inspo & info

Just a 16-minute train ride from the shrines, temples and inevitable crowds of Kyoto lies a town where the air smells faintly of toasted grass and the river flows with a thousand years of history. Welcome to Uji , the undisputed "Matcha Capital" of Japan. Most travellers have a bucket-list of attractions that they want to speed through while in Kyoto, but not setting aside time for a day trip – even a half-day trip – to the town of Uji means missing out on UNESCO World Herita

Having called Osaka home for several years, we’ve learned one thing: this city doesn't have really have one centre or even two - it has a personality that changes every few subway stops. From the neon-soaked chaos of Dotonbori to the quiet, hidden alleys of Honmachi, choosing where to stay can make or break your trip. We’ve spent countless weekends exploring every corner of this city, and in this guide, we cut through the tourist noise to show you exactly which neighbourhood

If you're only on a fleeting trip to Japan, nobody's going to blame you for wanting to spend those precious days in a tightly packed itinerary exploring the highlights of Tokyo, the temples of Kyoto, the neon of Osaka. But just 20 minutes from Osaka is a city that is considered in Japan to be one of the country's most beautiful, most cosmopolitan. A popular hotspot for domestic tourism, for gourmets, for romantic dates. Yet most tourists know it only as the home of Kobe beef.

Situated on an artificial island just off the coast of Kobe, Kobe Airport opened in 2006 and has since become an efficient and compact alternative to the larger regional hub. The airport lies about 8 km south of central Kobe (Sannomiya), making it a very convenient option for travellers staying in or around Kobe. Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission, ♡ at no extra cost to you   ♡ . Jump to: (1

I've you've already read our post on KIX and our guide to Kansai's three hubs (if you haven't, you can find them here and here ), you'll already know that Osaka has not one but two airports. This is our guide to Itami Airport (airport code ITM), Osaka's smaller gateway for domestic flights. Find out why Itami might be a good option for you and why it's essential that you check your tickets in good time before you fly! Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you cl

Are you ready to explore cities like Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe, and Nara? Then you might well decide to fly into or out of the Kansai region. Unlike many other regions, Kansai is served by three major airports  that operate under a single management group: Kansai International Airport (KIX) , Osaka Itami Airport (ITM) , and Kobe Airport (UKB) . Choosing the right one depends entirely on your itinerary: are you arriving internationally? Traveling domestically? Headed straight to Kyot

Especially with the jump in the price of the Japan Rail Pass in the last years, more and more visitors to Japan are catching on to the idea of flying into Tokyo and leaving again from Osaka, or the other way around, therefore saving one trip between the two regions on the Shinkansen. Many are unfamiliar with Kansai's airports, however, and you might have seen stories of travellers showing up at Osaka Itami to check in for their international flight, only to be told that they

So, you're venturing beyond Tokyo, and heading down to Kansai is the natural choice. But choosing where to base yourself is one of the most important decisions you’ll make when planning a trip to Japan’s cultural heartland. For most travellers, the debate quickly narrows to two cities: Kyoto vs Osaka. Both offer exceptional experiences, but each city offers something completely different in terms of vibe, price, convenience and attractions. If you’re wondering whether to stay

It's basically just a hop, skip and a jump on the train from Kyoto to Osaka but the variety of train lines and routes throws many a traveller into a bit of a tizzy. We break your options down for you and tell you why you shouldn't take the Shinkansen between Osaka and Kyoto! Jump to: (1) JR Kyoto Line (2) Hankyu Kyoto Line (3) Hankyu special sightseeing train GARAKU (4) Keihan Line (5) Why you shouldn't take the Shinkansen from Kyoto to Osaka (6) FAQs on the train from Kyoto

Osaka is famous for its eat-'til-you-fall-down street food and neon-lit nightlife, but it's also the perfect strategic base for unlocking the treasures of the Kansai region. Japan’s highly efficient rail networks mean you can leave Osaka in the morning and be exploring ancient capitals, feeding deer, sampling world-class sake or feeling like John Blackthorne at the feet of a feudal castle before lunch. These eight incredible destinations offer a perfect blend of culture, natu

Everything you need to know about this classic Kanto-Kansai route If you are planning a trip along Japan's iconic Golden Route, the Tōkaidō Shinkansen is your fastest, most comfortable option. The Tōkaidō route runs between Tokyo and Osaka with stops in major cities such as Yokohama, Nagoya and - especially interesting for tourists - Kyoto. Now, we have covered most of the basics in our article on Taking the Shinkansen from Tokyo to Kyoto , so click on that link to read all a