Kansai Region | Vegetarian's Japan Guide

Mimuroto-ji Yorakuen Garden and Fall Foliage Uji Kyoto Japan

Mimuroto-ji Temple Guide: Uji’s Famous Flower Temple in Kyoto

August 2, 2026 / Autumn Foliage, Hydrangea, Kansai Region, Kyoto Prefecture, Plum Blossoms, Temples & Shrines

Nestled in the hills of Uji just outside central Kyoto, Mimuroto-ji Temple (三室戸寺) is affectionately known as Kyoto’s “Flower Temple”. Famous for its sprawling gardens featuring over 20,000 seasonal hydrangeas, 20,000 vibrant azaleas, and 250 weeping plum trees, this historic 8th-century sanctuary offers a picturesque escape in every season. Beyond its breathtaking floral displays and […]

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Bustling riverside city with bridges, modern and traditional buildings along a canal at sunset, pedestrians everywhere.

Where to Stay in Gion and Shijo: Affordable & Spacious Spots

July 31, 2026 / Accommodation, Kansai Region, Kyoto Prefecture

Looking for where to stay in Kyoto? If Kyoto Station is built for fast transit, Gion and Shijo are built for atmosphere. Centered around bustling Shijo-dori avenue, the scenic Kamogawa River, and Gion’s lantern-lit alleys, this neighborhood puts you steps from historic machiya townhouses, serene shrines, traditional teahouses, and the famous Nishiki Market. Staying here

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Top Affordable & Spacious Kyoto Station Hotels with Laundry

August 2, 2026 / Accommodation, Kansai Region, Kyoto Prefecture

Kyoto is a city of endless temples and breathtaking gardens, but your hotel room shouldn’t feel like a tiny monk’s quarters. For many visitors, Japan’s famously compact accommodations can be a bit of a shock. If you are looking for enough floor space to open your suitcases, want to keep a close eye on your

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Best Family and Budget-Friendly Hotels in Namba & Shinsaibashi

Best Family & Budget-Friendly Hotels in Namba & Shinsaibashi

July 15, 2026 / Accommodation, Kansai Region, Osaka Prefecture

Planning a family vacation to Osaka is an unforgettable adventure, but finding accommodation that satisfies everyone can quickly become a logistical puzzle. The reality of traveling with kids or larger groups in Japan is that standard hotel rooms average a compact 15 square meters, barely enough space to park a stroller, let alone open multiple

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Best Affordable But Spacious Hotels in Namba With Laundry

July 31, 2026 / Accommodation, Kansai Region, Osaka Prefecture

Finding a hotel in Osaka that checks every single box can feel like a balancing act, especially if you want to avoid tiny rooms without breaking the bank. If you are eyeing the vibrant Namba area for its delicious street food and unbeatable nightlife, you don’t have to compromise on comfort. It is entirely possible

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Shoin-at-Katsura-Imperial-Villa-Kyoto-Japan

Katsura Imperial Villa Guide: How to Book Tickets & Visit

June 17, 2026 / Autumn Foliage, Kansai Region, Kyoto Prefecture

Tucked away in a quiet residential district southwest of central Kyoto, Katsura Imperial Villa (Katsura Rikyū, 桂離宮) is widely celebrated as one of Japan’s ultimate masterpieces of traditional landscape gardening and architecture. The strolling garden, comprising over half of the 69,000-square-meter-wide villa, is amazingly designed with various traditional-style garden features. Furthermore, Katsura Imperial Villa has

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Takeda-Castle-Ruins-Sea-of-Clouds-Asago-Hyogo-Japan-

Takeda Castle Ruins: The Complete Castle in the Sky Guide

June 16, 2026 / Autumn Foliage, Cherry Blossom, Hidden Gems, Hyōgo Prefecture, Kansai Region, Top 100 Japanese Castles, Trekking/Hiking in Japan

Known as Japan’s mythical “Castle in the Sky,” the Takeda Castle Ruins (Takeda Jōseki, 竹田城跡) offer one of the most breathtaking views in Hyogo Prefecture. Perched 353 meters above sea level atop Mt. Kojōzan (古城山) in Asago City, these historic ruins appear to float on a breathtaking sea of clouds during clear autumn mornings, closely

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Garden of the Lord’s Residence (Oyashiki-no-Niwa) in Kokoen Garden, Hidden Gem in Himeji, Japan

The Ultimate Guide to Kōkōen Garden: Himeji’s Hidden Gem

June 14, 2026 / Autumn Foliage, Cherry Blossom, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japanese Garden, Kansai Region, Places to Visit, Snow Scenery

No trip to Himeji is complete without marveling at the iconic, brilliant white facade of Himeji Castle. But while most tourists head straight back to the train station after touring the fortress, those in the know step right next door into Kōkōen Garden (姫路城西御屋敷跡庭園好古園). Opened to commemorate the history of Himeji City, this stunning

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Mt. Shosha: How to Visit Himeji’s Hidden Mountain Temple

June 26, 2026 / Autumn Foliage, Hidden Gems, Hyōgo Prefecture, Kansai Region, Temples & Shrines, Trekking/Hiking in Japan, Vegan and Vegetarian-Friendly Spots, World Heritage

While millions of tourists flock to Hyogo Prefecture for the iconic white walls of Himeji Castle, few realize that an ancient, spiritual destination awaits just 25 minutes away. Rising quietly above the city, Mt. Shosha (書写山) is home to Engyōji Temple (圓教寺), a breathtaking 1,000-year-old Buddhist complex nestled deep within a dense, mossy forest. Famously

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Himeji Castle surrounded by blooming pink cherry blossoms in spring

Himeji Castle Guide: Attractions, Tickets, & Vegan Tips

June 13, 2026 / 100 Landscapes of Japan, Autumn Foliage, Castles with Original Castle Keep, Cherry Blossom, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan's Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots, Kansai Region, Top 100 Japanese Castles, World Heritage

As Japan’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the country’s 12 remaining original keeps, Himeji Castle (姫路城), tops almost every traveler’s bucket list. Known as the “White Heron Castle Shirasagi-Jō (白鷺城)” for its brilliant white plaster walls and elegant, wing-like architecture, this 400-year-old masterpiece is the ultimate day trip from nearby Osaka or

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