Gion Festival Points for Enjoyment Walking to See the Floats The centerpiece of the Gion Festival is undoubtedly the floats. Seeing the luxurious decorations and intricate designs up close is truly impressive. During the day, you can enjoy the overall grandeur, while at night, the lanterns create a serene atmosphere. Experiencing the Atmosphere of the Evening Festival The time when the floats are lined up makes walking around the city enjoyable. The stalls, the flow of people, and the bustling atmosphere of the float districts all combine to create a festive air that is quintessentially Kyoto. Taking a Close Look at the Townhouses and Decorations Not only the floats but also the surrounding townscape and shop arrangements are charming. Walking while admiring the hanging decorations and ornaments reveals the depth of the festival. Avoiding Crowds The popular time slots can get quite crowded. If you prefer to take your time, choosing early hours or times closer to weekdays makes for easier walking. Useful Items to Have Comfortable shoes Drinks and hats for heat protection A small bag for crowded times Rain gear in case of weather changes Is it true that you shouldn't eat cucumbers during the Gion Festival? This is related to the family crest of Yasaka Shrine, the deity of the Gion Festival. The family crest of Yasaka Shrine resembles the cross-section of a sliced cucumber. Because of this, the townspeople of Kyoto have had a tradition of not eating cucumbers during the Gion Festival.

Gion Festival... Pre-Festival Night On July 15th (Wednesday) and 16th (Thursday), during the evening festivities, certain areas will become pedestrian-only zones (car-free zones), lined with food stalls. The pedestrian zone hours, excluding some streets, are from 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM. The pedestrian areas include Shijō Street (from Higashioji Street to Horikawa Street), Karasuma-dori Street (from Oike Street to Takatsuji Street), Muromachi-dōri (from Sanjō Street to Takatsuji Street), and Shinmachidori (from Takoyakushi Street to Takatsuji Street). Bicycles are not allowed in the pedestrian-only zones. The Gion Festival nights can get quite crowded, especially around the floats and major streets, making movement difficult. Avoid going against the flow of people and steer towards less crowded streets. Parents with small children and elderly individuals should refrain from pushing into the crowded center. Stay hydrated and take measures against the heat. As evening falls, the sounds of "Konchikichin" resonate from each float district. The Gion music, played with bells, flutes, and drums, has long been cherished as a sound heralding the arrival of summer in Kyoto. Surrounded by the glow of lanterns, the time spent admiring the floats while listening to Gion music is truly enchanting. The lantern light adds a different kind of splendor compared to daytime. Due to the large crowds, stepping back to view the overall scene is also beautiful.

On a summer day with light rain continuing, Kobe Meriken Park was a sight to behold. The fine rain fell and stopped intermittently, and the raindrops resting on the white petals that had fallen due to the wind were beautiful.

I recently visited Glicopia, a factory in Kobe that makes Pocky and Pretz. I think Pocky was the first chocolate I ever knew was specifically Japanese, and I think it is definitely an iconic snack well-recognized around the world. It was fun to get a closer look at its production! The guided tours show the history of the company, from its early 20th century origins to the postwar expansion of products, with old commercials, toys that came included with snacks through the years, and a fun "digital cooking" game where you design and decorate your own sweets. The assembly line itself is very advanced, and you can see pocky being made in great quantities. This time they were making a flavor that has yet to hit shelves, which made it even more interesting. The air near the production area has a warm, delicious scent, which is a bonus. If you liked pocky a lot yourself growing up, or are travelling with kids, I think it is a great place to visit! Reservations are necessary, and I believe most of it is Japanese-language only, but looking at a chocolate factory is pretty universal regardless of language.

Grand Front Osaka The Green Bear This bear is named "Ted Ibel," with the nickname coool. In fact, this is a work by the contemporary French artist Fabrice Hyber. It sprays water from its mouth.

When it comes to summer in Japan, it's all about sweet and cold wagashi (Japanese sweets). Enjoying sweetened beans set in jelly or agar while wearing a yukata is a delightful summer tradition for young girls. The photo features a summer limited menu from Kanou Shoujuan, which has branches nationwide but is rooted in its local area.

Uchino Shrine in Tamba City, Hyogo Prefecture, is famous nationwide for its flying fireflies. This year, it was another breathtaking sight.

Summer rain. Meriken Park in Kobe passes quietly and peacefully.

The other day, I had lunch with my friend Ms. Hitomi at the teppanyaki restaurant Sazanka on the 35th floor of Hotel Okura Kobe. While enjoying the wonderful view from the 35th floor, we had appetizers, Sazanka salad, and grilled sea bream and shrimp. My friend said, "The flesh of the sea bream easily flakes apart with chopsticks, and it's served with a cream sauce made from clam broth. The shrimp is cooked just right, paired with American sauce. The flavors are thoughtfully combined and very enjoyable." Next, there was a stunning flame show (so cool!). The Japanese Black Wagyu ribeye was cooked medium, tender, and not overly fatty, making it easy to eat. My recommendation is to enjoy it with the accompanying whole grain mustard. (Comment from my friend, Ms. Hitomi) Then we had garlic rice and a special dessert from the pastry chef. In the best location with the best cuisine, and the warmest hospitality from the staff, I had a truly luxurious and wonderful time with my friend.

Tsukiyomi Shrine 15 Matsumuroyamazoe-chou, Nishikyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture Parking available After walking a few minutes south along the road from the red torii gate of Matsuo Taisha, Tsukiyomi Shrine will appear on your right. At Tsukiyomi Shrine, the moon deity, said to have been enshrined from Iki, quietly resides. It is one of the oldest shrines in Kyoto and later became an auxiliary shrine of Matsuo Taisha. At Tsukiyomi Shrine (an auxiliary shrine of Matsuo Taisha), you can basically receive the goshuin at the issuance office of Matsuo Taisha as "Tsukiyomi Shrine" goshuin. You can receive it at Tsukiyomi Shrine. It's a written seal! Usually, it is available during the reception hours at Matsuo Taisha's shrine office (approximately 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM), and there may also be written seal options, so it's best to check the latest information on the official Matsuo Taisha website or goshuin information sites before visiting.

Matsuo Taisha Shōfūen and others... 3 Arashiyamamiya-machi, Nishikyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture The gardens of Matsuo Taisha consist of three gardens called "Shōfūen," designed by the renowned garden designer Mirei Shigemori in his later years. Completed in 1975, this relatively new garden features a blend of traditional dry landscape and modern sensibilities. Kyokusui Garden expresses an elegant world with the flow of the Mitarai River and stones, reflecting the court culture of the Heian period. Upper Ancient Garden represents a mythical and ancient world with large stone arrangements and a rustic landscape. Horai-no-niwa symbolizes the ideal of longevity with its iconic stone arrangements resembling Turtle Island and Crane Island.

Minase Shrine 3-10-24 Hirose, Shimamoto-cho, Mishima-gun, Osaka 618-0011, Japan A deity of literature, scholarship, and sports, Minase Shrine is also revered as a protector of safe childbirth and a guardian against theft. The parking lot is spacious and convenient. Many people bring bottles or containers to fill with the delicious water. Event Name: Wind of Good Fortune Event Period: Wednesday, July 1, 2026 – Wednesday, September 9, 2026 Visiting Hours: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (regular worship) Admission Fee: Free (Note: Lighting up is an additional 500 yen) *Event information may change due to weather conditions. Please check Minase Shrine's official social media before your visit.

Along the banks of the Saho River in Nara, there is a cherry blossom avenue that stretches for 5 kilometers with over 1,000 cherry trees. This avenue not only represents Nara Prefecture but is also one of the most iconic cherry blossom spots in the Kansai region. Despite its scale, it seems that there are still relatively few tourists. Every year, I enjoy a 10-kilometer round trip walk while capturing the beauty of the cherry blossoms.

The morning mist lingers over "Aragijima". I was able to see the fantastical "Aragijima" illuminated by the morning sun. Aridagawacho, Wakayama Prefecture 2026/6

Toyonaka Tsubasa Park "ma-zika" Location: 2-2-14 Haradachū, Toyonaka City, Osaka Prefecture Area: 5.9 hectares Opening Hours: 9:00 AM – 9:30 PM (Entry until 9:00 PM) Closed: Open year-round Admission Fee: Free Partial Opening Date: August 12, 2025 Full Opening Date: Scheduled for March 2027 Parking: During partial opening: 127 cars (including 3 for disabled persons and 1 for large buses) During full opening: 273 cars (including 5 for disabled persons and 1 for large buses) Parking Fee: 100 yen/20 minutes (maximum 900 yen on weekdays, no limit on weekends and holidays) No meals are available on weekdays... There is a convenience store nearby. Food trucks will be available on holidays, etc... Toyonaka Tsubasa Park "ma-zika" is a new urban park under development just south of Osaka International Airport (Itami Airport), right next to the Senri River Levee. Its main feature is the ability to see planes just before landing from a very close perspective, and the name "ma-zika" comes from the sounds of "close" and "really?". There will be events... Check out the food trucks on weekends and holidays at Toyonaka Tsubasa Park 'ma-zika'.

The hidden gem I want to introduce is the Uda City Matsuyama Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings, located along the Ise Honkaidō in Uda City, Nara Prefecture. The "Daiganji" temple here was founded during the Suiko period and is said to have been established at the command of Prince Shotoku to Soga no Umako. The area known as "Akino" in ancient times is now part of the Daida Uda district. According to the Nihon Shoki, a medicinal herb gathering (kusurigari) took place here on May 5, 611, during the 19th year of Emperor Suiko's reign. Medicinal herb gathering was a court event where materials with medicinal properties, such as deer antlers and medicinal herbs, were collected, indicating Uda's long-standing connection with medicine. In the Edo period, in 1729, the Morino family opened a medicinal herb garden, which is now preserved as the "Morino Medicinal Herb Garden." With this background, Daida Uda developed as a "Medicine Town" lined with pharmacies, and it is said that at its peak, there were over 50 pharmacies operating. The "Yakushi-no-Yakata" is a facility that utilizes the former residence of the Hosokawa family, who operated a pharmacy since 1806. The Hosokawa family boasted great prosperity, selling stomach medicines like "Tenjumaru" by 1836. Today, a beautifully crafted copper plate roof with a decorative signboard still hangs at the front of the building, conveying the grandeur of its past. Additionally, Tomokichi Fujisawa, the eldest son of Mitsu, the second daughter of the second generation of the Hosokawa family, became an adopted son of the Fujisawa family in 1882 and later founded Fuji Pharma Co., Ltd. (now Astellas Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.). Inside the facility, you can see displays of the development of Fujisawa Pharmaceuticals, the achievements of past presidents, and representative medicine packaging, allowing visitors to learn about Japan's modern pharmaceutical history. Please visit Uda City in Nara Prefecture, where you can touch upon the history of Japanese medicine (herbs) that existed 1,400 years ago.

Lake Biwa, the largest lake in Japan, is actually surrounded by many small lakes that resemble satellites, and Pinghu is one of them. However, only fishermen are aware of its existence, so in spring, you can leisurely enjoy cherry blossom viewing while taking in the sight of the giant cherry trees that encircle the lake, all while being gently blown by the lake breeze.

In Koka City, Shiga Prefecture, there is a beautiful area where 600 cherry blossom trees line both banks of a clear stream. It's a tranquil spot, perfect for leisurely cherry blossom viewing, and the view from the center of the pedestrian bridge is fantastic.

The filming location is "Takatori Castle" in Kamikoshima, Takatoricho, Takaichi District, Nara Prefecture. "Takatori Castle" is associated with Toyotomi Hidenaga, one of the Toyotomi brothers, and is counted among Japan's three great mountain castles, making it quite a hidden gem. What I want to introduce here is the "Kunimi Yagura Ruins" of Takatori Castle. The Kunimi Yagura offers a panoramic view of the "Asuka-Fujiwara Capital Area," which is set to become a World Heritage site. This photo captures "Mt. Unebiyama (where the Mausoleum of Emperor Jinmu is located)," "Fujiwara-kyo ruins," "Asukamura," and "Mt. Nijo (a symbol of the ancient capital Nara for the people of Nara)." Under good conditions, you can also see "Mount Hiei in Kyoto" and "Mount Rokko in Kobe." The view, especially during the time from sunset to twilight, is magnificent. Have you noticed it? In the distance to the right of Mt. Nijo, the skyline of Osaka's high-rise buildings is visible. One of those buildings is "Abeno Harukas." Getting to the "Takatori Castle Ruins" involves a mountain trail hike. Please check the information and prepare suitable clothing and gear for a short mountain climb to enjoy your visit. Additionally, Takatori Castle has no lighting facilities, and at night it becomes pitch dark, which can be dangerous. It's necessary to have lighting equipment like headlamps. Last year, the Takatori New Tourism Association held a night walk tour. Please consider participating in such events.

At this time, the cherry blossoms were about 80% in bloom, but the morning sunlight was perfect. If the timing is right, the rays of light here are outstanding. Be cautious of deer at night.

The Kitano area of Kobe is well up the slope of the city, away from the port and Sannomiya station. The long trek uphill can be daunting, but some of Kobe's most vibrant cityscape means you at least can enjoy looking around on your way from the heart of the city. Once you get up to Kitano, though, you are rewarded with a neighborhood with a meaningful international character. Whether it be the local Mosque (one of the oldest and largest in Japan), or the prestigious British international school nearby, there are plenty of signs that the cosmopolitan aspect of Kitano is more than a shallow veneer of foreign cuisine restaurants. To be sure, those are there as well, and they are delicious! From memory, besides the ubiquitous Indian, Vietnamese and Chinese cuisine, German, Russian and Egyptian dining formed some of the more eclectic additions, as well as Mexican food, a sure treat for any visitors from North America missing a classic mainstay. But the most lasting and striking stamp that the wider world has left on Kitano are the Kitano "Ijinkan", the former western residences from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The stateliness of this old-world refinement are well complemented by the dazzling modern city visible below the hills. Even a global chain Starbucks gets in on the fun, with a famous repurposed building that is considerably fancier than your typical starbucks cafe. Whether for appreciating Meiji history, western architecture, foreign cuisine, the vibrant and diverse culture of the neighborhood, or just getting some good exercise in and enjoying the view from the hills of Kobe, the trip from Sannomiya up to Kitano is well worth the effort!

This is the light purple Kitayama Yuzen Chrysanthemum blooming in the Hisada District of Sakyo Ward, Kyoto. It is a beautiful flower that only blooms in this area around mid-July, and the view at sunrise is breathtaking.

Umekita Plaza at Grand Green Osaka As you step into Umekita Park, the first thing that catches your eye is the "large roof" designed by the architectural unit SANAA. It envelops the space with three soft curves spanning 120 meters from north to south, beneath which lies a complex facility featuring the information dissemination center "PLAT UMEKITA," along with cafes and large event spaces. Surrounding it is the spiral staircase "Gate Lantern," which serves as a guiding light for people at night. The plants in the park are primarily selected from those native to the Uemachi Plateau in Osaka, evoking the city's history and culture. Trees that change color in autumn, such as cherry blossoms, maple trees, and katsura, along with flowers like azaleas and camellias, showcase the beauty of Japanese nature throughout the seasons. Why not take a leisurely stroll in the park, where the scenery changes with the seasons? You wouldn't believe that this is in the middle of the city There were hydrangeas blooming... It's a nice plaza filled with greenery in Umeda, Osaka... A great place has been created in the city center 😊😊😊.

EXPO 2025 Official Cafe "LINKS UMEDA" Location: 1st Floor, LINKS UMEDA (1-1 Ofuka-cho, Kita-ku, Osaka) Operating Period: From Monday, April 27, 2026 to Saturday, October 31, 2026 Business Hours: 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM (Last Order: 8:00 PM for dining in, 9:00 PM for takeout) Purchased "Myakumyaku-yaki" Chewy texture... a subtle feeling I also got a Myakumyaku sticker, so that's good... As a souvenir...

The "Jigosha Camphor Tree" is over 600 years old, with a trunk circumference of 13.5 meters and a height of 20 meters. It is a natural monument in Wakayama Prefecture and the largest tree in the Kinki region. Although it is no longer there, my childhood home was near this tree. Right next to it was an elementary school, and my grandfather, father, myself, and my two daughters are all graduates of this school, growing up under the watchful eye of the great tree. This tree has also been damaged by typhoons and lightning, and it has become significantly smaller compared to the past, but it still stands strong.

The Ultimate Guide for First-Timers in Osaka: 5 Days and 4 Nights 🔥 ✈️ Arriving on a 7 AM flight; an all-inclusive experience of food, fun, and entertainment ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 📌 Basic Information 🏨 Accommodation Recommendations ▪️ Namba / Shinsaibashi Area (Convenient transportation and late-night shopping) ✈️ Arrival Time ▪️ Landing at Kansai Airport at 07:00 🚃 Transportation Recommendations ▪️ Osaka Amazing Pass ▪️ Combination of subway and JR ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 🗓 Day 1 | Arriving in Osaka, Shinsaibashi, Dōtonbori 07:00 ✈️ Flight arrives at Kansai International Airport Complete immigration and collect luggage 08:30 🚆 Take the Nankai Electric Railway to Namba 09:30 🏨 Arrive at the hotel and drop off luggage 10:30 🛍 Stroll through Shinsaibashi Shopping Street ▪️ Drugstores ▪️ Trendy fashion brands ▪️ Souvenirs 12:30 🍱 Lunch Recommendations ▪️ Unagi rice ▪️ Japanese set meal 14:00 📸 Walk along the Dōtonbori riverside ▪️ Snap a photo with iconic signs ▪️ Take a picture with the Glico Man sign 16:00 🚶 Stroll around the nearby area Experience the atmosphere of Osaka 18:00 🍢 Dinner Recommendations ▪️ Okonomiyaki ▪️ Takoyaki ▪️ Classic kushikatsu 20:00 🛒 Visit Don Quijote duty-free store Shop for snacks, cosmetics, and daily necessities 21:30 🏨 Return to the hotel to rest 22:30 🌃 Experience the nightlife at the club ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 🗓 Day 2 | A Day Trip to USJ (Universal Studios Japan) 07:00 🌅 Early start to head to USJ 07:30 🚉 Arrive at the park and queue for entry 08:00 🎢 Enter the park on time Priority rides: ▪️ The Wizarding World of Harry Potter ▪️ Super Nintendo World 12:00 🍔 Lunch inside the park ▪️ Three Broomsticks Restaurant ▪️ Light snacks 13:30 🎮 Continue enjoying popular attractions ▪️ Jurassic Park ▪️ Super Nintendo World ▪️ Minion Park 16:00 🛍 Shop at the park stores Buy souvenirs and take photos 17:00 ✨ Enjoy the night parade and light show 19:00 🚆 Leave the park and return to the city 20:00 🍢 Dinner Recommendations ▪️ Kushikatsu from a famous shop in Shinsekai 21:30 🌃 Experience the nightlife at the club ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 🗓 Day 3 | Osaka Castle, Kuromon Ichiba, Umeda Night View 09:00 🏯 Visit Osaka Castle Park ▪️ Tour the main keep ▪️ Stroll through the Japanese garden 12:00 🍣 Lunch Recommendations ▪️ Sushi ▪️ Wagyu set meal ▪️ Japanese pork cutlet 13:30 🐟 Food tour at Kuromon Ichiba Market ▪️ Sashimi ▪️ Seafood sushi ▪️ Grilled seafood ▪️ Seasonal fruits 15:30 🎡 Head to the Shinsekai area ▪️ Tsutenkaku Tower ▪️ Retro shopping street 18:00 🌆 Visit the Umeda Sky Building observation deck 19:30 🥩 Dinner Recommendations ▪️ Wagyu barbecue ▪️ Green onion grill 21:00 🌃 Enjoy the night view of Osaka 22:30 🍸 Experience the nightlife at the club ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 🗓 Day 4 | Tennoji, Kaiyukan, Osaka Port 09:00 ⛩ Visit Shitennoji ▪️ Worship at the ancient temple ▪️ Stroll through the Japanese garden 11:30 🍜 Lunch Recommendations ▪️ Soba noodles ▪️ Japanese light meal 13:30 🌊 Head to Osaka Port 14:00 🐋 Visit Kaiyukan Aquarium 16:00 🎡 Ride the Tempozan Ferris Wheel Enjoy the view of Osaka Port 18:00 🌅 Stroll along Osaka Port Enjoy the sunset view 19:00 🦀 Dinner Recommendations ▪️ Seafood izakaya ▪️ Grilled fish dishes ▪️ Seafood rice bowl 21:00 🏨 Return to the hotel to rest ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 🗓 Day 5 | Umeda Shopping and Return Home 09:00 🧳 Check out of the hotel Store luggage 09:30 🛍 Shopping in Umeda Department Store District ▪️ Souvenirs ▪️ Snacks ▪️ Desserts 12:00 🍜 Lunch Recommendations ▪️ Osaka-style ramen ▪️ Japanese snacks 14:00 🏨 Return to the hotel to collect luggage 14:30 🚆 Take the Nankai Electric Railway to Kansai Airport 16:00 ✈️ Complete tax refund and last shopping at duty-free 17:30 🛫 Board the flight home End of the 5 days and 4 nights in Osaka ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 🍜 Must-Try Food List in Osaka 📍Dōtonbori ▪️ Takoyaki ▪️ Okonomiyaki ▪️ Kushikatsu ▪️ Tonkotsu ramen 📍Kuromon Ichiba ▪️ Sashimi ▪️ Seafood sushi ▪️ Grilled scallops ▪️ Fresh-cut fruits 📍Shinsekai ▪️ Famous kushikatsu ▪️ Japanese fried foods 📍Umeda Area ▪️ Wagyu sukiyaki ▪️ Omi beef set meal ▪️ Japanese desserts 📍Street Snacks ▪️ Crepes ▪️ Taiyaki ▪️ Japanese shaved ice ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 💡 Useful Tips 🚇 Subway and buses are the main transportation It is recommended to charge your IC card in advance 🎢 Arrive early at USJ There are many people queuing for popular attractions 🍱 Many shops in Japan close earlier at night It is advisable not to have dinner too late 🛂 Remember to bring your passport for duty-free shopping This makes it easier to process tax refunds 🤭

The view of the fishing port seen from Armor Station in Kami Town, Hyogo Prefecture, was breathtakingly beautiful.

Hiraike Park in Kato City, Hyogo Prefecture. Within this spacious park, there are small ponds with water lilies and Ooga Lotus, which are about to be in full bloom. It's not a famous spot, but it's one of my favorite hidden gems where you can find peace and tranquility.

The sunset at Taga-cho, Shiga Prefecture, was perfect on this day!

Near the Amarube Trestle Bridge in Hyogo Prefecture, Heisei Suimei no Sato offers a stunning view of the Sea of Japan from its beautiful sandy beach. On a weekday afternoon just before the season, there are few visitors, allowing you to enjoy this scenery all to yourself.