English

Ishiyama Temple

What day trips can you do from Kyoto?

Oh the temples and shrines you will see in Kyoto! Kinkaku-ji (the “Golden Pavilion”), Ginkaku-ji, and Fushimi Inari Taisha are all very worthwhile sights. Unfortunately, they can be a bit crowded. This will predictably take away something from the Zen … Read More

Lanterns lined up at Sumiyoshi Taisha in Osaka

What are some of the most surreal places in Japan?

How does one go about naming some of the most surreal places in Japan? It’s not an easy task, since what’s surreal for one person may just be ho-hum for a citizen of this country! That said, we’ve done our … Read More

bullet train

What Are Some Must-See Places in Japan?

With so many must-see places in Japan, it’s hard to know where to start. And it’s even harder to know where to end! So we’re here to help you with a good few of the essentials. Think of this as … Read More

Dotonbori nightscape

What are interesting things to see and do in Osaka?

We’re not going to deny that Tokyo is, well, Japan’s flagship urban product of sorts. We’re also not in the business of denying the historical and cultural spectacle that is Kyoto. We love both those places, but urge our visitors … Read More

Osaka at night

Is it possible to stay in Osaka and visit Kyoto?

Osaka and Kyoto are neighbors, however they differ dramatically in style and story. While Kyoto shows off its imperial history, Osaka highlights post-war growth and modernity. Both cities feature cultural charms and fascinating sights for visitors to appreciate, but a … Read More

Shitennoji Osaka

What are the top tourist attractions in Osaka?

Looking for the top tourist attractions in Osaka for your upcoming trip? No problem, we have you covered. As local travel experts living in Osaka, we have an affinity for sharing our city with visitors. From leading walking tours to … Read More

Wagyu Beef

Is Wagyu beef worth the high cost?

How do you feel about marbling? Does rich, tender beef make your taste buds stand at attention? The answer is probably “yes” if you have read this far. But is Wagyu beef worth the high cost? Let’s tucker into a … Read More

bullet train

Is Kyoto closer to Tokyo than Osaka?

Have you selected which cities you want to visit, but aren’t sure about the transportation logistics? Is Kyoto closer to Tokyo than Osaka? Is Nara closer to Kyoto or Osaka? Is it easy to visit Kamakura as a day trip … Read More

Port of Kobe

Is Kobe, Japan worth visiting?

Just about everyone’s heard of Kobe beef, but is Kobe, Japan worth visiting even if you aren’t all that into the beef? Kobe is in the same part of Japan as Kyoto, Osaka, and Nara, which makes it easy to … Read More

Nakanoshima at night

Is it safe to walk around Osaka alone at night?

Big cities can sometime be intimidating, and even a little scary, right? Well, if you’re looking for a country with safe big cities day or night, Japan is a great choice! According to many studies, Osaka ranks 3rd safest city … Read More

Select your currency