I'm a little bit obsessed with the Kansai region of Japan. #sorrynotsorry Last year I got to spend a week in Kansai on a blogger trip and although it was probably the busiest week of my entire life, every second of it was an absolute joy. Thirteen years after I left Osaka (I lived in Osaka and …
Japan
5 unique reasons to visit Kobe, Japan
Kobe city in Hyogo prefecture has long been one of my favourite Japanese cities. When I lived in nearby Osaka, it was a place I regularly took overseas visitors for a Kobe sightseeing day trip, because it was such a good contrast to Osaka and Nara. Back then, it was only six years after the 1995 …
The secret of Sakai City: off the beaten path in Kansai, Japan
One day soon it'll be a normal thing to suggest visiting Sakai City when you're passing through Osaka, but I'm getting in early to tell you: go to Sakai! Back when I lived in Osaka, I knew Sakai was south of the city and that's about all; I occasionally met people who worked there. Beyond that, I …