Historic Shinto shrine in Shinagawa dedicated to the deity of purification and protection, known for its white snake symbolism and peaceful atmosphere.
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.
5 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.
Kobe’s Chūō Ward is the city’s cosmopolitan core, where harborfront icons meet hillside shrines and world-class dining. Walk Meriken Park’s open waterfront, ride the Nunobiki Ropeway into green calm, and taste the legend of Kobe beef in steakhouses that perfected marbled flavor. From Nankinmachi’s lantern-lit lanes to intimate cocktail bars and museums designed by masters, Chūō Ward carries Kobe’s story in every view, flavor, and quiet corner.
4 min read
Guide / KOBE
SUGOMoRI Resort Ikuno Kogen
Luxury glamping resort in the Asago mountains offering panoramic views, private domes, and a refined escape into Hyogo’s natural beauty.
On the eastern shores of Lake Biwa lies Hikone—a castle town where time slows and beauty endures. Wander its Edo-period gardens, savor Omi beef in quiet restaurants, and rest beneath the gaze of a centuries-old fortress. Let MK guide you through Shiga’s still waters and hushed paths to discover Japan as it truly is—unhurried, reflective, alive.
4 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 mountainside temple in Ōtsu, recognized as the 12th stop on the Saigoku Kannon Pilgrimage, famous for its peaceful forest setting and views of Lake Biwa.
Between mountains and the Genkai Sea, Itoshima unfolds as a living hymn to creation. On MK’s driver-guided tour, explore Sakurai Futamigaura’s wedded rocks, pause in seaside cafés, taste Mataichi salt pudding born of patience and prayer, and voyage into the divine Keya no Ōto sea cave. This is Itoshima — where nature, craft, and spirit move in quiet harmony, and every road leads a little closer to creation itself.
5 min read
Guide / FUKUOKA
Tōka Ebisu Shrine
A lively Fukuoka shrine dedicated to Ebisu, the god of good fortune and commerce, renowned for its vibrant New Year festival that attracts crowds from all over Kyushu.
A Hakata specialty restaurant serving premium grilled chicken over rice, enjoyed in three traditional styles inspired by Nagoya’s hitsumabushi tradition.
A seaside kaiseki restaurant in Itoshima serving refined, seasonal Japanese cuisine made with local seafood and vegetables, with views of the Genkai Sea.
A sweeping hilltop view with grazing sheep, panoramic sights of Sapporo, and a well-known statue honoring American agricultural pioneer William S. Clark.
Sapporo’s Chūō Ward is the city’s core—Odori’s green corridor, red-brick Akarenga, observatories overlooking night lights, and markets filled with crab, uni, and steaming miso ramen. Explore shrines, ride ropeways, enjoy jingisukan fresh off the grill, and relax in an urban ryokan. MK’s guide takes you to the best spots—quietly, precisely, deliciously.
8 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.
Often dismissed as “boring,” Nagoya hides its brilliance in plain sight. In Naka Ward—the city’s beating heart—history, craftsmanship, and nightlife converge. From the gold-crested towers of Nagoya Castle to the neon pulse of Sakae and the timeless calm of Osu Kannon, this is Japan unfiltered: industrious, genuine, and alive. MK reveals the real Nagoya—bold, grounded, and unforgettable.
5 min read
Guide / NAGOYA
Shiratama
An elegant Nagoya kaiseki restaurant serving refined seasonal cuisine with balance, artistry, and quiet hospitality.
A sophisticated urban hotel near JR Nagoya Station offering stylish comfort, contemporary design, and thoughtful amenities for both business and leisure travelers.
