When you type the phrase “Itami City” into Google and hit search, the first few pages that turn up are all flight and hotel booking information.

That’s right, very few know Itami more than just it being home to an airport and a pit stop between transits, while having the limelight stolen by the world-recognized Kansai International Airport nearby. To add to its agony, despite the name “Osaka International Airport (Itami)”, the airport is neither international (in present days), nor located in Osaka. Right now it serves only domestic flights, and is technically situated in Hyogo Prefecture. read more

Dazzling, unapologetically flamboyant, aspirational. I marveled at the unusual atmosphere of Takarazuka City, atypical of the modern urbanscapes you often witness in Japan.

A drove of exultant ladies of preened attires walked side by side down the “Hana-no-Michi” (Flower Street), beaming with excitement.

Oh, that’s right. They must have just had a fantastic time over at Takarazuka Revue.

This post is a little bonus side-track from my JR-WEST Kansai Area Pass journey – for anime fans!

Let’s travel with JR-WEST again!

Read my previous blog post on 15 things to do in Kyoto & Nara with JR-WEST Kansai Area Pass. 

Read my previous blog post on how to purchase and redeem JR-WEST Rail Passes online effortlessly!

Today, we are moving on to Osaka and Kobe (Hyogo prefecture). Let’s start with Osaka!

Okay, honestly? This post is going to be  a little overwhelmingly lengthy, because I will be introducing 3 different passes from three different railway companies for those of you who intend to travel to the Kansai area of Japan.

But stay with me here and I hope it will be a worthwhile read for you to make the best out of your next Japan trip!

In this blog post, we are focusing on the Kansai area of West Japan. While I believe all of you are familiar with the classic route to conquer Osaka, Kyoto and Nara, there’s so much more to explore within the Kansai region with just a couple of train rides. read more

Actually this post is about the most loved castle in Japan, Himeji Castle, and the most coveted beef worldwide, Kobe Beef. But it was also my birthday. So I win the title. But I still love you, Himeji Castle and Kobe Beef. You are welcome.

So for the past two days (31st March and 1st April) we had been traveling to different places in the Kansai region to fulfil my #47prefecture life mission. We had another day free for traveling, but I couldn’t decided where to go. Okayama for fruits? … Wakayama? It’s kind of a very unpopular place for tourists but that’s exactly why I wanted to visit, because I’d probably not get many chance to do it 😅. Hmmm… perhaps the lake in Shiga? read more

This blog post is for your entertainment during CNY. Be careful when you drive! Don’t read and drive!!!

Anyway Kansai!!!! 😀

Seriously i have so many things to blog about and everything is happy stuff! I feel that if i don’t clear them all off i will die of being too high or something WTF. Haha no la i am not.

#1

First picture of Osaka.

There were still some Christmas illumination left of the street, and lots of pink, so pretty! *near tear experience #1, and counting*

I haven’t been back Kansai for so long and all i felt was あっっっ懐かしい！！！ read more