Enjoy local gourmet such as takoyaki, okonomiyaki, and kushikatsu. Known as the "city of Kuidaore" (eat till you drop), Osaka is famous for its food culture. Dotonbori, where you can enjoy strolling and tasting a variety of street foods, is a must-visit. Unique cityscape with historical landmarks like Osaka Castle and Tsutenkaku alongside modern architecture. Universal Studios Japan (USJ) offers world-class attractions.
Kyoto is home to many world-renowned temples and shrines, including Kiyomizu-dera, Kinkaku-ji, and Fushimi Inari Taisha. The city’s streets are steeped in history as the capital of Japan for over a thousand years. Kyoto offers many opportunities to experience traditional Japanese arts such as tea ceremony, flower arrangement, and Noh theater. The city is also known for its traditional crafts, including machiya townhouses and Kyo-yuzen textiles, which showcase the skills of master artisans. Moreover, Kyoto offers a refined and beautiful food culture, including kaiseki cuisine, vegetarian dishes, and matcha sweets. You can enjoy sampling a variety of foods at Nishiki Market. Scenic spots include Arashiyama Bamboo Grove and Kamogawa riverside walks, where you can enjoy landscapes harmonized with nature.
The city center (Sannomiya/Motomachi area) is a vibrant district where history and modernity harmoniously coexist. Popular attractions include Kobe Port Tower and the BE KOBE monument at the seaside parks Meriken Park & Harborland, the spiritual Ikuta Shrine, and many restaurants where you can enjoy world-famous Kobe beef.
Nara is home to many historically significant buildings, including the Great Buddha of Todai-ji Temple, the five-story pagoda of Kofuku-ji Temple, and the vermillion-lacquered halls of Kasuga Taisha Shrine. Horyu-ji Temple is renowned as the world’s oldest wooden structure. In Nara Park, you can interact with over 1,000 freely roaming deer, considered sacred messengers and symbols of the city. Visitors can also experience traditional Japanese culture through activities such as tea ceremony, sutra copying, and Japanese confectionery making. The area is perfect for strolling, with charming machiya-style cafés and craft shops lining the streets.
