“You don’t need to stay the night in Nara. You can just visit on a day trip from Osaka or Kyoto.” I don’t know how or when it got started, but that’s been the narrative on Nara for as long as I’ve been traveling to Japan. Many people seem to think that one of the most popular destinations in the Kansai region isn’t worth more than a day trip!
The Kintetsu Rail Pass is a rail pass offering foreign tourists unlimited travel on trains (except limited express trains) by Kintetsu Railways. It covers travel to parts of Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, and Mie prefectures in the Kansai region, and to Nagoya in the Chubu region.
The JR West Kansai Wide Area Pass is a rail pass that allows foreign tourists unlimited travel in the Kansai region (and a few neighboring prefectures) for five consecutive days. It’s similar to the Kansai Area Pass, but offers a wider coverage area.
In Japanese folklore, the term “yokai” refers to a broad class of supernatural beings and phenomena like monsters, ghosts, demons, and spirits. The word comes from the kanji yo, meaning attractive or bewitching, and kai, which means mystery or wonder.
Kinosaki Onsen is a hot spring town in northern Hyogo Prefecture, near the coast of the Sea of Japan. It’s been a hot spring town since the 8th century and is considered one of the top onsen destinations in the Kansai region.
Hidden in the mountains of Wakayama Prefecture, Koyasan (Mount Koya) is one of Japan’s most sacred destinations. It’s the center of Shingon Buddhism, an important Buddhist sect introduced to Japan in the early 9th century by Kobo Daishi (aka Kukai).
Just two hours south of Osaka, getting to Mount Koya is a breeze thanks to Japan’s efficient rail network. The Koyasan World Heritage Ticket – a convenient travel pass that offers savings on transportation, meals, souvenirs, and temple admissions – makes the trip even more seamless and affordable.
Kintsugi refers to the centuries-old Japanese practice of repairing broken pottery using urushi lacquer dusted with powdered gold, silver, or platinum. Originating sometime between the 14th and 16th centuries, the term stems from the words kin, meaning “golden”, and tsugi, which translates to “joinery”.
More than just a means to get you from point A to point B, the Hakone Loop is an extensive network of trains, funiculars, ropeways, buses, and cruise ships that take visitors on a sightseeing trip around the Hakone area. Designed to make the journey as scenic and enjoyable as possible, it offers stunning views of Hakone’s mountainous landscape, steaming volcanic vents, and, on clear days, the iconic silhouette of Mt Fuji.
Based on people’s reviews, most tourists seem to love Hakone, while a few others have called it overrated and overpriced. In this article, I hope to shed more light on exactly what Hakone is, and what you can expect from this popular resort town in Kanagawa Prefecture.