Arriving at Kyoto Station after a long flight or Shinkansen ride? Don’t rush out into the city just yet! To enjoy a smooth, hassle-free trip to Kyoto, taking care of three essential steps at Kyoto Station will save you hours … Read More
Looking for a real samurai castle experience in Japan without the massive crowds? While many castles across Japan are modern concrete reconstructions, Hikone Castle (彦根城) in Shiga Prefecture is the real deal. Completed in 1622, this fortress survived centuries of … Read More
For many travelers, bowing to the polite deer of Nara Park and feeding them a crisp rice cracker is a bucket-list experience. While these iconic animals are designated as National Natural Treasures, they are still wild animals with sharp instincts. … Read More
Kyoto is undeniably beautiful. Its towering pagodas, bamboo groves, and historic geisha districts top almost every traveler’s Japan bucket list. However, with over-tourism reaching historic highs, iconic spots like Fushimi Inari Shrine or Kiyomizu-dera are often packed shoulder-to-shoulder, making it … Read More
Discover the “Temple of Flowers” in Uji, Kyoto If you are visiting Kyoto this June, there is one place that looks like a scene straight out of a fairy tale: Mimuroto-ji Temple (三室戸寺). Known affectionately as the “Temple of Flowers,” … Read More
If you haven’t been to Dotonbori, have you even been to Osaka? Known as the city’s entertainment district, Dotonbori is a sensory explosion of neon lights, mechanical signs, and the mouth-watering aroma of street food. It is the ultimate destination … Read More
Deep in the northern coast of Kyoto Prefecture lies a hidden gem that looks like it’s floating on water. Ine Funaya (Ine Boathouses) is a cluster of approximately 230 traditional wooden buildings lining the serene Ine Bay. Whether you’re a … Read More
Located right in front of the station, Hirakata T-SITE is one of the most stylish lifestyle complexes in the Osaka area. This modern cultural space combines a bookstore, cafés, restaurants, fashion shops, and lifestyle stores in one beautifully designed building. … Read More
If you want to experience Japan’s deep spiritual culture surrounded by dramatic nature, Kumano Nachi Taisha and Nachi Falls in Nachikatsuura, Wakayama Prefecture should be on your itinerary. This iconic pairing of a vermilion shrine and Japan’s tallest single-drop waterfall … Read More
The Fushimi area in Kyoto is one of Japan’s three most famous sake-producing regions, alongside Nada (Hyogo) and Saijo (Hiroshima). What makes Fushimi exceptional is its abundance of high-quality natural spring water, known as Fushimi no Meisui. This soft water … Read More