Osaka

Osaka was the country’s first capital, and to this day it is considered a vital economic center in Japan.  Lose yourself in Umeda and Dotonbori areas, Osaka’s main entertainment districts, to enjoy some of the best restaurants, nightlife, and shopping the city has to offer.

Best Day Trips from Osaka by train

Osaka might not exude beauty the way Kyoto might, but the city definitely has charm, color, and great food. Set in the Kansai region, Japan’s third largest city is extremely well connected and has plenty of surprises in store.

If you’re a foodie, Osaka is the place to be. Its unofficial slogan is kruidaore which means ‘eat until you drop’.  A highly photogenic spot in the city is Dōtombori, here you will find several pedestrian streets and numerous illuminated billboards. One of the most famous signs is the Glico Running Man.

Continue reading “%s”

Japanese capsule hotels: the best in Tokyo and Osaka

Japan is an incredible country to visit but it’s pricey. If you’re traveling on a budget or you miss the last train and find yourself in need of accommodation, you can stay at a capsule hotel.

Capsule hotels (also known as pod hotels) have been steadily growing in popularity in recent years and more and more of them continue to pop up in Japan’s cities. They are like normal hotels but instead of a normal-sized room, you sleep in a small cubicle.

Continue reading “%s”

Namba Station: Trains, transfers and getting around

Located in south-central Osaka, Namba is one of the city’s most famous neighborhoods. At the heart of the city, Namba pulses with a life uniquely its own. It is an entertainment district with an abundance of shops and restaurants.

When using your Japan Rail Pass to tour Namba, the number of train stations in the area can prove confusing. Why? Because Namba is home to four different train stations: Namba Station, Nankai Namba Station, Osaka Namba Station, and JR Namba Station (formerly Minatomachi Station). Learn to navigate Namba like a pro with this helpful guide.

Continue reading “%s”

Shin-Osaka Station: Travel guide

In Japanese, the word shin means “new,” and this is fitting for Osaka’s modern train station. You may arrive at Shin-Osaka Station on one of Japan’s famous Shinkansen bullet trains. This station may be relatively small compared to the massive stations of Kyoto and Tokyo, but it is artfully designed for easy use by first-time travelers.

Osaka is Japan’s second largest city, but Shin-Osaka Station represents the quiet side of the city. You are likely to pass through this station when traveling to Osaka, and it serves as an excellent springboard from which to begin your travels.

Continue reading “%s”