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Hotel Kinki is located near easily-accessible JR Osaka Station, making it the perfect base from which to explore Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, and Kobe. Hotel Kinki provides reasonably priced accommodation with convenient access to central Osaka and major tourist destinations in Kyoto, Nara, and Kobe. Our website has LOTS of information about these places so you can plan your vacation or sightseeing from our site. Click here to see our Visitor's Guide.

Whether you are in Osaka for business or pleasure, Hotel Kinki guarantees you a comfortable and pleasant stay.

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Den Den Town: Osaka's Akihabara

Most people have heard of Akihabara -- Tokyo’s famous electronics district -- but did you know that Osaka has its own otaku-friendly part of the city, known as Den Den Town?

Den Den Town is centered around a kilometer-long stretch with electronics, computers, and anime-related shops packed on both sides of a busy street. Branching away from the road are numerous side alleys, where the most unique and specialized stores are located.

Often, great deals can be found in Den Den Town, especially at non-name brand stores. Being in Kansai, bartering for a lower price is an accepted way of doing business -- give it a shot!

Den Den Town is located in Nipponbashi (near Namba), and can be accessed via the popular Midosuji Subway Line.

Ride The Hep Five Ferris Wheel

The Hep Five Ferris Wheel has become a major landmark in Umeda, Osaka, and is located so close to Hotel Kinki, you almost have to include it on your list of things to do!

To access the Ferris wheel, you’ll need to enter the Hep Five building. The entrance of this shopping complex is located on the far side when approaching from Hotel Kinki. (The entrance directly faces Hankyu Umeda Station.) Take the elevator to the top floor to board the Ferris wheel.

Admission is 500 yen per person, and each pod can fit four people.

The ride takes around 15 minutes and will give you an excellent look at downtown Umeda. But if you’re scared of heights, you might want to sit this one out, as you’ll definitely feel a bit exposed (and vulnerable!) hanging some 100 meters above the city streets.

Visit Kobe Port Tower

Kobe Port Tower, residing in Kobe Harbor, offers spectacular views from its observation deck and cafeteria. This landmark has been a popular tourist destination for decades, but is not particularly over-crowed or busy inside.

The unique structure features prominent lattice piping that is illuminated at night. If possible, try to visit the tower during sunset for a most memorable occasion.

Inside the tower you’ll find a revolving cafeteria. This is an excellent spot to order a snack and rest your feet. Although there are higher observation decks above, the lower floors usually have less people and may actually offer a better vantage point for looking out over the harbor and back towards the city.

Kobe Port Tower charges 600 yen for admission and is opened every day of the week. The tower is within walking distance of Motomachi Station, which is serviced by JR, Hankyu and Hanshin train lines.

Speaking in Kansai Dilect: Bochi-Bochi

Learning standard Japanese, or the way Japanese is spoken formally, can be useful, but not terribly exciting. Here in the Kansai region, folks have their own way of talking. This dialect, referred to as Kansai-ben or Osaka-ben, is known for its humorous, unsophisticated, and sometimes “a bit rube by Tokyo’s standards” style of parlance.

Learning Kansai-ben will help you break the ice with the locals, and probably earn you some street cred in the process.

The phrase “bochi bochi” can be used to vaguely answer many casual types of questions. It’s sort of a neutral response that’s open to interpretation. It can be useful when you're making small talk and you don't really know what's being asked or how to respond.

Q: How’s business these days?
A: Maa, bochi bochi denna. (It’s going so-so.)

Q: Can you speak Japanese?
A: Maa, bochi bochi ya na. (I’m getting there...)

Q: How are you doing?
A: bochi bochi (OK / fine)

Visit The National Museum of Ethnology

The National Museum of Ethnology, also referred to as “Minpaku”, is Japan’s largest research institution dedicated to the humanities, including archaeology, linguistics and the arts. The facility is located on the former Expoland grounds.

Several times a year, the museum puts on special events. Recently, they hosted visitors from various Oceanic cultures, who performed ritual dances and instructed museum visitors on how to make traditional teas.

The National Museum of Ethnology houses thousands of artifacts in their permanent and temporary exhibits, gathered from cultures around the world. The institute also boasts a large audio, film and photographic archive.

Access to the Expoland grounds, where the museum is situated, is closest to Bampaku-kinen-koen station, on the Osaka Monorail Line.

From downtown Umeda, you’ll either have to ride the Midosuji Subway Line to Senri-Chuo Station, or the Hankyu Takurazuka Line to Hotarugaike Station, before transferring to the monorail service.

Speaking in Kansai Dialect: Honma

Learning Japanese invariably means learning ‘standard Japanese’, or the way formal Japanese is spoken in places like Tokyo. But here in the Kansai region, folks have their own way of talking. This dialect, often called Kansai-ben or Osaka-ben, is worth taking note of if you’re planning on visiting the region.

Learning Kansai-ben will help you break the ice with the locals, and probably earn you some street cred in the process.

The word “honma” is a real staple of the Kansai dialect, and can be used in almost any circumstance.

Honma ni? - really?

Honma ya! - really!

Honma kainaa - you must be joking

Honma ni kirei ya nen - it’s really beautiful

Honma ni atsui naa - it’s really hot

You cannot overuse this term, so use it liberally in any conversation. Your Japanese listener will certainly appreciate your efforts to speak Kansai-ben!

Osaka Castle Sunset Concert

If there ever was a time that you should visit Osaka-Jo, it would be this month.

Every Friday at sunset during July and August, the Osaka Municipal Symphonic Band performs their Sunset Concert. This has been an on-going summer tradition for 60 years, and is an excellent way to spend a summer evening. Admission is free.

Then, on August 27th and 28th, Osaka Castle plays host to an “Evening of Wind-instrument Music” performed by Osaka University of Arts students. This music event, starting from 6pm, is accompanied by 20,000 lit candles. The event has been put on to raise donations for the victims of this year’s tsunami, and is a worthy cause for your attention.

Getting to Osaka Castle from Umeda is easy. Board the JR Loop Line from JR Osaka Station, and get off at Osakajo-Koen Station.

Naniwa Yodogawa Fireworks 2011

One of Osaka’s biggest and most spectacular fireworks events (hana-bi) takes place on August 6th. If you are in town on this Saturday evening, you will definitely want to catch the Naniwa Yodogawa Fireworks show.

Started in 1988, this event has become incredibly popular among residents of the region. The fireworks are lit on the banks of the Yodogawa (Yodo River), where you can expect massive crowds to turn out for this event -- a spectacle in and of itself!

The show officially starts at 7:50 PM, and concludes at 8:36 PM. (Japanese timing is precise!)

There are many locations where you’ll be able to catch the fireworks. The far side river bank near Hankyu Juso Station may be the best vantage point, but some of this space is taken up by paid seating.

Within Umeda, facing the river, you should be able to glimpse most of the action without much effort. Just make sure to remind yourself to be outside when the show begins.

Summer In Osaka

We've just past the rainy season here in Japan, which means that summer has finally arrived! Summer in the Kansai region can be pretty intense for visitors and locals alike; many people don't realize that the city sits on the same latitude as Los Angeles.

Although Osaka can get quite chilly in the winter or even springtime, its summers are always hot and humid. The heat feels distinctly tropical in nature, and will rise to around the mid-30's Celsius for many days on end.

There are a few items that you should always have on you during the summer months. These include a folding fan, a small towel, a hat and a bottled drink.

Fortunately, every business, store, and train car will blast their air conditioning for your benefit. So you should never be too far from a place that offers cool relief. Just keep in mind, especially if you're not used to such heat and humidity, that sometimes it's best to stay indoors during the hottest days of summer!

Bunraku Puppet Theatre

Osaka is home to Bunraku, an impressive form of puppet theatre native to the city. Bunraku has been performed for over 300 years and has its roots in the Dotonbori entertainment district around Namba.

The large puppets used in bunraku are usually controlled by three puppeteers who appear onstage with their dolls. The puppets are masterfully controlled, giving them lifelike movements as if they’ve taken on a life of their own.

A bunraku apprentice may spend several decades controlling the feet or left arm of a puppet before they are allowed to become a master puppeteer, controlling the head and right arm.

The National Bunraku Theatre is located in Osaka. Check their website for more information (in English) about bunraku and showtimes.

Osaka Tenjin Matsuri Festival

In Japan there are three major festivals split between Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto. Osaka plays host to Tenjin Matsuri, a summertime event that takes place in the heart of the city.

Tenjin Matsuri is rooted in Shinto rituals and has been celebrated for over 1000 years. The main highlights for this month-long event take place on July 25th.

There are two major events on the 25th, a daytime foot parade consisting of 3,000 traditionally dressed participants, and an evening procession of boats that float down the Okawa River.

The land procession is not to be missed - it’s unmistakeably Osakan. You’ll experience a loud, crowded and sometimes rowdy atmosphere as parade revelers carry heavy portable shrines on their shoulders and make their way thru the city streets.

In the evening you can view an illuminated boat parade, capped off by a fantastic fireworks display near Sakuranomiya Park.

To learn more about Osaka Tenjin Matsuri, visit this website.

Visit Osaka Science Museum

Osaka Science Museum offers four floors of educational exhibits, as well as a planetarium. This museum is geared towards families or for those who just love to learn about science!

The first floor is dedicated to electrical energy. The various displays show how electricity is generated, transmitted and used by everyday appliances.

The second floor features many interactive exhibits and is popular among young children.

The third floor introduces materials science, which helps explain the physical properties of matter.

Finally, the forth floor examines the wonders of deep space and the stars that light up the night sky.

Visit the museum then stick around for a show at the planetarium or Omnimax theatre (like Imax, but with a curved screen).

The Osaka Science Museum is opened between 9:30am and 5:00pm. You can travel there by riding the Yotsubashi Subway Line to Higobashi Station, then walk west to Nakanoshima Island, where the museum is located.

Visit their website to learn more.

Are You A Smoker?

Japan was once a very smoking friendly country. In recent years, due to public health campaigns, the number of smokers in Japan has declined sharply. This has made smoking more difficult for those who wish to light up in public places. However, compared to many western countries, Japan is still much more relaxed about their smoking rules.

Restaurants: Most restaurants have a smoking section, although smaller mom-and-pop shops will usually allow you to smoke anywhere. Often, you'll have to ask for an ashtray (haizara), so it might not be completely obviously if you're in a restaurant that allows smoking. If in doubt, just ask "tabacco OK?" and you'll get your answer without any confusion.

Bars: Smoke as much as you'd like!

Outdoors: Very few places prohibit smoking outside, although, in the city you'll sometimes see no smoking signs posted outside of buildings. Despite these warnings, outdoor signs are rarely obeyed.

Train Stations: Smoking in a train station is always prohibited, although you'll occasional see older men who just don't care or just can't wait to light one up! However, at the end of each train platform (at the very end), there's often a smoking zone and cigarette receptacles.

Trains: Smoking on a train is allowed in special train cars that are specially designated for smokers. You won't find these train cars on regular short distance train routes, though.

Other places: Modern buildings rarely allow smoking outside of special smoking rooms (shopping malls often have these). Older establishments, however, often allow smoking, or at least won't discourage someone from lighting up.

Buying Smokes

To operate a cigarette vending machine you'll need a special ID card that you obviously won't have if you're a short-term visitor to the country. Instead, you can buy smokes at a tabaco shop (there's several around Hotel Kinki) or from some convenient stores.

You may be surprised to learn, but many corner stores don't carry tabaco products. If they do, you'll see them behind the counter.

Smoking Etiquette

Always try to fit an ashtray or receptacle for your butts -- they're often outside of businesses. The Japanese rarely just flick their butts on the street. If they choose to litter, they'll do so in a careful manner, often ashing out before placing their butt in a gutter, railing or someplace out seemingly of the way.

And my final advice -- try to quit!

Mount Koya in Wakayama

Wakayama prefecture lies south of Osaka, and is perhaps most famous for having Koya-san, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Settled some 1200 years ago, Mt. Koya was founded as a home for a Buddhist sect and is now occupied by a great number of temples and other points of interest.

The sacred area on top of Mt. Koya is known as Danjo Garan. Here, you’ll find many of Mt. Koya’s historic buildings, gates and statues.

But don’t just stop there, surrounding this area is Okuno-in, Japan’s largest cemetery!

Some of Japan’s most famous historical figures are buried in Okuno-in. The entire area has a deeply spiritual and peaceful ambience, and is surrounded by a thick forest of towering cedars.

You can visit Mount Koya by riding the Nankai railway from Namba Station, Osaka, to Gokurakubashi, near the base of the mountain. Once arrived, you’ll need to board the cable car to get up the mountainside, unless you opt for the ancient footpath. (Good luck with that!)

Sorakuen Garden in Kobe

Sorakuen is a famous Japanese garden situated right in the middle of Kobe. If you’re around Motomachi Station, walk directly north until you hit this spacious century-old park.

What is now known as Sorakuen Garden, was once the private residence of Taijiro Kenkichi, whose son was the mayor of Kobe. As you can imagine, they were a rich and powerful family!

Although the garden, along with its original buildings, were destroyed in WWII, it has since been restored and is now open to the public for viewing.

Sorakuen Garden is a popular destination for tourists visiting Kobe. Admission to the garden is 300 yen, and the gates are closed at 4:30pm. (The garden is shut at 5pm.)

You can visit the garden’s website and see if your visit will coincide with any of their numerous scheduled events.

Kibitsu Temple in Okayama

Visit Okayama, just west of Kobe, to experience the picturesque beauty of Japan’s vast countryside. Yes, not all of Japan is door-to-door concrete, train tracks and double-decker highways!

One of Japan’s most beautiful shrines is located in Kibitsu, Okayama Prefecture. Simply called, Kibitsu-Jinja (jinja means shrine), its main buildings are lined up with the sun’s movement during the summer solstice -- hey, that’s coming up in a few weeks!

The main shrine has just had its roof fully renovated; it took 4 years to complete, but this 600 year-old National Treasure is certainly worthy of it!

Leading up to the shrine is a 400-meter long corridor, which links the big shrine to a smaller one. As you can imagine, it makes for a memorable walk, as well as an excellent opportunity to take some photos.

There’s also a giant 11-meter stone lantern (toro) to check out, as well as many other points of interest. Budget a good couple of hours to see everything by foot, without being rushed.

You can get to Okayama by train, or hop on a bus in Kobe for a pleasant 2.5hr ride.

May 5th is Children's Day

On the fifth day of the fifth month the Japanese celebrate Children’s Day, or Kodomo no hi. This ancient celebration goes back some 1400 years, although it was originally only a celebration for boys. (Girls have their own day on March 3.)

As the 5th of May approaches, giant colorful carp flags (koinobori) are hung alongside riverbanks to prepare for the occasion. Some homes also fly their own carps, with each fish representing a member of their family. As the carps blow wildly in the wind, they symbolize strength and good health.

On this day, it is traditional to eat Kashiwa-mochi – you’ll find them sold everywhere. The snack is comprised of a sticky rice cake with a sweet bean filling. Usually it is wrapped in a non-edible oak leaf.

Visit Osaka Castle

If you're a tourist in the city, there's a pretty good chance you'll be checking out Osaka Jo (Osaka Castle).

The castle's importance in shaping Japan’s history makes it one of the most famous landmarks in the country.

If things like the samurai and bloody siege warfare spike your interest, then Osaka Jo is definitely worth seeing.

The castle lies well protected behind giant stonewalls, moats and turrets. These interesting structures sit on 15 acres of land that are freely accessible to the public. Put on a good pair of walking shoes and prepare to spend a few hours checking out the castle and the castle grounds.

Getting to Osaka Jo is easy – just ride the JR Loop Line to Osakajokoen Station, and follow the signs to the castle grounds. To read more information about Osaka Castle in English, click here.

Eat Takoyaki in Osaka

Takoyaki is one of Osaka’s most famous food inventions.

Tako means octopus and yaki means fried or grilled, so it wouldn’t be inaccurate to also call them battered octopus balls or, the slightly more eloquent, fried octopus dumplings, as I’ve heard some say.

Takoyaki is typically served by street vendors (yatai), or little shops that serve customers out of their front street window.

Most shops offer a bit of variety in their octopus balls, as almost any ingredient can be added to the standard chunk of octopus awaiting inside each blob of batter. As for toppings, the cook with usually ask if you’re OK with mayonnaise, takoyaki sauce, and dried fish flakes. If you’re a little confused, just nod your head in agreement. It’s all rather harmless and great tasting!

One thing to watch out for is the heat inside each battered ball. It’s almost a given that you'll burn the inside of your mouth if you start eating takoyaki right away. Bite in cautiously rather than popping the whole thing into your mouth. You’ve been warned!

Golden Week 2011

I’ve probably mentioned it a few times before, but the Japanese love holidays!

Right now is the big one – Golden Week. This holiday, as the name implies, lasts for an entire week. It starts on April 29th, to celebrate the former Emperor’s Birthday, and concludes on May 5th with the celebration of Children's Day. Technically, Monday the 2nd isn’t a holiday, but many offices in Japan are closed on this day as well.

If you happen to be in Osaka during this holiday period, don’t worry, the city hardly shuts down for anything. In fact, retail shopping, leisure activities and local tourism spots are on fire during this weeklong period. Expect a slightly more crowded Kansai, especially in and around Umeda.

Amagasaki: Osaka's Industrial Suburb

Strolling around downtown Osaka, particularly in Umeda where Hotel Kinki is located, you’ll undoubtedly see many people who are impeccably dressed, sporting all types of designer gear. Everyone looks successful and wealthy, right!?

Whether it’s salary men in sharp looking suits, or fashion conscious youth in designer jeans and big hairdos -- if that’s all you see of Osaka, you may be inclined to believe that everyone in Kansai is living the life.

But it’s not totally representative of the Kansai people.

The next city over, across the Yodo River, lies the industrial town of Amagasaki. Home to a great many warehouses, factories, and other industrial developments, this suburb of Osaka is infamous for being a little rough, rundown and, well, poor.

Amagasaki is a blue-collar town with a lot of pachinko parlors (gambling), drinking holes and cheap apartments. But closer to its major train stations, you’ll also find modern developments that are no different from any other place in Kansai.

Visiting Amagasaki – not a typical destination for tourists – is a great way to mix with the locals and witness some real working class Kansai culture.

Here you’ll notice people with a more relaxed dress code and a louder, more bullish demeanor. You may also find that food, clothing and other goods are often well discounted from prices you’ll find in other parts of Kansai.

Although all three train lines running towards Kobe cut through Amagasaki, riding the Hanshin Line (which lies furthest south) to Amagasaki Station, may be the most interesting destination to visit. Near this station is a large shotengai (covered shopping street) with a nearby red light and pachinko district.

Further north is JR Amagasaki Station. This is a rather large train station, and most buildings near the terminal are newer developments. Stores in the adjacent Cocoe plaza are very reasonably priced. There's also a large electronics store on the other side of the station.

Visit Universal Studios Japan

Did you know that Universal Studios has a theme park in Osaka? Being one of only four in the world, this major attraction draws scores of visitors each year.

Celebrating its tenth anniversary, Universal Studios Japan is host to many theme park rides, live shows, restaurants and shops. With attractions like Shrek 4-D and Back to the Future – The Ride, USJ is sure to entertain just about anyone.

Getting to Universal Studios Japan from Umeda is rather cheap and easy. First, get on the JR loop line at JR Osaka Station. Transfer at Nishikujyo Station to the Sakurajima Line, and get off a short time later at Universal Studios.

To learn about schedules, fees and other information, visit their English website here.

Cherry Blossom Viewing in Osaka 2011

Hanami, or cherry blossom viewing, is a popular activity during springtime in Japan. This year in Osaka the cherry blossoms are expected to open today (March 31st), and reach the peak of their brilliance during the second week of April.

There are several locations that are perfect for viewing sakura (cherry blossoms) in and around the city:

Osaka Mint: This location is situated near a riverbank and is densely populated with cherry trees. The promenade offers a lovely stroll with some of the best cherry blossom sights in Japan. The Ministry of Finance’s Mint Office is a short walk from Osaka Tenmangu Station.

Osaka Jo: The spacious grounds of Osaka Castle Park make for a perfect location to enjoy the cherry blossoms, have a picnic, and take some great photos. Many locals come to this area with their blue tarps to sit, eat and drink with friends under the cover of the trees. Osaka Jo can be accessed via the Osaka Jo Koen Station, as well as other stations in the area.

Expo Memorial Park: This location is outside of the city in Suita. If you are looking for more of a countryside setting without having to travel too far, perhaps the Expo Park grounds are worth checking out during the Hanami season. You can reach this location by riding the monorail to Banpaku Kinen Koen Station.

Notes From Japan

Despite the catastrophic events in northern Honshu, Osaka remains a safe and fully functioning city. Although our thoughts and prayers are on those whose lives have been devastated by this month’s earthquake and tsunami, physically, the Kansai area has been largely unaffected by this tragedy.

With the world’s attention focused on the continuing nuclear crisis at the power plant in Fukushima prefecture, it is important to keep in mind that Osaka is some 650km from this site -- it’s highly unlikely that whatever happens at the plant will have a direct effect on the city. But there is certainly tension in the air as the events continue to develop up north.

It may be business as usual in the Kansai region, with no shortages affecting food, water or electricity, but we should not forget that many in this country are struggling in the wake of this unprecedented disaster.

Please pray for the victims of the earthquake and tsunami, or even better, donate some money through the Red Cross. If you are currently or soon to be traveling to Osaka, please keep in mind that some travel routes may be congested.

Eating Ramen in Osaka

Many people visit Japan with the expectation of eating ramen at least several times during their stay in the country. Ramen restaurants are everywhere, and nowhere is this more true than in Osaka.

Most ramen shops offer their broth in several flavors: tonkotsu (pork bone), miso, shoyu (soy sauce) and shio (salt). Condiments, that you'll find on your table, include raiyu (hot sesame seed oil). This can be added to any broth to increase the karai (spiciness) of the soup.



Chashyu, or sliced roasted pork, is often included with the ramen. But most ramen shops allow you to order more pork, for a few hundred yen, if you're a diehard meatlover.

Common side orders are gyoza (potstickers), chahan (fried rice) or chicken karaage (deep fried chicken). Most shops offer the ramen and side order as a set, sometimes including nama (draught beer).



Fortunately, like many restaurants in Japan, ramen customers are often given picture menus, so ordering couldn't be easier.

Kitano-cho in Kobe

Kitano-cho is just a short walk north of Kobe, towards the mountainside, and features buildings that Western foreigners built and occupied during the 19th century. As Kobe was opened for trade, many wealthy businessmen and diplomats made their homes in this elegant suburb of Kobe. Today, much of this area has been restored to what is now a popular destination among Japanese couples who have romantic notions concerning the area's history and past occupants.



Nearest to the mountains lies a temple with great views of the city. There is also this interesting statue of a cow. It accepts donations.



Kitano-cho is also home to an abundance of cafes and restaurants. It might be a good time to get a bite to eat before heading back to the city.

Kobe Shopping: Koka-Shita and Center-Gai Street

Kobe is a port city with a great atmosphere of commerce and adventure. Even if you're not interested in blowing your holiday budget on fine leather goods and vintage gold watches, you ought to check out two famous shopping areas that lie at the heart of Kobe: Center-Gai Street and Koka-Shita.



Center-Gai Street is a covered shopping arcade that stretches for several blocks. It features an eclectic mix of stores and eateries for the young and old, and makes a great walk in any weather. Some of the best shoe stores in Kansai are located on this strip. Also on this street is an official Yamaha store, which may be of interest to musicians.



Koka-Shita is another long stretch of retail shops, but lies completely under the JR Kobe rail line. Compared to Center-Gai, this walkway is narrow, cramped and offers many interesting shops that cater to special interests. There are also quite a few second hand shops to peruse.

Both shopping areas run from JR Sannomiya Station to Motomachi Station. Whereas Koka-shita lies directly under this train route, Center-Gai Street runs parallel but to the south of this rail line.

Visit Nakayama-Dera Temple

Right now is the perfect time to visit Nakayama-Dera Temple. Known for its 600 plum trees, these sacred grounds explode in a sea of pink and white ume blossoms during late-February and early March.



The temple at Nakayama-dera was built 400 years ago, but the original temple was established 1000 years prior to that! On these ancient grounds, you can visit a famous statue that was supposedly carved from a nutmeg tree during the tenth century. Bring some coins, make a prayer, and enjoy the countryside setting of this popular spiritual destination.


To reach Nakayama-dera from downtown Osaka, board a train bound for Takarazuka at Hankyu Umeda Station. Get off the train at Nakayama Station and walk north towards the mountains. Within a few minutes you’ll be able to spot the gates leading up to the temple ground.

National Holidays in Japan For 2011

Japan happens to have a lot of national holidays!

As we’re still near the beginning of the year, I think it's a good time to list all the national holidays, just so you’ll know when certain services (like banking and government offices) may be unavailable.

Also, national holidays are usually the busiest travel times in Japan. As many Japanese are quite busy and committed to their work life, a national holiday presents the ideal time for them to enjoy shopping, traveling and recreation. Because of this, you might want to avoid visiting certain tourist attractions during national holidays if you’d rather avoid large crowds of people.

Here’s a list of national holidays in Japan for 2011:

January 3 New Years Day
January 10 Coming-of-age Day
February 11 National Foundation Day
March 21 Vernal Equinox Day
April 29 Showa Day
May 3 Constitution Memorial Day
May 4 Greenery Day
May 5 Children's Day
July 18 Marine Day
September 19 Respect for the Aged Day
September 23 Autumnal Equinox Day
October 10 Health-Sports Day
November 3 Culture Day
November 23 Labour Thanksgiving Day
December 23 The Emperor's Birthday

Amerika-mura: Youth Culture in Osaka

Amerika-mura, often abbreviated to ‘Ame-mura’, is a popular area of Shinsaibashi that is great for tourists wanting to observe a bit of youth culture from the Osaka region. It is also a great place for nighttime entertainment. The name of the location basically means ‘American Village’, but aside from a few western influences, it remains distinctly Japanese in every way.

Amerikamura features many retail clothing stores, restaurants and bars. The area is a lively hangout, especially during weekends and when the weather is nice. It is well known, perhaps infamous, for its popularity among foreigners and boasts an exciting nightlife.

Triangle Park lies at the center of Amemura. During the day, you can often glimpse interesting fashion trends by just passing through the area -- keep your camera handy! It’s also a nice place to take a break and perhaps get a bite to eat in between checking out shops. There are many great clothing stores in this area carrying USA, European and Japanese brands.

After you’re done exploring Amerikamura (it’s actually quite a small area), you can check out other parts of Shinsaibashi that cater to higher-end fashion, or visit the only Apple Store in Osaka.