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Things to Do in Higashiyama Ward Kyoto | Best Temples, Dining, Hotels & Culture | MK Travel
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.
Sep 25


Things to Do in Shinjuku | Best Hotels, Bars & Attractions | MK Travel
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.
Sep 25


Shinsaibashi – Osaka’s Endless Arcade of Commerce & Culture | MK Deep Dive
Shinsaibashi is Osaka’s most iconic shotengai—an endless corridor of commerce where Edo-era independence meets neon chaos. Stretching nearly 600 meters through the heart of Minami, it blends designer flagships and street food stalls, Ame-mura’s street fashion and Triangle Park’s skaters, izakayas and cabaret clubs. More than a shopping street, it’s Osaka distilled: wild, stylish, and unforgettable.
Sep 1


Bondy Curry – Jimbocho’s Original European-Style Legend | MK Eats
Hidden behind Jimbocho’s bookstores, Bondy Curry is the legendary birthplace of Tokyo’s European-style curry. Founded in 1973 by Koichi Murata, an artist turned chef inspired by French brown sauces, Bondy set the standard for Jimbocho’s rise as “curry town.” Expect steaming potatoes with house butter, rich beef curry with a hint of fruit, and a line of devotees winding through the Showa-era stairwell.
Sep 1


Chikyu Masala – Spice, Sound & Six Seats of Mystery | MK Eats
Just off Shinjuku Sanchome’s C5 exit, Chakura Curry Tokyo is a hidden six-seat counter operated by a solo chef with a talent for soulful, spice-rich dishes. Coconut shrimp, mango chutney, turmeric rice, and pickled beets come together in a dish that defies genres and sparks wanderlust and quiet introspection. With self-serve sparkling water and posters encouraging travel around the world, this unassuming second-floor spot attracts Tokyo’s in-the-know creatives for good reason
Aug 7


Gion – Between Worlds in Kyoto’s Last Living Theater | MK Deep Dive
Explore Kyoto’s Gion District, where geishas still glide along cobblestone streets and tradition lives through the lantern-lit nights. This MK Deep Dive covers the history, atmosphere, etiquette, and must-try dining experiences that define Japan’s most iconic cultural neighborhood.
Jul 21


Totoro Forest in Itoshima – Discover Kyushu’s Hidden Ghibli Tunnel | MK Deep Dive
Tucked within Kaya Daimon Park in Itoshima, Totoro Forest is an unofficial Ghibli homage that stirs childhood memory and spiritual wonder. A camellia-lined tunnel evokes the magic of My Neighbor Totoro, where sunlight filters like grace through the canopy. With the Genkai Sea beyond and the scent of nostalgia in the air, this quiet forest path invites you to wander, reflect, and remember the beauty of what once was—or what we wish had been.
Jun 11


Ishiyama-dera — Where Literature Was Born and Gold Was Found | MK Deep Dive
Discover Ishiyama-dera Temple, where Murasaki Shikibu found the inspiration to write The Tale of Genji. Overlooking Lake Biwa, this hillside sanctuary fuses literary history with spiritual legend—gold-prayer miracles, moonlit musings, and the 13th stop on the Saigoku Kannon pilgrimage. Let MK guide you through cedar forests, Heian-era echoes, and the place where Japan’s first novel began.
Jun 10


Why MK? The Journey Becomes the Destination
Step into a different kind of journey with MK—Japan’s most refined private charter experience. From white-gloved drivers trained like pilots to luxury vehicles gliding through sacred temples and neon skylines, every ride is tailored to you. Discover Japan’s hidden gems with effortless comfort, local expertise, and unmatched hospitality. MK isn’t just transport—it’s the start of your story.
Jun 6


Kyoto’s Hidden Nine - A Local Friend’s Guide to the City’s Best-Kept Secrets
Discover Kyoto’s hidden side with MK’s curated list of nine secret spots—quiet temples, surreal stone gardens, back-alley pizzerias, and a cocktail bar with no menu. From the mossy stillness of Kōmyō-in to the invitation-only flame of Daichan Yakiniku, this guide goes beyond the tourist map and into Kyoto’s whispering soul. A luxury-minded look at the city’s best-kept secrets, made for those who’ve already seen the postcard.
May 20


Bagels, Slices, and Simulacra in Azabujuban | MK Eats
Azabujuban might be best known for its boutiques and designer dogs, but tucked between the luxury is a taste of New York—wax-paper-wrapped bacon, egg & cheese sandwiches and foldable pepperoni slices served with swagger. In this MK Presents dispatch, a Queens-born writer explores two Tokyo spots that channel NYC energy through simulated nostalgia, media-fueled devotion, and a surprising attention to greasy detail.
May 13


Tokyo Skytree — Where Height Meets Hype | MK Deep Dive
At 634 meters, Tokyo Skytree isn’t just the tallest tower in Japan—it’s a monument to engineering, resilience, and the high-definition spirit of Tokyo itself.
Apr 30


Top 5 Hitsumabushi Restaurants in Nagoya: Where Ritual Meets Flavor
Discover the top 5 Hitsumabushi restaurants in Nagoya, where ritual meets flavor. Experience Hitsumabushi's unique taste and tradition!
Mar 27


Top 5 Jingisukan Experiences in Sapporo: Smoke, Flame, and the Soul of Hokkaido
Discover the top 5 Jingisukan experiences in Sapporo, where smoke and flame reveal the soul of Hokkaido. Savor the true taste of Jingisukan!
Mar 27


Top 5 Hakata Ramen Spots in Fukuoka: Where to Savor Japan’s Tonkotsu Legacy
Discover the top 5 Hakata ramen spots in Fukuoka, where you can savor Japan’s Tonkotsu legacy. Uncover the rich flavors of Hakata ramen now!
Mar 27


Top 5 Places to Eat Ōmi Beef in Shiga: A Taste of Japan’s Oldest Wagyu Legacy
Discover the top 5 places to savor Ōmi Beef in Shiga, Japan's oldest wagyu legacy. Experience Ōmi Beef's rich history and exquisite taste.
Mar 24


Kobe Kitano Ijinkan - Top 10 Historic Western-Style Houses to Visit
Step onto the hillsides of Kobe's Kitano-ijinkan and you'll enter a storybook where East meets West. Born from the Ansei Treaties of...
Mar 20


Whispers from the Front Seat: Insider Picks from MK’s Finest (Vol. 2)
The night hums with the quiet rhythm of Tokyo—neon reflections shimmer in rain-slicked streets, the air growing sharper as winter loosens...
Feb 28


Whispers from the Front Seat: Insider Picks from the MK Crew (Vol. 1)
Step into the world of MK’s finest—elite drivers with the city's best-kept secrets. These are the hotspots only insiders know.
Feb 27


Narukawa Museum - A Window to Hakone’s Spirit | MK Deep Dive
Hakone’s Narukawa Museum offers more than art—it’s a portal to myths, mountain gods, and a view where reality blurs into legend.
Feb 26
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