Travel Tips

A former castle town that was especially important during Japan's feudal period, Takamatsu is the largest city on Shikoku island. It is an excellent base from which to explore the islands of the Seto Inland Sea.
Browse & Book a hotel in Kagawa
1. Ritsurin Garden
Ritsurin Garden was landscaped for Edo Era daimyo (feudal lords) over the course of a hundred years, reaching its present design in 1745.
Designated a Special Place of Scenic Beauty, this spacious garden features six ponds and thirteen landscaped hills. At Ritsurin Garden, it is said the scenery changes with every step, a characteristic called “ippo ikkei.”
Relax with a bowl of matcha (powdered green tea) at Kikugetsu-tei teahouse while you take in the picturesque landscape, and afterward marvel at the intricate beauty of Sanuki folk crafts on display at the Sanuki Mingeikan Folk Craft Museum. You can also enjoy a ride on a Japanese boat.
Ritsurin Garden
20-16, 1-chome, Kuribayashi-cho, Takamatsu City, Kagawa Prefecture 7..

Japan has reached new levels of “new normal” with its latest venture: animated waiters.
At Yakiniku no Watami, you’ll find that instead of being greeted and served by people, animated characters on wheely robots will do the work instead. The characters are Vtubers (virtual YouTubers) who are very happy to see you!
Let’s take a look at the latest Vtuber trend in Japan.
What’s Happening, and What is Yakiniku no Watami?
Photo: PR Times
Watami is a chain of izakaya (Japanese-style pubs or eateries) that can be found throughout Japan. Typically, a server will take you to your table, but then you can order your food and drink through a tablet on the table.
Yakiniku no Watami is a new branch of Watami specializing in a dish called yakiniku. Yakiniku literally means “grilled meat” but broadly refers to meat and vegetables that are grilled on a metal netting or iron plate.
For a limited time, Yakiniku no Watami will be using a serving robot called “KettyBot” to serve the customers through vir..

When arriving in Japan, many make a beeline straight for Osaka. With its vibrant gourmet scene and bustling shopping centers, it’s easy to see why! To help you find the best of the city, we present our first timer's guide broken down by sightseeing, food, shopping, and hotels. Osaka’s awaits!
Top 10 Fun Things to do in Dotonbori Osaka According to Die-Hard Fans!
A lively, fun, and delicious spot, Dotonbori is one of Osaka's most prominent downtown areas. The area overflows with attractions and entertainment not found anywhere else in Japan. There's plenty to see, and even more to eat!
From classic attractions to hidden experiences, here are the top 10 things to do in Dotonbori, as recommended by a die-hard Osaka fan.
Top 10 Fun Things to do in Dotonbori Osaka According to Die-Hard Fans!
Low-Budget Travel: 10 Fun Free Things to do in Osaka!
Osaka is packed with free experiences and sightseeing perfect for the traveler on a budget. From ancient temples to tranquil parks, w..

Hokkaido, Japan's northernmost region, is one of the country's leading areas for seafood. So it makes sense that it's a famous region to go for fresh and delicious sushi at affordable prices.
If you want to “Eat delicious Hokkaido sushi until you're full to bursting,” Uoppshu Sapporo store is a restaurant where you can do just that. Here, we'll look at some of the fantastic dishes Uoppshu has to offer.
We'll be going through all the recommended dishes you can't miss from their wide variety of fish and sake on their all-you-can-eat menu!
Uoppshu: Seasonal fish for reasonable prices
Uoppshu is located on the first basement floor of the NC Kita Sen Kita 3 Jonishi Building, which is a 3-minute walk from JR Sapporo Station and a 1-minute walk from Sapporo Subway Station Exit 24. Outside the building's entrance is this fish sign (above), so you can use it as a landmark when looking for the restaurant.
Uoppshu is located on the first basement floor of..

The name Hiroshima may forever be associated with the destructive power of the atomic bomb, but the city of Hiroshima and Hiroshima Prefecture are today full of life and things to do and see. Here we'll have a look at 17 of the best things to do in Hiroshima.
1. Itsukushima Shrine
(Courtesy of Hiroshima Prefecture)
Named a World Heritage Site in 1996, Itsukushima has long been renowned as a holy island. With Itsukushima Shrine actually standing on the water, it provides a breathtaking view of the sea that looks truly spiritual.
(Courtesy of Hiroshima Prefecture)
The torii gate is placed out at sea, and during high tide, the shrine sits in the water, allowing for a pristine ocean view, while at low tide, people can walk right up to it. Visitors come to Itsukushima Shrine for a historical and cultural experience and see a spectacular sight rarely seen anywhere else.
(Courtesy of Hiroshima Prefecture)
Itsukushima Shrine
1-1 Miyajimacho, Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima 739-0588Book Now ▶ Explo..

Facing the Pacific Ocean on Kyushu's east coast, Miyazaki Prefecture is home to beaches and forests, and is famous for its chicken dishes.
Browse & Book a hotel in Miyazaki
1. Aoshima
With a circumference of only 1.5 kilometers, Aoshima is a small island connected to the mainland at Aoshima Swimming Beach by the 'Yayoi Bridge.'
Unique rock formations known as the 'Devil's Washboard' encircle the island, while the interior is covered in lush sub-tropical vegetation, with 226 species of flora to be found, including various kinds of spermatophyta (seed plants) and ferns.
Aoshima
2 Chome Aoshima, Miyazaki, 889-21622. Eda Shrine
A popular healing spot, Eda Shrine was written about in the Engishiki as long ago as the 10th century and is noted as the place where two gods, Izanagi-no-Mikoto and Izanami-no-Mikoto, are enshrined.
It is also mentioned in the Norito chant, heard at shrines nationwide.
Izanami-no-Mikoto fled Yomi (the underworld) whilst being pursued b..

Umeda is the name of the area surrounding both Umeda Station and Osaka Station. Umeda is considered the transportation hub for sightseeing in the Kansai Region, which includes popular destinations such as Osaka, Kyoto, and Kobe.

Umeda Station Train Lines
A number of train lines utilize Umeda Station.

Non-JR Train Lines
As it is not itself a JR Station, you will not be able to use your JR Pass at Umeda Station. Umeda’s primary lines include the Midosuji, Yotsubashi, Tanimachi, Hankya, and Hanshin Electric Railway Lines.

JR Lines
If you wish to use your Japan Rail Pass, you can do so at nearby JR Osaka Station. This station is a short walk away.

Shinkansen Lines
Neither Umeda Station nor the JR Osaka Station host the Shinkansen bullet train. To access the Shinkansen, first, walk to JR Osaka Station. Then, take a ride to the next station, Shin-Osaka Station.

Alternatively, this station can be reached on a six-minute ride on the Midosuji Line from Umeda Station.

Umeda Station Layout
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I’m drenched in sweat from riding all day. I’m pedaling as fast as I can towards the light at the end of a dark tunnel when a cool afternoon breeze hits me, and I finally see Lake Kawaguchi’s vibrant, deep blue colors. I let out a triumphant whoop as the road turns downhill.

Then, I stand up in my seat and let gravity do the rest as a sunset baths Fujisan in a red glow. “So, this is the Fujigoko (Fuji Five Lakes) cycling adventure,” I think. This is my experience cycling around the iconic Mount Fuji and how you can do it too.

Starting at Lake Kawaguchi
Photo: iStock/ Dragonite_EastThe morning scenery at Kawaguchiko.
When I arrived in Fujikawaguchiko, I stayed at Hana Hostel and was welcomed by Hana and her family. In the morning, I ate a hearty energy-supplying breakfast, loaded up complimentary snacks, rented a bike from Hana and started down the hill towards Lake Kawaguchi.

The roads in town did give me some slight trepidation at the prospect of crashing into someone on the narrow..

Matsumoto Castle, located in Nagano, is famous for being the oldest surviving 5-tiered 6-story castle tower in Japan.* While there are castles with towers all over Japan, only 12 are genuine relics from the Sengoku and Edo periods, while only five are designated ‘national treasures.’ One of these is Matsumoto Castle.
The jet-black Matsumoto castle is given extra life from its awe-inspiring Northern Alps background. Each season ushers in a fresh new look to the castle and its surroundings, making it a different experience each time. While being an important relic and educational tool, it is also a relaxing and beautiful place that is best enjoyed slowly!
*Five tiers can be observed from the outside, while inside there are actually six levels.
main image: Courtesy of Matsumoto Castle Administration Office
The Castle’s Grand Scenery and Jet-black Beauty
Photo: Matsumoto Castle Administration Office
Matsumoto is a quiet, simple town mostly famous for its central titular castle, which is a..

Autumn in Tohoku starts in late September, when fall foliage season starts. From the red-and-yellow dyed mountaintops to the incredible autumn scenery passing by as you drive around, there are many ways to enjoy the sights of these beautifully changing leaves.
Here, we will introduce ten best places to visit in Tohoku for autumn foliage, as well as the best time to see the leaves changing.
Best Time for Autumn Leaves in Tohoku
There are six prefectures stretching out longitudinally across the Tohoku Region. In Tohoku, the trees begin to change color gradually, beginning in the north and moving down south.
The best time for autumn leaves in the northernmost prefecture of Aomori is in early October, while late November is best to see fall leaves in Fukushima in the south.
There are also areas where you can see autumn colors for about a month and a half before they start to show in Tokyo. If you plan to visit multiple areas for foliage viewing, the best time to do so would be between e..