If you want to escape Osaka’s crowded city center, consider taking a break at Yamadaike Park (山田池公園), north of the busy Namba area. The urban park is the perfect spot to enjoy seasonal colors and nature. You can also rent a bicycle from the park’s office and cycle between different scenic areas. There are even […]
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A hidden gem in Osaka for flowers and fall foliage hunting is Kanshin-ji Temple (観心寺). After all, it was chosen to be one of the Flower Temples in the Kansai region! In addition, the temple houses Osaka Prefecture’s oldest architectural national treasure. You can also perform a few simple rituals in its vast precinct. Moreover,
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If you plan to visit Dotonbori at night, visit Kōzugū Shrine (高津宮) and Kōzu Park (高津公園) in the late afternoon. The shrine, arguably close to Osaka‘s most famous tourist spot, is next to a renowned plum blossom spot, Kōzu Park. After making or saying your prayer at the shrine, follow the passageway on the shrine’s
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In Osaka‘s city center, the Ōsaka Tenmangū Shrine (大阪天満宮) is a convenient spot to adore the plum blossoms. Close to Japan’s longest shopping arcade, Tenjinbashi-suji Shopping Street (天神橋筋商店街), around 100 plums were planted for the god enshrined, Sugawara no Michizane (菅原道真). Because Michizane is worshipped as the God of Learning (学問の神様), many students would visit
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Please don’t treat Universal Studios Japan (or USJ) in Osaka as just another theme park where you can board the rides whenever and as many times as you want as long as you pay for admission. The theme park is so popular that there may be more than one part of the park where you
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The question may sound stupid as the information is widely available on Google and USJ’s website. However, it is a valid question when it comes to Universal Studios Japan because the theme park usually opens 30 to 90 minutes earlier than its official opening hours. If you don’t plan on purchasing a Universal Studios Japan
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Because most people are aware of how packed Universal Studios Japan (USJ) can be, the Universal Studios Japan Express Pass is almost a must-buy despite its hefty price tag. In fact, on a busy day, the express passes are usually sold out soon after they are released. If there is no express pass left on
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The Super Nintendo World is the most packed area in Universal Studios Japan. Advance planning is highly recommended so that your time and physical stamina won’t be wasted. Because either an Area Timed Entry Ticket (エリア入場整理券) or an Advance Booking Timed Entry Ticket (エリア入場確約券) is required to enter the area, ensure that you purchase a
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Although there are several Universal Studios around the world, Universal Studios Japan (or simply USJ) remains one of the top attractions in Osaka. While this is good news for Universal Studios, this isn’t the case for the visitors. After all, a packed amusement park means longer queues at the popular rides. Thus, it is intuitive
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At the border between Ikeda City (池田市) and Minoo City (箕面市) is the Satsukiyama or Mt. Satsuki (五月山). The 315-meter-tall mountain is the symbol of Ikeda City. Known for its great viewpoint overlooking the Osaka Plain, many tourists would come to the summit of Satsukiyama for the night view as the lights down in the
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