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

Day trip to Hiroshima and Miyajima Island Part TWO - Atomic Bomb Dome, Peace Memorial Park and Museum

For the second half of the same day trip, I visited Atomic Bomb Dome, Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Museum. I finished the day by visiting Hiroshima Okonomiyaki mura (お好み焼き 村) for its famous Hiroshima style savory Okonomiyaki pancake.

May Peace Prevail on Earth. Atomic Bomb Dome. Hiroshima Japan.

Day trip to Hiroshima and Miyajima Island Part ONE - Itsukushima Shrine

In 2010, I traveled to Hiroshima (広島) and Miyajima Island (宮島) on a day trip while I was traveling through Japan using JR pass. My hotel was based in Fukuoka in Kyushu and I took the day trip to the Hiroshima area on a sunny day. I figured that Hiroshima is at midpoint between Osaka and Fukuoka, which also makes planning a day trip to the area from Osaka very feasible.

Sacred wedding ceremony. Hiroshima Miyajima Itsukushima Shrine

Planning for your trip to Osaka Kyoto and Kobe in Japan

Planning your own trip to Osaka/Kyoto/Kobe could be quite rewarding because the Kansai area is of close proximity of three major cities in west Japan, Osaka, Kyoto, and Kobe. Kansai offers great experiences in modernity in Osaka, history in Kyoto, and exquisite cuisine in Kobe. While many visitors tend to have strong desires to stay within Kyoto due the vast number of shrines and temples, I will always recommend having a mixture of the Osaka/Kyoto/Kobe flavors to enrich your diverse Kansai experiences.

Bustling Osaka provides easy access to both Kyoto and Kobe