Storming Osaka Castle and its surroundings
What you can see at the iconic Osaka Castle and some other fun places to check out just outside the castle grounds
Japan
Shinsaibashi, Dotonbori, Ebisubashi and other long street names in Osaka
These tongue twisting names are really not as complicated as you think – here’s a bit of what I saw in downtown Osaka.
Osaka Highlights: Kaiyukan Aquarium and Umeda Sky Building
Checking out the Osaka Kaiyukan Aquarium and the Floating Garden Observatory in Umeda Sky Building on a hot summer’s day in downtown Osaka.
Road trip to Awaji Island and Kagawa
An impromptu adventure from Osaka all the way to Takamatsu to seek out udon, whirlpools and the world’s longest (and most expensive) suspension bridge.
The neverending Torii of Fushimi Inari
Strolling the endless rows of orange Torii gates at Fushimi Inari Taisho
Beyond the bamboo forest charms of Arashiyama 嵐山
Arashiyama is more than just a beautiful bamboo forest – make sure you take some time to poke into Tenryuji Temple and check out Togetsukyo Brudge as well.
An afternoon in Nara – Todaiji, Kofukuji and a lot of deer
Oh deer! Spending the afternoon in Nara with some overly familiar deer and visiting famous temples.
Ohayo Osaka! A Post Trip Recap of Kansai in June
Japan in June is HOT. A post trip recap of my little summer adventure to to the Kansai region in central Japan, covering Osaka, Nara, Arashiyama, Awaji and Kagawa.
Oh Osaka, what a short time we had
A memory of an early trip to Japan with some school friends in 2006 and my first encounter with Osaka. I would return again 6 years later for more detailed exploration in 2012.
How to onsen in Japan: bathing etiquette and what to expect
Want to soak in an onsen in Japan but unsure about what the rules are? Here’s everything you need to know about the bathing etiquette and what to expect.
