Flower Fesitval
The Nagai Botanical Garden in Higashi-Sumiyoshi Ward, Osaka will hold a flower festival from May 12 to 17 beginning at 10am until 4:30pm. Various events will be held during the festival. People attending the festival will be able to enjoy handicrafts and gardening lessons. Herbal tea will be served for free during the event. Admission is ¥200. For more information call (06) 6696-7117.
Read MoreKyoto Cherry Blossoms at 70%
For cherry blossom lovers, Kyoto is not yet in full bloom. Blossoms are currently at 60 to 70 percent. With the latest rain and warm weather cherry blossoms should begin opening up and be mankai, be in full bloom,...
Read MoreJapanese Onsen: Hot Springs Everywhere in the Kansai Area
Do you like hot springs? If so, then if you visit Japan, you will feel like you are in Heaven…if you don’t mind taking your clothes off and bathing with a bunch of other naked people; usually same-sex, not the opposite. Japan is loaded with hot springs. The country lies along the Rim of Fire and has several active volcanoes. Below the earth’s surface, molten lava heats spring water and provides the country with a vast number of healthy mineral hot springs, or onsen in...
Read MoreCoffee Lesson at Starbucks in Sanjo
Did you know Starbucks gives lessons on how to make coffee and what foods to serve along with the dark brew? Starbucks on Sanjo in Kyoto gave a lesson to mothers with newborn babies. Starbucks staff sectioned off an area in the back of the shop for roughly 2 hours. Mother pushed their baby strollers in through the shop and parked them in the back alongside their nicely set tables awaiting them. Several women staff members presented them with taster cups of espresso topped with a daub of whipped...
Read MoreIKEA Grand Opening April 14
For those of you who don’t already know or haven’t heard, the opening date for IKEA Port Island is April 14, 2008, next Monday. IKEA will open at 10am and close at 10pm. These will be the regular hours of operation. It is unusual to keep a store like IKEA open that late in Kobe, but because there is a restaurant, which can hold up to 750 guests, IKEA expects to attract a good crowd from around Port Island and Sannomiya after people in the area finish work. Before you visit IKEA,...
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Perfect Weekend
Yesterday and today were perfect hanami days. It was the best weekend the Kansai area has seen in several years. Throngs of people were out enjoying the beautiful weather and cherry blossoms. The temperature yesterday was perfect. There was a slight breeze and the skies were mostly clear with only high upper clouds shading the ground below. For many, if their skin wasn’t somehow covered, either with clothing or sunscreen, they probably went back home with a slight suntan or...
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