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3 Min From Namba! Cross Hotel Osaka Is Our Latest Pick for Osaka’s Best Sightseeing Hotel

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How do you choose a good hotel in Osaka? In a city full of famous sights, must-eat local specialties, glittering lights, and alluring back alleys, what do you look for? To make the most of your trip, and enjoy the city from morning till night, you’ll want to choose an Osaka hotel within walking distance of major tourist destinations. And Cross Hotel Osaka is in an ideal location.

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Cross Hotel Osaka: The Ultimate Hotel for Osaka Sightseeing



Osaka is such a popular travel destination that it's part of what is often called Japan's Golden Route (Tokyo – Kyoto – Osaka)! It's a busy modern city with its own castle, a massively popular theme park, iconic city streets, and a reputation as "the kitchen of Japan" thanks to the wealth of famously delicious local food. It's the kind of sightseeing destination that often earns repeat visits, with travelers returning time and time again to sample the gourmet goodies and soak up the atmosphere.



In a big city with lots to see, where should you stay? Well, if you're looking for a practical Osaka hotel, Cross Hotel Osaka is conveniently located in the Namba/Shinsaibashi area, a 3-minute walk from Namba Station, basically a part of the Shinsaibashi-suji Shopping Street, and overlooking the famous sights of Dotonbori. It's even right across the street from the souvenir shopping go-to shop Don Quijote, so it's no exaggeration to say it's an ideal hotel for Osaka sightseeing.

Cross Hotel Osaka
2-5-15 Shinsaibashi-suji, Chuo-ku, Osaka
Check-in/Check-out: 15:00 / 11:00
Access: 3 min from Namba Station, 5 min from Shinsaibashi Station
Official Website (en)

A Hotel in the Osaka City Center



Already positioned in the ultimate location to welcome Osaka sightseers, Cross Hotel Osaka has also recently been working to develop its offerings and improve the guest experience, shifting from a "city hotel" to a more comfortable "lifestyle hotel." Even the hotel color scheme is changing, utilizing a forest green color to symbolize their commitment to the world, from eco-friendly efforts to LGBTQ-friendly facilities.

Guest Rooms



Imagine seeing the Glico Man from your hotel window! Cross Hotel Osaka's most exciting guest rooms are the Dotonbori View Rooms, which look right out over Dotonbori and the famous Glico sign. There are Dotonbori View Rooms from the 6th to 13th floors, but the lower floors (6~7) actually offer the most impressive view, with the Glico Man right outside your window. These rooms also come equipped with a Dyson hair dryer and a hair straightener, so even if you're in Osaka on a mission to take amazing selfies, you can travel lightly. Of course, Cross Hotel Osaka also offers a variety of other guest rooms to suit the needs of different travelers, including double, twin, king, triple, and suite options.

▶︎ Cross Hotel Osaka Guest Room Details

Hotel Ammenities and Services

One of the newest conveniences at Cross Hotel Osaka is their self-service luggage storage area in the lobby: a series of luggage racks equipped with cords and small padlocks, which guests are free to use before check-in or after check-out. Since you can access the luggage yourself throughout the day, you don't need to worry about waiting in line to retrieve it during the busier times of the day. Nearby, guests can collect the basic amenities they need for their stay from a shelf stocked with toothbrushes, hair brushes, razors, and wash clothes, which are kept in the lobby to cut down on waste from unused items left in the room. The hotel also has its own currency exchange machine available, which is a nice convenience when you realize you don't have quite enough yen ready for a busy day of shopping and sightseeing!

The “meetlounge”





Book a plan with lounge access to enjoy this comfortable space on the third floor! Cross Hotel Osaka's "meetlounge" has a large table with elegant chess and othello boards, along with comfortable seating by the window, perfect for a break from a busy day in Namba. The space also has wi-fi and plenty of power outlets, so you can use it to plan the day's itinerary, or even get some work done.





The lounge is well-stocked with snacks and hors d'oeuvres made with regional ingredients and local recipes, like quiche made with locally caught whitebait and Kansai akashiyaki (a version of takoyaki served in broth). To wash it all down, they also have ample drink options, including wine, beer, Japanese sake, and soft drinks. We recommend trying the Mikkuchu Juchu, a version of the local Kansai specialty "mix juice" made with a selection of different fruit juices! If you're interested in trying the sake, they have a few local brews, and sparkling sake with a fun little bit of fizz!

"meetlounge"
Hours: 15:00 – 22:00 (entry until 21:30)
Location: 3rd Floor

Breakfast





Cross Hotel Osaka also has a popular breakfast buffet, with breakfast basics and even a few local Osaka specialties. Starting with the salad bar, toppings include a hearty selection of proteins including beef, chicken, and salmon, to start the day feeling satisfied. Warm options, on the other hand, include a rotating selection of Osaka's famous griddle dishes, like ikayaki (a squid dish similar to okonomiyaki) and tonpeiyaki (made with pork belly and egg), so guests can enjoy something new every day. As one of their eco-friendly efforts, Cross Hotel Osaka exclusively uses ASC/MSC-approved sustainable seafood in their restaurant!

Over at the drink counter, the buffet includes a selection of fresh juices including the local specialty of "mix juice," and even a selection of desserts. (They also offer afternoon tea later in the day!)

Terrace & Dining Zero Breakfast
Hours: 7:00 – 10:30 (entry until 10:00)
Location: 3rd Floor
Reservation Page

At Cross Hotel, Osaka Is on Your Doorstep – Explore It on Foot!

Cross Hotel Osaka's location is unbeatable thanks to the easy access to so many tourist attractions and popular areas, largely within walking distance. If you're ready to set off from the hotel and see Osaka on foot, we've got a few recommendations for where to start (especially if it's your first time in Osaka), from sightseeing essentials to hot shopping spots, off-the-beaten-path local treasures, and the famous restaurants you won't want to miss.

First Time in Osaka? This Is the Place to Visit



Osaka's Minami area (a southern chunk of the city) is known for its sightseeing areas, and at the heart of it all is Dotonbori. This busy street is famously lined with huge colorful signs constructed to resemble huge octopuses or human-sized gyoza, and down below the shops sell souvenirs and tons of mouth-watering street food, including Osaka's beloved takoyaki (octopus balls). Where Dotonbori Street crosses with the Shinsaibashi-suji shopping street that runs through Shinsaibashi, you'll also find the iconic Glico Man sign, where generations of sightseers have come to copy the man's winning pose. At night, the area becomes even more lively and brightly-lit, as a center of Osaka nightlife. And best of all, it's all less than a five-minute walk from Cross Hotel Osaka!

Some Tips for Shoppers in Osaka



While the nearby Shinsaibashi-suji shopping street is worth strolling along, when it's time to get down to serious souvenir shopping, you'll want to visit Don Quijote. This chain of discount shops stocks all the snacks, cosmetics, anime merchandise, and other fun Japanese bits and bobs you could dream of, so it's hard not to fill up a shopping cart (or two) when you visit. Of course, when you end up with so many heavy shopping bags, the distance to your hotel becomes a matter of the utmost importance. Luckily, Cross Hotel is literally across the street from a multi-floored Don Quijote, so you can get all your stuff back to your room no problem.

Don Quijote Dotonbori Midosuji (ドン・キホーテ 道頓堀御堂筋店)
2-5-9 Nishishinsaibashi, Chuo Ward, Osaka
Hours: 10:00 – 4:00 (4 am the next morning)
Official Website (jp)
▶︎ 1 min on foot from Cross Hotel Osaka





For some seriously trendy shopping and cool cafes, look no further than the area west of Cross Hotel Osaka, especially the little areas called Amerika-Mura and Orange Street. These loosely connected neighborhoods are known for their fashion, with a mix of boutiques selling streetwear (Stussy, Supreme, BAPE, Carhartt), and a huge number of different vintage and thrift stores (Second Street, Override, and dozens more) selling used clothing to fit the wide variety of Japanese fashion trends. The overall area is great for vintage clothes shopping, but it's also filled with picturesque little alleys, and plenty of relaxed cafes, so it's a nice place to hang out without any aim in particular. If high fashion brands are more your style, you'll want to walk along Midosuji Road instead. Not only will you find the main entrance to Cross Hotel Osaka, but along the broad avenue you'll also find luxury brands and polished boutiques.

Amerika-Mura (アメリカ村)
2 Nishishinsaibashi, Chuo Ward, Osaka
▶︎ 6 min on foot from Cross Hotel Osaka

Orange Street (オレンジストリート 立花通り)
Minamihorie, Nishi Ward, Osaka
▶︎ 7 min on foot from Cross Hotel Osaka





Tucked away just a few steps from the wild noise and bright lights of Dotonbori, the peace and quiet of Hozenji Temple is a shock to the senses. This little oasis feels far from the crowds, and the temple courtyard is famous for its unique statue of Fudo Myoo (a Buddhist deity sometimes called Acala in English) covered fully in thick moss. Visitors line up to pray and make their wishes to this verdant deity, sloshing generous ladle-fulls of water as they go and keeping him well hydrated.

Next to this courtyard area, the alleys around Hozenji aren't nearly as busy as nearby Dotonbori, but they're actually home to quite a few small traditional restaurants and izakayas. If you want a slightly more traditional eating experience while exploring downtown Osaka, this might be a good area to look around.

Hozenji Temple (天龍山 法善寺)
1-2-16 Namba, Chuo Ward, Osaka

Hozenji Yokocho Alley (法善寺横丁)
1-1-6 Namba, Chuo Ward, Osaka

▶︎ 5 min on foot from Cross Hotel Osaka

Osaka for Foodies: Beyond the Basics





Osaka is a city famous for food, and most sightseers gravitate towards the city's most famous exports: okomiyaki and takoyaki. We get it, okonomiyaki and takoyaki are unbelievably delicious – but they're not the only great food options Osaka has to offer! One fun Osaka spot to check out is Jiyuken, a restaurant that specializes in "yoshoku" (洋食), which is Japan's very unique take on Western dishes. Jiyuken has been in operation since 1910, under four generations of owners, and over the years they've developed their own take on Japanese curry. Jiyuken's curry rice comes served with a raw egg in the middle, which you mix in to achieve a unique rich texture. Walking into the shop, it feels a little like you've been transported back 30 or 40 years, so it's a great place to experience a taste of classic Osaka.

Jiyuken Namba (自由軒 難波本店)
3-1-34 Namba, Chuo Ward, Osaka
▶︎ 8 min on foot from Cross Hotel Osaka







Kushikatsu might not be the most famous dish to come out of Osaka, but that doesn't make it any less of a local specialty! The dish is a simple one, with various meats and vegetables deep-fried on skewers and subsequently dipped in sauce (no double dipping), and in Osaka it can be found at cheap street food spots and fancy restaurants alike. But if you want to try the best of the best when it comes to kushikatsu, you can't go wrong with Kushinobo. Their omakase kushikatsu comes with somewhere around 12 hot, crispy skewers, which arrive on the table one at a time, accompanied by a selection of five different sauces. Simple, but oh so delicious! We also wholeheartedly recommend the vegetables served with homemade miso, which make a truly mouth-watering combo. Kushikatsu might not be the first thing you think of when you imagine high-end Japanese cuisine, but this is one Osaka meal worth trying.

Kushinobo Osaka Hozenji (串の坊 大阪法善寺本店)
1-5-6 Namba, Chuo Ward, Osaka
Hours: 11:30 – 22:00
▶︎ 6 min on foot from Cross Hotel Osaka

Find Yourself a Quiet Hotel on the Lively Streets of Namba



Whether it's your first trip to Osaka or your 50th, if you want to see everything that makes Osaka great – from the busy streets with bright neon signs to the quiet back alleys – you'll need a convenient hotel to call home base. For impeccably located lodgings within easy walking distance of Osaka's sightseeing hotspots and transportation hubs, you can't go wrong with Cross Hotel Osaka!

For more info and updates from Japan, check Japankuru for new articles, and don't forget to follow us on X (Twitter), Instagram, and Facebook!

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      Hokkaido (北海道) is the northernmost of the four main islands that make up Japan. The area is famous for Sapporo Beer, plus brewing and distilling in general, along with fantastic snow festivals and breathtaking national parks. Foodies should look for Hokkaido's famous potatoes, cantaloupe, dairy products, soup curry, and miso ramen!

    • Niki, in south-west Hokkaido, is about 30 minutes from Otaru. The small town is rich with natural resources, fresh water, and clean air, making it a thriving center for fruit farms. Cherries, tomatoes, and grapes are all cultivated in the area, and thanks to a growing local wine industry, it's quickly becoming a food and wine hotspot. Together with the neighboring town of Yoichi, it's a noted area for wine tourism.

    • Niseko is about two hours from New Chitose Airport, in the western part of Hokkaido. It's one of Japan's most noted winter resort areas, and a frequent destination for international visitors. That's all because of the super high-quality powder snow, which wins the hearts of beginners and experts alike, bringing them back for repeat visits. That's not all, though, it's also a great place to enjoy Hokkaido's culinary scene and some beautiful onsen (hot springs).

    • Otaru is in western Hokkaido, about 30 minutes from Sapporo Station. The city thrived around its busy harbor in the 19th and 20th centuries thanks to active trade and fishing, and the buildings remaining from that period are still popular attractions, centered around Otaru Canal. With its history as a center of fishing, it's no surprise that the area's fresh sushi is a must-try. Otaru has over 100 sushi shops, quite a few of which are lined up on Sushiya Dori (Sushi Street).

    • SAPPORO

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      Sapporo, in the south-western part of Hokkaido, is the prefecture's political and economic capital. The local New Chitose Airport see arrivals from major cities like Tokyo and Osaka, alongside international flights. Every February, the Sapporo Snow Festival is held in Odori Park―one of the biggest events in Hokkaido. It's also a hotspot for great food, known as a culinary treasure chest, and Sapporo is a destination for ramen, grilled mutton, soup curry, and of course Hokkaido's beloved seafood.

    • Consisting of six prefectures, the Tohoku Region (東北地方) is up in the northeastern part of Japan's main island. It's the source of plenty of the nation's agriculture (which means great food), and packed with beautiful scenery. Explore the region's stunning mountains, lakes, and hot springs!

    • Akita Prefecture is on the Sea of Japan, in the northern reaches of Japan's northern Tohoku region. Akita has more officially registered important intangible culture assets than anywhere else in Japan, and to this day visitors can experience traditional culture throughout the prefecture, from the Oga Peninsula's Namahage (registered with UNESCO as a part of Japan's intangible cultural heritage), to the Tohoku top 3 Kanto Festival. Mysterious little spots like the Oyu Stone Circle Site and Ryu no Atama (Dragon's Head) are also worth a visit!

    • FUKUSHIMA

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      Fukushima Prefecture sits at the southern tip of Japan's northern Tohoku region, and is divided into three parts with their own different charms: the Coastal Area (Hama-dori), the Central Area (Naka-dori), and the Aizu Area. There's Aizu-Wakamatsu with its Edo-era history and medieval castles, Oze National Park, Kitakata ramen, and Bandai Ski Resort (with its famous powder snow). Fukushima is a beautiful place to enjoy the vivid colors and sightseeing of Japan's beloved four seasons.

    • YAMAGATA

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      Yamagata Prefecture is up against the Sea of Japan, in the southern part of the Tohoku region, and it's especially popular in winter, when travelers soak in the onsen (hot springs) and ski down snowy slopes. International skiiers are especially fond of Zao Onsen Ski Resort and Gassan Ski Resort, and in recent years visitors have been drawn to the area to see the mystical sight of local frost-covered trees. Some destinations are popular regardless of the season, like Risshakuji Temple, AKA Yamadera, Ginzan Onsen's nostalgic old-fashioned streets, and Zao's Okama Lake, all great for taking pictures. Yamagata is also the place to try Yonezawa beef, one of the top 3 varieties of wagyu beef.

    • Japan's most densely populated area, the Kanto Region (関東地方) includes 7 prefectures: Gunma, Tochigi, Ibaraki, Saitama, Tokyo, Chiba, and Kanagawa, which means it also contains the Tokyo Metropolitan Area. In modern-day Japan, Kanto is the cultural, political, and economic heartland of the country, and each prefecture offers something a little different from its neighbors.

    • Gunma Prefecture is easily accessible from Tokyo, and in addition to the area's popular natural attractions like Oze Marshland and Fukiware Falls, Gunma also has a number of popular hot springs (Kusatsu, Ikaho, Minakami, Shima)―it's even called an Onsen Kingdom. The prefecture is popular with history buffs and train lovers, thanks to spots like world heritage site Tomioka Silk Mill, the historic Megane-bashi Bridge, and the Watarase Keikoku Sightseeing Railway.

    • TOCHIGI

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      Tochigi Prefecture's capital is Utsunomiya, known for famous gyoza, and just an hour from Tokyo. The prefecture is full of nature-related sightseeing opportunities year-round, from the blooming of spring flowers to color fall foliage. Tochigi also has plenty of extremely well-known sightseeing destinations, like World Heritage Site Nikko Toshogu Shrine, Lake Chuzenji, and Ashikaga Flower Park―famous for expansive wisteria trellises. In recent years the mountain resort town of Nasu has also become a popular excursion, thanks in part to the local imperial villa. Tochigi is a beautiful place to enjoy the world around you.

    • Tokyo (東京) is Japan's busy capital, and the most populous metropolitan area in the world. While the city as a whole is quite modern, crowded with skyscrapers and bustling crowds, Tokyo also holds onto its traditional side in places like the Imperial Palace and Asakusa neighborhood. It's one of the world's top cities when it comes to culture, the arts, fashion, games, high-tech industries, transportation, and more.

    • The Chubu Region (中部地方) is located right in the center of Japan's main island, and consists of 9 prefectures: Aichi, Fukui, Gifu, Ishikawa, Nagano, Niigata, Shizuoka, Toyama, and Yamanashi. It's primarily famous for its mountains, as the region contains both Mt. Fuji and the Japanese Alps. The ski resorts in Niigata and Nagano also draw visitors from around the world, making it a popular winter destination.

    • Nagano Prefecture's popularity starts with a wealth of historic treasures, like Matsumoto Castle, Zenkoji Temple, and Togakushi Shrine, but the highlight might just be the prefecture's natural vistas surrounded by the "Japanese Alps." Nagano's fruit is famous, and there are plenty of places to pick it fresh, and the area is full of hot springs, including Jigokudani Monkey Park―where monkeys take baths as well! Thanks to the construction of the Hokuriku shinkansen line, Nagano is easily reachable from the Tokyo area, adding it to plenty of travel itineraries. And after the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics, ski resorts like Hakuba and Shiga Kogen are known around the world.

    • Aichi Prefecture sits in the center of the Japanese islands, and its capital city, Nagoya, is a center of politics, commerce, and culture. While Aichi is home to major industry, and is even the birthplace of Toyota cars, it's proximity to the sea and the mountains means it's also a place with beautiful natural scenery, like Saku Island, Koijigahama Beach, Mt. Horaiji. Often used a stage for major battles in Japanese history, Sengoku era commanders like Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and Tokugawa Ieyasu left their own footprints on Aichi, and historic buildings like Nagoya Castle, Inuyama Castle, and those in Meiji Mura are still around to tell the tale.

    • NIIGATA

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      Niigata is a prefecture on Japan's main island of Honshu, situated right on the coast of the Sea of Japan, and abundant with the gifts of nature. It's known for popular ski resorts such as Echigo-Yuzawa, Japanese national parks, and natural hot spring baths, plus local products like fresh seafood, rice, and sake. Visitors often spend time in the prefectural capital, Niigata City, or venture across the water to Sado Island.

    • SHIZUOKA

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      Shizuoka Prefecture is sandwiched between eastern and western Japan, giving the prefecture easy access to both Tokyo and Osaka. Not only is it known for beautiful natural attractions, with everything from Mount Fuji to Suruga Bay, Lake Hamanako, and Sumata Pass―Shizuoka's Izu Peninsula is known as a go-to spot for hot springs lovers, with famous onsen like Atami, Ito, Shimoda, Shuzenji, and Dogashima. Shizuoka attracts all kinds of travelers thanks to historic connections with the Tokugawa clan, the Oigawa Railway, fresh eel cuisine, Hamamatsu gyoza, and famously high-quality green tea.

    • Kansai (関西) is a region that includes Mie, Nara, Wakayama, Kyoto, Osaka, Hyogo, and Shiga Prefectures. Kansai contained Japan's ancient capital for hundreds of years, and it's making a comeback as one of the most popular parts of Japan. Kyoto's temples and shrines, Osaka Castle, and the deer of Nara are all considered must-sees. Plus, the people of Kansai are especially friendly, making it a fun place to hang out.

    • Kyoto flourished as the capital of Japan between the years 794 and 1100, becoming a center for poilitics and culture, and to this day it's a great place for close encounters with Japanese history. The cobbled streets of Gion, the atmospheric road to Kiyomizudera Temple, Kinkakuji's golden walls and countless historic attractions, even Arashiyama's Togetsukyo Bridge―Kyoto is a place of many attractions. With new charms to experience throughout the seasons, travelers can't stop themselves from returning again and again.

    • Nara Prefecture's important history reaches back to 710, a time now called the Nara era, when it was once capital of Japan. Called "Heijo-kyo" during its time as a capital, it's said that nara was once the end of the silk road, leading it to flourish as a uniquely international region and produce important cultural properties of all kinds. To make the most of each season, travelers head to Nara Park, where the Nara deer who wander freely, or climb Mount Yoshino, a famous cherry blossom spot.

    • Osaka is known for friendly (and funny) people, but its history is nothing to laugh at, playing a major part in Toyotomi Hideyoshi's 16th century unification of Japan. Thanks to long years of economic activity, it's one of Japan's biggest cities, and Osaka's popular food culture earned it the nickname "The Kitchen of the Nation." To this day Osaka is the model of western Japan, and alongside historic structures like Osaka Castle, it also has major shopping malls like Umeda's Grand Front Osaka and Tennoji's Abeno Harukas. Osaka is a place to eat, eat, eat, with local specialties like takoyaki, okonomiyaki, and kushi-katsu, and for extra fun, it's home to Universal Studios Japan.

    • CHUGOKU

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      The Chugoku Region (中国地方) consists of five prefectures: Hiroshima, Okayama, Shimane, Tottori, and Yamaguchi. In Chugoku you’ll find the sand dunes of Tottori, and Hiroshima’s atomic bomb site, plus centers of ancient history like Grand Shrine of Izumo.

    • HIROSHIMA

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      Hiroshima Prefecture has everything, from world heritage sites to beautiful nature and delicious local cuisine, and it's either an hour and a half from Tokyo by plane, or four hours by train. Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima Island and the Atomic Bomb Dome, two Hiroshima UNESCO sites, are famous around the world, but in Japan it's also famous for food. Seafood from the Seto Inland Sea, especially oysters, Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki, and Setouchi lemons are all popular, and the natural scenery alone is worth seeing.

    • SHIKOKU

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      On the other side of the Seto Inland Sea opposite Japan’s main island, Shikoku (四国) is a region made up of four prefectures: Ehime, Kagawa, Kochi, and Tokushima. The area is famous for its udon (in Kagawa), and the beautiful Dogo Onsen hot springs (in Ehime).

    • Kagawa Prefecture is on the northern part of the island of Shikoku, facing Japan's main island and the Seto Inland Sea. It's known for being the smallest prefecture in Japan, by area, but at the same time Kagawa is called the "Udon Prefecture" thanks to its famous sanuki udon. Aside from Kotohiragu Shrine and Ritsurin Garden, the prefecture's small islands are popular, and Kagawa is full of unique destinations, like Angel Road. They say that if you lay eyes on Zenigata Sunae, a huge Kagawa sand painting, you'll never have money troubles ever again.

    • Located in the most southwestern part of Japan, Kyushu (九州) is an island of 7 prefectures: Fukuoka, Saga, Nagasaki, Kumamoto, Oita, Miyazaki, and Kagoshima. The island's unique culture has been influenced by Chinese and Dutch trade, along with missionaries coming in through Nagasaki's port. Modern-day travelers love the lush natural scenery and fresh food, plus the natural hot springs found all throughout the area (thanks to volcanic activity)!

    • FUKUOKA

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      Fukuoka Prefecture has the highest population on the southern island of Kyushu, with two major cities: Fukuoka and Kitakyushu. Thanks to growing transportation networks, Fukuoka is more accessible than ever, and so are the many local attractions. On top of historical spots like Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, travelers shouldn't miss Fukuoka's food scene, with motsu nabe (offal hotpot), mentaiko (spicy cod roe), and famous Hakata ramen―best eaten from a food stall in the Nakasu area of Hakata. Plus, it's full of all sorts of destinations for travelers, like trendy shopping centers, and the beautiful nature of Itoshima and Yanagawa.

    • KAGOSHIMA

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      Kagoshima Prefecture played a major role in Japan's modernization as a backdrop for famous historical figures like samurais Saigo Takamori and Okubo Toshimichi, who pushed Japan out of the Edo era and into the Meiji. Because of that, Sengan-en Garden is just one of many historical destinations, and when it comes to attractions Kagoshima has plenty: the active volcano of Sakurajima, popular hot springs Ibusuki Onsen and Kirishima Onsen, World Heritage Site Yakushima Island, even what Japan calls the "island closest to heaven," Amami Oshima. Kagoshima might be found on the very southernmost tip of the southern island of Kyushu, but there's plenty to see.

    • OKINAWA

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      The island chain of Okinawa (沖縄) makes up the southernmost tip of Japan, which is why it's also the most tropical area in the country. Thanks to a history of independence and totally distinct political and cultural events, Okinawa has a unique culture, and remnants of the Ryukyu Kingdom are still visible all over the islands. Food, language, traditional dress, it's all a little different! It's also said to be the birthplace of karate.

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