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Mari's adventures in Japan

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日本
Osaka, Osaka
Mari's adventures in Japan

🇯🇵 Japan's scenic spots, food and life 🇯🇵
📍 Based in Osaka, Kansai 🏯
🗾 Guides, tours and more

05/06/2026

Literally a quick 30-minute hop from Kanazawa, Yamashiro Onsen is a hidden gem steeped in over 1,300 years of soaking culture. ♨️

It serves as an incredible launching pad for exploring Kanazawa, the thatched-roof villages of Shirakawa-go, and neighboring Fukui. 🙌

🏮 THE FOUR RYOKAN
✦ KAI Kaga (Hoshino Resorts): This boutique property breathes vibrant modern life into an iconic 400-year-old heritage inn. It seamlessly weaves sleek contemporary comforts with local artistry, boasting vibrant Kutani-tile bath walls, Kaga craft-accented suites, and traditional lion dance rituals performed live by the staff. A dream getaway for couples! .kai

✦ Tachibana Shikitei: Established back in 1868, this refined estate showcases the pinnacle of timeless Japanese hospitality. The interiors feature rare paulownia wood flooring and sleek Wajima lacquer accents, with over half of the rooms offering exclusive open-air thermal baths.tachibana_shikitei

✦ Oedo Onsen Monogatari Premium Yamash*taya: Home to a breathtaking open-air rooftop bath, this spot offers sweeping panoramic views of the Kaga Plain as the sun sets. It’s a fantastic, high-energy option featuring a complimentary evening drink lounge and expansive gourmet buffets for breakfast and dinner. Absolutely perfect for families and friend groups! 🥰

✦ Araya Totoan: Spanning 18 generations and over eight centuries of legacy, staying here feels like stepping into a living art gallery. It boasts exquisite Sukiya-style design, pristine private gardens, an incomparable collection of masterwork Rosanjin pottery, and the town’s most abundant natural spring flow (surpassing 100,000 liters daily). Widely regarded as Yamashiro’s crowning jewel, and to many, the ultimate ryokan experience in Japan.

📌 Yamashiro Onsen ~2.5h from Tokyo via the Hokuriku Shinkansen · ~30 min from Kanazawa. Complimentary shuttle services to the station are provided by most ryokans!

21/04/2026

These were the last cherry blossoms I managed to see in 2026! 🌸

I planned this trip to Iwate months ago, basing myself on the forecast of past years. But cherry blossoms decided to be earlier and when I got there, most were already past bloom 😆

That’s ok though! I loved this city, Morioka, and I decided to stay at the Hotel Royal Morioka for a central location and close to the main attractions in the city 🌸

I booked the hotel and the JR east pass on Klook, it’s fast and easy and there are always discounts to use! Use my code MARIJAPANKLOOK for example to get a discount on your bookings too 🎟️

Next year I hope I’ll get to enjoy cherry blossoms a bit more, I got so busy moving and starting a new job and life, I didn’t have the time to go sakura hunting 😆

03/04/2026

…and just like this in my time in Osaka has come to an end!

After 6 years living in this amazing city and exploring Kansai as much as possible, it was time to change. It is bittersweet because I’m leaving behind friends, colleagues, experiences, memories. I have grown a lot, and I’ve had so many adventures! But I’m very excited to see where this new chapter will take me, hopefully I can take you with me to new places 🥰

It’s been such crazy months, that’s the reason why I haven’t been very active here lately but I’m back, ready to explore even more areas. A bit more north 🗼

Driving from Osaka to Tokyo sure was long but so fun! I decided to rent a car and go all the way like this because I was really worried for my cat Chunta, and I’m glad I did because he was confortable and slept through it all. 🐱

I rented the car 🚗 on Klook, which I always do: fast and easy. If you want to do the same, just make sure to have your passport and international driving license or a Japanese driving license 🪪 and you’re good to go!

Sometimes renting a car is just the best option if you want to explore more rural areas, my case this time was a bit different but still it’s a great option if you’re in the same position as me! (And if you don’t have too many bags 💼😆)

👉 Rent your car on Klook and use my code MARIJAPANKLOOK for a discount 🎟️

22/03/2026

Yesterday I shared this JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure-themed ramen restaurant in Osaka and a lot of people loved it! 👊

Here are some more pictures of the shop, there are details everywhere! If you’re a JoJo’s fan, you would love this place. 😆🙌

I’d recommend going early because the line can get quite long; you might end up waiting for more than an hour! Also, they only accept cash. 💴

No music on this post because I wanted to share a couple of videos too, check it out! 😆

📍Kuse ga Tsuyoi Menya Reiwa Ramen

11/03/2026

I saw this experience in Kyoto on Klook and I really wanted to try it! If you’re interested you can book too and use my discount code MARIJAPANKLOOK 🥰

I have tried kimono and yukata 👘 a couple of times and this time I wanted to experience something different: the Oiran transformation. 😍

In Japanese history, the Oiran were high-ranking courtesans of the Edo period. They weren’t just icons of beauty, but also masters of traditional arts, fashion, and culture. 🙌

The stylists are very nice and they also speak English (some might use a translator), they will ask you what you like best and they will tell you exactly what to do and how to pose! 😍

At the end you can look at the pictures and choose how many you want to purchase, you’ll also get 5 minutes by yourself to take some pictures (without the kimono on top because it’s very heavy!)

Book your slot on Klook and have lots of fun! 🤩

03/03/2026

Toyotamahime Shrine in Ureshino Onsen, Saga prefecture, is a shrine dedicated to Toyotamahime, a Shinto goddess famed for her beauty and deep connection to water. It perfectly complements Ureshino Onsen, one of Japan’s three great hot springs known for their skin-beautifying waters. ♨️

🌿 According to legend, Toyotamahime was a beautiful sea deity whose smooth, radiant skin inspired people to seek her blessings for healthy, glowing skin. For centuries, visitors have traveled to Ureshino for its silky alkaline waters ♨️

🐟 One of the shrine’s most unique features is the white catfish statue, known as “Namazu-sama,” believed to be the goddess’s messenger and a symbol of smooth skin. Visitors gently pour onsen water over the statue while making a wish for beautiful skin and good health, a small ritual that makes your visit feel extra special.

📍 Located just a 5-minute walk from the Ureshino Onsen Bus Center, this peaceful shrine is an easy stop during a stroll through town, perfect between hot spring baths, tea shops, and local specialties. 🥰

17/02/2026

I went to Akita for three amazing winter festivals… and it was absolutely magical ❄️

During my trip to Akita I had the chance to experience:

🐶 Inukko Matsuri: Adorable snow dogs and mini snow shrines built for protection and good fortune. So unique!

🕯️ Yokote Kamakura Snow Festival (Yokote Matsuri): hundreds of glowing kamakura snow huts lit up at night… truly one of the most magical winter scenes in Japan.

👹 Namahage Sedo Festival: A powerful and dramatic tradition where Namahage demons appear at the shrine to ward off evil spirits and bring blessings for the new year. An unforgettable cultural experience!

For my stay, I chose Hotel Metropolitan Akita and it couldn’t have been more convenient 🙌

📍 Perfect location, literally right next to Akita Station
🛍️ 7-Eleven on the first floor;
🛏️ Spacious rooms, super comfortable beds & great amenities;
🧺 Laundry facilities, restaurant, full hotel services;
🚌 The limousine bus to Akita Airport departs from the bus terminal right in front of the hotel: so easy, even with big luggage!

I booked my stay on Klook and you can do the same ✨
Use my code MARIJAPANKLOOK to get a discount on your booking 💙

17/01/2026

I always end up here somehow when in Tokyo 🗼

Asakusa is the heart of Tokyo’s sh*tamachi, the old downtown where everyday life, tradition, and community have shaped the city for centuries.

The word sh*tamachi literally means “low city,” referring to areas that developed near rivers and trade routes during the Edo period, where merchants, artisans, and common townspeople lived.

Unlike modern Tokyo’s skyscrapers and fast pace, Asakusa still preserves this down-to-earth atmosphere. Narrow streets, small family-run shops, traditional eateries, and local festivals. The area grew around Sensō-ji, Tokyo’s oldest temple, which has been a spiritual and social center for locals since the 7th century.

I love coming here at night especially and just stroll around after a day exploring the city.

📍Sensō-ji, Asakusa

16/01/2026

Straight out of a Ghibli movie ♨️

📍Ginzan Onsen, Yamagata

A beautifully preserved hot spring town in the mountains of Yamagata Prefecture. Lined with historic wooden ryokan from the Taishō era and set along a quiet river. One of the best times to visit is in winter, when snow and glowing lanterns create a magical atmosphere. ❄️

Book your tour on Klook and use my discount code MARIJAPANKLOOK 🎟️

04/01/2026

🍽️🌍 Have you ever heard of “Meal for Bridge”? It is a unique, family-focused international exchange project in Japan that connects traveling families with local Japanese host families to share a meal together and so much more! 🥰

This isn’t just a dinner invitation. It’s a cross-cultural experience where families sit at the same table, share stories, discover everyday Japanese life, and create meaningful memories during their time in Japan. 🍜

🧩 How it works:

1️⃣ Host families create a profile with their location, available date, and meal plan;
2️⃣ Visiting families browse plans and send a request;
3️⃣ Details are arranged via WhatsApp with support from the project team;
4️⃣ Families meet and enjoy a meal together;
5️⃣ A review is left to help future participants.

🍱 Why Meal for Bridge is special:

✨ Designed for families with kids, safe, relaxed, and welcoming!
✨ Helps visiting families experience Japan beyond tourist spots;
✨ Encourages real cultural exchange through food and conversation;
✨ A great way to build language confidence (no fluency required!).

📌 Perfect for:

✔ Japanese families who enjoy meeting people from around the world;
✔ Families traveling in Japan with children;
✔ Anyone curious about genuine cultural exchange!

住所

Osaka, Osaka