Tribute to Astro Boy and Black Jack anime creator - Day trip to Tezuka Osamu Manga Museum

In May 2010, I traveled in Japan using the JR Pass. While traveling in Kansai Osaka area, I visited Tezuka Osamu Manga Museum 手塚治虫 記念館 in Takarazuka 宝塚 area between Osaka and Kobe.

Astro Boy statue at Tezuka Osamu Museum in Takarazuka

Osaka Reasonable Affordable Hotel

Updated on January-28th-2018

I have always liked to stay in Osaka during my trips to the Kansai area (Osaka, Kyoto, and Kobe) Staying at a hotel in Osaka will put travelers in the middle of the kansai area geographically. Being based in Osaka will allow travelers to have the easy access to Kyoto to the east, Kobe to the west, and Nara/Uji to the south. Osaka Hotels are typically less expensive than Tokyo hotels. For travelers with limited amount of vacation time, I believe in hotels in convenient locations or interesting areas. Many different areas in Osaka have different characteristics; certain area is more suitable for foodies and some areas are more suitable for shoppers. I have listed my recommendations for reasonably priced hotels in different areas in Osaka.

Wonderful Osaka

How to get from Kansai International Airport to Osaka, Kyoto or Kobe: KIX Airport Access and Transportation

With increased popularity of tourism in the Kansai (roughly Osaka, Kyoto, and Kobe) region in Japan, flying into Kansai International Airport (airport code: KIX) means travelers can save time on the easy access of the airport to the areas of interest in Kansai. I am dedicating this blog post to some of the most convenient ways to get to Osaka, Kyoto, or Kobe.

Access from Kansai International Airport to Osaka, Kyoto or Kobe is quite easy