Japan’s tourist crowds in spring 2024
Japan is seeing record numbers of foreign tourists ever since Japan fully reopened to overseas tourists in Oct. 2022. The pent-up demand for Japan together with the favorable currency exchange…
Origin of Osaka prefectural name
OSAKA – Big Slope 大阪府 The name “Osaka” can be largely credited to Rennyo (蓮如 1415–1499), the 8th Chief Abbot (Monshu) of the Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji-ha Buddhist sect. He built…
Pacific Venus cruise ship
Update: Sadly, Pacific Venus has retired from cruising with its final voyage ending on Jan. 4, 2023. Ship owner Japan Cruise Line announced on Nov. 1, 2022 that it will…
Tower of the Sun, Expo ’70 Commemorative Park, Suita, Osaka
Over half a century ago in 1970, Japan held the biggest and grandest world exposition the world had ever seen. It was Expo ’70 in Suita, Osaka from March to…