Popular Seafood Markets and Ports in the Kansai Region
Dec 23, 2022 By Justin Hanus
Japan is well known for its seafood — in fact, seafood is a major part of its culture. To find the freshest dishes, your best option is to head to one of the numerous seafood markets around the country. The good news is there’s no need to prepare the produce...[ Click to read more ]
Pay a Visit to Kobe’s Anpanman Children’s Museum and Mall
Dec 20, 2022 By Justin Hanus
Looking for some entertainment the whole family can enjoy? Well, your kids will likely enjoy it more, but who doesn’t love a day spent with the little ones entertaining themselves with some of their favorite Japanese characters? If you’re near Kobe, making a trip to the Anpanman Kids Museum and...[ Click to read more ]
Hatsumode in Kobe – Shrines to Visit for New Years
By Justin Hanus
Japan only started celebrating the New Year on January 1st, 1873, when the country adopted the Gregorian calendar of the West. Traditionally, the Japanese New Year was the same as the Chinese calendar. As this is a lunisolar calendar, New Year falls on a different date each year. Now, though,...[ Click to read more ]
Skiing in Kansai: Day and Weekend Trips!
Dec 12, 2022 By Justin Hanus
Skiing might not be the first thing that springs to mind when you think of tourist attractions in Japan. However, many skiing enthusiasts visit each winter, keen to experience the powder-dry snow. Kansai has many skiing locations — and they tend to draw in fewer tourists than regions like Hokkaido...[ Click to read more ]
Christmas in Kansai
Nov 29, 2022 By Justin Hanus
Not being a predominantly Christian country, Japan doesn’t celebrate Christmas with quite the same fervour as people in the US, Canada or Europe. For example, Christmas is not a public holiday in Japan. If you want time off work to spend with family or friends, you’ll have to book it...[ Click to read more ]
Great Winter Food in Kansai
By Justin Hanus
Japan can get pretty chilly during the winter months. Fortunately, the country excels when it comes to hearty winter meals. As are regional variations, seasonal ingredients and dishes are very important in Japanese cuisine. Many of the country’s staple dishes have several different regional twists. Here is a selection of...[ Click to read more ]
Buying Holiday Decorations, Wrapping Paper & Lights in Kobe
Nov 20, 2022 By Justin Hanus
With Christmas fast approaching, thoughts turn to presents and brightening up the home with a few decorations. If you haven't already got your shopping for the season planned out, here are a few tips on where to buy some of the essential materials. Costco This is a good bet if...[ Click to read more ]
The History of Japan’s Majestic Fall Colors
Oct 25, 2022 By Bert Wishart
Japan's most popular season for tourists is undoubtedly spring. When the cherry blossoms bloom, people from inside Japan and worldwide gather in popular, beautiful spots to bask in the traditional scenes of pinks, reds, and whites that form many of our preconceptions of Japan's natural state. However, what is less...[ Click to read more ]
Activities for Kids Under 5 in Kobe
Oct 24, 2022 By Justin Hanus
If you have kids under 5, you’ll know how tiring it can be to keep them occupied throughout the day. Children don’t start school in Japan until the age of six, and although there is nursery and daycare provision, not all kids attend full-time. Plus, of course, there are weekends...[ Click to read more ]
Thanksgiving in Kansai
By Justin Hanus
As we approach autumn, citizens of many countries are starting to plan for Thanksgiving, including in Japan. However, Japanese Thanksgiving is slightly different from what you may be used to. Japan celebrates Labor Thanksgiving Day (Kinro Kansha No Hi) to honor workers. This public holiday dates back around 2,000 years,...[ Click to read more ]
