Kyoto's Kamogawa River is a great place to slow down.
We strolled along the riverbank, watching the gently flowing water. We didn't have anything special planned, but we naturally found ourselves slowing down.
The kids watched the little fish in the river along the way, and then unexpectedly spotted an otter. It became the most delightful surprise of our walk. 🦦
Santa Maria, a sightseeing sailing boat of the Osaka Port
The "Santa Maria," which was used by Columbus when he discovered the American continent, was built on about twice the scale. The ship departs from Kaiyukan West Wharf in Tempozan Harbor Village, which houses Kaiyukan, one of the world's largest aquariums, a Ferris wheel, and Tempozan Marketplace, a large-scale commercial facility, and cruises leisurely around the Osaka Bay area for about 45 minutes.
The Santa Maria at Osaka Port is a great stop for families to slow down and relax together during the trip.
After boarding, we took a leisurely walk along the deck with the sea breeze blowing toward us. Osaka Port looks completely different from the boat than it does from land. The kids were excited just to be “heading out to sea on a boat,” enjoying the breeze and taking in the harbor views.
The cruise doesn’t feel rushed. Instead, it has a leisurely pace that lets adults sit down and rest while the kids explore.
If you’re already planning to visit Osaka Port, the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan, or the Tempozan area, the Santa Maria is easy to add to your itinerary as a relaxing little cruise during your trip. ⛴️🌊
