Period. Sparkling white under the sun after recent renovations, its beauty dwarfs its peer in Osaka. The inside has been restored and open for visitors.

Himeji castle, also known as the White Egret castle

Kid alert: The stairs going up or down inside the castle are remarkably steep, narrow and small. Junior MUST be carried using a carrier, unless Junior is prepared to climb up and down six storeys. You cannot possibly carry him / her in your arms as you'll need them both to hold on to the railings while climbing up or down the stairs (or risk rolling down). Make sure that when being carried in the carrier, Junior's head is not anywhere higher than yours (like those carrier chairs) as the ceilings are fairly low. Prams need to be left outside.

After finishing Himeji, we stopped for a quick lunch at some place (nothing worth mentioning), and proceeded by train to Kobe.

Our first stop at Kobe was Mount Rokko. Stop at Sannomiya station and take bus 16 to Mount Rokko. There is a tram, much like Victoria's Peak in Hong Kong, but much better as the distance and duration is longer, that Junior will surely enjoy.

On the top of Mount Rokko, there is an observation deck, with telescopes and all that will be suitable for Junior's enjoyment.

Mount Rokko observatory

Kid alert: None, this place should be well-liked by the young ones.

Thereafter, we headed down the same way to Sannomiya, where we enjoyed some Kobe beef at Steakland.

Kid alert: The beef and vegetables are cooked on a hot plate before you, so be very careful not to let the young ones touch it. You might want to have this as an early dinner for the adults, then proceed elsewhere to have a more kid-friendly option for your child.

How can you say no to Kobe beef?

After Steakland, we proceeded to Harbourland for the kid's dinner, which has a lot of child-friendly restaurants, along with a ferris wheel and the Anpanman Kids Museum and Mall. Harbourland is especially pretty at night with the lit-up ferris wheel, along with atmospheric European style restaurants by the waterfront.

Harbourland

Kid alert: None for this either, as it's built to be very family-friendly.

We were seriously tired after this, but Himeji castle is well worth a visit just for its sheer beauty. But it really depends on Papa and Mama's physique and determination! (Tip: Start training now).

The complete itinerary:
Day 1: Osaka (Kuromon Market, Osaka Castle, Dotonbori)
Day 2: Osaka (Shitennoji, Sumiyoshi Taisha)
Day 3: Kobe, Himeji (Himeji Castle, Mount Rokko, Harbourland)
Day 4: Nara (Todaiji, Kohfukuji, Nara Park)
Day 5: Kyoto (Arashiyama, Tenryuji, Bamboo Grove, Kinkakuji)
Day 6: Kyoto (Kiyomizudera, Sannenzakai, Ninenzakai, Ishibe Koji, Maruyama Park, Shoren-in, Chion-in, Nanzenji, Path of Philosophy, Ginkakuji)
Day 7: Inari, Uji (Fushimi Inari Taisha, Byodoin Temple, Kaiseki)
Day 8 & 9: Kyoto (Nijo Castle, Kyoto Station, Pontocho, Gion)