My wife and I have been to Japan three times, once to Osaka-Kyoto and twice to Tokyo. The Osaka-Kyoto trip was done in July 2007. In Oct 2008 and August 2010, we went to Tokyo. Just want to share and pen down some of the sights, sounds and interesting stuff from those trips.
The Osaka-Kyoto trip was a cultural experience where we wanted to be immersed in Jap culture. It was my first trip to Japan and everything seemed new to me. We stayed in the Miyako Sheraton Hotel. The June weather was hot and dry most of the time.
The Osaka-Kyoto trip was a cultural experience where we wanted to be immersed in Jap culture. It was my first trip to Japan and everything seemed new to me. We stayed in the Miyako Sheraton Hotel. The June weather was hot and dry most of the time.
We spent a good part of the first day at the famous Osaka Castle. It is basically a museum, showcasing Osaka's past during the feudalistic period. There were exhibitions showing different samurai or ninja dress, armour and weapons. 
Near the Osaka Castle, we entered a park where there was a summer carnival going on. Lots of game and food stalls. We decided to makan there and bought Okonomiyaki (Japanese Assorted Pancake).
Osaka is home to the Universal Studios Theme Park and a visit to the theme park is a must. All the rides are in Japanese. So you will hear Spiderman, Shrek and Terminator speak Japanese.
Another must-see is the Osaka Aquarium or Kaiyukan. The Pacific Ocean Tank is 10 m deep and it houses a whale shark, bluefin tuna, manta ray and many ocean going fishes. 
to visit the Kinkakuji Temple (Golden Temple) and .....
finally the Gion Alley. If you are lucky, you will see a few Geishas or Maikos in Gion. 
We planned for a side trip to Kyoto since it is a cultural centre. It is a must to visit the world famous Kinomizudera temple (Pure Water Temple)........
and make a wish at the love stone and do the "Love Test Walk"......
to visit the Kinkakuji Temple (Golden Temple) and ..... finally the Gion Alley. If you are lucky, you will see a few Geishas or Maikos in Gion. 
If you walk further into Gion Alley, there is a theatre called Gion Corner where we stayed to watch a staged performance introducing the various Japanese arts. From the tea ceremony, flower arrangement, playing the Japanese harp, to Traditional Comic play and Puppet Play. It was quick snap shot into Japanese culture.
Shopping was kept to a minimal where we just went around the shopping centres in Shinsaibashi and sampled some of the local street-side food and local delicacy. Yum Yum....
10. Never Gonna Give You up - Rick Ashley