Kansai News

Compare Hotel Prices of the Big Guys!

Kyle Yates — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 12:31:19 +0000

Now there is a much easier way to find the best hotel prices around the Kansai area, and the world for that matter!

Use the new KansaiConnect Hotel Finder and find the lowest prices by comparing all the largest hotel sites around the globe like:

AsiaRooms.com
Expedia.com
Hilton.com
HotelClub.com
Hotels.com
OctopusTravel.com
Priceline.com
RatesToGo.com
Travelocity.com
Venere.com

and many more, just to name the larger ones!

Click here to find your hotel now! Or click the Hotel Finder image above!

Seeking Musicians

Kyle Yates — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 22:59:10 +0000

The Phoenix Hall in the Kita Ward of Osaka is offering the hall to talented musicians free of charge on select dates in 2011 as a part of arts and cultural activities sponsored by Nissay Dowa General Insurance Company, which operates the venue.

The hall will be available February 2, March 2, July 6 and August 3.

Anyone wishing to use the hall can obtain an application form from the website Phoenix Hall. Thr deadline to apply is January 29.

For more information call (06) 6363-0211.

Illumination Cruises

Kyle Yates — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 03:23:52 +0000

Osaka Castle

The Osaka Suijo Bus Ltd. will operate two special evening cruises to view the holiday illuminations in Osaka from December 12 to 25 from the Yodoyabashi Port.

The Romantic Illumination Cruise will be 50 minutes long and feature live music and illuminations in the Nakanoshima district. The cost is ¥2000 for adults and ¥1000 for children.

The Renaissance Illumination Cruise will be 25 minutes long and travel along the illuminated donjons (castle keeps) of Osaka Castle. The cost is ¥850 for adults and ¥400 for children.

For more information, details and reservations call (06) 6942-5511.

Special Christmas Dinner

Kyle Yates — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 23:17:23 +0000

Rapport coffee house in the Kyoto Century Hotel in the Shimogyo Ward of Kyoto will serve a special Christmas dinner from December 19-25.

The menu features:

marinated salmon
pasta in crab and shrimp tomato sauce
scallops and sea bream in a white wine sauce
fillet steak in a truffle and Madeira wine sauce
bread
dessert
coffee or tea

The price for the dinner is ¥5775.

Call (075) 351-0111 for more information.

Wicked: The Broadway Musical

Kyle Yates — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 23:11:20 +0000

The Broadway musical Wicked will be performed at Osaka Shiki Theater in the Kita Ward of Osaka until January 3, 2010; performance by Shiki Theater Company.

The cost is between ¥3000-¥9000.

For more information call (06) 4796-6700.

Foreign Residents Potluck Party

Kyle Yates — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 22:30:49 +0000

The Minoh Association for Global Awareness will hold a potluck party for foreign residents of Minoh City on December 12, from 12:30pm to 3:30pm at Minoh City Hall’s Toyokawa Branch.

The event is open to foreign residents and their family and friends. Attendees need to bring food or drinks.

For more information call (072) 727-6912.

2009 Kobe Luminarie

Kyle Yates — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 13:48:58 +0000

This year, the Kobe Luminarie will be held from December 3rd to 14th, 2009. The area will be open from 6pm to 9:30pm from Monday thru Thursday each week, on Fridays from 6pm to 10pm, Saturdays from 5:30pm to 10pm and on Sunday from 5:30pm to 9:30pm.

If you wish to experience the Kobe Luminarie, it is best to take the train. Traveling there by car will take much more time out of your day because of heavy traffic. Also, if you visit the area earlier in the month, you will experience less foot traffic, as the event goes on more and more people gather to enjoy it. But if you like crowds, then later in the month is for you.

To get to the Luminarie take the Hanshin Railway line to any of the stations between Motomachi and Sannomiya stations.

NOTE: Illumination area times may change due to weather changes.

Tani House, Kyoto

Kyle Yates — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 23:13:38 +0000

Tani House is a famous landmark guest house for foreigners in Kyoto. The Japanese style guest house was started in 1970 by Seiko Tani when she began assisting foreign visitors allowing them to stay at her house near Daitokuji Temple during their visit to Kyoto. It is a great place to relax and sleep on Japanese futons and experience true Japanese lifestyle.

A short walk away from Tani House, visitors can enjoy Daitokuji Temple, well-known for its several natural treasures, and typical Japanese surroundings.

Tani House is a place where foreigners can talk with others from around the world and exchange culture. Mrs. Tani and other members of the household try to help foreigners learn Japanese customs and way of thinking during their stay. The Tani Family tries to better its accommodations and atmosphere all the time, and is waiting for you to visit Kyoto.

Address:
8 Daitokujichi, Murasakino
Kita-ku, Kyoto
603-8231, Japan

Phone: 075-492-5489
Annex Phone Number: 090-3262-5138

Tani House

Pomme Cafe

Kyle Yates — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 08:14:28 +0000

Enjoy a stroll along the philosopher’s trail in Kyoto. And afterwards, stop by Visit the Pomme Cafe for fresh homemade cakes and coffee.

Pomme Cafe is located along the Dainisosui in north eastern Kyoto. To get there, you can take a bus, taxi or walk from Demachiyanagi Keihan station.

For more information contact the owners who speak both Japanese and English or just look for this unique cafe on your next hike along the philosopher’s trail.

144 Shimominamida-cho
Jodoji Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8404

Phone: 075-771-9692

Catch’em While You Can

Kyle Yates — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:00:17 +0000

Japanese maples are beginning to turn into their beautiful yellow, orange and red autumn colors. Tis the season for momiji viewing.

You would expect during a normal autumn season to see thousands upon thousands of people roaming here and there admiring the beautiful autumn leaves, but that is not quite the case this year.

Be it so called global warming or just another side of the way God created the earth, rain is pouring over Japan a little more than usual at this time of year. Usually rain doesn’t start falling this much until the leaves are at the end of the autumn cycle.

Autumn, however it goes, does not wait for man. Man cannot change it or slow the process down. We can only take it as it comes and enjoy the ride.

If people in Japan want to see momiji this year, they are going to have to endure getting wet or put on some rain gear and buy a new waterproof camera because rain is in the forecast off and on for the next week.