Buying a Property in Kansai
May 31, 2024 By Justin Hanus
If you’re planning the big move to Japan, you may have your heart set on buying your own place rather than renting a home. Kansai has some great properties to buy in places like Osaka, Kyoto and Kobe. However, the Japanese home-buying process might be a bit different from what...[ Click to read more ]
New Spots to Visit Around Kansai
Apr 26, 2024 By Justin Hanus
The pandemic shut down everything in Japan for a while, but Kansai has now bounced back with a number of new attractions. This makes right now a great time to rediscover Osaka, Kobe, Kyoto, and Nara. 1. Super Nintendo World The latest addition to Universal Studios Japan is Super Nintendo...[ Click to read more ]
Easter in Kansai
Mar 25, 2024 By Justin Hanus
Are you an expat from a Christian country living in Japan? If so, you may have noticed a lack of general excitement each year around the Easter period. Although the Japanese have taken Christmas to heart in recent years, they’ve been slower to adopt Easter traditions. That said, you can...[ Click to read more ]
Best Hanami Spots in Kansai
Feb 29, 2024 By Justin Hanus
Hanami is an annual event unique to Japan. The word means “flower viewing” and it relates to the springtime blooming of the flowers on cherry blossom trees (sakura) across Japan. Every year around late March to early April, regions all across the country have their Hanami season that is the...[ Click to read more ]
Best Bars with Live Music in Kobe
Feb 28, 2024 By Justin Hanus
Despite being only a small city, Kobe has an active nightlife. In particular, it has a number of bars with live music — some with performances every night of the week. Although Kobe is best known for jazz, you’ll also find venues with many other styles of live music. 1....[ Click to read more ]
Places You Can Go with Your Dog in Kobe
Jan 31, 2024 By Justin Hanus
Exploring Kobe is no fun if you always need to leave your dog behind. The good news is there are plenty of places you can go together throughout the city, ranging from parks to pet-friendly restaurants. Nagisa Park A pleasant place to take a short walk or relax outdoors with...[ Click to read more ]
Top Musical Artists from Kobe
Jan 29, 2024 By Justin Hanus
Although it’s only a small city, Kobe is the birthplace of numerous musical artists of a range of genres. Checking out their music is a great way to gain a feel for what Kobe is about. Masaaki Suzuki In addition to being a musician, Masaaki Suzuki is a conductor and...[ Click to read more ]
Packing the Right Clothes for Kobe in the Winter
Dec 27, 2023 By Justin Hanus
The weather varies greatly across Japan in the winter. Hokkaido is the coldest, with temperatures reaching as low as -11.4 ºC (11.5 ºF), whereas the Nanpo and Bonin Islands have a tropical climate year round. With mild winters, Kobe is somewhere in between. Using the average temperatures will help you...[ Click to read more ]
New Year Celebrations in Kansai
By Justin Hanus
New Year (Shogatsu) is a time for big celebration in Japan. Seen as a period of cleansing and renewal as well as an opportunity to welcome in the New Year, festivities tend to last from January 1-3, with many people taking this period off work. There are various ways to...[ Click to read more ]
Best International Schools in Kobe
By Justin Hanus
It may not be among the most famous cities in Japan but Kobe is one of the best locations for international schools outside of Tokyo. This is on account of its diverse expat community, meaning that those moving to the city with kids have plenty of choice when it comes...[ Click to read more ]
