Japan Trove

Japan Trove

Category: Destinations & Day Trips

City and region guides beyond Tokyo — Kyoto, Osaka, Hokkaido, Okinawa and more.

  • Best Things to Do in Osaka (Beyond Dotonbori)

    Best Things to Do in Osaka (Beyond Dotonbori)

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    Osaka is Japan’s kitchen and its friendliest big city — louder, funnier, and hungrier than Tokyo. Most visitors only see Dotonbori, but there’s a lot more. Here’s what to do, eat, and where to look beyond the neon.

    The must-sees

    • Dotonbori — yes, do it: the giant signs, the Glico runner, and street food at night.
    • Kuromon Ichiba Market — a fresh-food market; go in the morning for seafood and fruit.
    • Osaka Castle — the park is lovely, especially in cherry blossom season.
    • Umeda Sky Building — a striking floating-garden observatory.

    Beyond Dotonbori (the local side)

    • Shinsekai & Tsutenkaku — retro, gritty, and full of kushikatsu (deep-fried skewers).
    • Nakazakicho — a hipster pocket of indie cafés and vintage shops.
    • Hozenji Yokocho — a tiny lantern-lit alley just off the chaos of Dotonbori.

    Eat like an Osakan

    • Takoyaki (octopus balls) and okonomiyaki (savory pancake) — Osaka’s signatures.
    • Kushikatsu in Shinsekai — remember: no double-dipping the sauce.
    • Kitsune udon — Osaka claims it as its own.

    Day trips from Osaka

    Osaka is a great base for the Kansai region: Nara (bowing deer and a giant Buddha), Kobe (beef and port views), and of course Kyoto — see where to stay in Kyoto if you split your nights. Book tours easily on Klook .

    Practical tips

    • Kansai has its own regional passes — often better value than the nationwide one; see the JR Pass guide.
    • Grab an IC card and an eSIM on arrival.

    Osaka usually closes out our 7-day Japan itinerary — a tasty way to end the trip.

  • Where to Stay in Kyoto: Best Areas & Ryokan for First-Timers

    Where to Stay in Kyoto: Best Areas & Ryokan for First-Timers

    Some links below are affiliate links. If you book through them, Japan Trove may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

    Kyoto’s sights are spread out, so where you sleep really matters. Pick the right base and you’ll walk to temples in the morning and reach the train easily. Here’s a first-timer’s guide to Kyoto’s best neighborhoods and what to book.

    Best areas to stay

    Near Kyoto Station — most convenient

    Best for easy arrivals/departures (the Shinkansen stops here), buses to everywhere, and a wide range of hotels. Less atmospheric but the most practical base, especially for short stays.

    Downtown (Kawaramachi / Gion) — central & atmospheric

    Walkable to shopping, restaurants, the Nishiki food market, and the geisha district of Gion. The best all-round location if you want to stroll in the evening. Pricier.

    Higashiyama — traditional & scenic

    Steps from Kiyomizu-dera and the old lanes. Quieter at night and full of character; ideal for early temple mornings.

    Arashiyama — nature retreat

    The bamboo grove and riverside. Beautiful and calm, but further from the center — great for a night, less ideal for your whole stay.

    Stay in a ryokan at least once

    Kyoto is the place to try a ryokan (traditional inn) with tatami rooms, a kaiseki dinner, and sometimes a private onsen. Even one night is memorable. Filter for ryokan and machiya (townhouse) stays on Booking.com and Agoda .

    Booking tips

    • Book very early. Kyoto sells out first in cherry blossom and autumn seasons.
    • Mind the buses. Kyoto relies on buses; staying central saves a lot of transit time.
    • One-night ryokan + central hotel is a great combo: splurge once, stay practical otherwise.

    Coming from Tokyo? See whether the JR Pass is worth it, and slot Kyoto into your 7-day itinerary. Staying in Tokyo too? Here’s where to stay in Tokyo.