Expo 2025 Osaka + Exploring Kyoto & Tokyo | A Chatty Japan Travel Diary 🇯🇵✨

Expo 2025 Osaka + Exploring Kyoto & Tokyo | A Chatty Japan Travel Diary 🇯🇵✨

Hey, and welcome to my Japan travel diary. This one’s a bit more relaxed than my usual videos. It’s a casual video log with thoughts and updates as I travel through Japan. In this episode, we’ll visit Expo 2025 in Osaka, explore some new spots in Kyoto and Tokyo, and end with a little check-in on how the trip’s been going and what’s coming next. Let’s get into it. If you’re wondering why my hair looks like this and I don’t have I don’t even have my makeup done. I’m need to do my makeup right now. But I just wanted to hop on here and say hello, start this video before I forget to start this video because this vlo Oh my god, my hair is crazy right now. Please ignore I literally fell asleep with wet hair and I know you’re not supposed to do that. But yeah, I don’t know if you can tell but I don’t even have mascara on. So I’m going to put that on while I talk to you. I am in Japan right now. I’m going to be here for the next 3 and 1/2 weeks. I’m here cuz my dad has some things that he needs my help with. So, I’m here. I’m excited to be here to help. This next week and a half is the only time on this trip where I actually kind of know what’s going on cuz the second half of the trip is like dependent on what happens in the first half of the trip, if that makes sense. So yeah, this is the first time I’m really coming to Japan without really too much of a plan video-wise of like what I’m filming. So it’s kind of liberating cuz I’m feel like it’ll just make me be more creative with the end results of like what this actual video is going to be. But wow, should not do this while talking cuz Okay, ignore the mascara all over my eye. I notoriously always like whenever I put on mascara get just like black mascara all over my eyes, but trust the process because once it dries then you just take a Q-tip and you can just wipe it off and it’s fine. Anyways, landed last night. It was very humid and rainy and I think today is going to be like low7s. So, the weather is actually kind of nice. Knock on wood. We’ll see what it’s like. But we are going to the Kai region in a couple of days. We are going to Wakayyama again. We’re going to Osaka, Kyoto, and then I’m making a solo trip out to Niko, which I am very excited about. I have never been to Niko before, and it’s been on my list of places to visit, not only for myself, because it does have like a lot of world heritage sites, and it’s supposed to be just very naturally pretty and aesthetic. I’m excited to go check that out. And I’m excited because Nikico has also been on my list of places I wanted to visit for my blog and YouTube channel. It’s one of those places where it’s really easy to get to from Tokyo. I wanted to kind of put together a guide for you guys that lists things you can do to Nico and also that provides tips from like firsthand experience of like what it’s like to visit, how I got tickets out there from Tokyo and all of that. So, I’m excited to finally check that off and be able to have that knowledge for anyone who is curious. So, yeah, that’ll be on my channel sometime after this video goes up. Again, I have no idea the cadence of the videos that are going to come out of this trip or like what I’m actually filming, but I think this one is going to be just maybe like a compilation of just like the entire three three and a half weeks that I’m here. um of just like random moments of my time and journey here in Japan doing who knows what. I don’t know. This is like the first time I’m really coming here with no true set plan. So the type A in me is just like what is happening girl? You are all over the place. But then the other side of me is very much like, “Wow, this is kind of nice and like very liberating to just be in Japan and my main goal is to be as present as possible and just enjoy whatever comes.” So yeah, I don’t know. I’m getting ready right now. I obviously still need to do my hair. My dad is out on a run right now and I need to do errands and get a couple of things. Uh, I think I’m just going to wait for him to come back and then we’ll probably get lunch or something together. No real big plans for these first couple of days in Tokyo. I kind of want to just settle in because I know the next week is going to be like back to back hopping from hotel to hotel and I just yeah, I want to rest and not be overly tired for that journey and portion of this trip. Not sure again what this video is going to be, but I hope you guys enjoy seeing my time here in Japan. And I hope it inspires you to come visit. All right, well, I need to get ready, so let’s go do that. And I will check in with you sometime soon. All right, we are on the move. We’re going to go grab some salad and then head on over to Nakameo and go to the donkey there because my dad’s never been to the Starbucks reserve. So, we’re going to go there and then there’s a donkey right next door where I’ll get my shampoo, conditioner, and all the other stuff that I left in LA. [Music] Come by. [Music] This is really good. [Music] Track number 23. Please stay behind the yellow line. [Music] your first meal. Hello friends. I am currently in Wakyama. got into Wakyama last night and then all day today have been driving around with an interpreter and my dad doing things for his business that I am super excited about. We got to meet some amazing craftsmen or crafts people I should say and it was just so interesting and so amazing. I am just very excited for this project to just be out in the world. But until then, um you’re just going to have to deal with these very vague updates. But we’re leaving tomorrow to go to Osaka Expo is in town. So, we’re going to go for a couple of days and then head on over to Kyoto. So, just a lot of Kai region area stuff. And then I head on over to Niko. It is a lot of traveling in a short period of time, but I’m excited. I’m looking forward to just learning all the things and just taking it day by day. I’m really enjoying this time of not having such a set schedule of like I need to film certain things or certain guides. All right, I’m hungry. So, we’re going to go eat and then buy our Shinkansen and limited express tickets because the minute we hit Osaka Kyoto, it’s going to be way more crowded than if we bought them here or if we bought the tickets here in Wakayyama. So, goodbye. See you in a bit. on the train to Osaka from Wakayyama right now. Yeah, we’re heading to Expo today. So, we took an earlier train at like 8:41, I believe, and then so we’re going to arrive in Osaka around like 9:46, check into our hotel slash leave our bags there, and then we’re going to head on over to Expo. I’ve done zero research for Expo and no idea what to expect. Like I don’t even know really what Expo is, which is my bad. But yeah, going because my dad’s really interested in seeing some stuff and just seeing what it’s like and I think it’ll be a good experience for me too to just experience an expo. And it’s kind of cool that it’s in Japan. I have no idea what we’re going to get into, what I’m going to video or anything, but I’m excited. So yeah. [Music] [Music] All right, this lighting is not the best. We are going to the what’s it called again? We’re going to the expo again for day two. The first day was kind of just like let’s just see what this whole thing is about and like how everything’s set up. And then for day two, we’re just going to do some of the things that we were interested in doing yesterday, but just kind of got a little bit tired towards like the end of the day since we did come from Wakayyama. It was really cool to see everything and I thought it was really awesome that it was just like all these countries together in one place and getting to express and share their cultures. There’s a bunch of performances, lots of cool food options. All right, let’s just start this day and yeah, let’s go to Expo day two and I’ll check in with you guys either tonight, tomorrow, during the day. I don’t know. We’ll see what [Music] happens. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to visit Expo 2025. I truly had no idea what to expect, but what I loved was being able to experience and learn about so many different cultures and countries. I don’t have many tips for visiting because we winged the entire visit. We didn’t make any reservations in advance to view certain showcases or pavilions. We simply walked around and admired all the installations and buildings on display. [Music] But my favorite part was visiting the common pavilions which housed multiple countries in each building. It allowed me to learn about so many different countries, some that I had never even heard of before, back to back. It felt like my world opened up and it was an amazing reminder of how vast and big our world is. [Music] Hey, hey, hey. [Music] All right, I’m currently under the Uji Bridge cuz it’s the only kind of quiet spot to vlog. But obviously, we are in Kyoto right now. And we just got in and we decided to just drop off our bags and then head to Uji. My dad needs to pick up some thread from the Kumiimo store. So, we are here in Uji again. We have no real plans of what to do other than to just enjoy the nature and all that stuff. And I will say compared to in the fall, there are so many bugs. So, just be aware, wear your sunscreen, wear your bug spray, and just enjoy the beautiful weather. Right now, it is 72° and perfect weather all throughout Kyoto. I’m so excited to continue exploring. Okay, so we are off to the Kumiimo showroom right now. taking some side streets. So, it’s a nice break from all of the [Music] crowds. I’m excited for this. [Music] I’m running out of room. [Music] Hey guys. So, we are at a really gorgeous temple here in Kyoto. It’s a little farther out of the way than the other temples in Kyoto, so there are literally no crowds here. And it was actually quite pleasant getting here because we had to ride this really unique train that I think goes up into the mountains. So yeah, it’s called Mu Mani Temple and I’m really excited to explore it. So let’s go. One thing about Kyoto is that it’s like sometimes can be a little overcrowded. So I think my new goal when I visit Kyoto is to try to find places like this where it’s just a little off the beaten path but 100% worth it. [Music] I’m going to try to get a goin stamp now. Let’s see if they have it. [Music] Okay, update. So, there was no one on call to write the Ghouine, but I was able to get a pre-written gouene. But now I just need to figure out how to actually glue it or tape it, however, in my gouin stamp book. So, yeah, we need to figure that out. But right now, I think we’re going to head on over to Oashiyama. There’s a couple places we want to go and just kind of check out. And today is really a chill day. So, not sure what we’re going to get into, but all I know is we’re heading to Arashiamyama now. And it has been a very rainy day. So, it’s kind of nice that we now have just this nice cool weather. So, all right, let’s go. [Music] Sorry in advance that this footage quality is all over the place. I’ve been using like five different cameras on this trip depending on convenience. But we are in Arashiamyama. Sorry, that was probably really shaky, but I’m on gravel right now. But wow, this view is amazing. And I got some really good Ekki stamps between here and the last temple we were at. So yeah, I’m really excited. And if you guys are looking to collect Ekki stamps in Japan, definitely go check out my website. I’ll have a link for it in the video description like always. But wow, this is gorgeous. Like look how amazing this is. Wow. So that other side over there is typically where I think people get off um from the train and like the temple place I like is over there in that corner. But the monkey park is on this side of the stream. I think if if I was in Kyoto for more than a couple of days, I’d want to stay like at a hotel or an onen in Orashiamyama and just enjoy all of this beautiful [Music] nature. This is a weird angle, but we got matcha and we got ice cream for a little break. [Music] Hi friends, a little vlog update. I am currently in Nikico right now. I’m here for a couple of days because I wanted to film a guide for you guys, a Niko guide because Nikico is a really popular place to come to during the fall season. Nature and the mountains. It’s so lush and green. I can only imagine how beautiful this place would be in the fall when the colors are changing. H man. So yeah, I definitely want to get a Nikico guide up on my blog and my YouTube before the fall. Definitely. It’s probably going to come during the summer whenever these videos come out. But yeah, so I just wanted to film a little vlog update. I am currently in my hotel room. I decided to call it a day early on my first night in Niko just because I feel like you can actually do Niko in a day trip from Tokyo depending on like the things you want to do. for example, like if you’re just here for the World Heritage sites and all of that, it’s such an easy like you just take one bus, the World Heritage bus line from the Tobuno station, and it’ll take you up to all the spots. They’re all kind of close together. I thought that I was going to be just out and about all day and just like rushing home for dinner, but I ended up finishing early. I had a late lunch and then I’ve been snacking along the way as I’ve been like walking down the main shopping street. So, I am just in right now. I’m going to work a little bit. I plan to go to sleep early because I want to catch an early bus to go out to the lake area. My dinner is the fam cheeky and a Coca-Cola and a vitamin pack. Yeah, I don’t know. I’m just having a really great time and I wanted to check in and say hello. I feel like I did not vlog at all during Kilto or if I did it was really sporadic. But now we are heading into the second leg of this trip in Japan where now it’s kind of like I get to after Nico just be in Tokyo, get some work done and spend some time just exploring what has somewhat become a second home to me. But I think this is a good spot to end part one of this Japan vlog. I thought I was going to be able to fit everything into one massive Japan trip vlog, but I actually ended up filming a lot more than I thought I was going to. So, the guys get a video, too, and that’ll come shortly after this. I’m not sure how my editing cadence is anymore. I feel like this year in particular, I’ve just been all over the place with uploads, and I’m so sorry about that. I don’t know what’s happening. I feel like I was really good at the beginning of the year and then the second half of the year, I don’t know. Or not even the second half of the year, the second half of the first quarter of the year, I just I don’t know. I feel like I was doing a lot of behind thescenes work. Like a lot of stuff that unless you followed my blog, you wouldn’t really know anything was happening, but like things were happening, you know? I’m hoping though this second half of 2025, I’m going to be uploading more hopefully. Yeah. I don’t know. This trip has been very inspiring and I feel very rejuvenated and just I am ready to get back to work which sounds weird because I’m talking about how relaxed I am but I just feel so inspired to share these experiences so that hopefully the people who find these stories and are traveling to Japan or want to come to Japan or are like curious about Japan find travel inspiration from it. It also just I hope that these stories also come with them just like learnings based on my experience so that you don’t have to also struggle like I did or I hope that these tips make things easier for you. So yeah, that’s the goal with my channel, with my blog, with my Instagram, all of that. So yeah, I just hope to be as helpful as possible because I want everyone to be able to experience Japan and have a good time here. Sorry for chatting your ear off at the end of this vlog, but I am excited to see what happens next. We have a week and a half left and zero plans, but we’re going to be in Tokyo, so I’m excited. Oh, and if you want to see more from this Niko trip, which is where I am now, definitely go check out that video, which should be available on my channel soon, or it’s there already. So yeah, just go check that out and I will see you guys next time. Bye. [Music]

Welcome to my Japan travel diary, a more laid-back video in which I share thoughts and updates from my trip through Japan. In this episode, I visit Expo 2025 in Osaka, explore a few new spots in Kyoto and Tokyo, and wrap things up with a little check-in on how the trip’s been going and what’s coming next on the channel.

Whether you’re planning a future Japan trip or just love casual travel vlogs, I hope you enjoy this behind-the-scenes look!

📍 Featured:
– Expo 2025 in Osaka
– Hidden gems in Kyoto
– Everyday moments in Tokyo

More Japan Travel Tips
🤍 What to Book Before Your Trip to Japan (+ FREE Japan Travel Checklist): https://lifestylebyremi.com/what-to-book-in-advance-japan/
🤍 How to Buy Tickets to Popular Japan Attractions: https://lifestylebyremi.com/how-to-buy-tickets-popular-japan-attractions/
🤍 Luggage Delivery in Japan: Your Ultimate Guide for Stress-Free Travel: https://lifestylebyremi.com/japan-luggage-delivery-service-luggagent/
🤍 Japan Rail Pass Guide: https://lifestylebyremi.com/japan-rail-pass/
🤍 What to Know about Oversized Luggage on the Shinkansen: https://lifestylebyremi.com/shinkansen-oversized-luggage/
📗 EKI STAMP BOOK: https://lifestylebyremi.com/shop/

Time Stamps:
00:00 – Intro
00:25 – What I’m Doing in Japan
04:54 – Tokyo Moments
06:10 – Wakayama Travel & Updates
08:01 – Travel to Osaka & Exploring the Grounds at Expo 2025
11:18 – Expo 2025 Osaka – Pavilions & Thoughts
12:56 – Kyoto (Uji, Peaceful Temple, Arashiyama)
20:09 – Reflections About Trip (So Far) & What’s to Come!

Watch Next:
➡️ Japan Travel Checklist: Don’t Miss These Essentials! 🇯🇵: https://youtu.be/6gUJ0yF2dl8

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👩🏻‍💻 Are you planning a trip to Japan? Learn what you need to book BEFORE going to Japan (+HOW to book) here: https://lifestylebyremi.com/what-to-book-in-advance-japan/

✅ Get a FREE “Japan Travel Checklist”: https://pages.lifestylebyremi.com/japantravelchecklist

✅ Download a FREE “Essentials Japan Travel Phrases” PDF: https://pages.lifestylebyremi.com/japantravelphrases

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