Kansai/Nanki

If you want to efficiently explore Osaka and enjoy it in a short amount of time, we recommend a quick half-day trip. Osaka is not only home to Universal Studios Japan, but also offers a wide variety of ways to enjoy gourmet food, history, shopping, and more! The diverse attractions are all compactly packed together, so you can fully enjoy it even in a short amount of time.

JAL Hometown Ambassador [West Japan Branch] Hidaka Hello everyone! I'm Hidaka, a JAL Hometown Ambassador at the West Japan Branch, who is discovering and promoting the charms of Nara and Wakayama prefectures. Today I'd like to introduce a bus tour. Do you know the Yagi-Shingu Line, the longest bus route in Japan that doesn't run on the highway? The Yagi-Shingu Line is visited by many people from all over the country, who want to ride it at least once. The total length is 169.9 km, about 6.5 hours one way. You can also enjoy the scenic views along the Totsukawa and Kumano rivers and historical sites such as Kumano Hongu Taisha Shrine. This time, for about 8.5 hours, Nara Kotsu, a company loved by the locals, and JAL Hometown Ambassadors who love the locals have cooperated to tell you about the charms of the Yagi-Shingu Line...

The ramen boom is growing year by year both at home and abroad. Every region in Japan has its own traditional local flavor, which has been loved for many years to this day. In this article, we will explain the characteristics of each of the 47 prefectures, and recommend 47 ramen restaurants recommended by a long-time food enthusiast, complete with comments and a map. We will focus on restaurants that have been loved in the area for decades, as well as hidden gems that are not often featured in guidebooks and that only locals know about. We will introduce you to some delicious and heartwarming ramen restaurants that are definitely worth a visit.

Osaka is full of words that symbolize its rich and high-quality food, such as "eat to your heart's content," "food capital," and "the kitchen of Japan." Souvenirs are also constantly evolving, and every time you visit you can find new products that you didn't see the last time. This can lead to the happy problem of being overwhelmed and finding a souvenir can be difficult... In this article, the OnTrip JAL editorial team has carefully selected "exceptional items that can only be purchased in Osaka" that are sure to please. We have selected special items such as department store basement-only products and sweets that have been loved in Osaka for a long time, so be sure to check them out before your next trip to Osaka!

JAL Hometown Ambassador [Kyoto Branch] Yamamoto I'm Yamamoto, the JAL Hometown Ambassador in charge of Kyoto. From the north to the south of Kyoto Prefecture, there are areas called "Sea Kyoto," "Forest Kyoto," "Tea Kyoto," and "Bamboo Village Otokuni," each of which is packed with charms that correspond to its climate, topography, and culture. This time, we'll be focusing on "Forest Kyoto"! With its abundant nature, Forest Kyoto is also a treasure trove of high-quality ingredients such as Kyoto vegetables, Tamba chestnuts, black soybeans, sweetfish, branded meats (Kameoka beef, Kyoto pork, Kyoto chicken), soba, and gibier. We'll introduce you to some recommended spots with the keywords of healing, fermentation, and sports and activities. Please also take a look at our past articles about Kyoto Prefecture. ...

Europe is home to many beautiful historic buildings and cityscapes. The extraordinary feeling of being in a picture book captivates all who visit. However, some people may find it difficult to travel to Europe, which requires long holidays and long flights. That's why we recommend a domestic trip that will give you a feeling of being in Europe. We have selected some great hotels that will make you feel like you're in Europe, without having to go to Europe. Enjoy not only the hotels, but also the surrounding tourist attractions.

When the town starts to turn pink, you will finally feel the arrival of spring. For many people, Kyoto is the first place that comes to mind when thinking of travel destinations during cherry blossom season, and the city is dotted with famous cherry blossom spots. In this article, we will introduce classic and little-known cherry blossom viewing spots, such as shrines, temples, parks, and scenic spots, along with the best time to see the cherry blossoms and what to see. Some spots also have events and night illuminations, so be sure to use this as a reference for planning your spring trip!

Tatsuno City sits on the western edge of the Harima Plain. This quiet regional town is a treasure trove of Japanese food culture and artisanal skills. The delicate aroma of light soy sauce, the smooth texture of Ibonoito somen noodles, the charming stone paving of the castle town, and the feel of high-quality domestic leather. All of these have been nurtured and refined within the history, climate, and environment of Tatsuno City. A place where you can encounter the depth of Japan's traditional culture, the pride of the people who continue to protect it, and the skills and passion of the artisans. We traveled to Tatsuno City, full of unknown charms.

Spring is just around the corner. The temperature is comfortable and it's the perfect season to go out. Osaka is getting excited in preparation for the Osaka-Kansai Expo, which will be held in April 2025. Many people would like to enjoy cherry blossom viewing as a set with the Osaka-Kansai Expo. We will introduce 15 places to see and the best time to see the cherry blossoms, including classic cherry blossom viewing spots, collaborations with castles, shrines, and temples, and hidden gems that are surprisingly unknown. We will also provide information on events such as illuminations.

Namba and Shinsaibashi are the downtown areas of Osaka's Minami district. This area is full of character and is home to Osaka's most famous tourist sites, such as Dotonbori, lined with giant billboards and neon lights, and Amemura, a hotbed of youth culture. This energetic city is also a gourmet battleground, overflowing with Osaka specialties and the latest sweets. In this article, we've carefully selected 14 recommended spots for 2025 from among the many famous restaurants. Enjoy a food tour as you stroll through the city!

JAL Hometown Ambassador [West Japan Branch] Hidaka JAL Hometown Ambassador [West Japan Branch] Uesugi Miyakumyaku Hello everyone! We are JAL Hometown Ambassadors Hidaka and Uesugi, who are working at the West Japan Branch to discover and promote the charms of the Kansai area. Today, we will introduce hot springs in Hyogo, Wakayama, and Nara prefectures in the Kansai area that we are in charge of. Although the cold weather continues every day, why not go on a hot spring trip where you can soak in hot springs, enjoy delicious gourmet food and tourist spots, and refresh your mind and body? Also, today we went around the hot springs with Miyakumyaku, the official character of the Osaka-Kansai Expo! In April, Kansai will be hosting the Osaka-Kansai Expo...

Wakayama Prefecture is located in the southwest of the Kii Peninsula. Surrounded by the sea, mountains, rivers and magnificent nature, this area is perfect for a bicycle trip. JAL Hometown Ambassador Hidaka will report on three model courses that will allow you to fully enjoy Wakayama through cycling. Let's go on a bicycle trip where exciting scenery awaits.