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Niigata 2-Day, 1-Night Model Itinerary: Japan’s Sake and Rice Country! Eat Your Way Through Delicious Niigata

Facing the Sea of Japan, Niigata has long been known as Japan’s “rice country” and “sake country.” With many spots where you can enjoy nature and culture-like Sado Island, Echigo-Yuzawa Onsen, and Yahiko Shrine-you’ll find Niigata’s unique charm in any season. This model itinerary starts in Niigata City and lets you savor “delicious Niigata” through local sake, rice crackers, and the famous hot springs of Tsukioka Onsen. On Day 2, you’ll visit the castle town of Murakami and enjoy a 2-day, 1-night trip exploring local food culture, including Murakami beef and traditional salmon dishes.
Explore Kansai and Kyushu in Comfort - A Complete Guide to the Sunflower Ferry

With excitement building around Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, many travelers are now looking for their next destination after Osaka. Why not extend your journey a little and visit somewhere new? Kyushu offers a wide variety of attractions, including Beppu-one of Japan’s top hot spring resorts-historic Kumamoto, and Kagoshima with its stunning natural landscapes and delicious cuisine. Connecting Osaka and Kyushu, the Sunflower ferry opens up exciting new travel possibilities. Depart in the evening and arrive at your destination the next morning. Since you can sleep during the trip, you’ll be ready to enjoy sightseeing as soon as you arrive. This article offers a complete guide to traveling with the Sunflower ferry!
From Osaka to Beppu Onsen! A Hotel-Like Voyage Aboard the Sunflower Ferry

Osaka is a popular destination visited by tourists from both Japan and abroad. With Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai approaching, the city is attracting even more attention. After enjoying everything Osaka has to offer, why not take a ferry trip to Beppu in Kyushu aboard the newly built Sunflower Kurenai or Sunflower Murasaki? Departing Osaka at night and arriving in Beppu the next morning, this relaxing journey allows you to travel while enjoying the comforts of a hotel-like environment. Let us introduce a new style of travel with the Sunflower-far more than just a way to get from point A to point B!
In for a night? Here’s the Best of Picture-Perfect Spots in Kure City

Step off the Evening Kure Cruise and all its storybook thrills though Kure naval ships and stay for a night in Kure to remember. Even at night the city of Kure is waiting to capture your inner shutter bug! Venture into the narrow alleys for plenty of tried-and-true Kure eateries, included yakitori (grilled chicken skewers) shops with live fish tanks and so much more! Kuramoto Street, running through the Kure city center, is the go-to spot for food stalls that come alive as the night falls. In these eclectic little hideaways you’ll find the chance to bump elbows with the locals and jazz up your night with authentic, unforgettable vibes.

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NIFREL – Interactive Aqua Zoo

8 Jan 2025
I finally visited NIFREL, a place I’d wanted to check out for ages!

The themed exhibits are really creative, and I was blown away by how close you can get to the animals. I never realized how cute fish could be until now! I totally fell for the adorable archerfish.

At the "Hide" zone, I was so focused on trying to spot the animals that I ended up wandering around in front of the displays forever.

Watching crocodiles up close, seeing the majestic white tiger, and being surprised by how "mini" the pygmy hippo actually is—you could honestly watch them all day! Highly recommend this spot for a full day of fun!
Festival of the Lights in OSAKA: Osaka Hikari-Renaissance

14 Dec 2022
The "Osaka Hikari-Renaissance" is celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2022. It officially starts on December 14, but I got to see the projection mapping at Nakanoshima Public Hall a bit early! I just happened to pass by and was lucky enough to experience this magical world of lights.

It's one of the core programs of the "Festival of the Lights in OSAKA," which makes the whole city sparkle, including the Midosuji illuminations.

It's running until the 25th, so definitely check it out!
Kyo-train GARAKU

30 Nov 2022

I happened to get on the Kyo-Train Garaku from Hankyu Umeda Station to Kawaramachi without knowing anything about it. The moment I boarded, I looked around thinking, 'Is it really okay for me to be on this train?' Apparently, I was in car No. 2, and right next to me was a Japanese garden. The seats had cushions, making them super comfortable! Plus, the seats were spacious, so the ride to Kyoto was really pleasant. It was also funny to see other people getting on at each stop, looking just as confused as I was. I felt really lucky to ride this special train without any extra charge!
Shika Saru Kitsune Building

24 Oct 2022
Shika Saru Kitsune Building is tucked away just a bit from Sarusawa Pond.
I stopped by on October 22, 2022, when I visited 'Nara Okashi Seizojo ocasi,' a newly opened sweets shop in a renovated machiya right next door!
On the second floor, Nakagawa Masashichi Shoten has a great selection of tableware and lifestyle goods—just browsing was exciting! (I picked up a dishcloth with a design exclusive to this location.)
At the recently opened 'Nara Okashi Seizojo ocasi,' I tried their signature 'ocasi plate.'
The concept is 'Nara sweets' that combine Japanese, Western, and fruit-based treats, and you get to try all three on one plate. The dorayaki had a lightly sweetened bean paste that was super refreshing and tasty! The creamy cheesecake was also fantastic. You can add some jam (made from Yamato tachibana, kiwi, and plum) for a fun flavor twist.
You can buy the dorayaki and cheesecake as souvenirs or gifts (dorayaki lasts 5 days from the production date, cheesecake keeps for a month if frozen).
There are benches and chairs inside and outside, but you can also take your treats to go and enjoy them by Sarusawa Pond nearby.
Highly recommend as a snack while exploring Naramachi!