The Tennoji Zoo is Japan’s third oldest zoo. The 11 hectare (27 acres) zoo is home to 1,000 animals from 230 species. Families in the greater Osaka region love the place. It attracts 1.5 million visitors each year. The zoo is inside Tennoji Park, and it opened in 1915. Its location in the park makes … Read more
Can’t get enough of Namba’s electric atmosphere? Stay there in comfort at the Namba Oriental Hotel, a mid-range hotel positioned right in the heart of Namba’s shopping, dining, and entertainment area. Though mere minutes away from both Namba Station, a busy transportation hub, and Dotonbori, one of Osaka’s highlights, the hotel retains a peaceful ambiance. … Read more
The word Osaka immediately conjures up an image of neon lights, skyscrapers, bustling shopping streets and the city’s friendly and exuberant people. Osaka city is so big and sprawling that it’s hard to believe you can hike through thick forests and enjoy one of Japan’s top ten waterfalls, only half an hour north of Umeda … Read more
Osaka might not have a reputation for clubbing that Tokyo does, but as the major club center in the Kansai region, Osaka’s nightlife brings in huge crowds. Trying to make a list of the top clubs can be tough. Weighing personal preferences against solid crowd-pleasers always presents a challenge. Fortunately, Osaka has some venues that … Read more
Leaving the house when you have young children can be stressful. If you ever find yourself in Osaka with your little ones, check out these 7 things to do in Osaka with kids (babies & toddlers) They all offer nursing rooms and changing areas. You won’t have to worry about finding a place to change … Read more
In terms of location, Hotel Granvia Kyoto is impossible to beat. The hotel is literally inside Kyoto Station. You can enter the hotel without leaving the station building. You have buses, subways, taxis, and trains right outside your door. They can take you anywhere in the city you want to go. The rooms give you … Read more
To say that Osaka Station is a busy place is a huge understatement. It’s the busiest railway station in western Japan, serving over a million passengers every day (together with its neighbor, Umeda Osaka station). And there’s so much stuff jam-packed into the areas surrounding the station that you wouldn’t need to go very far … Read more
The Intercontinental Hotel Osaka has everything: all of the luxury and amenities you’d expect from an up-to-date, five-star hotel, combined with Japan’s first-class customer service and attention to detail. Add in three restaurants, a bar, a bakery, breathtaking views over Osaka, and a fantastic location with shopping, dining, and entertainment within easy reach, and it’s … Read more
Want to know one of Osaka’s best-kept secrets? The city has the largest Korea Town in Japan. You have a lot to see and do in Osaka’s K-town. The neighborhood offers much more than just authentic Korean barbeque. The narrow streets and old houses look like something out of post-war Japan. The elderly residents still … Read more
Do you love fresh seafood cooked right before your eyes? Maybe you want to go on a food adventure, or perhaps you’d like to try a new dish? If so, the Kuromon Market is the place for you. The 150 shops and stalls have earned their reputation as Osaka’s kitchen.As you stroll through the market, … Read more
Like a room with a view? Then you can’t pass up the Osaka Marriott Miyako. Located on the upper floors of Japan’s tallest building, this luxury hotel offers incomparable views of Osaka from 258 meters. You can enjoy the view from one of the Mariott Miyako’s stylish restaurants, or from the privacy of your bathtub! … Read more
The new Osaka Station City opened in 2011. The architects replaced a crowded and boring train station with a light and airy building complex. It’s now considered one of the most attractive train stations in Japan. It’s not just the station that’s been updated. The surrounding area looks great as well. As part of the … Read more
Despite being only a 2-minute walk from Kyoto Station, the city’s train and bus hub, Kyoto Century Hotel offers guests the chance to relax and escape the bustle and relax in tranquil and peaceful surroundings. Given that the hotel is currently undergoing construction work during the daytime, these claims are somewhat in doubt, at least … Read more
Don’t take the Japanese summer for granted. The temperatures might look mild on paper, but the high humidity makes the weather dangerous. Thousands are hospitalized from heat stroke each year. Staying in your apartment with the AC blasting might seem like the safest way to spend your summer, but there’s another option. Japan has many … Read more
The Abeno Harukas Skyscraper is the tallest building in Japan. It’s also home to Japan’s largest department store – and it doesn’t stop there. The building complex has a railway station, an observation deck, a hotel, an art gallery, a garden, and lots of restaurants. The Abeno Harukas building offers something for everyone! About the … Read more
Kyoto’s stint as Japan’s capital had a lasting impact on Japanese culture, art, and religion… and especially on Japanese food! The Kyoto area produced some of the best dishes in Japan. The best known is the elaborate kaiseki-ryori, where fresh ingredients are prepared to make the most of subtle nuances of flavor. However, Kyoto is … Read more
Japan has had a complicated relationship with Western culture. Nagasaki is proof. Some of the Japanese-style buildings haven’t changed since the Edo period (1603 – 1868). Other buildings might make you think you’re in an old European village. Why is the City Like This? Japan was isolated during the Sakoku period (around 1639 – 1853). … Read more
The Japan Rail Pass is known for being one of the best deals you can get for traveling in Japan. But….is the Japan Rail Pass worth it for everyone? If you don’t plan on traveling a lot within Japan, or you are short on time, the JR Pass might not be your best option. What … Read more
Nagasaki has the oldest Chinese temples in Japan. The city has some of the finest Ming Dynasty temples in the world. This might seem odd, but the mystery is easy to explain. Nagasaki has a long history of trading with Chinese merchants. Many merchants settled around the port; they built one of the oldest Chinatowns … Read more
Famous for both its abundance of electronics shops and for being the anime/manga center of Tokyo, Akihabara is a vibrant, wonderfully geeky district. There are tons of shops, selling the latest cutting-edge electronics and anime/manga, along with collectibles, games, toys, etc. And there are also some very unusual cafes, like maid cafes – where women dress … Read more
7 Best (And Closest) Hotels for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics Where will you be for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics? If you’re lucky enough to be in Tokyo, expect exciting things – sport climbing, surfing, skateboarding, and karate will be making their Olympic debut. Baseball and softball will return to the games, after being dropped from … Read more
Nagasaki has a rich cultural history, but it’s mostly known for one tragic event: the atomic bombing on the ninth of August in 1945. In a few seconds, around 40,000 people died and Nagasaki changed forever. Seventy-two years later, Nagasaki has rebuilt but not forgotten. The number of living survivors decreases each year. The Nagasaki … Read more
K’s House Kyoto: Is It Worth It? No wonder K’s House Kyoto is so popular! Since 2003, the hostel has been winning fans for its combination of modern design, affordable accommodation, and amenities for travelers. Billing itself as reasonably priced New Zealand style accommodation, K’s House was designed as a hostel from the start, giving … Read more
Aimed at catering for backpackers, J-Hoppers Kyoto Guesthouse is a budget hostel located within walking distance of Kyoto Station. Opened by a trans-continental motorcyclist in 2002, J-Hoppers Kyoto now has 15 years of experience dealing with foreign travelers. If you’re apprehensive about staying in a hostel, J-Hoppers is a great place to start. To Check … Read more
Tired of temples? Need to escape Tokyo and reconnect with nature? Or maybe you just want something active to offset all the hours of riding in trains and buses. If so, Lake Kawaguchi (Kawaguchi-ko in Japanese) and the surrounding area is for you. Most visitors only know Kawaguchi-ko as the main approach to Fuji. Actually, … Read more
Mt. Fuji: Climbing the Japanese Icon Mt. Fuji looms large in Japan. The mountain’s iconic silhouette appears in everything from Edo-period woodcuts to Hello Kitty charms. The mountain is easy to get to. You can see the massive volcano from Tokyo. Any relatively fit person can manage the climb. It’s not uncommon to see Japanese … Read more
Kushiro is known as “The Town of Mist” due to its atmospheric weather. The fourth largest city in Hokkaido is well known for its natural attractions. Kushiro Marsh is the only known habitat of the endangered red-crowned crane. Lake Akan, a volcanic crater, is one of the few places in the world where the marimo … Read more
Japan may not be the place you associate winter travel with, but then again, does anyone associate the word “winter” with “travel”? I think of winter, and I think of several heavy blankets, made into a mountain-shaped pile under which I remain for four solid months with my laptop, streaming Netflix. Like a bear. A … Read more
Summer in Hokkaido has a lot to offer. The prefecture’s gentle summer climate is perfect for flowers; tourists flock to the colorful displays. Outdoor enthusiasts can’t get enough of Hokkaido’s national parks. They love the active volcanoes and gorgeous lakes. This article focuses on summer attractions you can easily reach from Asahikawa. We suggest using … Read more
If you visit Sapporo, don’t limit yourself to the activities within the city. While there are many fun things to do in town, there’s even more to discover in the nearby area.Mt. Teine, an Olympic ski field visible from Sapporo, is a must-visit in winter. The historic town of Otaru offers scenic canals and warehouses. … Read more