hotel kinki

Hotel Kinki's new English Blog at www.hotelkinki.com

2011-09-05T23:47:00.000+09:00

Thank you for following Hotel Kinki's Blog!

We have moved our blog to our own website. Visit our website now to read our latest blogs about central Osaka and major tourist destinations in Kyoto, Nara, and Kobe!

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.

Visit our new website at www.hotelkinki.com now!

Den Den Town: Osaka's Akihabara

2011-08-31T22:51:00.002+09:00

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

2011-08-31T22:47:00.004+09:00

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

2011-08-31T19:49:00.002+09:00

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

2011-08-31T19:26:00.003+09:00

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

2011-07-31T15:44:00.003+09:00

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

2011-07-31T15:42:00.003+09:00

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

2011-07-31T15:26:00.002+09:00

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

2011-07-31T15:07:00.003+09:00

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

2011-06-30T23:26:00.004+09:00

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

2011-06-30T23:20:00.004+09:00

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

2011-06-30T22:44:00.003+09:00

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

2011-06-30T22:19:00.003+09:00

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?

2011-05-31T23:43:00.007+09:00

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

2011-05-31T23:36:00.003+09:00

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

2011-05-31T23:28:00.003+09:00

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

2011-05-31T23:20:00.003+09:00

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

2011-04-30T21:10:00.003+09:00

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

2011-04-30T20:32:00.004+09:00

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

2011-04-30T19:54:00.002+09:00

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

2011-04-30T19:48:00.003+09:00

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

2011-03-31T23:51:00.008+09:00

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

2011-03-31T21:21:00.004+09:00

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

2011-03-31T14:39:00.005+09:00

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

2011-03-31T12:56:00.003+09:00

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

2011-02-28T23:51:00.007+09:00

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

2011-02-28T23:24:00.004+09:00

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

2011-02-28T22:50:00.004+09:00

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

2011-02-28T22:43:00.005+09:00

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

2011-01-31T14:48:00.003+09:00

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

2011-01-29T20:41:00.003+09:00

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.

Eat Tsukemen in Osaka

2011-01-29T12:33:00.002+09:00

Visitors coming to Japan often look forward to eating ramen at least a few times during their stay in the country. But suppose you find yourself more interested in eating the noodles than drinking the hot soup? Fortunately, there’s a dish for that – it’s called tsuke-men, or ‘dipping noodles’.

With tsukemen, the noodles are served separately from the soup. Compared to ramen, the quantity of noodles is often much greater and the amount of soup much less.

To start eating tsukemen, it is polite to sample the noodles on their own. Similarly, one should also sample the thick broth before fully diving in. This shows appreciation for the two main elements that make up tsukemen, each of which is carefully prepared to produce the restaurant’s signature taste.

As mentioned, the soup is actually a dipping sauce for the noodles and is quite thick and heavy. One eats tsukemen by grabbing a small bundle of noodles, lifting them high from the bowl until they separate from the bunch, before dipping them into the warm broth and slurping them down.

When ordering tsukemen, most restaurants offer the noodles in various quantities (sometimes weighed in grams). In addition, one selects the type of broth they wish to have. Similar to ramen, the stock is often flavored by miso, soy sauce or various types of meat and seafood.

Tsukemen is frequently served with slices of pork (chashu) and cooked bamboo shoots. Additional garnishes and accompaniments may also be available depending on the restaurant and your ability to decipher the menu. Just remember, hand pointing and head nodding will often get you what you want if English menus are not available.

Visit The Takarazuka Revue Theater

2011-01-28T21:33:00.005+09:00

Interested in seeing a Broadway-style performance during your stay in Osaka? The Takarazuka Revue offers lavish first-class productions that are sure to please any theater fan.

What makes Takarazuka Theater so unique is their all-female troupe, or more specifically, five distinct troupes that alternate in month long productions throughout the year. These women sing, dance and act in female or male roles depending on how they’re cast. Many find their gender-bending performances impressive and unique.

Guests of Hotel Kinki can board a train for Takurazuka from Hanku Umeda Station. The Takarazuka Grand Theater is a short walk from Takarazuka Station. Take the walkway called ‘Hana no michi’ (flower path) to reach the Theater complex.

Show tickets cost between 3,500 - 11,000 yen and can be purchased from most convenient stores, or at the ticket counter at the theater.

Inside the Takarazuka Grand Theater complex lie several cafes, restaurants and stores. Visitors come from all over Japan to see the Takarazuka Revue and many visit the gift shop to get themselves a souvenir.

And despite the theater’s western-style appearance, you can absolutely get yourself some battered octopus balls (takoyaki) from the cafeteria if you’re looking for a snack!

Nara: Buddhism is Huge

2010-12-31T14:06:00.008+09:00

Established over 1,300 years ago, Nara was the first permanent capital of Japan. Heavily influenced by Buddhism, Nara features numerous temples and other structures of great historic interest.

Traveling to Nara from Osaka is relatively easy. Riding the Kintetsu Nara Line, starting from Namba Station, is perhaps the best way to make this trip, although JR and Hanshin also offer reasonable train routes to this destination. Fare on the Kintetsu Line will cost 540¥ and take 40 minutes of travel time.

The main attractions of Nara lie in an area known as Nara Park. This spacious area is home to the Daibutsu, a massive structure that claims to be the world's largest wooden building. Inside, lies another giant object, the Daibutsu-den, one of the world's largest statues of Buddha. There are several more statues throughout the complex, including fierce looking warriors that guard the entrance.

Around Nara Park you'll undoubtably come across many wild deer. These animals are tame around humans and can be fed with crackers that are sold throughout the area. But keep in mind, with a handful of crackers you'll quickly garner attention from these snack hungry animals!

Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan

2010-12-30T22:45:00.004+09:00

Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan is a colossal sea life exhibit located near Osaka Bay. This state of the art aquarium is popular among tourists and locals and is easily accessible from downtown Umeda (where Hotel Kinki is located).

The quickest way to get to the aquarium is to ride the Midosuji Subway Line to Honmachi. From there, transfer to the Chuo Line and get off at Osakako Station. The aquarium is only a 5-minute walk from this station and signs should help you easily find its location. From Hotel Kinki, this trip can be made in about 30 minutes.

Although this giant aquarium is often absent from lists that rank the world’s largest aquariums, this is largely due to the exhibit’s design, which divides its collection of species into 15 separate tanks. However, the combined capacity of these tanks easily places this exhibit among the largest of its kind.

Osaka Aquarium is home to many exotic creatures, including a sunfish and a whale shark. There are also playful mammals such as dolphins, sea otters and seals. There is much to see here, so ensure to budget ample time to fully enjoy your visit to the aquarium.

Admission to the aquarium is 2000 yen. The facility is opened from 10 am to 8 pm and features a gift shop and various eateries.

Shop At Yodobashi Camera Umeda

2010-12-27T00:07:00.003+09:00

Yodobashi Camera Umeda is probably the largest electronics store in Japan. It is housed in a giant building that stands across the road from the Hankyu and JR rail stations in downtown Osaka.

This massive shopping center features seven floors (2 in the basement) of cameras, computers, televisions and other electronic and household goods. Above these floors lies several more dedicated to restaurants and fashion. If you are visiting Osaka for the first time, it is an absolute must to check out Yodobashi Camera!

From the doorstep of Hotel Kinki you can walk to Yodobashi Camera in less than 15 minutes.

To get there, walk to Hankyu Umeda Station (across the road from the red Ferris wheel on top of the Hep 5 building) and walk straight thru the station to the other side (the far west side). Once you are standing outside again, you should easily see the giant shopping center across the road. There are only a handful of crosswalks to get to Yodobashi Camera, so you might have to walk for a few minutes in either direction to find one.

The best part about visiting Yodobashi Camera is that they have more products in-store that any other electronics or camera shop you’ve ever been to. You can get hands on with all the products you are interested in, including many domestic products that are released in Japan earlier than they are abroad.

Also in this shopping complex lies a Uniqlo and a clothing brand store called Comme Ca (spread across 5 floors). If you are a looking for cheap or mid-priced clothing, I recommend checking out these clothing shops when you’re there.

One last note of interest:

On New Year’s Day morning you’ll find hundreds (many thousands) of people lined up in the parking lot to enter Yodobashi Camera. Each person in line selects a ticket that is later exchanged for a mystery grab bag. The ticket holder chooses the category of product that they are interested in receiving and can pay hundreds of dollars depending on the product type.

As you can imagine, it is a bit of a gamble buying a ‘fukubukuro’ (mystery bag), but a large part of the appeal is receiving a great bargain for the risk. Those who line up first receive the best tickets and can expect the highest value mystery bags. But nothing’s guaranteed…

Season's Greetings From Hotel Kinki

2010-12-26T22:13:00.005+09:00

Ho ho ho!

Santa has been good to us this year, as we’ve now scored a clean water dispenser and ice machine for guests to use at Hotel Kinki! We’re always looking for ways to improve services for our customers and we hope you’ll find this new addition a great convenience.

Now in late December, Japan is in full holiday mode! On Wednesday the 29th, many Japanese will begin their leave from work. This means that major transportation hubs and shopping centers can become quite crowded in the coming days – but when is Osaka not crowded and cramped? Welcome to the greatest city in Japan!

On New Years Eve and the following day you’ll find the whole of Japan virtually shutdown. It is tradition that families spend this day together in their homes. If you’re here for it, you’ll notice that large parts of the city can seem like a ghost town!

Whatever your plans are and wherever you find yourself during this holiday season, the staff at Hotel Kinki would like to wish you a Happy New Year!

Season’s greetings!

Uniqlo For Your Clothing Needs

2010-11-30T22:43:00.006+09:00

Need to buy some stylish yet modestly priced clothing during your stay in Osaka?

Uniqlo is Japan’s largest retail clothing chain. Visiting one of their stores in downtown Osaka should be on your list of things to do if clothing or the need to buy clothing (it’s getting chilly outside!) interests you.

Uniqlo rose to dominance in the 1990’s during the tough days of Japan’s economic recession. Their angle has always been to sell casual, quality clothing but at very cheap prices. Since that time, the brand has exploded in popularity, expanded globally and now attracts a more fashion savvy crowd.

Although Uniqlo is still a superb place to shop for essential clothing items, they now offer such specialties as raw selvedge denim.

Uniqlo’s conservative style, hard-to-beat prices and trustworthy quality make their brand a safe bet, especially for on-the-run travelers.

There’s a Uniqlo store quite close to Hotel Kinki if you can find it, but I recommend visiting the one in Yodobashi Camera as it's larger and may offer a greater selection of goods.

Hand Warmers For Travelers

2010-11-30T19:41:00.004+09:00

Japan has been using chemical hand warmers for decades; they are extremely common in use and are sold almost everywhere during the winter season.

These disposable pouches of self-generating heat are referred to as ‘kairo’ and can bought at any convenience store or pharmacy for quite cheap.

Businesses in Osaka have a habit of keeping their customers toasty warm, which can mean experiencing extreme temperature differences as you transfer from the street into various indoor environments. Foreigners to the region often find such large temperature swings uncomfortable.

Using hand warmers to quickly apply or remove heat may be a good idea if you find yourself constantly over and under heated as you travel throughout the city.

Tennoji Zoo in Osaka

2010-11-23T18:21:00.005+09:00

If you’re an animal lover or traveling with kids, you might want to check out Tennoji Zoo.

Located in the southern entrance to the city, this large animal exhibit can be reached by riding the Midosuji Subway Line to Dobutsuen-Mae Station. From Hotel Kinki, this is only a short trip to the other side of the city.

Admission to the zoo is 500 yen. The gates are opened at 9:30am and closed in the early evening. There is much to see at Tennoji Zoo, so you’ll want to set aside at least a half-day to check out the main attractions.

Over 300 species of animals live at the zoo. Some of the more popular animals can be found in the Savannah exhibit.

Kansai fashion is always interesting to watch as well :)

There are also many reptiles on display in an indoor exhibit.

After your trip to the zoo is complete, you might want to walk around Tennoji for a bit. This area of Osaka is infamous for being a little… poor. But it's a great opportunity to soak in some blue collar Kansai culture!

Visit Arashiyama Near Kyoto

2010-11-23T15:28:00.005+09:00

Arashiyama is one of the most picturesque places to visit in Japan. This popular tourist destination lies just west of Kyoto. Guests at Hotel Kinki can walk to Hankyu Umeda Station and travel there in about 40 minutes.

Arashiyama features many historical points of interest and is absolutely essential to visit during autumn leaf viewing season (right now!).

One of the best places to check out in Arashiyama is Iwatayama Monkey Park. After a short hike up the mountain, you’ll find yourself literally surrounded by wild Japanese snow monkeys!

The monkeys are tame enough to safely be around humans, but feeding them is only permitted in a special area.

At the base of Mt. Arashi you’ll find amazing historic sites like the romantic Togetsukyo Bridge (Moon Crossing Bridge), Tenryuji Temple and Hozu River with row boats that you can rent.

Late November to early December is the ideal time to visit Arashiyama to view the autumn leaves at the height of their brilliance, just like the Japanese have been doing for well over a thousand years!

Shopping At Nishinomiya Gardens

2010-10-31T14:50:00.007+09:00

Looking for a great shopping experience during your stay in Osaka?

As we head into winter, the dipping temperatures can sometimes make trekking outdoors a little uncomfortable on days when the weather isn’t working out as well as you’d like. If you’re looking for an indoor shopping adventure, you ought to check out Nishinomiya Gardens.

Located conveniently on the Hankyu Kobe Line, Nishinomiya Gardens – western Japan’s largest shopping complex – is only a 15-minute train ride from downtown Osaka. Simply walk to Hankyu Umeda Station and board a train headed to Sannomiya or Shinkaichi. All trains on this route stop at Nishinomiya-Kitaguchi. This is where you’ll want to get off and follow the signs leading to this giant shopping mall.

Inside the complex lies many clothing stores, restaurants and other shops suited for buying gifts or household items. And unlike many places in Kansai, Nishinomiya Gardens sports wide and spacious walkways, creating a relaxed and slower paced environment.

True to its Kansai roots, this center features a plethora of restaurants: The fourth floor is entirely dedicated to serving food, but you’ll also find a food court on the basement level along with several other eateries littered throughout the mall.

Situated halfway between Osaka and Kobe, the mall may lie between several of your travel destinations and is worth checking out if you're in the mood to shop.

Visit Minoh in November

2010-10-29T21:12:00.005+09:00

Just north of Osaka city lies the township of Minoh (sometimes spelt as Minoo, or Minou). Minoh is one of the best places to visit during momiji-gari season – a time when Japanese people travel to the countryside to view the many colors of autumn.

Traveling to Minoh is easy: simply walk to Hankyu Station from Hotel Kinki and board a train headed to Takarazuka. Get off at Ishibashi Station and transfer to the Minou/Minoo Line. Take this train to the end of the line (3 stops) and you will have arrived at Minoh city.

Follow the signs to Meiji no Mori Mino Kokutei Koen. Here, you’ll begin your hike up the lower mountain slope and get a look at one of Japan’s oldest national parks.

At the end of the hiking path lies a beautiful waterfall. There, many people stop to admire the view and grab a bite to eat. You’ll find outdoor food vendors cooking up some delicious snacks at this rest stop.

Minoh park also has wild monkeys! Just remember that you’re not supposed to feed them.

Rinku Town Outlet Mall in Osaka

2010-10-17T23:21:00.005+09:00

Rinku Town is Osaka’s premium outlet shopping center, located close to Kansai International Airport.

Many visitors to Japan like to stop at this destination to buy premium brand clothing at heavily discounted prices. Now that summer has finally given way to cooler weather, it may also be a good idea to stock up on some warm clothing.

Most trains bound for Kansai Airport will stop at Rinku Town Station, so getting there is pretty easy if your route starts from Umeda (where Hotel Kinki is located). You can take the Midosuji subway line or JR Osaka Loop line to Tennoji station, and then transfer to a train that’s headed to the airport.

Rinku Town has many, many outlet stores - checking them all out in one day may not even be possible! And unlike some shopping centers in Japan, you’ll find a plethora of stores specifically targeting men’s clothing.

The outlet mall closes at 8 pm. Afterwards, you can visit the nearby Seacle center to grab a bite to eat before returning home.

Autumn In Japan: Timing The Tree Leaves

2010-10-16T15:25:00.003+09:00

The bulk of Japan’s landmass lies across four major islands. This territory spans from Hokkaido in the north to Kyushu in the south.

As the autumn season hits Japan, tree leaves begin to change color starting first in the north and descending gradually to the southern regions.

Osaka and Kyoto, which are situated relatively south on the main island of Honshu, typically see autumn colors beginning around late November.

Furthermore, tree leaves tend to change color earlier at higher elevations. This means the hillsides surrounding Osaka Bay will offer a spectacular color change a bit before the trees in the city and lower delta follow suit.

Traveling to Osaka and the Kansai area in November is an excellent time to view the autumn colors as they reach the pinnacle of their brilliance.

Smelling Fresh in Japan: Deodorant Body Paper

2010-09-29T13:00:00.003+09:00

Most Japanese people don’t produce a lot of body odor. This means that finding effective deodorant and antiperspirant products can be a little challenging in Japan.

Fortunately, deodorant body paper, a newer type of product that is sold at any convenience store or pharmacy (including ones around Hotel Kinki), can do a pretty good job at keeping you smelling fresh.

Deodorant paper is similar to a wet wipe (moist towelette), but is soaked in a scented alcohol solution. This makes it effective for not just applying deodorant onto the body, but at removing sweat and oil at the same time.

A pack of deodorant paper can be easily carried in your bag and used discreetly throughout the day. In a pinch, you could probably use a few sheets to wipe down your entire body in lieu of a shower.

Deodorant paper is sold in several forms. Gatsby currently makes their body paper in ‘powder’ or ‘ice-type’ styles. Ice-type will leave your skin feeling very chilled; if you have sensitive skin, you should probably opt for the powder type. Gatsby also sells facial sheets, which are basically just a smaller version of their body sheets.

And I should note, although these products are aimed squarely at men, their scent is really quite mild and I wouldn’t call it overly masculine.

One last tip: In Japan, being heavily scented in perfume, cologne or deodorant is not really customary or appropriate. Most Japanese expect a neutral odorless body scent(!). Assuming your genetics can’t quite live up to these standards, just try to use a limited amount of heavily scented products during your stay in Japan.

Drink Vending Machines For The Thirsty Traveler

2010-09-27T13:55:00.006+09:00

Drink vending machines are everywhere in Japan. No where is this more true than in and around Osaka.

These drink machines are situated on almost every street corner and usually in front of any business that has enough space to cram one in. Of course, there’s even a drink machine inside of Osaka’s best budget hotel. With drinks priced from 100-150 yen, typically, you are not paying a great premium for this convenience.

As you can imagine, there are a great variety of drinks sold from these machines. Most drink machines offer a range of beverage types, including Japanese tea, canned coffee, soda and sport drinks.

Go ahead and roll the dice – try a drink that looks interesting or bizarre enough to give you a memorable experience! Most drinks are appetizing and not so strong that they’ll offend your senses. And keep in mind that some drinks are seasonal or have time-limited availability.

Concerning canned coffee – perhaps Japan’s favorite way to consume this beverage – many machines serve this drink hot or cold. Just pay attention to the color-coding or labels placed around where the cans are displayed to determine its serving temperature.

After you’ve finished your drink, you might begin to notice that garbage and recycling bins are a bit hard to find in Japan! But don’t worry, every vending machine is accompanied by a bottle receptacle. So you’ll never have to carry an empty bottle or can for very long.

Osaka Looks Great in November!

2010-09-18T01:31:00.005+09:00

Many people believe that autumn is the best time of year to visit Osaka. During the peak months of summer, Kansai weather can be uncomfortably hot for some visitors. Similarly, winter months may sometimes limit outdoor activities due to the cold.

But during spring and fall, most people find Osaka’s weather temperate and inviting.

If I had to pick a time of year to visit Osaka, I’d have to go with autumn. More specifically, I’d time my trip around November.

November may be the most picturesque time of year to visit Japan. As the tree leaves change color, Japan’s many tourist spots present an even more incredible photo op for visitors to the country.

With an abundance of shines, temples, castles and other locations of interest, visiting Osaka during November ensures an unforgettable experience.

Remember, Hotel Kinki is less than 10 minutes away from the city’s major transport hub. So if you’re thinking about daytrips to Kyoto, Nara and Himeji - no problem! Let the city of Osaka be the center of your travels and stay at the most trusted budget hotel in town: Hotel Kinki!

How To Visit The Nissin Ramen Museum

2010-09-06T15:43:00.012+09:00

It’s only fitting that Osaka, the undisputed food capital of Japan, is where instant ramen was invented during the 1950’s by Momofuku Ando. You can visit the Nissin Ramen Museum and learn about the history of instant ramen by making a short trip to this permanent exhibit. This guide will help you get from Hotel Kinki to the Nissin museum in a trip that takes around 45 minutes.

Start by walking to the Hep 5 building (the shopping complex with the red ferris wheel on its rooftop). Cross the road from the front entrance of Hep 5 and look for one of the entrances of Hankyu Umeda Station.

Buy a ticket that will get you to Ikeda station, and board a train that's bound for Takarazuka. An express train will get you to Ikeda in 20 minutes, but the local train isn’t much slower (and you might be able to score a seat easier!).

Exit the train at Ikeda station, walk thru the ticket gates and take the first exit you see down to the street.

Go to the south side of the tracks where you'll be able to find a Daiei department store. If you’re on the wrong side of the tracks you’ll see a series of bus stops.

Follow the walkway with the tracks running parallel to your left until you find this pachinko parlor, just beyond the station.

Walk down the mustard colored road that leads away from the train tracks. You will come across the Nissin Ramen Museum on your right hand side within a few minutes.

Admission to the museum is free, but make sure to arrive before the doors close at 3:30pm.

Visit the ATC - Osaka's Asia and Pacific Trade Center

2010-08-27T00:57:00.004+09:00

The Asia Trade Center offers more than enough activities to fill an entire day. Located near Cosmo Square station on a man-made island in Osaka Bay, the ATC is accessible by riding the city’s subway lines.

The ATC is a huge complex and seeing it all in one day may not be possible. Split into several zones, the center features an outlet mall, a food and entertainment section, and a large hall where exhibitions and events are regularly held.

The outlet stores are not as tempting or as numerous as Osaka’s famed Rinku Town shopping center; however, depending on your luck, you may just find that killer bargain you were searching for!

In addition to outlet stores, the ATC houses a giant furniture store and many specialty import shops that feature exotic Asian merchandise. If you like window shopping, you definitely need to visit the ITM section of this center to see some crazy stuff!

Finally, one of the great aspects of this waterfront complex is their regular hosting of some of Osaka’s best events and exhibitions. Depending on your timing, you may be able to attend a music festival, a cosplay event, or a world-class tradeshow.

Visit The Umeda Sky Building

2010-08-27T00:39:00.004+09:00

If you’re not scared of heights and want to get a good look at the city, the Umeda Sky Building is one of Osaka’s tallest structures and offers spectacular views from its rooftop observatory.

Located near the Yodogawa River in Kita-ku, this tourist attraction is only a 15-minute walk from the major train stations in downtown Umeda and should be on everyone’s list of things to see and do in Osaka.

On the lower floors of the building you’ll find movies theaters, shops and an exhibition hall. Currently, the exhibition features a tribute to Michael Jackson, complete with many of his personal artifacts and items from his Neverland Ranch.

Those looking for a great photo op and a bit of a thrill will need to pay a modest fee to get access to the observation deck -- 40-stories above!

Visitors going to the rooftop will be treated to rides in a glass walled elevator and an escalator that connects the two towers in midair -- just getting to the top of this unique structure is an experience not to be missed! But if you’re scared of heights, you might want to sit this one out…

On the top floor you’ll find a kid’s play area, cafeteria and many window-side seats. On the rooftop you’ll be greeted with panoramic views, and hopefully good weather!

Afterwards, if you’re feeling a bit hungry, you can visit the basement of this building where a reproduction of a Showa era street lies along with several restaurants.

2010-08-11T11:29:00.002+09:00

Hello everyone, just a reminder that the offical Japanese summer holiday is starting this week!

Most offices will take a 4 day weekend from about the 13th-16th of August. It is called OBON holiday. This is a great time to let loose with the locals as most of the bars and restaurants are full of Osakans letting off steam and having a great time! You can find Higashi-dori Shyoutengai ( covered shopping arcade) very near hotel Kinki where the energy over this weekend is sure to get you in the holiday mood! Have fun!

Hot and Humid Osaka! Enjoy the summer festivals!

2010-08-09T09:33:00.003+09:00

Hello everyone and welcome to the hottest month in Osaka ! Fear not there is plenty to see and do and ways to cool down in this heat ! Today is August 7th and is the annual Yodogawa fireworks show. Located just 5 minutes from Umeda it is an easy show to see ! Starting at dusk and continuing for over an hour this light show isnt to be missed if you are staying in town this weekend ! Just take the train or walk from Umeda. You can't miss it as there are thousands of yukata dressed fans anticipating the hanabi (fireworks).
Head down there and enjoy some food from one of the hundreds of stalls. I recommend Ebi-sembei which is a large thin cracker topped with a kind of sweet brown sauce and deep fried tempura batter bits and a fried egg ! Fried chickem, hot dogs, candied apples..the list goes on ! See a price of real Osakan culture tonight !

Online Credit Card Payment Available Now o(＾∇＾)o

2010-08-07T16:21:00.003+09:00

In order to offer more convenient payment solution, the HOTEL KINKI has launched online credit card payment system in the beginning of August 2010.

When the guest enter hotel reservation system to reserve the room, he/she could choose payment method of PAY WHEN YOU CHECK IN, or ONLINE PAYMENT BY CREDIT CARD to pay accommdation fee in advance.

Congratulation!!! Ranking 25 on Best Japanese hotel/ryokan

2010-04-25T14:41:00.004+09:00

Hotelkinki has been ranked 25 on 「Best Japanese hotel/ryokan by word-of-mouth」 which released by Tripadvisor.com, a free travel guide and research website that over 30 million trusted traveler's reviews & opinions gathered.

Did you know in April...

2010-04-04T14:57:00.000+09:00

... it happens the HANAMI Cherry blossom viewing?

Hanami is the Japanese traditional custom of enjoying the beauty of flowers, "flower" in this case almost always meaning cherry blossoms (Sakura), or ume blossoms. From mid January to early May, sakura bloom all over Japan. In modern-day Japan, hanami mostly consists of having an outdoor party beneath the sakura during daytime or at night. Hanami at night is called yozakura.
Sakura originally was used to divine that year's harvest as well as announce the rice-planting season. People believed in kami (God) inside the trees and made offerings. Afterwards, they partook of the offering with sake.
Emperor Saga of the Heian Period adopted this practice, and held flower-viewing parties with sake and feasts underneath the blossoming boughs of sakura trees in the Imperial Court in Kyoto. Poems would be written praising the delicate flowers, which were seen as a metaphor for life itself, luminous and beautiful yet fleeting and ephemeral. This was said to be the origin of hanami in Japan.

So don’t miss the chance to enjoy this wonderful season in Japan!

http://hotelkinki.com/en/

Tour with NARA WALK

2010-04-04T13:54:00.015+09:00

NARA WALK

Operated by a group of professional guides who are experts in history and culture of NARA, an ancient capital which built 1300 years ago.

With daily tour, the guide will introduce well-known sightseeing post in NARA such as Tōdai-ji, Kōfuku-ji, Kasuga Grand Shrine, Nara National Museum, Nara Park etc...

GUIDANCE FEE

Standard Tour: 2,000yen/person, about 3.5 hours

Morning Tōdai-ji Tour: 1,500yen/person, about 2 hours

(Both tours are free for the child aged under 12, but 500yen/person of admission fee of Tōdai-ji would be charged.)

Website: http://www.narawalk.com/

E-mail: info@narawalk.com

It flowers by [sakuraoosaka].

2010-03-23T06:40:00.000+09:00

Osaka District Meteorological Observatories announced on the 21st that cherry blossoms (Somei-Yoshino cherry tree) flowered in Osaka City. It is early on the third from last year the second in the history of the observation. nine days from the average year earlier It is said that full-bloomed will be faced in about one week.

Amenity notice!!!

2010-02-26T15:16:00.004+09:00

Just to let our hotel Kinki's guest to notice that we will be changing our hotel's shampoo/conditioner by separating both of products, Shampoo and Conditioner!
Before we were using Shampoo/conditioner together, but from now on it will be separated.
Please make sure to read the label before you use them.
We apologize for any inconvenience we may caused.
Thanks for your understanding...

http://hotelkinki.com/en/

Mobile website

2010-02-13T14:17:00.007+09:00

Good news for our Hotel Kinki's guests!!

Now you can also enjoy our website and book in our hotel by reading the barcode bellow from your mobile :

If you get a chance just try it out!

http://hotelkinki.com/en/

Do you know in March...

2010-01-11T16:08:00.007+09:00

The Japanese Doll Festival (Hina-matsuri), or Girls' Day, is held on March 3rd , the third day of the third month. Platforms with a red hi-mōsen are used to display a set of ornamental dolls (hina-ningyō) representing the Emperor, Empress, attendants, and musicians in traditional court dress of the Heian Period.
The custom of displaying dolls began during the Heian Period. Formerly, people believed the dolls possessed the power to contain bad spirits. Hinamatsuri traces its origins to an ancient Japanese custom called hina-nagashi ("doll floating"), in which straw hina dolls are set afloat on a boat and sent down a river to the sea, supposedly taking troubles or bad spirits with them. The Shimogamo Shrine (part of the Kamo Shrine complex in Kyoto) celebrates the Nagashibina by floating these dolls between the Takano and Kamo Rivers to pray for the safety of children. Also people have stopped doing this now because of fishermen catching the dolls in their nets. They now send them out in to the sea, and when the spectators are gone they take the boats out of the water and bring them back to the temple and burn them.The customary drink for the festival is awazake, a sweet, non-alcoholic version of sake made from fermented rice; the customary food is colored arare, bite-sized crackers flavored with soy sauce. Chirashizushi (sushi rice flavored with sugar, vinegar, topped with raw fish and a variety of ingredients) is often eaten. A soy sauce-based soup is also served containing clams still in the shell. Clam shells in food are deemed the symbol of a united and peaceful couple, because a pair of clam shells fits perfectly, and no pair but the original pair can do so.

The japanese dolls which are placed on the platform’s shelves, they are divided in 5 categories:

1- Shinnou
2- Shoujou
3- 5 nin bayashi
4- Zuijin
5- Shitei

If you have a chance to check them during this season it would be awesome!

http://hotelkinki.com/en/

Do you know in February...

2010-01-11T16:01:00.007+09:00

In Japan, Setsubun (節分) is the day before the beginning of each season.

The name literally means "seasonal division", but usually the term refers to the spring Setsubun, properly called Risshun (立春) celebrated yearly on February 3rd as part of the Spring Festival (春祭, haru matsuri).

In its association with the Lunar New Year, Spring Setsubun can be thought of (and was previously thought of) as a sort of New Year’s eve, and so was accompanied by a special ritual to cleanse away all the evil of the former year and drive away disease-bringing evil spirits for the year to come.

This special ritual is called mamemaki (豆撒き, bean scattering).

http://hotelkinki.com/en/

Changing the Hotel's route...

2009-12-27T11:59:00.004+09:00

We'd like to inform you about the short route to get to our Hotel Kinki.
Before you could take easily a way to get in here but now, as the station department is under construction you will have to take a new route.
You can check the map by clicking on the page below:

http://hotelkinki.com/en/maps/

We really sorry for the inconvenience it may cause you.

Happy New Year

2009-12-27T11:01:00.006+09:00

Our special greetings with all good wishes for the New Year!

We would like to thank all the guests for the preference by staying at Hotel Kinki through the past year.
Therefore, also in 2010, to improve our services, the Hotel Kinki’s crew are going to keep working hard in order to satisfy all the guests as best as we can!
And of course we’ll be happy and wish to have you here once again this year!

Hope your 2010 be full of Peace, Love, Prosperity and much more!

http://hotelkinki.com/en/

Breakfast

2009-12-16T20:53:00.004+09:00

Unfortunately the hotel does not have a restaurant attached to it, therefore we are unable to offer a breakfast service.

We are, however, conveniently located next to an arcade that has many restaurants offering 24 hour service and special breakfast menus.

One of them is Yayoiken, which offers a breakfast service between 5am and 11am.

Just turn left when you leave the hotel and go straight, the restaurant will be on your left side.

http://hotelkinki.com/en/

Vegetarian Restaurant Sangmi

2009-12-16T18:44:00.004+09:00

For those who are looking for a vegetarian restaurant we can recommend Sangmi, which is only a short walk away from the hotel. The concept of Sangmi is to combine health, beauty and taste in a modern but quintessentially Japanese way.

The restaurant is located in Tsurunocho on Shin-Midosuji avenue. When leaving the hotel turn left and continue going straight towards Miyakojima Street. Cross the street and go left until reaching Shin-Midosuji. At Shin-Midosuji turn right without crossing the street and go straight until reaching the restaurant which is on your right side.

http://hotelkinki.com/en/

Yukata

2009-12-16T17:46:00.007+09:00

We now have yukatas* available for purchase. They are comfortable and easy to wear while relaxing indoors, both for travel and home use. Yukata also make for a great gift from Japan.

The price for a set of yukata and obi** is 1400 Yen. Please enquire at the reception should you wish purchase a set. Coloured ladies' yukata also available.

*Yukata: light, informal kimono
**Obi: cloth belt used to tie the yukata

http://hotelkinki.com/en/

Website update

2009-09-11T00:36:00.004+09:00

In conjunction with our recent renovations, we have updated our website!