KOBE
Kobe has so many facets waiting to be enjoyed including a refined harbour area, mountains offering views of the night scenery, streets overflowing with an exotic mix of cultures, and even a storied hot springs resort.
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Former Kobe Foreign Settlement
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Hanshin Koshien Stadium
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Takarazuka Grand Theater
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Arima Onsen Kin-no-yu
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Sannomiya Center Street
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Kobe Harborland
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Hakushika Memorial Museum of Sake
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Shukugawa park
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Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Art
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Hakutaka Rokusuien
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Nihonsakari Sakagura Dori Rengakan
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HAKUTSURU Sake Brewery Museum
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First Time in Kobe. 21 Best Things to Do! Sightseeing, Spots, Dining, Model Course
Where is the best place to visit in Kobe? What to eat? The following is a list of major sightseeing spots and attractions recommended for first-time visitors to Kobe! -INDEX- 〇Sightseeing Spots in Kobe 1.Ikuta Shrine 2.Kitano Ijinkan Gai 3.Kitano Tenma Shrine 4.Kobe Nunobiki Herb Gardens & Ropeway 5.Sorakuen garden 6.Nankinmachi 7.The Former Foreign Settlement Of Kobe 8.Meriken Park (BE KOBE Monument) 9.Kobe Port Tower 10.Kobe Harborland umie 11.Kobe Bay Cruise 12.AQUARIUM×ART átoa 13.Kobe Animal Kingdom 14.Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Art 15.Nada Gogo 16.Mt. Rokko area 17.Arima Onsen 〇Gourmet Spots in Kobe 18.Specialties of Kobe・Kobe Beef 19.Specialties of Kobe・Sweets 20.Specialties of Kobe・Bread 21.A specialty of Kobe: Roushouki pork buns ■Sightseeing in Kobe by bus is also recommended ■Kobe Sightseeing 1 Day Model Course The shrine is said to have been founded in 201. Within the shrine grounds, there are various regent and subordinate shrines with various benefits, as well as power spots. The “mizu-mikuji” love fortune-telling, in which characters emerge when the fortune paper is dipped in water, is popular! The artistic “Kirie red seal” also attracts attention. ▼Check out this article! Let’s go to shrines and temples in Kansai for New Year’s “Hatsumode”! Kitano Ijinkan Gai is one of Kobe’s most popular tourist spots! The town flourished as a settlement for the increasing number of foreigners who came to Japan after the opening of the Port of Kobe in 1868, and is dotted with more than 30 classical Western-style buildings, about half of which are open to the public. ▶For more information Kitano Tenma Shrine is located uptown in the Kitano Ijinkan Gai. It is a spot with a spectacular view of the Port of Kobe, the cityscape of Kobe, and the modern Western-style buildings of the Kitano Ijinkan-gai, and is also famous for its plum blossoms, which bloom from February to March. ▼Check out this article! February and March trip is plum blossom viewing! Best spots in Kyoto, Osaka and Kobe A 10-minute ropeway ride from the foot of the mountain takes you to one of the largest herb gardens in Japan, with 75,000 flowers and herbs of about 200 species. Inside the park, there are restaurants and cafes overlooking the city of Kobe, providing a resort-like atmosphere on the mountain. ▶For more information This is the only Japanese garden in a city park in Kobe City, and visitors can admire the garden while circling around the pond. In the modern port city of Kobe, this is a rare spot where visitors can experience a Japanese atmosphere! The scenery of azaleas in spring and autumn leaves in fall is especially worth seeing. ▼Check out this article! Best 14 Places to See Autumn Leaves in Japan (Kyoto, Osaka and More)! Nankinmachi, a Chinatown in Kobe’s Motomachi district, is one of the three major Chinatowns in Japan along with Yokohama and Nagasaki. Eating and walking is popular! There are also many events such as “Chinese New Year Festival,” “Mid-Autumn Festival,” and “Lantern Fair.” After the opening of the Port of Kobe, the Former Foreign Settlement Of Kobe was built following modern European urban planning. Today, boutiques and restaurants are housed in modern buildings, and the area is recognized as a fashionable area with an exotic atmosphere. ▶For more information A waterfront park facing the Port of Kobe. Dotted around the park are photogenic landmarks of Kobe, the city of the sea. One must not forget to take a photo in front of the monument “BE KOBE” when sightseeing! Why not take a walk around the area while feeling the sea breeze? ▶For more information Kobe Port Tower, marked by the red lattice that symbolizes Kobe, reopened on April 26, 2024 (Friday)! In addition to the open-air rooftop deck and the Museum of Reflections of Light, a café and bar with a floor that slowly rotates 360 degrees will appear on the third floor of the observation deck. Visitors can enjoy a light meal while viewing the city of Kobe. Kobe Port Tower is located in Meriken Park. “Kobe Harborland umie” is a commercial facility facing the Port of Kobe, where visitors can enjoy local gourmet food and shopping. The landmark Giant Ferris Wheel is colorfully illuminated at night with approximately 120,000 LED lights. Animated images of Kobe, such as a weathercock and a yacht, are also projected. The view of Kobe from the sea is also spectacular! “Kobe Bay Cruise,” which has a boarding station at Meriken Park, operates a sightseeing boat that takes 45 minutes to travel around Kobe Port. The dusk, which turns into a madder shade of red, is a romantic sight. ▶For more information Aquarium and art fuse together! This is a new type of theater-type aquarium that stimulates the senses by adding digital art, lighting, sound effects and scents to the aquarium where sea creatures live. It is recommended to visit in the late afternoon when there are fewer visitors. ▶For more information A symbiotic park on Port Island where visitors can interact with flowers, animals, and people. There are indoor and outdoor areas where you can meet cute animals, mainly birds, and rare flowers. Recommended for sightseeing with children! It takes about 20 minutes from Kobe Sannomiya Station by Port Liner. ▶For more information The museum was designed by world-renowned architect Tadao Ando. Visitors can experience the calculated architectural beauty of a huge labyrinth, such as the “Circular Terrace”, a beautiful spiral of cast concrete, and the glass-walled corridors surrounding the exhibition rooms. ▼Check out this article! Tadao Ando Buildings You Should Visit in Osaka, Kyoto and Kobe Nada Gogo is the name of one of Japan’s most famous sake brewing areas, consisting of Nishi-go, Mikage-go, and Uozaki-go, located in Kobe City, and Nishinomiya-go and Imazu-go, located in Nishinomiya City. Visitors can tour the museum, taste and purchase valuable sake, making it a popular destination for visitors to Japan. ▼Check out this article! Gourmet trip to enjoy sake by Hanshin Railway ▼Check here for access to each sake brewery! Rokko, close to the city center, is a sightseeing and experience area with a “ten million dollar night view,” an observatory where you can take photogenic photos, and adventure athletic facilities. In particular, the “Kobe Rokko Meets Art” held every year from September to November is a must-see. This popular event blends nature and contemporary art in harmony. ▼Check out this article! Rokko Tourist Guide ROKKO MEETS ART 2023 beyond | Enjoy the great outdoors and contemporary art Arima Onsen, one of the three best hot springs in Japan, is a must-visit tourist spot! You can stay at a ryokan of your dreams or enjoy it as a day trip from Kobe Sannomiya. Enjoy the elegant streets of the hot spring resort, the gold and silver spring with their characteristic spring water qualities, and the gourmet food in the hot spring resort. It is also possible to take a ropeway from the top of Mt. Express buses are convenient from Osaka. ▼Check out this article! Arima Onsen-1 Day Trip|Enjoy Hot Springs, Gourmet, and Nature! The 10 best food and sweets in Arima Onsen Town Kobe beef is one of the most popular gourmet foods in Kobe! Many people want to enjoy its fine grain, sweetness, and aroma. “kisshokichi-honten” specializes in Kobe beef that has passed a strict screening process. Web reservations in English and Chinese are also available. Kobe was one of the first cities in Kansai to adopt Western culture, and has a thriving confectionery culture, including cakes, chocolates, baked goods, and gaufres. Afternoon tea can be enjoyed at the popular PATISSERIE TOOTH TOOTH main store cafe. Sweets in unique packages are recommended as souvenirs. Like sweets, Kobe also has a well-established bread culture. The long-established Isuzu Bakery was established in 1946 and offers 180-190 varieties of bread every day. “Roushouki” is a long-established Chinese restaurant located in front of the Nanjing Town Square and has been a favorite for over 100 years. The line outside the restaurant is made up of people who want to try the famous “pork buns”. The freshly made pork buns are the perfect accompaniment to your meal. There are also many other gourmet foods loved in Kobe, such as Western cuisine, gyoza, and bokkake yakisoba. For more information, check out the article below! 10 Delicious Gourmet Foods in Kobe! Local Specialties and Local Foods Recommended by Locals Kobe’s major tourist attractions are compactly located, but the city has many hills due to its location between the mountains and the sea. If you are worried about getting around on foot or are tired on the way, we recommend using the City Loop Bus. ▶Click here for the official website. We have prepared a recommended model course for those who wish to enjoy the attractions of Kobe in one day. Please see the article below. Kobe-1 Day Trip|Enjoy the fashionable port city, Kobe♡ Kobe has developed a different culture from Osaka and Kyoto, even in the same Kansai region. Please enjoy the scenery of this high-carat port town.
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[Latest in 2024] The best time to see flowers is from April to May! 11 spots to enjoy flowers in Kansai (Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe area)!
Spring is the season when all the plants and flowers that have been sleeping begin to move at once. Why don’t you go out to see colorful plants and flowers that give you a warm spring feeling? Here are some spots where you can enjoy flowers and plants in Osaka, Kyoto and Kobe. -INDEX- [Nemophila] Osaka Maishima Seaside Park, Osaka [Poppy] Expo ’70 Commemorative Park, Osaka [Aomomiji] Minoh Park, Osaka [Yamabuki] Matsuo-taisha Shrine, Kyoto [Kirishima Azalea] Nagaoka Tenmangu Shrine, Kyoto [Peony] Otokunidera, Kyoto [Water Lily] Ryoanji Temple, Kyoto [Wisteria flowers] Nakayamadera, Takarazuka [Azalea] Sorakuen Garden, Kobe [Rose] Aramaki Rose Park, Itami [Japanese Primrose]Rokko Alpine Botanical Garden, Kobe Nemophila is a small, lovely flower of clear blue. It is a popular flower in recent years because of its spectacular view of the whole area spreading out like a blue carpet. About 1 million nemophila plants are in full bloom on an approximately 44,000 m2 site along the sea overlooking the Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge. On Saturdays, Sundays, and national holidays, the opening hours are extended so that visitors can enjoy the orange flowers and the setting sun over the nemophila fields. There will also be limited-edition gourmet foods that can only be enjoyed here. The most popular item is the soft-serve ice cream, which is a lovely pale blue color like the nemophila flowers. It is recommended to take a picture of the soft-serve ice cream with the nemophila field in the background. The “Kitchen Car Fest in Maishima” will be held at the same time in the park. About 15 kitchen cars from all over Japan will gather to offer visitors the opportunity to taste a variety of Japanese gourmet foods. There is also an area in the park where visitors can enjoy cherry blossoms and tulips with nemophila, so if you are coming to Japan in spring, be sure to visit this area. Nemophila Festival: April 6, 2024 (Saturday) – May 6, 2024 (Monday, national holiday) Usual viewing time: early April to early May Poppy is a member of the poppy family that has long been cultivated for ornamental and medicinal purposes. The seeds are also used in cooking. The Expo ’70 Park’s Shizen Bunka-en (Nature Park) and Hana-no-oka (Flower Hill) are decorated with approximately 380,000 poppies. The contrast of colors between the yellow and orange poppies and the fresh blue nemophila can also be enjoyed. Usual viewing time: early April to early May Aomomiji refers to the leaves of maple trees that turn from young leaves in spring to increasingly darker green. You can enjoy the fresh and crisp leaves of ao-momiji until they turn red in the fall. Minoh Park is famous for its autumn leaves, but it is also very beautiful in the fresh green season. Enjoy forest bathing surrounded by the sparkling green maples in the sunlight while listening to the murmuring of a mountain stream and the chirping of wild birds. Usual viewing time: Late April to late May Yamabuki is a deciduous shrub in the rose family with beautiful, almost orange-yellow flowers. The flower has been familiar to the Japanese people since ancient times. Matsuo-taisha Shrine, known as a place of famous water, has about 3,000 yamabuki trees, which turn the shrine grounds yellow. The Yamabuki Festival is held every year when the flowers are at their best. Usual viewing time: mid-April to early May It is very familiar in Japan and is often planted as a roadside tree or garden tree. It is loved by many people for its very vivid flowers. Vivid Kirishima azaleas are in full bloom at Hachijogaike Pond at Nagaoka Tenmangu Shrine. The crimson-tinged path surrounded by azalea plantings more than 2 meters high is magnificent. Usual viewing time: Late April – early May The peony is a plant that symbolizes beauty and has long been used as a design for crafts and paintings. It produces beautiful and large flowers like roses. There are 2,000 peony plants of about 30 varieties at Otokunidera Temple. Protected by white Japanese umbrellas for sun protection, the bright pink and red buttons bloom in large profusion. Usual viewing time: mid-April to early May Water lilies are striking aquatic plants with flowers that seem to float above the water. It is widely distributed in ponds and swamps. Kyoyoike Pond at Ryoanji Temple, a World Heritage site, is famous for its water lilies. Not only white but also red and pink flowers cover most of the pond. The flowers often open in the morning and close at noon, so the best time to see them is in the morning. Usual viewing time: Mid-May to late August The Japanese Wisteria flowers is a species endemic to Japan and is mentioned in the Manyoshu(Collection of Ten Thousand Leaves, refers to the extensive collection of poems compiled during the Nara period in Japan). The long, hairpin-like flowers hang down in a drooping manner. Purple flowers are common, but white and pink flowers also exist. At Nakayama-dera Temple’s Star Plaza, there is a magnificent wisteria trellis that stretches about 80 meters. The rows of white wisteria flowers look like “clouds floating in a blue sky. The sweet fragrance of the flowers can also be enjoyed. Usual viewing time: Mid-April to late April Sorakuen garden is Kobe City’s only Japanese garden, covering an expansive area of approximately 20,000 square meters, where visitors can enjoy the natural beauty of the seasons. In early summer, approximately 4,000 brightly colored white and pink azaleas fill the garden. Every spring, an event called “Tsutsuji Yuusan” is held, during which important cultural properties are opened to the public, musical concerts, tea ceremonies, and other events can be enjoyed. Usual viewing time: Late April – early May Roses have long been cultivated for perfumery and medicinal purposes.” It is said to be “the flower that symbolizes love,” and is often used in arrangements and bouquets because of its gorgeous appearance and wide variety of types and colors. At Aramaki Rose Park in Itami, approximately 10,000 roses bloom in a stylish southern European-style garden. The view of the park, with its sloping terrain and colorful colors, is a must-see. Usual viewing time: Mid-May to mid-June Japanese Primrose is the largest member of the primrose family, with flower stalks that can reach 80 cm in length. It grows in clusters in wetlands at the foot of mountains. At the Rokko Alpine Botanical Garden, numerous alpine plants bloom from May to June. The 5,000 or so Japanese Primrose that fill the wetlands are especially breathtaking. Usual viewing time: Mid-May to late May The colorful flowers that bloom in spring are a source of comfort and relaxation for those who see them. Why don’t you take advantage of the warm, sunny weather and visit some of the best places and spots for flowers in Osaka, Kyoto, and Kobe?
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Seven famous places for wisteria flowers in Kansai. Spots with purple spring flowers.
Spring in Japan is the season of flowers! Many people may think of cherry blossoms when they think of spring flowers in Japan, but wisteria flowers is a spring flower that is familiar to Japanese people and has even been written about in waka poems. The best time to see isteria flowers is after the cherry blossoms have fallen. Even after the cherry blossoms are over, there are still some Japanese landscapes that we would like visitors to see! *Admission and worship fees are required to view some spots. For details, please check the official website of each spot. -INDEX- [Osaka, Fukushima-ku] Shimofukushima Park, etc. [Osaka, Higashisumiyoshi] Nagai botanical garden [Tamba-shi, Hyogo] Byakugou-ji Temple [Takarazuka-shi, Hyogo] Nakayamadera Temple [Kyoto,Uji] Byodoin Temple [Kyoto, Fushimi] Jounangu [Nara] Kasuga Taisha Shrine Wisteria flowers can be seen even in urban centers. The Fukushima-ku and Noda area, near the Umeda area of Osaka, has been known as a famous place for Fuji trees for about 600 years. This is also where the standard Japanese name for the wisteria flowers(Fuji) is “nodafuji”. Noda’s wisteria flowers were almost completely wiped out in an air raid during World War II, but have now been restored thanks to the efforts of local residents. The flowers bloom every year at 29 locations in the ward, including parks and public facilities. In particular, Shimofukushima Park has the largest number of wisteria trellises in the ward and is worth seeing. The plaza in front of Hanshin Noda Station is also picturesque, with its fantastic contrast between the purple hues of the wisteria flowers and the urban landscape. Usual viewing time: mid-April The collaboration of blue and light purple flowers at “Nagai Botanical Garden” looks great in photographs. Nemophila, a popular spring flower in Japan in recent years, blooms all over the Life Garden, which covers an area of about 2,000 square meters. Next to it, in mid-April, nodafuji (wisteria flower) blooms with light purple flowers, making this a spot where visitors can see all the popular flowers at once. The Nagai Botanical Garden is only one subway train ride away from Umeda, Shinsaibashi, and Namba. It is easily accessible from the center of the city, and visitors can encounter a wide variety of plants, trees, and flowers throughout the year. The permanent nighttime outdoor museum “Team Lab Botanical Garden Osaka” is also popular! ▼For more information, click here.▼ Highlights and things to do at teamLab Botanical Garden Osaka Usual viewing time: mid-April (Nemophila: mid-April to early May) There is no one who is not moved by the sight of the wisteria at Byakugou-ji Temple! It takes about 2 hours and 20 minutes from Osaka Station to Byakugou-ji Temple by train and cab, but the scenery is so spectacular that it will leave you speechless. The previous chief priest planted this variety of wisteria flowers about 30 years ago, and the flower clusters are over 1 meter long. The volume of the wisteria trellises is overwhelming, as they are set up in an L-shape over a vast area of 120 meters. The wisteria flowers pour down from overhead like a shower. At night, the area is illuminated. The illuminated wisteria flowers is like an aurora borealis trailing in the sky. Usual viewing time: early to mid May Nakayama-dera Temple is famous for its fertility and safe delivery. It is located in Takarazuka, where hot springs spring water gushes out. There is an 80-meter-long wisteria trellis in “Hoshi no Hiroba” in the precincts of the temple, and from mid to late April, the wisteria flowers are in full bloom. Purple wisteria are most commonly seen in Japan, but Nakayama-dera Temple is characterized by its white wisteria. If you visit on a sunny day, they look like clouds floating in a blue sky! The sweet fragrance of the wisteria flowers also wafts through the air. Usual viewing time: mid to late April Byodoin Phoenix Hall, built in 1053, is a famous landmark depicted on the 10-yen coin, and is a must-see spot if you are visiting Kyoto as a tourist. Byodoin Garden, with its seasonal flowers, together with the Phoenix Hall built on the middle of the pond and the view of the mountains on the other side of the pond, is an image of the Paradise that people envisioned when the temple was built. In spring, the pond is filled with blooming wisteria flowers, which harmonize beautifully with the gorgeous Phoenix Hall. This is truly a paradise-like setting with an elegant Japanese flavor that should not be missed. Usual viewing time: mid-April to early May Jonangu is a place where visitors can enjoy seasonal flowers. There are five gardens within the precincts of the temple, and every year the hues of wisteria flowers in the “Muromachi no Niwa” garden, a garden with a circular garden with a pond. In spring, there is much to see, as not only the wisteria flowers but also the Yamabuki and azalea trees on the grounds bloom around the same time. In addition, there is a “wisteria miko kagura” performance (free admission) in which a shrine maiden holding a wisteria branch in her hand and crowned with a cluster of wisteria flowers performs a kagura dance, and if you receive a “wisteria flower charm,” the shrine maiden will purify you with a kagura bell (1,000 yen per charm). This is a spot where visitors can not only admire the flowers, but also enjoy the “experience. Usual viewing time: Late April Wisteria Miko Kagura: twice a day at 10:00 and 15:00 on May 1-6, 11, 12, 18, 19, 25, and 26, 2024 Kasuga-taisha Shrine is one of Nara’s major tourist attractions with its beautiful shrine pavilions painted in bright vermilion, and is designated as a World Heritage Site. The wisteria flowers is an important flower for Kasuga Taisha Shrine, and is even used in the shrine’s crest. The wisteria flowers grow wild throughout the shrine grounds, and the “Wisteria of Sunazuri” at the Main Sanctuary is known as a famous tree. In addition, about 300 varieties of flowers and plants related to Japan’s oldest anthology of poetry, Manyoshu, are planted in the Manyoshu Botanical Garden, where about 200 wisteria flowers of 20 varieties are grown, allowing visitors to learn about the differences in shape, size, and color of the flowers depending on the variety. Usual viewing time: mid-April to early May Since ancient times, Japanese people have been sensitive to the changing of the seasons. Don’t you think that the graceful and dignified impression of the wisteria flowers is linked to the Japanese image of harmony? Please visit a spot where you can see the Japanese-style scenery of the wisteria flowers.
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7 cherry blossom illumination in Kyoto, Osaka and Hyogo. Fantastic Japanese Spring Nights
Cherry blossoms are an essential part of the spring scenery in Japan. Many people choose the right time of year to visit Japan to enjoy the cherry blossom scenery. While it is nice to visit famous cherry blossom viewing spots during the daytime, the fantastic scenery of cherry blossoms illuminated at night is also very tasteful. This article introduces spots in Kyoto and Hyogo where cherry blossoms are illuminated at night. *Please note that the admission fees and charges for viewing cherry blossoms illuminated at night may differ from the regular admission fees and charges. *Please check the official website of each spot for details such as the time of the event. -INDEX- 【Kyoto】World Heritage Site Nijo-jo Castle/”NAKED Sakura Festival 2024: World Heritage Site Nijo-jo Castle” 【Kyoto・Higashiyama】Kodai-ji Zen Temple/Spring Night Special Entrance(illumination) 【Kyoto・Higashiyama】Jodo Shu head temple Chion-in 【Kyoto・Okazaki】Heian Jingu Shrine/Sakuraotoyo2024 【Osaka】Expo’70 Commemorative Park/Cherry blossom trees along Higashioji Street illumination 【Hyogo・NIshinomiya】Shukugawa Park/Sakura Illumination Kurakuen 【Hyogo・Himeji】Himeji Castle/Himeji Castle Night Cherry Blossom Viewing Party Dates: March 8, 2024(Friday) -April 7, 2024(Sunday) Nijo-jo Castle, a World Heritage Site, is home to approximately 300 cherry trees of 50 varieties. Cherry blossoms are usually short-lived, but the blooming period of cherry trees at Nijo-jo Castle differs depending on the variety, allowing visitors to enjoy them for as long as one month. A nighttime event, “NAKED Sakura Festival 2024: World Heritage Site Nijo-jo Castle” will be held at the same time. Cherry blossom projection mapping at the Kara-mon Gate, an important cultural property, and digital artwork featuring the painted barriers inside the Ninomaru-goten Palace, a national treasure, will appear. In addition to enjoying an artistic hanami experience, there will be cherry blossom-themed alcohol, drinks, and sweets for sale. *Illumination viewing areas will be limited. Dates: March 15, 2024 (Friday) – May 6, 2024 (National Holiday) Higashiyama is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Kyoto. Kodai-ji Zen Temple is one of the most popular temples. During this period, the entire temple grounds, including the hall, garden, and bamboo grove, will be illuminated. The cherry blossoms in the Hashin-tei garden in front of the Hojo (main building) are especially wonderful when illuminated. The pink cherry blossoms standing alone in the white sand garden of Karesansui (dry landscape garden) are showered down like a shower. The dignified appearance of the cherry blossoms in the spotlight is a sight to behold. Dates: March 23, 2024 (Saturday) – April 3, 2024 (Wednesday) Jodo Shu head temple Chion-in is especially famous for the cherry blossoms in front of its national treasure, Sanmon. The beauty of the pretty pink cherry blossoms against the massive and powerful Sanmon is nothing short of impressive. In addition to the approximately 200 cherry trees, the National Treasure Mieido and Daishoro, an important cultural property, are also illuminated, making it a must-see. From Chion-in to Maruyama Park and Kodai-ji Zen Temple, famous for the “Gion-no- Yozakura” (cherry blossoms at night in Gion), and Kiyomizu-dera Temple, it is recommended to visit all the famous night cherry blossoms in Higashiyama, Kyoto, at the same time Dates: April 3, 2024(Wednesday) -April 7, 2024(Sunday) The Shinen of Heian Jingu Shrine is a Japanese garden representative of the Meiji era. Of the vast grounds totaling approximately 33,000 square meters, the red weeping cherry trees in the south and east shrine gardens are famous, and are illuminated at night. One of the most popular nighttime cherry blossom viewing events unique to Shinen of Heian Jingu Shrine is the annual concert held at the Higashi-Jinen-Kihinkan. This elegant event allows visitors to enjoy the fantastic cherry blossoms while listening to live gagaku and classical music performed on the banks of Seiho Pond. *Additional fee is required to view the concert. Dates: March 25, 2024(Monday) -April 3, 2024(Wednesday) Expo ’70 Commemorative Park is one of the best cherry blossom viewing spots in Osaka, selected as one of the 100 best cherry blossom viewing spots. cherry blossoms start blooming around mid-March and the park is dyed in beautiful pink. From March 25 to April 3 (Wed.), the cherry trees along Higashioji Street will be illuminated. The rows of lustrous cherry blossoms lining both sides of the road are a sight to behold. During the daytime, there will be special openings of the “Pan-an and Banri-an” tearooms in the vast Japanese garden, and tea ceremonies at the “Pan-an” (for a fee). Why not experience a typical Japanese spring scene with cherry blossoms and tea? ▼Check out this article too▼ Expo ’70 Commemorative Park is a great place to visit in Osaka! Highlights Explained! Dates: March 23, 2024 (Saturday) – April 7, 2024 (Sunday) (subject to change depending on blooming conditions) About 10 minutes by Hankyu train from Kobe-Sannomiya station, and about 20 minutes by Hankyu train from Osaka-Umeda station. The rows of cherry trees along the riverside, which can be seen from the platform of Hankyu Shukugawa Station, are one of the best cherry blossom viewing spots in Hyogo Prefecture, selected as one of the 100 best cherry blossom viewing spots in Japan! Approximately 1,660 cherry trees and 1,520 pine trees are planted along the riverside avenue. In particular, the view of Mt.Kabuto and the cherry blossoms from the bridge just outside Hankyu Kurakuen-guchi Station is spectacular. At night, “Nishinomiya Tourism Association” and “Kurakuen Stores Meeting”, a shopping association around Kurakuen-guchi Station, sponsor a illumination event, which can be enjoyed free of charge. The cherry blossoms are reflected on the surface of the river like a mirror, creating a spectacular scene. The area around Kurakuen-guchi Station is a residential area, so there are many families and unique restaurants scattered around the area. This is a spot where you can fully enjoy the charm of cherry blossoms from the perspective of everyday Japanese people. Dates: March 29 (Friday) – April 7 (Sunday), 2024 Himeji Castle, designated as a World Heritage Site and a National Treasure, is also famous as a cherry blossom viewing spot. A night cherry blossom viewing party will be held in Nishinomaru Garden. Himeji Castle is also called “Shirasagi-jo” (White Egret Castle) because it looks like a white egret with its wings spread. The collaboration of its majestic figure, which rises white in the darkness under the lights, and the cherry blossoms is a sight to behold. The cherry blossoms are illuminated only for a short period of time in spring! Enjoy the heart-stopping scenery and make it a precious memory of your trip.
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The 10 best food and sweets in Arima Onsen Town
Arima Onsen is one of the three oldest hot springs in Japan, and is close enough to make a day trip from major Kansai cities such as Umeda, Osaka, Kyoto, and Kobe. In this hot-spring city, visitors can enjoy the retro atmosphere of a hot spring resort and two distinctive types of hot water, making it a popular spot among Japanese people. A stroll through such an onsen town is not complete without tasty gourmet foods and sweets! Let’s enjoy the historic town with gourmet foods to eat and drink! -INDEX- Yoito Manju at Mitsumori Main store Warabi mochi (bracken-starch dumpling) at INANO SABO Soy milk donuts at Mamekiyo Arima Raw Carbonated Rice Cracker at Yunohanado Honpo Taikodori store Soda cracker tiramisu at Mitsumori Cafe Gelato at alima gelateria Staglione Croquettes at Takenaka butcher store Arima Sansho Bread, Tanba Kuromame Bread, and Salt Bread at Pain de Bow Akashiyaki at Akashiyaki Arima Juhachiban Arima Beer Japan Ale at ARIMA BREWERY Hot manjuu (steamed buns) are a staple of hot spring resort eating! You can also find them in Arima Onsen Town. Manju is a sweet made by kneading wheat flour and other ingredients into a dough, wrapping it with sweet bean paste and steaming it. The bite-size “Yoito manju” has a smooth sweet bean paste inside, and its simple taste will make you feel at home. You will want to eat as many as you can! Soy milk-based sweets store run by a former tofu maker. The soy milk doughnut “Bounatsu” is just right for eating and walking around! Three small soy milk doughnuts on a skewer have a cute, photo-worthy shape. There are many flavors to choose from. Soft ice cream topped with soy milk doughnuts is also available. The “Raw Carbonated Rice Cracker” was invented by Yunohana-do Honpo to enjoy the crispy and light Soda Senbei with a soft texture. After receiving a freshly baked soda rice cracker from the staff, eat it right away. The dough hardens quickly, so the shelf life is 5 seconds! Taste the unique texture. Tansansan senbei (Soda cracker) are rice crackers made crispy and light by using soda water, and are a traditional specialty of the Arima hot spring resort area! If you walk around the hot spring resort area, you are sure to see them at souvenir stores! Each brand has its own special flavor and taste, so it is recommended to compare them. Recently, an evolutionary type of soda cracker has been invented, and Mitsumori Cafe offers it in a tiramisu style. A simple snack gets a stylish makeover! All gelato at the handmade gelato specialty store “arima gelateria Stagione” is made using only milk from cows raised at the foot of Mt. Rokko, which is adjacent to Arima. We recommend the “Rokko Premium Milk” for its rich milk flavor. The “Salted Mascarpone with Kinkan-scented Amazake” is the flavor that won first place in the Japanese Gelato Championship. Kobe beef is a must when you come to Kobe! At Takenaka butcher store, a long-established Kobe beef specialty restaurant in Arima, you can enjoy Kobe beef in a casual setting. A must-try is the handmade croquette, of which 1,000 are sold per day! The sweetness of the meat and potatoes is exquisite. If you want to eat with gusto, try the grilled Kobe beef on a skewer! Look out for breads full of originality made with ingredients unique to Arima! The “Arima Sansho Bread” contains tsukudani (food boiled down in soy sauce) made from Arima’s specialty, Arima pepper! The “Salt Bread” has a simple flavor using salt made by cooking the golden spring water pumped from the source of the Arima Onsen hot spring. Tanba Kuromame Bread is also popular. Akashiyaki is a local delicacy from Akashi, Hyogo, which is said to be the origin of takoyaki. Akashiyaki Arima Juhachiban is the only restaurant in Arima Onsen where Akashiyaki is served. The thick batter made of flour and eggs is grilled on an iron plate and served with an original blend of kombu dashi (kelp soup stock). The texture of the dough and the deliciousness of the broth are a perfect match with the crunchiness of the plump octopus inside! ARIMA BREWERY is a craft beer stand bar. It sells local beer and sake from Hyogo Prefecture, including “Arima Beer,” a locally brewed beer made by a long-established liquor store in Arima Onsen. Among them, “Arima Beer & Japan Ale” is a brand that has won a gold medal in a global beer competition. Served fresh from the keg, Japan Ale is the perfect drink to enjoy after a hot spring bath! We also have a video showing the stores we introduced! Please take a look! Arima Onsen town can be enjoyed as a day trip. Please enjoy Arima’s specialties and gourmet foods while touring the emotional town.
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