Kansai News » Kansai Visitors

Shops All Closed Down

Kyle Yates — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 14:24:34 +0000

Ever try to go shopping in Japan on January 1st? Even though there are shops like Costco and other large supermarkets that are open, finding most other shops open on the first day of the new year is difficult. Most shops in Japan close on January 1st and many don’t even open back up until after the 5th.

Years ago, ATMs used to closed from before January 1st and wouldn’t be available for use until around the 4th or 5th. If you needed money, you had to get it out of the bank before then, otherwise you’d be without money for almost a whole week. Nowadays, ATMs are open 24 hours at convenient stores, and some are open at other locations. But banks are generally still closed during the New Year holiday period.

Another place that closes down on the 1st is gas stations. If you wish to get gas on January 1st, good luck. You can find some on major highways, but ones in local townships are generally closed for at least on day.

Anyone traveling to Japan during the New Year holiday period should remember this and make sure to have enough cash available because stores, even large ones, sometimes don’t take credit cards. If you don’t have cash, you’re stuck, especially at restaurants!

Correction to the Momiji Process

Kyle Yates — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 00:47:22 +0000

Cold weather has finally made its way to Japan, but it has been a slow change. Japanese maple and ginko trees have been slow changing colors. Last year, the process was just as slow though.

The previous prediction that maple leaves would be ready for viewing unfortunately was incorrect. Maple leaves are still green in many areas around the Kansai region. Some are red. Some are yellow. Finding really bright red maple leaves is getting easier as winter approaches, but they are few and far between.

The better areas to find momiji are in the higher mountain areas or where trees are in direct sunlight.

Good luck finding really red maples! When you do find some, let us know where you found them.

Momiji Finally Changing Colors!

Kyle Yates — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 01:51:48 +0000

Temperatures are finally beginning to drop in the Kansai region. What does that mean? It means you can prepare a momiji trip because Japanese maple leaves will soon be red in many areas around the region.

Trees in mountain areas started changing last week, while trees in lower elevations are still green because temperatures have not been cold enough to cause a change. Because temperatures have dropped the past few days, trees all around the region will begin changing colors from now on. Trees in mountain regions will be red in some places this weekend, but colors will still be in a between stage.

Next weekend will most likely be the perfect time to view maple leaves still on the trees in bright reds and yellows and greens. Wait one more week and the leaves will begin falling.

Based on weather last year, which was similar to this year, the last weekend before December was the best time to view Japanese maples. The first weekend of December was also a good time to view maple leaves, but by that time most of the leaves had already fallen. Only a few trees on the first weekend of December still had leaves on them. Still, it was beautiful!

Preparing for Momiji

Kyle Yates — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 06:50:46 +0000

Every year around the beginning of autumn, just before the leaves begin changing their colors, you begin to hear the word, momiji, batted about in conversation. Momiji itself means Japanese maple. But in conversation when someone uses momiji suru or momiji miru they mean viewing Japanese maple and other autumn tree leaf colors.

Right now is that time!

As temperatures begin to fall, people are beginning to talk about momiji viewing. It will continue to be the hot topic here in Japan until the last autumn leaves have fallen.

What most people want to know is “Where and when to go?”

Many people go to parks, shrines and temples, while others go to the countryside. Momiji viewing is done individually, as a date with someone you love or as a group. Most people in Japan from now on will be talking about momiji.

Momiji will be the hot topic on this site until sometime in December, just before Christmas. So keep your eyes and ears open. You will find many great places to go momiji viewing, too.

Radiation Air-flow Pattern Over Osaka and Kyoto

Kyle Yates — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 09:53:45 +0000

According to the Norwegian institute for air research, tomorrow is not a good day to go outdoors in the Kansai region or anywhere else in western Japan, unless you don’t mind taking a chance on getting irradiated.

According to them, radiation coming from the Fukushima plant will be passing over the Kansai region starting tonight and throughout the rest of the day tomorrow.

Click this site for the air pattern and map. Radiated Air-flow Map

Hanami: Late Start

Kyle Yates — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 23:05:29 +0000

Cherry blossoms got a late start this year. The season is about a weekend a half later than it has been in the past few years.

The cherry blossoms right now are at about 20 to 30% bloomed. Mountain and hillsides are turning a light shade of pink.

If you wish to see a mix of cherry blossoms and cherry blossom buds, now’s a good time to go. If you wish to see them in full-bloom, mankai, this weekend would be the best time to go.

Snowy Weather Ahead in February

Kyle Yates — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 14:48:09 +0000

Snow came to the Kansai region and much of Japan today. Where the prior storm brought tons of snow, this one isn’t dumping as much. However, more snow is predicted to fall for the end of this week into next week as well.

If traveling in Japan, be prepared for cold snowy or rainy weather.

Snowy February

Slight Flu-like Symptoms Going Around

Kyle Yates — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 14:40:17 +0000

There are fewer numbers of people reporting flu-like symptoms this winter so far. The main flu-like symptoms many have reported are stomach aches and headaches. Most cases of flu have not been serious and fevers have been low.

Northern Kyoto Receiving Snow Four Days

Kyle Yates — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 03:36:32 +0000

The latest storm to hit Japan has brought snow from Hokkaido to as far south as Kyushu along with lows below freezing.

For the past four days cities and towns up and down the Japan seaside have been getting snow.

The snow in Kyoto City (4cm) pales in comparison to the amount being dumped on the northern areas of Kyoto.

Current conditions for powder-skiing are ripe most anywhere in Japan!

Snowy Kamogawa

Cold Weather Blowing In

Kyle Yates — Sat, 15 Jan 2011 04:51:42 +0000

The whole of Japan is coming under cold weather this weekend as a cold front is blowing down from mainland Asia.

People in the Kansai region will see temperatures dropping below freezing for the next few days along with snow in Osaka and Kyoto. Temperatures tonight will be 23F/-5C and just above freezing throughout the day tomorrow.