Shinjuku is Tokyo’s beating heart—a district where neon streets, hidden bars, and tranquil gardens collide. From cherry blossoms at Shinjuku Gyoen to panoramic views at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, smoky yokochō alleys, Golden Gai nightlife, and luxury hotels, this guide covers it all. Discover where to eat, drink, shop, and stay with MK’s curated picks, offering the authentic side of Shinjuku beyond the crowds.
4 min read
Guide / TOKYO
Tokyu Plaza Harajuku (Harakado)
A multi-level shopping complex in Harajuku that blends fashion, culture, and dining, serving as a hub for Tokyo’s trendsetters.
Higashiyama Ward is Kyoto distilled—a living watercolor of stone lanes, willow-shaded riversides, and lantern-lit teahouses. Spared wartime destruction and preserved as Japan’s cultural ambassador, it anchors the nation’s past while Tokyo races toward the future. From World Heritage temples to discreet kaiseki kitchens, Higashiyama offers subtlety, depth, and immersion. Let MK guide you beyond the crowds into Kyoto’s most elegant and enduring heart.
4 min read
Guide / KYOTO
Go-En Kyoto Sanjo Shinmachi
Wagyu-rich yakiniku tucked into a remodeled machiya—offering A5 steaks, Kyoto beef, and private spaces suited for solo diners, dates, and gatherings.
Osaka’s Chūō Ward distills the city’s contradictions into nine square kilometers—history at Osaka Castle, neon in Dotonbori, commerce in Shinsaibashi. Here Michelin dining meets takoyaki stalls, and boutique hotels rise over smoky izakaya. MK Travel guides you through the heart of Osaka: where to eat, drink, stay, and wander in a district that is at once chaotic, charismatic, and endlessly alive.
5 min read
Guide / OSAKA
Pork Skewers Jinya Tennoji
A lively kushiyaki restaurant in Tennoji specializing in pork skewers grilled over charcoal, served with izakaya-style drinks.
One of Japan’s renowned "Three Great Night Views," Kikuseidai provides a sweeping panoramic view of Kobe, Osaka Bay, and the surrounding areas from the summit of Mount Maya.
High above Himeji on Mt. Shosha, Engyō-ji Temple has stood since 966 as a place of prayer, pilgrimage, and power. Once supported by emperors and daimyō, its halls and mountain paths still echo with a thousand years of devotion. From the stilted Maniden Hall to the vast Mitsunodō, the complex blends natural beauty with spiritual depth—and even served as a cinematic stage in The Last Samurai.
3 min read
Guide / KOBE
Yokoo Tadanori Museum of Contemporary Art
A bold, thought-provoking museum dedicated to the prolific and eccentric Yokoo Tadanori, located in a beautifully preserved Taisho-era public bath.
Tucked away in the quiet hills of Nagahama, Shakudoji Temple guards a powerful spiritual heritage. Known only to locals, it houses an eleven-faced Kannon carved by Saichō, the founder of Japan’s Tendai Buddhism. Surrounded by 130 ancient idols and rooted in a village of 40 households, the temple survived Nobunaga’s fires and the Meiji purge. Every autumn, it displays its treasures during the Kannon no Sato Festival. A place of silence, secrecy, and faith—unchanged for over a
3 min read
Guide / SHIGA
Amisada
A rustic lakeside restaurant in Ōtsu specializing in traditional Japanese irori cuisine, where fish and seasonal ingredients are slow-grilled over a sunken hearth.
A historical museum dedicated to Oda Nobunaga’s grand vision at Azuchi Castle, showcasing a full-scale replica of the castle’s main keep and rare cultural artifacts.
A brief but scenic ropeway journey offering breathtaking views of Lake Biwa and the ruins of Hachimanyama Castle—ideal to pair with historic canal walks below.
A historically rich shrine in the center of Ōmihachiman, famous for its elaborate floats, traditional fire festivals, and strong connections to merchant culture.
A luxury resort hotel nestled in Itoshima's Futamigaura area, offering spacious ocean-view suites, personalized amenities, and a seamless blend of self-hospitality and luxury.
MK’s General Fukuoka Course takes you deep into Kyushu’s soul—Dazaifu’s literary shrine, Kamado’s mystical mountain, the Couple Stones by the sea, a noble family’s living legacy, and a forest that whispers Ghibli dreams. This isn’t sightseeing. It’s memory. Story. Spirit. All delivered with MK’s signature comfort and cultural insight—no transfers, no timetables. Just time, slowed and sacred.
4 min read
Guide / FUKUOKA
Nyoirinji Frog Temple
A whimsical Buddhist temple in Ogori famous for its collection of over 10,000 frog statues representing safe returns and transformation.
A mountaintop observatory in Hoshinomura offers breathtaking views of the night sky, interactive stargazing activities, and educational exhibits on astronomy and folklore.
A dedicated manga museum in Kitakyushu showcasing the art, history, and creators of Japanese comics, featuring exhibits, reading areas, and interactive experiences.
A sweeping hilltop view with grazing sheep, panoramic sights of Sapporo, and a well-known statue honoring American agricultural pioneer William S. Clark.
MK Deep Dive uncovers Makomanai Takino Cemetery—an otherworldly mix of Moai statues, a Stonehenge replica, and Tadao Ando’s lavender-wrapped Head Buddha. Just outside Sapporo, this bizarre, beautiful site blends spiritual provocation with architectural vision. Descend into concrete prayer halls, wander among floral fields, and stumble upon hidden shrines in a cemetery that asks more questions than it answers.
2 min read
Guide / SAPPORO
Ohiso Nijo Market – Main Store
A popular seafood restaurant inside Sapporo’s Nijo Market, known for kaisendon, grilled fish, and early-morning dining.
Experience Japan’s timeless beauty with MK’s Takayama–Shirakawa-go Course. Travel from Nagoya or Chubu Airport to Shirakawa-go’s snow-covered heritage and Takayama’s preserved Edo streets—all from the comfort of a private charter. With MK’s seamless luxury and regional insight, this is a curated journey through Japan’s mountain soul—where silence, tradition, and wonder unfold at your pace.
3 min read
Guide / NAGOYA
Shikemichi Townscape Preservation District
A beautifully preserved merchant street from the Edo period, lined with kura storehouses, white plaster facades, and quiet backstreets full of history.
A peaceful urban farm providing hands-on agricultural activities, seasonal flower gardens, and close-up interactions with farm animals—popular for plum blossoms and family outings.
One of Japan’s largest zoo and botanical garden complexes, featuring animal encounters, seasonal plants, and panoramic city views from Higashiyama Sky Tower.
