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
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
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
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
Looking for an apartment in Japan? Be prepared for a long and complicated process involving tons of paperwork. And, you’ll need quite a bit of money, too. Even for Japanese people, moving is frustrating.The upfront costs are incredibly high and come with strange, outdated fees like “key money”. But, if you’re a foreigner in Japan … 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
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
Shinjuku has gone through many changes in recent years, but the district is still a nightlife hotspot, home to a plethora of bars, izakaya and entertainment options. If you want to take full advantage of Shinjuku’s nightlife opportunities but don’t want the hassle of getting across Tokyo afterwards (Tokyo’s public transport system shuts down at … Read more
No matter how old you get, there is always something a little magical at the idea of taking a trip to a theme park. Who says you can’t excel at being a human adult while also shrieking at the idea of drinking Butterbeer at Hogsmeade? If you’re going to indulge in your child-like delights, Universal … Read more
5 Reasons Why You’ll Love Staying at a Ryokan So you’re going to Japan or you’re thinking about going. Congratulations! You’re one step closer to getting yourself to one of the most wonderful, wackiest, unforgettable countries on the planet. Now, in terms of rooming options, you could go the way of the Airbnb or stay … Read more
You won’t want to rush Kyoto. Japan’s cultural capital deserves all the time you can give it. But how to keep your accommodation bills down as you take in Kyoto’s sights? These ten hostels offer cheap accommodation right in the heart of Kyoto. All are clean, safe and secure—Japan’s hostels are a rightly ranked among … Read more
Kyoto is certainly one of Japan’s most-known tourism spots, even if it quite a bit smaller than cities like Tokyo and Osaka. But with a population of nearly 1.5 million people, Kyoto, known for its relaxing rock gardens and temples, is certainly big enough attract some of world’s best hotels. If you’re looking for luxury … Read more