Great Camping Venues in Kansai
Jul 30, 2020 By Justin Hanus
Camping is a great way to experience the outdoors in an authentic fashion. Camping is a popular pastime for those wanting to escape the crowded neon-lit urban areas of Japan. With an abundance of parks, beaches, mountains, and forests surrounding its cities, Kansai offers many natural delights to campers. You...[ Click to read more ]
Practicing Shibori in Kyoto
Jun 17, 2020 By Justin Hanus
Although most people associate tie-dye with 60s hippie fashion, it’s also a traditional art in Japan. However, shibori is quite different from Western tie-dye. For one thing, pieces are often far more detailed. For another, it has a much longer history. Shibori dates back to at least the 8th century,...[ Click to read more ]
Best Beaches in Kansai
By Justin Hanus
The Kansai region is perhaps better known for its urban life and attractions in cities such as Osaka, Kyoto, and Kobe but the area also has a surprising number of beaches along its coastlines in both the north and south. These beaches attract many locals and tourists in the summer...[ Click to read more ]
How to Learn Zazen
By Justin Hanus
People from around the world are becoming more interested in learning zazen — the Zen style of meditation — due to its benefits for mental and physical health. Practicing zazen regularly is ideal if you feel like you’re rushing through life, as it gives you the chance to slow down...[ Click to read more ]
Museums in Kansai Offering Virtual Tours
May 22, 2020 By Justin Hanus
It’s frustrating to know that there are numerous things to see outside when you’re stuck indoors. The good news is you can now visit multiple museums throughout Kansai without leaving your home by taking a free virtual tour. Kobe City Museum Discover archaeological artifacts, artwork, historic documents, and maps all...[ Click to read more ]
Great Summer Walks in Kansai
By Justin Hanus
Kansai is famed not just for its bustling cities such as Kyoto and Osaka but also for its many mountains, parks, and trails that offer a great walking day out. Whether you're looking for a gentle scenic stroll or something a bit more challenging, there are many options across the...[ Click to read more ]
Best Capsule Hotels in Kansai
By Justin Hanus
An experience every visitor to Japan needs to have is a stay in a capsule hotel. These budget accommodation options provide you with a cubicle rather than a full-size room. Although they tend to be basic, they can be very comfortable and often provide you with everything you need, including...[ Click to read more ]
Popular Hot Drinks in Kansai
Apr 20, 2020 By Justin Hanus
Socializing in Japan is done around drinks, both hot and cold. Hot beverages are enjoyed in both winter and summertime, brewed at home or in cafes. Here is a selection of what you can find in the Kansai region. Japanese tea Japan has an influential tea culture, and it is...[ Click to read more ]
Things Kansai Gave to the World
Mar 25, 2020 By Justin Hanus
A former economic and cultural capital of Japan, Kansai played an important part in global innovation that continues today. Here is a selection of what has originated in Kansai. Sake Japan's most famous alcoholic beverage, sake is a fermented rice drink that has many different varieties and can be found...[ Click to read more ]
Where to Find the Best Beers in Kansai
By Justin Hanus
Kansai is a well-known region of Japan for cuisine. What's not so widely known is that the area is also a hotbed for beer. One of the best known Japanese beers – Suntory – comes from Kansai, but there are many fine lesser-known brews that beer connoisseurs should know. Since...[ Click to read more ]
