Jumbo Ferry
The ferry route “Jumbo Ferry” connects Kobe, Shodoshima, and Takamatsu. Shodoshima is a popular area with many scenic and photo-worthy attractions, including Olive Park, Angel Road, and Kankakei Gorge. The two operating vessels, “Ritsurin 2” and “Aoi,” both offer facilities that combine comfort and functionality.
When taking the Aoi, I recommend paying a little extra to upgrade to Premium.
It feels so much more luxurious!
THE COSMOPOLITAN GRILL BAR TERRACE
A New York-style grill restaurant on the 9th floor of the Grand Front Osaka South Building. Its open, airy interior offers views of the Osaka skyline and lush gardens through large windows. Sophisticated interiors created in collaboration with GLAMOROUS co.,ltd., led by internationally renowned interior designer Yasumichi Morita, and attentive service provide a memorable experience.
This restaurant is in a great location.
You can also enjoy the nighttime view of Umeda from the terrace.
Handmade Hamburg Steak Workshop Toshi
A hamburg steak specialty restaurant in a prime location in central Sapporo, just Approx. 1 minute on foot from Odori Subway Station. Easy to stop by between sightseeing and shopping, it attracts many visitors from both inside and outside Hokkaido. Its flavors are highly praised, having won the Gold Prize at the National Hamburg Grand Prix and been selected as one of Tabelog’s Top 100 Restaurants.
This place is so popular that there's a wait even in the early afternoon on weekdays, but the food is well worth the wait.
Otsuka Museum of Art
The museum houses more than 1000 works, ranging from antiquity to the 20th century and collected from over 190 museums in 26 countries. The full-size faithful replicas were created using a special technology on ceramic plates. The paintings are reproduced onto ceramic plates which, the museum claims, will preserve their colors and shapes for as long as 2000 years. The museum particularly wishes, with its unique methods, to contribute to the recording and perseveration of the world’s valuable cultural heritage.
It’s no exaggeration to call this museum a theme park for adults.
Like the Louvre in Paris, it’s the kind of museum where you can spend the entire day without getting tired of it—something that’s hard to find elsewhere.
Even though the works are replicas, it’s wonderful to experience them at full scale, and here you can get up close to examine the fine details.
If I had the time, I’d want to visit again and again.
Akita Nagaya Sakaba
Just a 3-minute walk from JR Akita Station, Akita Nagaya Sakaba is an izakaya where you can enjoy Akita's local cuisine and regional sake all at once. Its exterior, decorated with giant red and blue Namahage masks, makes it easy to spot. Locals also love it as a place to experience Akita's traditional Namahage culture.
This place was satisfying enough in both the food and entertainment that it made me think, “I’m really glad this was my first dinner in Akita.”
I recommend coming after 7:00 PM so you can catch the 8:00 PM Namahage performance.
It’s also best to make a reservation.
MOL Sunflower (Kansai–Beppu Route)
The new Sunflower ferries Sunflower Kurenai and Sunflower Murasaki, which began service in 2023, connect Osaka and Beppu with overnight journeys departing in the evening and arriving the following morning. The trip itself becomes a highlight of your journey, offering a luxurious and relaxing experience.
It felt like riding in a moving hotel lounge.
The lobby goes from the 6th to 8th floors, so the space feels really open and you can relax and take your time.
The sleeping area is like a capsule hotel, so you still have privacy and can get a good night’s sleep.
There is a bit of rocking while the ship is sailing at night, so if you’re sensitive to movement, it might be a little hard to sleep.
Onboard Wi‑Fi has a limit on how many times you can connect, so if you want to watch videos or listen to music on the ship, I recommend downloading everything in advance.
Uncle Rikuro’s Freshly Baked Cheesecake
Uncle Rikurou's freshly baked cheesecake" has been famous in the local market since 1984 for its fluffy texture and delicious taste. Since then, its reputation has spread nationwide, and it is now known as Osaka's famous confectionery.
This is the kind of cake you should definitely buy locally and share with everyone. The value is honestly amazing—just JPY 765 for this size and flavor!
That said, it's pretty big and bulky, so it's not the best choice to carry home as a souvenir.
It's so delicious, though, that you'll want to find a way to share it...
Well, good news! You can order it online!
Definitely take advantage of that option!
Hirokazuya Higashidori Store
Located on the south side of the bustling Hankyu Higashidori Shopping Street in the Umeda area, this restaurant operates daily until 5 a.m. The first floor features counter seats, while the second floor accommodates both small and large groups with table seating. Each seat has its own griddle, allowing patrons to enjoy the fresh-off-the-griddle taste until the very last bite.
Out of all the okonomiyaki spots, Hirokazuya Higashidori Store is a sure bet.
It's open until 5 a.m., so it's perfect if you want to hang out until the first train.
I always recommend this place to first-time visitors to Osaka—not just for the long hours, but also for the great taste and value!
My top picks are the deluxe okonomiyaki and yakisoba. Both are loaded with ingredients, and if you order separately and share, you'll be totally satisfied.
Personally, I also recommend trying some off-menu tweaks, like turning the yakisoba into omusoba or swapping beef for tendon. Give it a shot!
Shiroi Koibito
Everyone in Japan knows Hokkaido’s sweets, “Shiroi Koibito.” Ishiya Co., Ltd.was an ordinary candy maker to begin with, but utilizing quality ingredients in Hokkaido changed them into the producer of the classic dessert. More than 40 years passed since its beginning, but it is still the beloved souvenir of Hokkaido to this day.
When it comes to Hokkaido souvenirs, Shiroi Koibito is the only choice!
And the reasons are simple:
Super famous, delicious, and available everywhere.
That's all you need!
Don't say, "I don't want to bring back a souvenir everyone already knows about!"
From the moment you set foot in Sapporo, your memories become the real souvenir.
So even if you forget to buy gifts for friends or coworkers, you can easily pick some up at your hotel. No worries!
It's so well-known, and nobody will ever be disappointed to receive it.
New Chitose Airport
This is the largest airport in Hokkaido which spans Chitose and Tomakomai Cities. With the excellent access to the cities, it is called the aerial gate to Hokkaido. On the two 3000m-long runways, international aircrafts take off and land 24 hours a day.
When you arrive, you'll probably head straight to your hotel, but on your way back, you should definitely take time to enjoy New Chitose Airport.
If your flight is in the early afternoon or at an odd time, I recommend checking out of your hotel early and spending time at the airport.
There are tons of souvenir shops and gourmet spots inside, so just choosing where to eat or shop is a lot of fun.
Plus, there's the New Chitose Airport Theater, so you can even watch a movie before your flight. Only here and Midland Cinema at Nagoya Airport have theaters inside the airport!
There are plenty of seats and spacious waiting areas, and the free Wi-Fi makes it easy to get some work done.
If you wake up early, it's way better to head to the airport than wait around at your hotel. You'll be glad you did—it's a fantastic airport!