Travel Tips

There is so much to see in Japan's midwestern region of Kansai, and Osaka is the best place to base yourself to explore it! From beaches to sacred temples, nature escapes and more, Kansai has it all.
We have put together a list of 11 spots that make the perfect day trips from Osaka. So pack your day bag, and get ready to experience the rich nature and culture of Japan and the excitement of traveling, without having to stray too far from the city!
1. Harvest Hill: A Green Theme Park Full of Fun and Food!
Harvest-no-Oka, or Harvest Hill, is an agricultural theme park on a vast expanse of land. Seasonal flowers are always in full bloom, as the natural environment is carefully maintained throughout the year. It's the perfect day trip from Osaka to enjoy with family, especially if you have younger children.
There are also many experiences where you can interact with animals, such as milking cows, riding horses, and feeding animals such as sheep, capybaras, and rabbits. There is a..

Japan is full of ancient traditional arts. One of those is kintsugi, the art of bringing new life to cracked ceramics by mending them with gold. This kintsugi experience is growing in popularity, especially amongst younger women.
Here we share our kintsugi experience report, courtesy of two of LIVE JAPAN's editors. The studio we visited, Taku Nakano CeramicArts☆ (TNCA☆), is located in Tokyo's neighborhood of Omotesando.
What exactly is kintsugi? What is the process? The more you learn about it, the more you'll come to understand Japan's 'mottainai' spirit.
TNCA☆: A Firsthand Kintsugi Experience
Today we visit Taku Nakano CeramicArts☆ (TNCA☆) to partake in their hands-on kintsugi experience. The studio is only five minutes away on foot from Tokyo Metro's Omotesando Station.
Taku Nakano, the representative of TNCA☆, is one of Japan's leading ceramic artists. The studio is a modern fusion of a museum and a workshop, where you can partake in the en..

I first stepped into this hotel five years ago, visiting friends from halfway across the world. Little did I know that I was following in the footsteps of sojourners from long ago. You see, a few hundred years ago, when Naha was a trading hub, dignitaries and scholars would sail into the harbor, and pay tribute to the rulers and administrators high on the hill. In nearby Shuri Castle, they would watch over maritime and land activity below, not forgetting the days when the island was divided into three kingdoms, each keeping an eye on the other.
One thing that caught the eyes of the rulers at Shuri Castle, was the arrival of the black ships on a rainy day on 24 May 1853, captained by one Commander Perry. Little did he know how instrumental that visit was, a month before Perry’s visit to Uraga near Yokohama on 8 July.
In the Narrative of the Expedition of an American Squadron to the China Seas and Japan, Perry admired these islands' beauty, glowingly saying, “The shores of the isl..

Japan has no shortage of adorable places to eat, with a variety of themed cafés–both permanent and temporary– to choose from. In the latter category, a limited-time collaboration café event between Sanrio and pancake specialty store Butter is bringing a host of adorable dishes to three of their branches in Yokohama, Minami-Osawa, and Kinshicho.
Guests will be able to choose from several pancake types at the event, including the Cinnamoroll Rainbow Sky Pancake (¥ 1,628), the Pochakko Flower Secret Base Pancake (¥ 1,518), or the Pompompurin pudding caramelized pancake (¥ 1,518). Each option comes served with a variety of colorful fruits, plus ice cream, whipped cream, and syrup.
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If savory dishes are more your style, never fear – they have options there as well. The Pochakko's cold tomato and mozzarella pasta (¥ 1,518) or the Pompompurin's colorful vegetable hamburger curry (¥ 1,628) both bring a healthy helping of cute to your main meal.
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At this point, the TeamLab digital art collective requires no introduction in Japan. Destinations like TeamLab Planets and TeamLab Borderless have taken Tokyo by storm, particularly for those who appreciate Instagrammable photo opportunities. Sadly, TeamLab Borderless is set to close at the end of August this year, but all is not lost – a permanent TeamLab exhibition is headed to Osaka's Nagai Botanical Gardens, and it officially opens on July 29th, 2022.
Known as the Team Lab Botanical Garden Osaka, the venue will transform into an art space with several different digital displays for visitors to enjoy. The principle behind the new addition to the TeamLab lineup is that art and nature can coexist without any damage to the natural environment.
One of the highlights is bound to be the resonating microcosms (shown in the cover photo), a display of egg-shaped structures that respond to the world around them. For instance, if someone touches them, they light up and emit sound. They&..

Did you know that Hokkaido, Japan's northernmost prefecture, occupies about a quarter of the country's total surface area by itself?
With such a vast area to explore, visitors can certainly expect to encounter a number of attractive natural sights here that can't be found in Honshu, the main island of Japan. This is especially true in summer when nature is in full swing!
Some must-visit scenic spots in Hokkaido that fall into this category are the sea and mountains of Shiretoko, the clear and beautiful Lake Shikotsu, the breathtaking lavender fields of Furano, as well as the award-winning Tokachi Millennium Forest, just to name a few.
What are some of the more unique features of these places that make them worth making a summer trip down for? You're about to find out!
1. Shiretoko from the sea: Splendid nature from a unique point of view
(Image: PIXTA)
Let's begin our journey from the sea of Shiretoko. The peninsula was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage S..

Okinawa is “the” tropical paradise in Japan, where many associate it with romance and relaxation. But can it be enjoyed with kids? Sure thing!
LIVE JAPAN has listed out 15 luxury hotel getaways on Okinawa’s main island that are also family-friendly for all ages: to help you enjoy with kids – and a little bit without.
Check out our information on Okinawa and our list of hotels below; and be sure to book your next tropical getaway without having to leave the country!
Main image: Booking.com
Okinawa’s Main Areas – Sightseeing spots and fun activities
Image: PIXTA
・Chatan: Located in Nakagami District, more than half of Chatan is occupied by the U.S. military base. This makes for a cool, intercultural atmosphere in the area where the famous Mihama American Village and Depot Island lie. You’ll feel like you’re truly in a seaside town in the States without leaving Japan! There are also multiple beautiful beaches, such as Araha Beach and Sunset Beach. For history buffs, be sure to visit the..

Niigata Prefecture, located in the central Chubu region of Japan, faces the Sea of Japan and is surrounded by towering mountains and gorgeous wilderness.
Niigata is most famous for its abundant seafood and flavorful rice, which naturally leads to delicious sake. It is easily accessible in roughly two hours from Tokyo Station via bullet train or on a one-hour flight from Osaka.
This article presents the complete guide to Niigata sightseeing, including transport information, the best local cuisine, and fun activities to try.
Main image: PIXTA
1. Quick facts about Niigata
Niigata is located on the northwestern coast of the Japanese mainland. It is the 5th largest in size of Japan’s 47 prefectures and is characterized by a diverse landscape of expansive coastline, rugged mountains, and sweeping plains. The local food and activities change depending on the area, making it well worth multiple visits.
(Image: PIXTA)
One of the most common reasons to visit Niigata is the wealth of produce a..

Kyoto is one of the most popular cities to visit for tourists in Japan. Some of Kyoto's biggest attractions are the many shrines and temples that have carried on the culture and history of Japan since ancient times. Kyoto also has many unique hands-on experiences, including hand-dyeing, pottery, and crafting Japanese sweets, chopsticks, and even scented sachets. Here are 10 things unique to summertime Kyoto that any visitor will enjoy, from sightseeing, to food, to cultural experiences.
1. Walk Around Kyoto Wearing Geta and Yukata
If you want to blend in with Kyoto's gorgeous scenery and dive head-first into tradition, then you'll want to try wearing a kimono. It's not uncommon to see maiko wearing kimono as you stroll around Gion. The beauty and elegance of the kimono has become symbolic of Kyoto's uniqueness, and has long been alluring to visitors from abroad.
Why not plan a walk around Kyoto wearing a kimono or yukata yourself? In the summer, you will want t..

A Festival Based on an Ancient Romantic Folk Tale
Tanabata, also known as Star Festival, is a Japanese event, originally from China (Qixi Festival), based on an old folk tale, The Cowherd and the Weaver Girl. The festival takes place in shrines, temples, and shopping streets (shotengai) across the country, sometimes in July and sometimes in August. It celebrates the meeting of deities Orihime and Hikoboshi, represented by the stars Vega and Altair, as they cross the Milky Way on their journey to reunite once every year.
First Celebrated by Imperial Court and Aristocrats
The most famous and well known of the Tanabata festivals is held in Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture, from August 6 to 8, while in Kanto, two of the most prominent venues are Hiratsuka in Kanagawa Prefecture and Asagaya in Tokyo. Children look forward to this special day as a sign that summer has arrived. Celebrations also take place at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine in Kamakura City, though the festivities are relativel..