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6 impressive areas to visit in Aomori

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Hi, everyone!
This time I wrote about Aomori prefecture.
Aomori is located at the northernmost part of Honshu (main island) of Japan.
Since it is located far away from major cities like Tokyo or Osaka, It is relatively unknown to visitors of Japan.
However, Aomori has a lot of things to see: gorgeous festivals, delicious food, and breathtaking nature.
Here are some of the must-visit areas/events in Aomori!

  1. Festivals

    Nebuta Festival

    It is a summer festival held every year from Aug 2 to 7.
    Floats resembling humans (some of them are characters from Kabuki/mythical stories) go around the city and large traditional drums are played during the parade.
    Floats are constructed of painted washi paper (traditional Japanese paper) and it takes a year to make them.
    Lanterns are placed inside the floats which bring out the beautiful colors of washi pater to viewers.
    It is designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property.
    The origin of the festival is not known but it is believed that it started as a shinto festival blending Chinese influence.
    It gets more than 3 million visitors during the festival
    The parade of floats start from 7:00pm until 9:00pm and on the last day, you can watch great fireworks that close the festival.

    Hashinohe Sansha Taisai

    It is another famous festival in Aomori. The festival has a history of more than 290 years.
    It is believed that the sacred procession of mikoshi (portable shrine) held at Horyosan Ogami Shire is the origin of the festival.
    The event is held annually from July 31 to Aug 4.
    During the festival, more than 20 floats are displayed and  he parade of mikoshi and the dance performance called Toramai (tiger dance) is held.
    Is is designated as an Intangible cultural heritage.

  2. Museums/Historical ruin

    Wa-rasse

    It is a museum where you can learn the history and charms of Nebuta festival.
    4 full sized floats are on display and you get to play taiko drums inside.
    On weekends and holidays, Hanato festival dancers perform occasionally accompanied by live music.
    There are restaurants and stores where you can get some local souvenirs and food.

    Hours: 9:00 to 19:00 (9:00 to 18:00 from Sep to Apr)
    Closed from Dec 31 to Jan 1, Aug 9 to 10

    Price: 600 yen per a person

    Towada Art Center

    It is a contemporary art museum in Towada city.
    Opened on April 26 in 2008, it was built as an “open space for providing new experiences”.
    It has collections of modern artists from all over the world including Ron Muck, Jeong Hwa Choi, and Yoko Ono.
    Works are displayed indoors as well as outdoors. It also holds a gallery space and cafe. Free English audio guide is available.

    Hours:9:00 to 17:00
    Closed on Mondays and during the End of the year and New Year
    Price: 1,200yen to enter Collection and Exhibition

    Sannai Maruyama ruin

    It is a Jomon period (130,000 to 300BC) archaeological site.
    The large part of it was discovered in 1992 and was designated as a Special National Historical Site of Japan in 2000.
    Over 500 pit houses that were used by the settlers as well as a lot of artifacts have been found on the site.
    People living the area used to store food in underground pits until 2,900 BC.
    Later on, they started to store food above ground in houses as they became more sedentary.
    You can visit this site and see reconstructions and learn the history at Jomon Jiyukan, an exhibition hall of objects excavated from the area.
    Also, Aomori Museum of Art is located close to the ruin. It is another good place to check!

    Hours:
    9:00 to 17:00 (From Apr 1 to May 31, Oct 1 to Mar 31)
    9:00 to 18:00 (From Apr 28 to May 6, Jun 1 to Sep 30)
    Closed on Dec 31 and Jan 1

    Price:
    Free to enter

  3. Nature

    Lake Towada and Oirase River

    Lake Towada is a large caldera lake located on the border of Aomori and Akita prefectures.
    The lake is particularly beautiful during Autumn when you can enjoy Autumn colors. There is a river named Oirase River nearby.
    The sound of flowing water at this rive was chosen by the Ministry of the Environment as one of the 100 soundscapes of Japan.

    Lake Juniko

    It consists of 33 lakes and ponds in the western part of the World national Heritage Site, Shirakami-Sanshi.
    There is Aoike (Blue pond) in the area.
    The surface of it reflects the nature around and very photogenic.

    Shirakami Sanchi

    It is an extensive mountain at the border between Aomori and Akita prefectures and is designated as an UNESCO World Heritage Site.
    You can enjoy hiking and watching Anmon Falls (a set of 3 waterfalls) on the north eastern side.
    To access the heart of Shirakami Sanchi’s forest, you need to contact an office to get a permission at least 7 days prior to the visit.
    Shirakami Sanshi can be accessed from the north from Hirosaki.
    If you are going there from the south, you could go from Noshiro in Akita prefecture by taking one hour train ride.

    Choshi Otaki

    It is a waterfall that is 20 feet high and 66 feet wide.
    It flows in gentle slope and the waterfall makes beautiful mist.
    If you like taking pictures of beautiful nature, be sure to check this out!

    Zuirakuen

    It is a dry landscape garden in Hirosaki and is designated as a scenic spot by Japanese government.
    It was made by a great gardener, Teizan Takahashi and it took him 15 years to complete the garden.
    Hills, stone bridges, and plants are beautifully placed and you can enjoy the peaceful atmosphere.

    Hours: 10:00 to 16:00
    (Closed every Monday and during Dec 1 to Mar 31)
    Price: Free to enter

  4. Castle

    Hirosaki Castle

    It is a three-store castle built in 1611.
    Originally, it was a five-story castle, but was burnet down by lightning in 1627 and was rebuilt in 1810.
    A lot of cherry trees are there around the castle, and Hirosaki Castle is one of the most popular destinations to enjoy Sakura in Spring.
    Annual festival is held from April 23 to May 5.
    It is really amazing watching the castle moat filled with petal of Sakura.

    Hours: 9:00 to 17:00 (Open From Apr 1 to Nov 23)
    Price: 310 yen per a person

  5. Onsen (hot spring)

    Sukayu Onsen

    It is a large public bath (also called “Sennin Buro”, a large bath that can have 1,000 people) located in the snowiest place of Japan.
    It has been accessible for 300 years and has both gender mixed and separated baths.
    The baths are all natural with water coming directly from the source.

    Hours:
    Gender mixed From 7:00 to 18:00 (From 8:00 to 9:00, women only)
    Separated From 9:00 to 17:00

    Price: 600yen per a person

  6. Food and drink

    Aomori is famous for producing high quality apples and has the largest apple farming land in Japan.
    Apple production in Aomori is about 56% of the domestic market and over 446,000 tons of apples are sold every year.
    Another popular food is Tuna. The blue-fin tuna caught in Aomori is called “black diamond” for its highest quality in Japan.
    If you are into Sake, you can visit a Hachinohe brewery and try fresh sake.
    You can fully enjoy the taste of Japanese sake together with fresh seafood in Aomori.
    Miroku yokocho is a good place to try different kinds of local food and enjoy chatting with locals.

Access

From Tokyo

By Train

Take Tohoku Shinkansen (Hayabusa) from Tokyo to Shin Aomori, and then take JR Ohu honsen bound for Aomori station.
(Time: About 3 hours and 30 min. Price: 17,750 yen for one way)

By Train, Airplane, and Bus

Take JR Yamanote line to Hamamatsu Cho and then take Tokyo monorail to Haneda airport.
Take a flight to Aomori airport. Then, take JR bus Tohoku bound for Aomori ekimae station.
(Time: About 3 hours and 15 min. Price: 35,150yen for one way)

From Nagoya

By Airplane and Bus

Take a bus at Nagoya ekimae station bound for Aichi Kukou Museum.
Take an airplane at Nagoya airport(Komaki) to Aomori Airport.
Then, take JR bus Tohoku bound for Aomori ekimae station.
(Time: About 3 hours and 20 min. Price: 35,400yen for one way)
※If you are going by trains, it is the best to go to Tokyo first.

From Osaka

By Airplane and Bus

Take Hankyu Takarazuka Exp to Hotarugaike, and take an airplane at Osaka Itami to Aomori Airport.
Then, take JR bus Tohoku bound for Aomori ekimae station.
(Time: About 3 hours and 50 min. Price: 42,220yen for one way)
※If you are going by trains, it is the best to go to Tokyo first.

Aomori has both beautiful mountains and the view of the ocean.
It surely is a great place to visit!

Taka

*Need more info about Japan?
Give me a comment here or send me a message to
[email protected]

See you next time!

9 amazing places to visit in Nagano

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Nagano is located about 3 hours away from Tokyo and it is the fourth biggest prefecture in Japan.
It is rich in nature. Nine of the twelve highest mountains in Japan are in Nagano.
In 1998, Winter Olympics was held in this area.
Since then, Nagano has been a world-class winter sport destination.
Nagano is beautiful in other seasons as well: you can see beautiful flowers and Sakura in spring, enjoy hiking in the summer, and admire autumn leaves in fall.

  1. Zenkoji Temple

    Built in the 7th century and it is one of the most famous temples in Japan.
    The first Buddhist statue that was brought to Japan is stored here.
    The original statue is hidden but a replica is shown to the public every six years.
    Because the influence of the Buddhism was huge, Nagano grew up around this temple.
    There is Gokaidan meguri, or a pitch dark tunnel under the main hall of the temple.

    It is a place where there is no light and you walk through in it to find the hidden “Key to paradise”(Hidden lock of a door).

    You can experience how it is to be a Buddhist by going through the tunnel: try to reach the enlightenment just focusing on it.
    Like finding the lay of light inside of the darkness.

    There is also the Zenkoji History Museum where you can see hundreds of religious art works such as Buddhist statues and writings.

    Zenkoji Temple
    Price: 500yen per a person to enter the main hall.

  2. Togakushi Shrine

    Built about 2,000 years ago, Togakushi shrine is located in the northwest of the center of Nagano.
    This shrine consists of five shrines dedicated to different gods.
    The Hoko-Sea is to the goddess who protects maternity, sewing, and academic life.
    The Hino-miko-sha is to the god of fire and performing arts.
    The Chu-Sha is to the god of wisdom.
    The Oku-sha is to the god of fortune and harvest.
    The Kuzuryu-Sha is to the god of rain and good relationships.

    Going to Oku-Sha and then to Kuzuryu-Sha is a popular walking course.
    It is about 2 kilometer hike ,and along the way, you can enjoy watching beautiful cedar trees that are over 400 years old.

    Togakushi Shrine

  3. Matsumoto Castle

    It is one of the oldest Japanese castles in Matsumoto city, the place located in the center of Nagano prefecture.
    Among 12 castles existing from Edo period in Japan, only Matsumoto castle and Himeji castle are five floors (since there is a hidden floor, precisely speaking they have 6 floors though!).
    You can enjoy the view of the impressive landscape of this great, black and white castle with the Northern Alps behind.

    Inside of it, there are displays of weapons and armors from Sengoku period (Warring States Period. 15th to 16th century).
    In the moats just below the castle, koi carps and swans circle.

    Matsumoto Castle
    Time: 8:30 to 17:00
    (8:00 to 18:00 during Golden week holiday and Summer season and 10:00 to 15:30 from Jan 1st to 3rd)
    ※Closed on Dec 29th to 31st
    Price:610yen per a person to enter.

  4. Shiga Kogen

    It is a large ski resort that has 51 lifts and gondolas.
    The elevation range from 1,300 to 2,300meters above the sea level and it is the largest place for skiing.
    It has different kinds of terrain for any types of skiers and snowboarders.
    There are some hot springs and hotels in the area as well.

    Shiga Kogen

  5. Snow monkey park

    Also called Jigokutani Monkey Park.
    This park was made in 1964 to protect wild monkeys that faced threats because of the development of ski resorts.
    Around 160 monkeys are living in the area.
    Winter is the most popular time, but the park is open throughout the year and you can see monkeys everyday.
    There’s a pool around which the monkeys gather where you can observe the wild monkeys bathing in Onsen.
    It is prohibited to touch or feed the monkeys, so please follow the rules when you enter the park.

    Snow monkey park
    Time: 8:30 to 17:00 (From April to Oct)
    9:00 to 16:00 (From Nov to Mar)
    Price: 800yen per a person to enter

  6. Karuizawa

    It is a mountain resort just below the active volcano, Mt Asama.
    Karuizawa is famous as a summer resort as it offers pleasant escape from the heat of summer.
    It is a great place to enjoy outdoor activities like golfing, skiing, cycling, hiking, etc.
    So a lot of wealthy people buy a second home in the area.
    John Lennon stayed there with his family and Bill Gates rents holiday villas in Karuizawa.

    Karuizawa

  7. Kamikochi

    It is a narrow basin at 1,500 meters above sea level where you can enjoy great hiking!
    The area has amazing nature and is part of a national park in which private cars are not allowed to enter.
    Since it is surrounded by tall mountains, the temperature stays cool even in the summer (it rarely goes over 25 ℃).
    There are breathtaking lakes along the hiking course.
    The one I recommend that you go is Myoin Pond.
    It is a solemn pond in a virgin forest.
    You can never get bored watching photogenic view of it!


    Kamikochi
    Open from May until mid Nov every year

  8. Azumino

    Azumino is Located on the northern end of the Matsumoto and just below Hakuba, the place that had a lot of ski events during the 1998 Winter Olympic Games.
    There’s the largest wasabi farm in Japan called Daio Wasabi Farm with Water Mills.
    The quality of wasabi there is the highest in Japan and you will be amazed to taste it!
    You can not only try pasted wasabi, but also wasabi ice cream in Azumino (Surprisingly, it’s sweet and not spicy at all).
    I used to go to Azumino every year when I was an elementary school student for joining the training camp of a soccer team.
    I had so much wasabi ice cream with my teammates.
    Apples, grapes, pears, peaches, and buckwheat noodles are also made in the area and they are all great!

    Besides the wasabi farm, Hotaka Shrine, and Alps Azumino National Government Park are must-visit places!

    Daio Wasabi Farm
    Time: 9:00 to 17:20 (From Mar to Oct)
    9:00 to 16:30 (From Nov to Feb)

  9. Kiso

    It is located in the southeastern part of Nagano and 94% of its area is occupied by forest.
    It was a place where Yoshinaka Kiso, a warlord lived.
    Nakasendo, the road that connects Tokyo, Nagano, and Nagoya, runs in Kiso, so it is called Kiso-ji (Kiso road).
    The landscape of the past Edo era are preserved in Tsumago-juku and Narai-juku.
    Just walking Kiso-ji, you will get the feeling of Samurai period.
    Lacquer-ware, containers, and combs are popular products of Kiso.

    Kiso

There are also large lakes like Lake Suwa and Kizaki in Nagano, and a lot more great places for hiking.
If you are checking everything, you will need a few days of stay here but it really worth visiting the area!

Access

From Tokyo

Take JR Hokuriku Shinkansen bound for Nagano
(Time:About 2 hours   Price: 8,000 yen for oneway)

From Nagoya

Take Chuo Main Line Wideview Shinano bound for Nagano
(Time:About 3 hours  Price: 6,810 yen for oneway)

Where do people do winter/summer sports in your country?

Taka

*Need more info about Japan?
Give me a comment here or send me a message to
[email protected]

See you next time!

5 things to do in a great Onsen area,Gero

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Japan has 10% of the world’s active volcanoes (over 100) and thanks to that,
we have a lot of high-quality Onsen, or hot springs.
Among a lot of great Onsen, Gero in Gifu, Arima in Hyogo,
and Kusatsu in Gunma are considered as 3 major Onsen areas.

This time I wrote about Gero, which is close to Takayama city where I live now.
The area has a lot of nature and a popular resort for both foreign and Japanese tourists.

Onsen has been used as a cure for disease and pain for over centuries in Japan.
It is said that various minerals penetrate the body and promote hormone selection resulting the restoration.

Gero’s Onsen is high in Alkaline (ph 9.2) and it makes your skin smooth and great for your relaxation and prevention of aging.

It is good for most people, but if you are a pregnant, have some kind of skin problem,
or heart disease, you should refrain from soaking.
Those who have sensitive body can still enjoy Ashiyu (foot bath) in Gero.
There are 8 free foot baths in the area.

It might be the best to use a car to get around in Gero because you need to walk up to visit some places, but Gero is a compact city and you can enjoy just by walking.
Here are 5 things to visit/try in Gero.

  1. Go to Onsen (Hot springs)

    Go to Onsen is of course the best thing to do in the area.
    There are a lot of places to enjoy Onsen.

    Funsen chi
    It is a free, open-air hot spring that is right next to the river.
    It is a gender mixed bath, and you need to wear bathing suits to enter the bath.

    Shirasagi no Yu
    You can enjoy the view of the river and mountains while enjoying the bath here.
    This place does not have an open-air bath, but one of the most visited and loved Onsen in the area.

    Hours: 10:00 to 22:00 (closed on Wed)
    Price: 370yen

    Ogawa Ya
    It is a popular Ryokan (Japanese Inn) with Onsen.
    It has a very nice atmosphere and what is unique about their bath is that there are tatami around the bath.

    Hours for visitors: 12:00 to 20:00 (13:00 to 20:00 on Wed and Thu)
    Price: 1,000yen

    Miyabitei
    It is a Ryokan that has an open air bath with a great view of the surrounding mountains.
    This place might be the best in terms of enjoying the view!

    Hours for visitors: 18:00 to 20:00
    Price: 1,000yen

    Yunoshima Kan
    This 4 star Ryokan has great open-air baths and the building itself is registered as an important cultural building of Japan.
    It is right behind Onsen ji and you need to walk up a bit to get there and a use of bath for a visitor is limited from 13:00 to 14:00 , but it really is worth visiting!

    Hours for visitors: 13:00 to 14:00
    Price: 1,000yen

    These are just major places and there are lot more Onsen to check!

    Gero Onsen Festival is held annually on August 1st to 4th.
    You can enjoy watching a sacred dragon dance performance called
    Ryujin-no-Mai during the festival.

    Yumeguri Tegata, or a wooden spa pass tablet is available at the tourist office, souvenir shops, convenience stores, and ryokan.
    It is 1,300 yen and can be used for 6 months.
    With it, you can visit any three of 30 participating ryokan.

  2. Pray at Onsen ji

    It is the most important temple for locals with a famous legend of a white heron.
    Up until 1265, Mt Yugamine(a mountain on the east of Gero) was active and people in Gero enjoyed Onsen.
    One day it suddenly stopped producing Onsen (probably due to the earthquake).
    People were very disappointed and lost what to do.
    Next year, a villager found a white heron came to the same place everyday.
    The villager wondered why.
    He went to see the bird and followed where it went.
    Then, the heron pointed out a place where new hot spring was.
    Villagers were very thankful and believed that Nyorai (a buddhist figure of the highest degree of respect) turned into the white heron to help villagers.
    Later, to worship Nyorai, Onsen ji Temple was built.

    Just in front of the temple, there is a statue called Yukake yakushi Nyorai.
    It is a statue of Nyorai, with hot spring around.
    It is believed that if you pour hot spring to the body of Nyorai where you (your body) need a healing, your pain and disease will go away.

    Near the Nyorai statue, there’s a small building where Saruya no ishi (Saruya’s stone) is enshrined.
    Saruya was a monkey that villagers petted to get mice away.
    When Saruya passed away, a round stone was found near its grave.
    People believe that still after its death, Saruya turned itself to a stone to protect the area.


    Onsen ji

  3. Learn at Gero Museum of Hot spring

    It is a museum near Onsen ji.
    You can learn about hot spring from the view of both science and history.
    It has a lot of information about Onsen in Gero and other hot springs in Japan.

    There are 5 sections inside: Welcome to Gero Onsen, Science of Hot spring, History of Hot spring, Libraly, and Onsen try out where you can try some experiments like checking the minerals inside of hot spring in a bottle.

    There’s a foot bath right in front of the museum where you can walk inside to relax.

    Gero Museum of Hot spring
    Hours: 9:00 to 17:00 (closed on Thu)
    Price: 400yen

  4. Eat Onsen Tamago

    Onsen Tamago is a soft-boiled egg prepared in hot spring and it is a popular food in Gero Onsen area.
    There’s a store place called Ayumi-ya where you can try this egg while enjoying foot bath.
    They also sell Onsen Tamago ice cream and pudding!

  5. Visit Gero Onsen Gassho Mura

    This is an open-air museum of traditional style houses (called Gassho style. More about this, check Shirakawa-go).

    It also has a museum of Enku, a great carver who made more than ten thousand of wooden Buddhist statues.
    There are also souvenir stores as well as a place to try making potteries.

    Gero Onsen Gassho Mura
    Hours: 8:30 to 17:00
    Price: 800yen

In Gero, there are places called Onsen stands.
Just like a gas station, Gero citizens can bring their tanks and take Onsen from an Onsen stand for private use.
This city really is full of Onsen!

Access

From Tokyo

Take Tokaido Shinkansen to Nagoya, and then take Wide View Hida express to Gero.
(Time:About 3 to 4 hours   Price: 12,890 yen for oneway)

From Nagoya

Take Wide View Hida express to Gero
(Time:About 2 hours  Price: 4,100 yen for oneway)

What do people in your country do to relax/get rid of stress?

Taka

*Need more info about Japan?
Give me a comment here or send me a message to
[email protected]

See you next time!

Top things to do in Osaka, energetic Kansai city

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Osaka is Japan’s second largets area after Tokyo.
It is a very lively, energetic place.
It is famous for delicious food and entertainment like comedy shows.
People living there are generally open to foreigners and you will feel that you are welcomed.
Local people are called Kansai people, (people living in the west part of Japan),
and they are generally more friendly and open compared to Kantou people (people in the east part of Japan).
While Kantou people respect personal spaces and tend to have certain distance from others, Kansai people like to interact with others and talk about business.

It is very interesting to see people behave differently in different parts of Japan.
If you are visiting Tokyo(which is in Kantou), I highly recommend that you visit Osaka(Kansai) as well to see the differences.
Here are some of the best things to do in Osaka.

  1. Visit Osaka Castle

    In 1583, Toyotomi Hideyoshi started building the castle to be the center of Japan under his rule.
    It is one of the most famous castles and was the largest castle during the sixteenth century.
    The castle grounds cover about 60,000 square meters.
    The main central tower is 55 meters high.
    There is a museum inside and garden around it.
    You can enjoy the panoramic view of Osaka city.

    Osaka Castle
    Hours: 9:00 to 17:00
    600yen to enter

  2. Eat at Dotonbori

    Dotonbori is the center of food culture of Osaka(The culture is called Kuidaore, meaning to eat yourself into bankruptcy).
    People in Osaka are very passionate about food,
    and serve a lot of delicious food that make you spend a lot!
    This area has been a busy district with entertainment and food stores since the Edo period.
    Below are some of the must-try food and famous restaurants.

    •Kushikatsu
    (Deep fried meat,seafood, or vegetables on a stick)

    Restaurant: Kushikatsu Daruma
    Hours: 11:30 to 22:30
    Price range:Around 2,000yen per a person

    •Okonomiyaki
    (It is a pancake like food with fluffy batter and lots of ingredients such as vegitables, noodles, siced pork, and eggs. The taste varies depending on the restaurant.)

    Restaurant: Mizuno
    Hours: 11:00 to 22:00
    Price range: Around 1,500yen

    •Takoyaki
    (They are ball shaped dumplings with batter or eggs and flour with sliced octopus, onions, and ginger. Usually some sweet source and mayonnaise are put on top with green onions and bonito flakes. They are VERY hot inside so becareful when you eat!)

    Restaurant:Kururu
    Hours: 12:00 to 23:00(Mon to Fri), 11:00 to 22:00(Sat, Sun)
    Price range:1,000yen to 2,000yen

    •Yakiniku
    (It is barbecued beef. Usually customers cook themselves on a grill on the table. Osaka has the most Korean influence in Japan, and it is believed that this style is brought from Korean culture)

    Restaurant:Sora
    Hours:17:00 to 23:30(Mon to Fri), 16:00 to 23:30(Sat, Sun)
    Price range:3,000yen to 4,000yen

    •Fugu
    (Blowfish that is eaten raw. It is poisonous to eat blowfish without a careful preparation, but fugu chefs are trained three years to get a license to serve at a restaurant so you don’t need to worry. Enjoy the rare opportunity to try fugu in Osaka!)

    Restaurant:Zuboraya Doutonbori
    Hours:11:00 to 23:00
    Price range:2,000yen to 8,000yen

  3. Go sightseeing around Tsutenkaku

    It is a tower known as the Eiffel Tower of Osaka.
    It is a symbol of Osaka, and it is in the district called Shinsekai(New world).
    In the area, there are a lot of stores and huge bath complex as well as large pools.
    You can go in side of the tower and enjoy the view from the 5th floor!

    Tsutenkaku
    Hours:9:00 to 21:00
    700yen to enter the tower

  4. Take pictures at Shitennoji

    It is one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Japan(founded in 593),
    built to save the souls of people and bring peace to Japan.
    Gates at Shitennoji temple are guarded by wooden statues,
    or Niou(Benevolent Kings).
    There is the Gokuraku-jodo Garden(Pure Land Garden, or Buddhist paradise) and the Treature House (Buddhist statues, paintings, various documents, and national treasures are stored inside)
    The area is great for taking pictures.
    Enjoy seeing this historical building and beautiful garden!


    Shitennoji
    Open 24 hours
    300yen to enter the garden, 500yen to enter the Treasure House

Osaka is a perfect place to enjoy Japanese cuisine and the lively atmosphere talking over drinks.
Osaka never sleeps like other big cities of Japan, and you will never get bored shopping and checking restaurants that serve delicious meals.
Be prepared to Kuidaore there!

Access

From Tokyo

•By train: Take Nozomi Shinkansen to Shin-Osaka and take JR train to Osaka
(Time: About 2 hours an 45 min　Price:13,780yen)

•By bus: There are various buses go to directly to Osaka.
Please refer to the link Kosokubus
(Time: About 9 hours, Price: 3,000yen ~)

From Kyoto

Take JR Tokaido Sanyo Main Line New Rapid Bound for Himeji
(Time: About 29 min, Price: 560yen)

From Nagoya

Take JR Tokaido Shinkansen Nozomi Bound for Shin-Osaka and then take JR train to Osaka
(Time:About 1 hour, Price 5,830yen)

Where’s the best place to eat in your country?

Taka

*Need more info about Japan?
Give me a comment here or send me a message to
[email protected]

See you next time!