Japan
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Discover Tokyo Disneyland: Overview Of The Unique Rides
Tokyo Disneyland is a major attraction in Tokyo. Immensley popular, it offers awe-inspiring sights and sounds that are both familiar and new to Disney fans alike. If you’re a Disney fan, there’s no doubt that you have a trip planned to visit Tokyo Disneyland and most likely Tokyo DisneySea as well.
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Tokyo Disneyland’s History
Tokyo Disneyland opened it’s gates in April 1983 becoming the first Disney park to be built outside the United States. It, along with its companion park, Tokyo DisneySea are the only Disney parks in the world that are not owned or operated by The Walt Disney Company. They are both owned by the Oriental Land Company which licenses the intellectual property from the Walt Disney Company.
The park mainly mirrors the original Disneyland with both the same themed lands and many of the same rides and iconic structures. There are differences though. Tokyo Disneyland includes themed rides including Beauty & The Beast, Monsters Inc., and Baymax which are not in its American counterpart.
Here are the unique rides that can be found at Tokyo Disneyland:
Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Beast
As I mentioned above, Tokyo Disneyland has a few rides that are unique to the park and not found in any other Disney parks. The biggest of them all is the Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Beast. Opened in 2020, the attraction includes a 108 foot castle which you can admire as you wait in the always lengthy line.
Once inside the castle, you’re provided with pre-show that includes the backstory of how the Prince became the Beast and then Belle and Beast both make an appearance. This pre-show is fantastic and the animatronic Beast and Belle are really, really cool. The ride itself is amazing.
Seated in tea cups that are trackless, guests are whisked through various scenes and all the popular songs from the movie are played, including “Be Our Guest”, “Something There”, and “Beauty and the Beast”. What makes this so unique is how the tea cups dip and dive and spin in concert with the music. The way they move it makes you feel as if you’re dancing to the music. The all-around environment and presentation of the ride along with top notch animatronics, make the ride, well, magical to say the least. I’m not even a Beauty and the Beast fan but was really awed by the experience.
Pooh’s Hunny Hunt
I’m not entirely sure if the actual story and different scenes of Pooh’s story within the ride is different than other Pooh rides, but the presentation is certainly different and unique. Pooh’s Hunny Hunt is entirely trackless. This trackless technology allows for a new ride experience each and every time you go on the ride since the way your honey pot vehicles moves is different each time.
The ride itself and the story it tells may feel familiar (again, not sure if the other Pooh rides are exactly the same) with the ride taking you through the Hundred Acre Woods where all of Pooh’s famous pals reside. You’ll see plenty of Kanga, Roo, Eeyore, Owl, Rabbit, Piglet, as well as Tigger, who provides a fun “bouncing” experience.
In Tigger’s portion of the ride, as he comes bouncing into the scene, the entire room bounces, including the honey pots. It’s a really, really fun portion of the ride.
Pooh’s Hunny Hunt is colorful and vibrant and the attention to detail is outstanding. It’s a really fun ride with the trackless technology and is certainly a must ride while at Tokyo Disneyland.
The Happy Ride with BaymaxThe only Big Hero 6 themed ride in the world, The Happy Ride with Baymax is a “whip ride” that has guests seated in a vehicle that is hitched to a “personal healthcare companion” vehicle which Baymax is seated in. The ride whips around in unpredictable routes in an arena that’s similar to a roller rink. The entire time one of six original songs, made specifically for the ride, is blaring.
The basis for the ride is that in order to take better care of people and keep them healthy, the first step is making them happy. What better way to do that than through upbeat music and lights?
I didn’t have time to jump aboard this one but guests were definitely jamming out to the music here and it seemed like a good time. Time permitting I would have gone on it, but I didn’t have it circled as a “must”. Hopefully next time!
Monsters, Inc. Ride & Go Seek
Another Tokyo Disneyland exclusive, Monsters, Inc. Ride & Go Seek, is based after the events of Monsters, Inc. The premise of the ride is that an exciting new event called Flashlight Tag is being held at the Monsters, Inc. factory where humans are invited back to the scare / laugh floor of the factory to play a game of hide and go seek but the ride takes you to various places outside the factory within Monstropolis as well.
The two person “security vehicles” are equipped with flashlights. Shining your flashlight at Monster Inc. helmets placed throughout the attraction causes items and monsters to react in fun ways. They might light up, pop up, or do some other form of movement. It’s a lot of fun as there’s a lot of these Monster, Inc. helmets throughout the ride. Some blend in well with the background and are harder to locate than others that are right in the line of sight.
This is a fun, interactive ride, where you can see all of your favorite characters from the Monsters, Inc. universe. Like all the rides, the attention to detail and the animatronics are top notch!
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7 Popular Things To Do In Kobe, Japan
Kobe, located in the Kansai region, is Japan’s 7th largest city with a population around 1.5 million. It’s about a 20-30 minute train ride from Osaka and makes for a perfect day trip if you’re using Osaka as a hub for the surrounding area. There’s plenty to see and do in this lovely port city!
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7 Popular Things To Do In Kobe, Japan:
Eat Kobe Beef
As the saying goes “When In Rome..” or perhaps the more suitable, “When in Kobe..” in this instance. Kobe beef is a worldwide delicacy renowned for its flavor, tenderness, and fatty, well-marbled texture. As the name implies, Kobe beef is cultivated from Japanese Black cattle which is raised in the Hyogo Prefecture region of Japan, near Kobe. It’s considered the highest quality beef that Japanese cattle can produce and is must try! There’s various cuts of this and obviously the higher the price the better the cut and quality. So the experience can certainly vary upon how much you’re willing to spend.
I went the “cheap” route at a Kobe beef restaurant ($36.14 USD) for six pieces of Kobe beef and the meat was just alright. Some pieces melted in my mouth, while others were pretty chewy. You get what you pay for. On the other hand, I got a Kobe beef bowl in Himeji and the Kobe beef was AMAZING.
Regardless, Kobe beef is an EXPERIENCE. It’s one of the most popular things to do in Kobe and is something you’ll definitely want to try (just do some better research than myself to find a proper Kobe beef restaurant!).
Visit Kobe’s Chinatown
One of the most popular things to do in Kobe is taking a visit to its Chinatown. This is one of the largest Chinatown’s in all of Japan. This is a small area – 270 meters east to west and 110 meters north to south – but is jam packed with over 100 shops, food stalls, and restaurants.
A lot of the food stalls, as you’ll notice, sell a lot of the same types of food items. There are some unique food items though. Some restaurants are quite popular with massive lines.
Needless to say, you don’t need to walk to far to find some tasty, cheap food or drinks. Be sure to come with a big appetite, you’ll certainly need it here!
Explore The Kobe Nunobiki Herb Gardens
One of the biggest attractions and things to do in Kobe is taking a visit to the Kobe Nunobiki Herb Gardens. Located on Mt. Rokko above Kobe, the best way to access Kobe Nunobiki Herb Gardens is via the Kobe Nunobiki Ropeway. The ropeway ride takes about 10 minutes and provide a great view of Kobe on the way up.
A round trip on the ropeway which also provides access to the garden, will set you back 2000 yen ($12.43 USD), a one-way ticket is 1400 yen, ($8.70 USD).
Once you get to the actual garden area, it opens up with a large, open view plaza that includes the German castle themed rest house. This building has some souvenir shops and a shop selling food and drinks. The open concourse area can house vendor tents selling seasonal boutique items while provide an abundance of bench seating.
There’s also a frangrance museum next to the rest house. This museum has a huge array of unique, natural smelling perfumes and oils that can be purchased and is well worth a walk through.
It’s a nice walk down the mountain with a paved, windy pathway that takes you through multiple types of herb and flower gardens.
This pathway also leads you to the glasshouse which you can walkthrough and holds a cafe / lounge on the second floor, a herbal area where you can create your own household friendly scents and the “statue of love”
You can easily spend a few hours in total, at The Kobe Nunobiki Herb Gardens which is why it’s one of hte most popular things to do in Kobe. It’s a nice change of pace from the regular tourist attractions and is a great way to walk off all that food from the Kobe Chinatown!
Visit The Many Attractions At Meriken Park
Meriken Park is one of the most popular things to do in Kobe due to the abundance of attractions within it. A large, wide open park, home to some impressive contemporary architecture, and a spacious lawn, Meriken Park is great place to enjoy some outdoor sights all within walking distance to one another.
It’s also located right on the waters of the port and is a short walk from Harborland, which is major shopping area in Kobe.
Kobe Port Tower
Kobe Port Tower is one of the attractions located within Meriken Park. Standing at 354 ft tall, the tower has multiple observations decks as well as an open air rooftop deck and cafe.
Port of Kobe Earthquake Memorial Park
The Port Of Kobe Earthquake Memorial Park is a small memorial for the victims who lost their lives in the port during the 1995 Kobe earthquake. Located in Meriken Park, there’s a small section of the waterfront area that was left unrepaired as a part of the memorial. It’s an opportunity for visitors to catch a small glimpse of the destructive power of the earthquake. It’s a somber area, but interesting nonetheless.
BE KOBE Sign
One of the most popular things to do in Kobe is taking a photo with the BE KOBE sign. The sign was built to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the 1995 earthquake. City Hall had this sign created to instill a sense of civic pride in the citizens of Kobe. If visiting the area at night, the sign is illuminated by colored lights on the base of the sign.
Unrelated, if you’re a big Kobe Bryant fan like myself, the sign has a different type of significance and is pretty special to see.
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Meriken Park In Kobe Is Home To Many Visually Exciting Sights
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Meriken Park is one of the more popular places to see while visiting Kobe. Located in the Kobe port area, the water front park is home to several attractions.
Meriken Park
In Meriken Park you can find the iconic Kobe Port Tower, Kobe Maritime Museum, the Port of Kobe Earthquake Memorial, the Be Kobe sign.
What made this area stand out to me was all the contemporary architecture found throughout the park with the Kobe Port Tower and Kobe Maritime Museum at the forefront. There’s also a variety of different works of art throughout the park which was really cool to see, especially at night since everything was lit up.
The park is wide open with lots of open space and large paved pathways to get around. There’s a spacious lawn as well which would be a great spot to chill and have a snack and drink when the weather is nice.
Kobe Port Tower
Built in 1963, the red painted Kobe Port Tower is hard to miss. Standing at 354 ft tall, the tower has multiple observations decks as well as an open air rooftop deck and cafe. I didn’t get the chance to enter the tower and go up it to get the views this visit, but the structure itself was unique looking with its design and it’s distinctive red color.
Port of Kobe Earthquake Memorial Park
1995 is the year that a massive 6.9 earthquake devasted Kobe. The Port Of Kobe Earthquake Memorial Park is a small memorial for the victims who lost their lives in the port during the earthquake. A small section of the waterfront area was left unrepaired as a part of the memorial and for visitors to catch a small glimpse of the destructive power of the earthquake.
It’s defintely a somber area, knowing what transpired here, but the small informational placards detailing the effects of the earthquake and relief efforts are certainly interesting.
BE KOBE Sign
This distinctive sign located in Meriken Park was built to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the 1995 earthquake. City Hall had this sign created to instill a sense of civic pride in the citizens of Kobe. It’s a popular attraction in Kobe and specifically Meriken Park.
The sign has lights on the base of it which provide different colored lighting. On this particular night it was illuminated in purple and gold. I’m not sure if this is always the case, but being a Kobe Bryant fan this was pretty awesome to see. I know the sign is for the city, but being a Kobe fan it had a bit of dual meaning for myself and the Mamba mentality.
It was definitely cool to see it illuminated in purple and gold the night I went.
Is Meriken Park Worth A Visit?
Meriken Park is certainly worth a stop if visiting Kobe. There’s quite a few attractions to be seen within it. The park is wide open with ample space and between the Kobe Port Tower, Kobe Maritime Museum, the Port of Kobe Earthquake Memorial, and the Be Kobe sign, there’s plenty to see with lots of opportunities for photos. That’s not mentioning the walk around the port itself. With some great waterfront views, just cruising around on the outskirts of the park taking in the nice ocean breeze is quite nice and relaxing.
The nearby Harborland, which is a huge shopping and entertainment area featuring two malls and the Mosaic, which consists of a ton of restaurants are also extremely popular places in Kobe. It’s another huge area with lots of shopping and food options to choose from. There’s also a ferris wheel that looks out on the port. Harborland is right next to Meriken Park and is an easy walk if you’re looking to hit two birds with one stone!
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Exploring Kobe Nunobiki Herb Gardens: A Hidden Gem in Japan
One of the biggest attractions in Kobe is the Kobe Nunobiki Herb Gardens. With over 75,000 herbs and flowers spread across 12 gardens, the premises contains a fragrance museum, gift shops, a restaurant and cafe, and other exhibits. A ropeway takes you up to the garden and then a long winding trail takes you through the gardens until you reach a ropeway station that takes you back down the mountain, if you choose.
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The Kobe Nunobiki Ropeway
Located on Mt. Rokko above Kobe, the best way to access Kobe Nunobiki Herb Gardens is via the Kobe Nunobiki Ropeway. A round trip which also provides access to the garden, will set you back 2000 yen ($12.43 USD), a one-way ticket is 1400 yen, ($8.70 USD).
The ride up takes about 10 minutes and provides some great views of the city, ending at the top station. I’m sure even better if it wasn’t a little drizzly on the day I went!
Kobe Nunobiki Herb Garden View Plaza
Once you exit the station it opens up to what is called the rest house. This building is designed after an old German castle and includes souvenir shops and snacks and refreshments. The Kobe Nunobiki Herb Gardens view plaza is also here which offers seating where you can enjoy your snacks amongst the beauty of the rest house and garden.
I’m not sure if they alway have little boutique tents up throughout the year, but during Christmas time they had tables set up selling ornaments and other Christmas decorations / trinkets.
Honey Dew is a part of the Kobe Nunobiki Herb Gardens view plaza and you can pick up some food and drinks here. I had just come from Kobe’s Chinatown so wasn’t very hungry but still got a little snack. I got a honey chai (600 yen, $3.73 USD) and honey comb soft ice cream (800 yen, $4.98 USD). They give you some extra honey you can drizzle over the soft serve which was great!
Also, at the Kobe Nunobiki Herb Gardens view plaza is the rose garden which is home to over 60 different types of roses and the fragrance museum / concert hall. The fragrance museum has a huge array of unique, natural smelling perfumes and oils that can be purchased. It’s fun to peruse and smell the various fragrances they have concocted in this little museum!
The concert hall is located upstairs. It’s basically a medium-sized room that looked like it could seat 100+ people with a small stage. When I was there there was a pianist that was performing. There’s an admission fee to see the performers here. I had wandered upstairs exploring and didn’t actually attend the show but you could still hear the music which was nice.
The view plaza also offers a great panoramic view of the city, floating above the tree top strewn horizon, pretty cool.
The Walk Through Kobe Nunobiki Herb Garden
Something that is really cool about this experience is the way the Kobe Nunobiki Herb Garden is designed. The paved, winding paths take you through multiple types of herb and flower gardens. This path and how it interweaves throughout these numerous gardens is aesthetically pleasing. I went in the winter time and it found it to be quite peaceful and pleasing but can only imagine what this little journey would like when everything is in full bloom.
Kobe Nunobiki Herb Garden Glasshouse
This pathway eventually takes you down towards the glasshouse.
The glasshouse is quite large. It’s full of lush plant life within, complete with a little stream running through it. There’s also a cafe / lounge on the second floor, a herbal area where you can create your own household friendly scents, the “statue of love”, and even an herbal footbath located outside on the back of the glasshouse.
The End Of The Journey
Towards the end of walk back down the mountain there’s a great little recreation area. This wide open lawn area includes a slew of hammocks where you can literally kick your feet up and relax a bit while enjoying a nice view of Kobe while watching ropeway carts zooming up the mountain.
Overall, Kobe Nunobiki Herb Gardens is a really nice, peaceful place to come and visit if you’re in Kobe. The unique architecture of its rest house and the fantastic walk through the gardens is a nice change of pace from other touristy types of attractions. I highly recommend visiting if in Kobe!
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Towering Himeji Castle Is One Of Japan’s Great Wonders
Himeji Castle, the world heritage site, is Japan’s best preserved feudal castle. Also known as the White Heron Castle due to its elegant white sheen, Himeji Castle is considered to be Japan’s greatest castle, for good reason.
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Himeji Castle
One of the 12 remaining original castles from Japan’s past, Himeji Castle is the country’s most famous and most visited as well. Early fortifications for the castle were completed in the 1400s with the main castle being completed in 1609.
Luckily, the castle has survived World War II, fires, and earthquakes and remains intact over the duration of hundreds of years.
The grounds here are quite expansive. Prior to entering the grounds you’ll cross over the outer moat via the Sakuramon-bashi Bridge and most likely enter through the Otemon Gate.
Once you enter through the gate you get the full view of Sannomaru Square. This is a HUGE lawn area with cherry blossom trees lined around it. As one would imagine, this area becomes quite popular around cherry blossom season. It must be quite the spectacle to see the cherry blossoms in full bloom with the castle in the distance. This area is also free to roam around.
As you approach the castle you get to the paid area which has booths in the front. The entrance fee is 1000 yen ($6.26 USD) or you can get a combined entrance fee (1050 yen, $6.57 USD) which includes the castle and nearby Kokoen Garden.
Once you enter the castle grounds you’ll be amazed at how intricate the layout is. There’s many different zig-zagging narrow pathways that lead to the main keep. This was designed as a defense mechanism to confuse would be intruders on their way to the keep. It can be a little confusing just walking around as a tourist with signs so I can only imagine what it would be like with no signage anywhere. These pathways lead through a total of 21 gates within the grounds. At it’s peak, the grounds had over 80 total.
There are two main bailey’s which you can actually walk through. The main keep and the residence of the former princess. The residence is a long building with mulitple empty rooms which is located to the west of the main keep.
The grounds of the princess’s residence 
A hallway within the princess residence Once you make your way through the princess residence it’s off to the main keep.
The main keep is six stories with each floor getting progressively smaller and smaller. The floors are accessed by narrow, steep staircases and are sparsely furnished. Even without furnishing it’s quite a sight to see. The top floor provides nice views of the entire castle grounds. You can appreciate just how large and expansive they truly are.
They did a really good job in restoring this and preserving the look. Himeji Castle went under restoration work to preserve the castle buildings from 2010-2015. Not only does the main keep look magnificent, but the overall Himeji Castle grounds are truly amazing. It really gives you an idea of what the castle once looked like.
A view from around the castle area 
Is Himeji Castle Worth Visiting?
Himeji Castle is 100% worth visiting. It was a highlight of my trip. With how much access you have to wander around and how well preserved everything within the grounds are, it’s a special place to visit. Being able to walk within the main keep and to see it preserved to how it once was is just a really cool experience. You certainly will not be disappointed if you come here. It’s a perfect day or half-day trip from Osaka or Kyoto as well.
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This Observatory In Osaka Offers Breathtaking Views Of The City
There’s a plethora of things to see, eat, and do while in Osaka. One of the most popular attractions in the city is the Kuchu Teien Observatory in Osaka.
Kuchu Teien Observatory In Osaka
Located in the Umeda Sky Building, this observatory in Osaka provides a 360-degree view of Osaka from various floors in a 40-story high building.
Tickets cost 1,500 yen, ($9.50 USD). To enter Kuchu Teien you first enter on the 3rd floor where an elevator will take you all the way to the 35th floor.
From here you take an escalator from the 35th floor to 39th floor. If you’re not a fan of heights you probably don’t want to look to your left or right while on this escalator ride. Both sides of the escalator are enclosed in glass. As you go up you can see the city, it’s kind of like you’re floating in the air. It’s definitely a bit of an experience.
All the floors here are circular and provide 360-degree views of the city. The 39th floor is the first floor you can walk around in the observatory in Osaka. It contains a Gallery Shop, a Chinese Restaurant, and a Sky Lounge as well.
The 40th floor provides the same views as the 39th and has an additional Cafe where you can grab some food and a drink and take a seat to soak in the views of the city.
There’s also a couple of small exhibits on this floor that shows the history of the Umeda Sky Building and how it was constructed.
Once you spend some time on the 40th floor it’s time to head up to the rooftop. This is where the Skywalk is located. This is a circular walkway around the rooftop that provides the same types of views as the 39th and 40th floors but obviously without the windows!
I’m glad I went at night and was able to see the city fully lit up. The views are quite spectacular!
The rooftop also provides a great view of the middle of the building and how high up you really are. The design of this portion of the building is definitely quite interesting. Especially when you see the escalators which look like they’re floating in the air.
Is The Kuchu Teien Observatory In Osaka Worth Visiting?
If you’re a fan of observatory’s and views of city landscapes then you’ll definitely want to check out Kuchu Teien Observatory In Osaka. It’s a fun attraction (the escalator ride and feeling of floating about 35 floors up in the air is quite an experience) and the way the building is designed in itself is something worth gawking at. For about $10 USD this won’t break the bank either so it’s something that’s pretty fair in price. If heights aren’t your thing you may not enjoy this. The “floating” escalators may not jive well with you, nor the Skywalk. I’m not a fan of heights myself but found these elements of the attractions to be fine though.
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Thinking Of Doing A Day Trip to Nara From Kyoto or Osaka? Here’s Some Suggestions!
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When thinking of Nara, one instantly gets that mental image of family or a friend that has made the trip to Nara and taken a classic selfie with multiple deer that are seemingly everywhere in the Deer Park. We’ve all seen the photos and it’s one of Nara’s biggest draws for good reason.
It’s likely the biggest reason why you’re planning on visiting. I know that was the biggest reason why I wanted to visit.
While the deer of Nara certainly live up to the hype (yes, they’re as adorable in person as in your friends photos!), Nara does have much more to offer and see as well.
Nara is a very old city and was once Japan’s capital. It’s home to some of the country’s oldest and largest temples, including the famous Todaiji Temple, making a day trip to Nara a perfect opportunity to explore it’s many offerings.
A Day Trip to Nara From Kyoto or Osaka
Nara is a very popular day trip from the neighboring Kyoto and Osaka. It’s a little less than an hr train ride from Kyoto (from Kyoto Station) and a little over an hour from Osaka as well (from Osaka Station).
The distance makes it a perfect day trip from either of the neighboring mega cities. Nara Station is also in a great location. You can walk directly from Nara Station to Sanjo Dori Street to all the major sites and Deer Park. It will definitely be a lot of walking but it’s certainly doable.
Sanjo Dori Street
When exiting Nara Station if you turn left and walk up the first major street you come across that will be Sanjo Dori Street. Most likely many people from Nara Station will be taking this route as well so you can just follow the crowd.
Walking down this street will take you directly into Nara Park which is where you can spend the whole day essentially. The street itself has many different souvenir shops and other stores and places to grab some food. With it being so close to Nara Station it’s a great place to stop off and get some souvenirs on your way back to the station at the end of the day,.
A very popular shop is Nakatanidou. Nakatanidou is famous for its live mochi making displays and its fresh mochi.
You can grab a three pack of these freshly made mochi for 540 yen, $3.81 USD. The mochi is unbelievably fresh. Soft, chewy, and filled with red bean paste, these are a perfect snack prior to entering Nara Park.
Nara Park
After enjoying some fresh mochi you can walk a little further down Sanjo Dori Street to enter Nara Park.
The park is massive, measuring over 660 hectares. This is where you’ll find all of the roaming deer and Nara’s most famous temples. Even devoting an entire day here you won’t be able to see everything, it’s just too large. But visiting all the main temples while enjoying the wild deer is certainly achievable during a day trip to Nara!
Kofukuji Temple Grounds
If entering the park through Sanjo Dori Street, Kofukuji Temple grounds is the first temple you’ll come across. There’s quite a few structures located here and the area is quite big. The five story pagoda – Kofuku-ji Gojunoto – is easily visible and towers over the other Kofukuji structures. The main temple is the Central Golden Hall.
The grounds are free to roam but The Central Golden Hall, the Eastern Golden Hall and Kofukuji’s National Treasure Museum require an entrance fee. I walked around a little bit but didn’t devote a ton of time here. If stretched for time a quick walk through with a few photos will suffice. You can always spend more time here on the way back from your day in the park as well!
Kofuku-ji Gojunoto 
Central Golden Hall Inside Nara Park
Once you get deeper into the park, you realize just how large it is. It’s a huge wide open park with deer roaming everywhere. And the deer are EVERYWHERE. It’s easy to see these deer and think they’re domesticated, they are definitely well behaved.
You’ll find clusters of deer chilling near entrances to the park, which is where you’ll find vendors selling rice cakes (200 yen, $1.27) that you can feed the deer. It’s important to keep in mind that they aren’t domesticated and to treat them as such. They will certainly start crowding you once they realize you have rice cakes so best get that camera ready!
It’s definitely a fun experience to walk through the park with so many deer around. I thought they would be contained to one portion of the park but they are literally everywhere so it’s a truly unique experience.
Isuien Garden and Neiraku Museum
The Isuien Garden and Neiraku Museum are located near the Todai-Ji temple grounds and are about a 10-15 minute walk from the Kofukuji Temple Grounds. There’s an entrance fee for this (1200 yen, $7.63 USD). There are two traditional Japanese gardens located here and a small museum.
If you need a break from temples and deer this is a nice spot to bask in some peace and tranquility while appreciating the well-kempt gardens. I always love Japanese gardens due to how serene and beautiful they are and Isuien Garden certainly lives up to those traits. The garden and museum are both quite small so it will not take much time to walk through both.
Todai-Ji Temple
The most famous and popular destination of Nara is Todai-Ji Temple (600 yen, $3.81 USD, entrance fee). It’s a UNESCO World Heritage site designated as one of the historic monuments of Ancient Nara. This is a must see during a day trip to Nara.
Constructed in 752, the temple was once one of the Seven Great Temples and wielded great power and influence. Todaiji’s main hall, the Daibutsuden, is one of the world’s largest wooden buildings standing at 57 meters in length.
Prior to sustaining fire damage which required the temple to be rebuilt in 1709, the orginal temple once stood at 88 meters in length, so it was actually 30% larger. The building is an impressively massive wooden building as it currently stands, so one can only imagine what it once looked like hundreds of years ago in it’s original size.
Daibutsuden means Big Budda Hall and housed within the main hall is a 15 ft seated Buddha. This enormous bronze statue was created in 752 and is the centerpiece of the temple. It’s the first thing you encounter once entering the temple and is certainly a sight to behold. There are other fantastic statues within the temple as well. Overall, this is a really cool temple, just due to the sheer size, the huge Buddha statue and the other statues within it.
The Todai-Ji area encompasses much more than just the temple. In and around the grounds are several other temples which you can walk to. Some of which may require an entrance fee.
My favorite of these nearby temples was Todaiji Nigatsudo (February Hall). This temple was free and provided a great view of the surrounding area.
Kasuga Taisha
Another UNESCO World Heritage Site, Kasuga Taisha is Nara’s most famous and sacred shrines. This is another major attraction which should be near the top of a day trip to Nara.
Built in 768, the shrine has been re-built several times over the centuries. It enshrines many gods and deities and the grounds here are quite spectacular and tranquil.
The majority of the area is free to roam around. If you want a look at the shrine’s inner buildings within the offering hall, that will require a fee.
Famous for its lanterns, Kasuga Taisha is home to hundreds of bronze lanterns that can be found hanging from the buildings. There are around 2000 stone lanterns that line the many paths on the grounds as well.
The lanterns are only lit twice a year during two Lantern Festivals, one in early February and one in mid August. One can only imagine what a sight that would be to behold.
Kasuga Taisha is deeper into Nara Park than Todai-Ji Temple and you can easily spend a couple of hours walking around these ground. Deer roam freely in this area as well and are believed to be sacred messengers of the Shinto gods which inhabit the shrine.
Mizuya Chaya
Located near Kasuga Taisha is a cozy little udon restaurant called Mizuya Chaya. This is located right in the park and is a quaint little place with a thatched roof. When I went here there were a lot of people sitting across the road and sketching the building, it’s quite popular.
They specialize in udon here and have a few options. Menus are in English so it’s easy to figure out what you want.
I went with the edible wild plants udon (850 yen, $5.39 USD) and also got an iced coffee ( 450 yen, $2.85 yen). The broth had a nice, salty umami taste to it. The noodles were extremely fresh. Great al dente texture, soft and chewy. They were really good! The veggies included green beans, mushrooms, and bamboo. The veggies provided additional textrue and went great with the broth and fresh noodles. This is a perfect stop if you’re heading to or from Kasuga Taisha around lunch time and it’s very affordable!
Enjoy Your Time In Nara
There’s so much to see in Nara Park. Even though I was there for an entire day, I barely scratched the surface. It truly is massive. Fortunately, the major attractions are fairly close to one another and you can walk to them from Nara Station. It will be a heavy day of walking though. There are buses that you can take to the major attractions though if you prefer.
Some of the most enjoyable moments for me were finding pockets in the vast park where there weren’t many people milling around. These are great moments where you can really take in the beauty of the park and appreciate the moment.
Finally, you have to admire these deer. I mean look how polite they are, they even stand outside of shops, lol.
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Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan: One Of The Best Aquariums In Japan
Located within the Minato ward near the Osaka bay area, Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan is a major attraction within Japan’s third largest city.
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Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
Home to over 30,000 sea creatures and 620 species, this is a massive aquarium. With over 15 large tanks there’s a lot to see and take in at the facility. Each tank represents a different region of the Pacific Rim, traversing through the Pacific Ocean. You’ll see all manner of aquatic sea life here ranging from otters, sea lions, penguins, dolphins, whale sharks, rays, and jellyfish, just to name a few.
What’s great about the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan is the way these tanks are presented to you. You first enter and walk through the overhead aquarium tunnel. Then you make your way up to the 8th floor and spiral down floor by floor. Some of the tanks can be observed from multiple floors so you can see the animals at different depths. It’s a really cool experience.
The Pacific Ocean tank
The highlight of all of these impressive tanks is the “Pacific Ocean”.
The tank is 9 meters deep, 34 meters long and contains 5,400 tons of water. This is a truly massive tank wihch can be viewed from multiple levels. There’s a TON of species swimming around within the tank. The main attractions being the massive whale sharks, the largest fish species in the world. There’s also some seating locations in some areas around the tank. It’s quite mesmerizing to watch if you’re able to find a seat and just chill and watch for a time.
The Overall Experience
If you enjoy aquariums than Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan will be a must visit while in Osaka. It’s a world class level aquarium and is certainly worth the entrance fee (2700 yen, $17.33 USD). As you can imagine, this is a very popular attraction and you can expect big crowds here.
I went in the evening, about 3 hours before closing (it closes at 8 pm) which seemed to help with the crowds. There wasn’t any line to purchase a ticket at that time and the exhibits, while crowded, weren’t too bad. You can easily spend over 3 hours here so you will want to give yourself ample time to enjoy all the tanks and not feel like you have to speed run through it all.
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Otaru, Hokkaido Is A Great Day Trip From Sapporo
Otaru is a port city located in Hokkaido, Japan, about a 30-40 minute train ride from Sapporo, it’s a popular day trip from the biggest city in Hokkaido with some notable sights to take in. Staying in Otaru is certainly an option but this post looks at making a day trip or half-day trip for those staying in Sapporo.
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The Otaru Canal
The most well-known feature in Otaru is the Otaru Canal. This canal was an integral part of transporting goods from the ships stationed in the main port in the 20th century. Smaller vessels would transport goods from these larger vessels down the canal and unload them at the warehouses lining the canal. The canal became obsolete as modern technology took hold and more efficient unloading methods developed.
The canal remained during this shift of goods transportation and a part of the canal was restored in the 1980s with the warehouses being renovated into various shops, restaurants, and museums.
It’s a beautiful area and makes for quite a nice stroll. You can spend the majority of your day in the area around the canal since there’s so much to see here.
The Otaru Canal 
The Otaru
Canal at night, illuminated by lightsSakaimachi Street
Located near the Otaru Canal, Sakaimachi Street is a very popular tourist destination spot. It’s convenient location next to the town’s most popular attraction means you’ll most likely spend some time on this street. It’s home to several souvenir shops, museums, restaurants, and stores. The street is quite long so there’s a TON to see and eat here.
The Food
As mentioned above, Sakaimachi Street is jam-packed with all sorts of shops and stores. As one would imagine there’s a TON of different food options. Not only is there plenty of traditional Japanese food and seafood located on the street, there’s plenty of dessert options as well, not only on Sakaimachi Street but near the canal too.
A popular spot is Sawawa whose speciality are matcha and green tea products. Even though it was early December I had to try the the green tea ice cream with matcha mochi (670 yen, $4.28 USD). The ice cream was very rich with a heavy green flavor to it while the mochi was quite soft and chewy. It was quite jelly like.
Popura Farm was another stop. It’s not on Sakaimachi Street but is quite close to it. Popura Farm offers half cut or quarter cut melons piled with ice cream. I got the quarter melon (1900 yen, $12.13 USD). Even in December, the honeydew melon I got was sweet and juicy, while the vanilla ice cream makes it that much tastier!
Naruto Honten Fried Chicken is a famous fried chicken restaurant that’s located in Otaru. About a 10 minute walk from the Otaru Canal, it’s a large two-story restaurant with a waiting room, so you know the place is quite popular.
The menu is quite large, with many options besides just fried chicken, but the restaurant is known for its chicken so it was a must try for me. I got a half chicken combo meal and a beer for 1850 yen, $12.02 USD. Quite a good deal for the amount of food you get. The fried chicken is quite good. The skin is exceptionally crispy while the meat maintains its juiciness. It really is some tasty fried chicken.
LaTao is a famous dessert company not only in Japan but in other countries throughout the world. The orignal location is found in Otaru on Sakaimachi Street. It’s easily recognizable due to the tower that’s connected to the store. The tower was the original location of LaTao and you can walk to the very top and get a nice view of the surrounding area.
LaTao made its name based off its famous Double Fromage cheesecakes, so it’s certainly an item that deserves attention. Within the store, upstairs, there’s a restaurant where you can order and enjoy the many desserts that LaTao has to offer. I got a combo that included a slice of the original cheesecake (I believe) and a slice of lemon cheesecake, and a cup of tea (1500 yen, $9.60 USD).
Both slices of cheesecake are incredibly light. With a subtle sweetness, they are not overpowering or overly sweet at all. Both maintain great flavor and are extremely tasty!
Otaru Music Box Museum
At the end Sakaimachi Street is the Otaru Music Museum. A solid stone building, this is the main building that was constructed in 1915 and used as an office for a wealthy merchant. It was converted to a music box museum in 1989 and now houses over 80,000 music boxes.
As one might imagine with a place with so many music boxes, the air is filled with music as you walk around which is quite pleasant. There are so many different types and variations of music boxes housed here. It really is amazing. The wooden interior really adds to the unique feel and it’s just a really cool place to walk around and purchase a unique music box if you’re so inclined.
In the front of the museum is the world’s largest steam clock. Every 15 minutes, the steam whistles at the top of the clock produces a melody, which is really cool to both see and hear!
The Railway Museum
The Railway Museum is a little bit outside of Otaru Canal tourist area, about a 20 minute walk. It’s located at the site of Hokkaido’s first railway line. In the old trainyard outside there are several full size trains from various eras which are on display.
The inside of the museum has several exhibits detailing the history of trains in the Otaru area. If you have an interest in trains and museums this will be a place of interest for you!
Conclusion
There’s a lot more to see and do in Otaru but if you only have a day or half-day this is a good starting point. The Otaru Canal and its surrounding area, namely Sakaimachi Street, will undoubtedly be the biggest draw and there’s a lot to explore, especially if you enjoy shopping. You can’t really go wrong just walking around the area and exploring. It’s a charming place with lots to see and especially EAT!
Related Links
Is The Famed Naruto Honten Fried Chicken In Otaru Fulfill It’s Hype?
Does The Famous Japanese Bakery LeTAO Live Up To The Hype?
10 Popular Things To Do In Sapporo, Hokkaido
Stunning Osaka Castle Is One Of The Most Popular Places To Visit In Osaka
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Stunning Osaka Castle Is One Of The Most Popular Places To Visit In Osaka
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Osaka Castle History
Osaka Castle has over a 450 year history dating back to 1583 when the feudal lord Hideyoshi Toyotomi built the first iteration of the castle. The castle has been destroyed numerous times mainly due to war and fire but has been re-built afterwards each and every time during its exisitence. The last re-build occurred in 1931 when the castle tower was re-built. Although damaged during World War II, the main structure remained intact and was recognized as a historic site by the Japanese government in the 1950s.
Today’s Osaka Castle
Today, Osaka Castle is one of the most popular tourist attractions in not only Osaka, but all of Japan. When you get to the castle park and walk around, you have a great view of the castle towering over the premises, you can understand why it’s a tourist favorite. I was lucky to go on a clear, beautiful day, and the tower sitting on high was really a magnificent sight.
The area within the castle grounds contains citadels, gates, turrets, massive stone walls, and huge moats. It’s a great area to walk around to appreciate all of the impressive architecture. The stone walls are comprised of an estimated 500,000 – 1 million stones. The moat walls stand over 65 ft and are 295 ft wide. They’re certainly an impressive sight as you walk amongst them.
There’s two separate moats which encircle the castle and the castle park. Both are huge and provide a nice walk if you have the time and really want to take in views of the entire premises and see the castle from all angles.
The inside of the castle is completely modern and is a museum that provides the history of both Hideyoshi Toyotomi and the castle. The very top of the museum provides a great view of the castle grounds and of the surrounding Osaka area. You do have to pay a small entrance fee in order to enter the museum. The museum is interesting, especially if you’re a museum fan or history buff, but it would have been great if they had tried to re-construct how the castle may have once looked at the height of its powers. Wishful thinking.
While the castle itself is the highlight, the surrounding Osaka Castle Park is very large as well. It’s about 2 square km with lots of green space. It’s really a green oasis within Osaka. It really is a nice area to just take a stroll through. You can easily bring some snacks and drinks and just hangout in this area for a nice little break from all the sight-seeing.
The park gets very popular during cherry blossom season due to its abundance of cherry blossom trees in the area, which I imagine would be quite stunning. The fall colors within the Osaka Castle Park would be sight to behold as well.
Is Osaka Castle Worth Visiting?
If you’re visiting Osaka, the Osaka Castle is most likely one of the bigger attractions you’re looking to visit. If it’s not, it should be. It really is one of the bigger attractions in all of Japan and one of its most famous castles. Once you get there and start walking around the Osaka Castle Park, cross over the moat bridge into the inner Osaka Castle grounds, you’ll understand why the castle is such a popular destination.
In a sense, you feel like you’ve been transported back in time once you’re walking around the enormous stone walls and stand up on them and look out over the moat. It’s really a spectacle that needs to be experienced if you’re in Osaka!
