Central San'in: Enter the Worlds of Japan's Gods, Monsters, and Humans

Gods, Yokai, and Sightseeing in Central San'in

Central San'in includes areas in both Tottori Prefecture and Shimane Prefecture, and the region draws travelers thanks to gorgeous natural features, and links to both Shinto gods, and "yokai" (妖怪), or traditional Japanese mythological spirits or monsters. Central San'in is where you'll find historical castle ruins and the grand shrine Izumo Taisha, but also where you'll find the popular Adachi Museum of Art, and the yokai of the classic manga Gegege no Kitaro. Visit Central San'in to explore the boundaries between the world of the living and the world of myth and monsters, and get a glimpse into the heavens of Japanese legend.

• Saikaiminato + Mount Daisen

Cross Hotel Osaka is Next to Shinsaibashi, Namba, and Everyone's Favorite Glico Man

Steps away from Namba Station, Cross Hotel Osaka is in the most desirable area of Osaka, especially for sightseers who want convenient access to the city. At the heart of the Namba area, the hotel is around the corner from Dotonbori, Shinsaibashi, and even the fashionable Amemura ("American Village") area. One of Osaka's best shopping areas, and a nightlife hotspot once the sun sets, is quite literally visible from the hotel windows. For committed sightseers, gourmets ready to indulge in all the local delicacies, and shoppers waiting to be delighted by Osaka shopping, there's no question that Cross Hotel Osaka is a convenient place to start your day in Osaka.

Hana-Biyori Is a Botanical Garden with Projection Mapping, Otters, and a Flower-Filled Starbucks - All at Yomiuriland

Popular Tokyo amusement park Yomiuriland fills year-round with crowds flocking to have fun with their summer water park, winter holiday lights, and cherry trees that make the park a Tokyo springtime destination. But Yomiuriland's mission is to become a "Super Amusement Park," so with their 70th anniversary celebrations coming to a close, 2020 brought new innovation to the park.

The attractions at Hana-Biyori are a little different from your standard amusement park rollercoasters and Ferris wheels, but that doesn't make the area any less fun. Spectacularly flashy digital art shows take advantage of projection mapping technology to create new spaces, and flowers of all shapes, sizes, and colors decorate Hana-Biyori inside and out.

Tulips and Sakura・Fragrant Green Tea・Unagi (Eel!) and Gyoza ~ in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka

Unless your Japanese travel plans revolve solely around central Tokyo, it's quite possible you've heard the name Shizuoka when talking about Mount Fuji. But Shizuoka is a whole Japanese prefecture, and it has much more to offer than just half of Japan's famous mountain. This spring, the Japankuru team went to explore and learn more about Hamamatsu, a city in Shizuoka. The first thing we learned? Thanks to the city's status as a stop on the shinkansen line that connects Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka, and Kyoto, it's extremely easy to get to! But more importantly, the city has a unique history closely linked to industry and manufacturing, and more recent status as a lakeside resort on the shores of Lake Hamanako (浜名湖, also called Lake Hamana). Hamamatsu is the birthplace of Honda and Yamaha, Lake Hamanako produces some of Japan's best eel and pufferfish, and in the fields of Shizuoka grows world-renowned green tea. Plus, more recently, the city has become a hotspot for beautiful flowers! So read on to find out just why you're going to want to add Hamamatsu to your next Japanese itinerary!

A Spring Day in Tokyo with TOKYO SKYTREE and Cherry Blossoms!

It's no surprise that so many people love visiting Tokyo during the sakura (cherry blossom) season. Fresh breezes waft pink petals and floral fragrances through the city air, making it a great time to enjoy both the flowers and Tokyo's most popular sightseeing attractions, like TOKYO SKYTREE! Standing 634 meters (over 2080 ft) over Tokyo, it's pretty clear to see why this tower is a must-see on any Tokyo itinerary. The best part of your trip to Japan might just be a day looking up at the sakura of eastern Tokyo, and then climbing TOKYO SKYTREE to look down on the cityscape below.

Decades in the Making, The New Plant-Based Green Burger from Mos Burger Japan Is for Everyone!

Japanese hamburger chain Mos Burger is back on the scene with the Green Burger, and thanks to its new plant-based recipe, this burger is going to win a lot of hearts. As soon as we set eyes on its pale green bun, the JAPANKURU team knew we had to find out more about it.

A Trip to Shibuya Mark City Includes Food, Photo Ops, and Fabulous Shopping!

Heading to Shibuya to see Tokyo's most famous dog, Hachiko? Want to mingle in the hectic crowds of Shibuya Crossing AKA Shibuya Scramble? Feeling your stomach growl? Perhaps you're just ready to hit the malls of Shibuya and shop til you drop? Well, Shibuya Mark City is calling your name!

What You Need to Know Before Traveling to Japan! A Guide to Japan Travel Prep, Packing Lists, and What to Get in Japan

What to bring to Japan!? A difficult question! And while the specifics of your packing list might change whether it's summer or winter, there are some necessities you don't want to forget about, and some things you're better off buying after you arrive in Japan! So get your planning done right with some tips and tricks from JAPANKURU.

These Cans are No Novelty! One Taste of Kokubu's Kantsuma Canned Foods, and You'll Understand - Delicious with Sake, or a Bowl of Rice!

Looking for that new Japanese cultural experience? Something none of your friends have tried? A new flavor sensation? A totally unique and slightly wacky Japanese souvenir? Kokubu's canned foods are on another level, and with 70 different options, we think everybody will find one or two they need to add to their shopping lists!

Shopping, Eating, and Entertainment in Shibuya!

Made your way to the Hachiko statue (Shibuya's most famous dog)? Arrived at Shibuya Scramble, the famous Shibuya crossing? Found your way into the huge mass of people, but not sure where to go from there? Shibuya has just about anything you might want from Tokyo, from Tokyo's trendiest food and shopping to classic Japanese karaoke, so if you're looking for some Shibuya recommendations, we've got 'em!

Not Sure What to Buy as a Souvenir from Japan? How About Some Sleek Leather Accessories from Naughtiam

Pick up a Naughtiam wallet as a memento of your trip to Japan, and you'll have it for life. And there's no better place to start looking for the perfect leather accessories than Osaka, a lively city known for friendly people, delicious food, and some excellent shopping options.

Kansai Airport's Most Comfortable Hotel - Oriental Suites Airport Osaka Rinku is Chic & Convenient

Travelers flying in or out of Kansai Airport, take note! If you want the most convenient hotel possible, that's a great place to do some outlet shopping to boot, you'll want to take a look at Oriental Suites Airport Osaka Rinku. These accommodations are 10 minutes on foot to Rinku Premium Outlets, and less than 10 minutes by train to Kansai International Airport, so with some great views of the bay and the outskirts of Osaka, you won't find a better location.

Oriental Suites Airport Osaka Rinku

A Zen Getaway, A Teahouse Garden, a Meditation Retreat, Oriental Hotel Kyoto Rokujo is a Hotel Just Minutes from Kyoto Station!

Arrive in Kyoto, and everywhere you look is a peaceful Zen temple or a quiet Shinto shrine, but with the beautiful sights come hectic crowds. After a day weaving through the many citizens and visitors to Kyoto, it's understandable if you just want a tranquil retreat to return to every evening - and that's why we recommend Oriental Hotel Kyoto Rokujo. The peaceful ambience and natural spaces right inside the lobby create a calming effect as soon as you walk into the lobby, and the theme only continues from there!

Japan has long been proud of its "omotenashi" (おもてなし) hospitality culture, and since Oriental Hotel Kyoto Rokujo opened in November 2019, it's clear they've been committed to maintaining the omotenashi spirit all over the premises. Take advantage of the hotel's efforts to produce ideal Zen meditation spaces right in the rooms, relax in the comfortable lobby/lounge seating, and enjoy the wonderful respite from the hustle and bustle of Kyoto travel!

Shopping for Outerwear with Arc'teryx, and Exploring the Scenery of Fukuoka's City Life

The convenient loop between Tokyo and Kansai is beloved by visitors to Japan, sometimes to the point that travelers miss out on some of the country's most precious gems, locations a little off the beaten path. One destination that is attracting more and more travelers in the know, however, is Fukuoka. Found far south on Japan's island of Kyushu, it has its own distinct atmosphere, and it's also a pretty great destination for Hakata ramen-loving foodies and shopaholics. Get ready for cool spring breezes and stock up for next winter - head to the Arc'teryx in the MARK IS Momochi shopping mall, and plan yourself the perfect winter shopping trip in Fukuoka!

Feeling the Fresh Air, Seeing the Fall Leaves, and Admiring the Spectacular Autumn Cherry Blossoms of Toyota City, Aichi

For a few glorious weeks every fall, the city of Toyota in Aichi prefecture turns into an autumn wonderland. Leaves turn into a mosaic of reds and yellows, and pale pink petals float down from the unique fall-blooming sakura trees, carried on crisp, fresh breezes. While the name Toyota is likely to bring thoughts of vehicles to the minds of many, the city is a great destination for travelers looking for a lot more than automobile museums! Highly recommended for travelers heading to Japan in the fall, the city's views of extremely rare autumn cherry blossoms, and the colorful foliage of Korankei Gorge, are things to behold.

EVENT HAPPENING RIGHT NOW! Speeding Over to Ibaraki on the Tsukuba Express & Checking Out Makabe's Hinamatsuri Festival!

The JAPANKURU team loves a little off-the-beaten-path excursion, and when it's a day trip just outside Tokyo, that's even better! Which is why we hopped on a Tsukuba Express train in Akihabara this week to head over to the Makabe area of Sakuragawa City in Ibaraki, still composed mostly of old-fashioned buildings, all in the foothills of nearby Mt. Tsukuba. While the hundreds of historic buildings and dozens of national tangible cultural properties are beautiful year-round, Makabe turns from a sleepy village into a bustle of activity for Hinamatsuri Festival every year, so we went to check it out!

From Tokyo to Festival-Filled Ibaraki with Tsukuba Express

Feel the Culture and See the Treasures of Kyoto without Leaving Your Hotel - at Oriental Hotel Kyoto Gallery!

For travelers looking to stay in a bright, cheerful hotel, and simultaneously immerse themselves in the mystique of Kyoto, this hotel on a historic main road is the place to go. Oriental Hotel Kyoto Gallery not only has (as its name implies) a small gallery in the lobby that displays Kyoto cultural items and art, the building's architecture incorporates points from traditional Kyoto Machida houses and local design, making for a full Kyoto experience. Plus, the rooms are new, clean, and simply designed, the breakfasts are familiar and tasty with unique Kyoto touches, and location-wise, the hotel's steps from a Kiyomizu Gojo subway station and within walking distance of famous Kyoto temple Kiyomizudera!

Head to Shiga-chiku (the Shiga Area of Matsumoto City) to Stay the Night in a Kominka House with Traditional Japanese Architecture, and Immerse Yourself in Rural Nagano

Whether you've seen them in Ghibli films or in paintings by Katsushika Hokusai, the gorgeous old-fashioned Japanese folk houses found around Japan are called kominka, and they're symbols of Japanese architecture. Rooms with tatami mat floors and thatched or tiled roofs and long, sturdy ceiling beams that run the length of the house, kominka are iconic, and they're wonderful examples of Japanese cultural history. In a country constantly hurtling between the traditional and the modern, these days most Japanese citizens tend to build new houses with modern architecture, and as kominka have fallen out of fashion, their numbers have dwindled. Here at JAPANKURU we think it's a shame that the beautiful old buildings aren't used and maintained, which is why we were especially excited to travel to Nagano's Matsumoto City in the fall. Matsumoto City is home to some interesting agritourism, friendly locals, and a project looking to bring old kominka back to life, based in the city's Shiga area. These houses are being restored and returned to everyday use, and we couldn't wait to see.

Japanese Uniform-Style Shoes Made Stylish with Made-in-Japan Quality, Haruta

It's no secret that Japanese school uniforms have a certain style to them that's popular all over the world. So it shouldn't come as much of a surprise to learn that uniform-style leather loafers have become the in-thing in recent years, an iconic fashion item necessary to complete that Tokyo look. And for some loafers and oxfords with a little history, you can pick up a pair of Haruta's shoes in Shibuya, Shinjuku, Harajuku or Omotesando.

Get Out of Tokyo and Over to the Sights, Treats, Lodgings, and Views of Kawasaki

A great city for shopping, snacking, and visiting temples, instead many Japanese people know Kawasaki for its mysteriously beautiful factory-filled night views. A city with lots to offer, you'll have no trouble filling up a fun day's itinerary in Kawasaki.


First, Get Yourself to Kawasaki:
Tokyo Station → Kawasaki Station / JR Keihin Tohoku Line / Travel Time: 25 minutes