Hiroko｜Japan Tour Designer

📝 A super convenient new apartment hotel just opened in Osaka, a 5 minute walk from Namba Station, where up to 10 people can stay and the price is reasonable too!!! This is 「Minn Namba South」 which just opened in July 2026. I stayed in a 70㎡ suite that sleeps up to 10, with 4 queen beds and 2 single beds lined up bunk style in one spacious room. It even comes with a full kitchen, a washer dryer and a bathtub, so you can stay like you actually live there. One of my favorite things is the clean, simple, no frills design. It's just a 5 minute walk from Namba Station, with Dotonbori and Kuromon Market right nearby. I honestly recommend it for big groups and families. I'm sure it's going to be a hit with travelers, so book early! Minn has over 30 locations nationwide, making it a perfect choice for family stays across Japan 📍 Minn Namba South 🚶 5 min from Namba Station 🛏 Up to 10 guests, 70㎡ #osaka #minnnamba #osakahotel #japantravel #minn

✍️ Did you know about one of the most magical summer experiences in Kyoto, dining right over the river? It's called Kamogawa Noryo-yuka, or kawadoko, a beloved Kyoto summer tradition. In summer, restaurants along the Kamo River build wooden terraces called "yuka" right out over the water, so you can dine outside while feeling the river breeze and listening to the stream ✨ About 90 restaurants line up between Nijo and Gojo, and the charming Pontocho area is especially popular. You can go for lunch or dinner, and it's only around from May to mid October. If you're spending summer in Kyoto, this is a must! 📍 Kamo River, Kyoto (Pontocho) 🗓 May 1 to October 15 🍽 Lunch and dinner available #kyoto #kamogawa #kawadoko #japansummer #japantravel

😳 I found a place in Osaka where you can ride a pro grade racing simulator for just ¥1,500. MR.HIRO CAR STUDIO, famous for its 86 and GT-R, actually has a serious racing simulator too. You can drive over 50 tracks like Suzuka and the Nürburgring, with realistic visuals, sound and vibration 🏁 It has an H pattern shifter and a real clutch, so the controls are no joke. The 8 axis motion shakes your whole body, so it really feels like you are out on the circuit. Even total beginners can play from just ¥1,500 (about $10) for 10 minutes, so if you love cars, you will be hooked. 📍 MR.HIRO CAR STUDIO, Osaka 🕘 Open daily from 9am 💴 From ¥1,500 / 10 min #osaka #simracing #jdm #racingsimulator #japantravel

⚠️ Don't scroll past this! A beautiful Kyoto sweet right by Fushimi Inari that you just can't walk past, and it makes the perfect souvenir too 💧 This little shop sits right next to Fushimi Inari Taisha, often called the most popular spot in Japan for foreign visitors. This clear, water drop sweet is "mizu maru mochi," a Kyoto wagashi. You poke it with a toothpick and it pops out all jiggly, then top it with kinako (roasted soybean flour) and brown sugar syrup. The moment it hits your mouth, it melts away and disappears 🫧 It's made from just natural water, sugar and agar, and it looks so refreshing. You can only buy it in Kyoto at Marumochiya (Fushimi Inari main shop, Nishiki Market and Kyoto Station). There are no shops in Osaka or Tokyo, so if you spot it in Kyoto, you have to try it! They also sell boxed sets to take home, so they make a lovely souvenir to bring back! (just keep them chilled) 📍 Fushimi Inari, Kyoto 🚶 1 min from the station #kyoto #fushimiinari #japanesesweets #wagashi

Did you know you can put up ALL your hair with just one stick? This is a "kanzashi," a traditional Japanese hair ornament. No hair tie, no clips, yet it holds everything in place. Kanzashiya Wargo in Nishiki Market, Kyoto is a specialty shop where every piece is handmade by artisans, from traditional to modern designs in glass, metal and natural stone. Beautiful with a kimono and just as cute in everyday outfits. The perfect souvenir from your Kyoto trip. And the best part? Wargo has shops all over Japan, including Tokyo (Asakusa, Harajuku), Kamakura, Nagoya and Fukuoka, so you can pop in wherever you travel. 📍 Nishiki Market, Kyoto (Kanzashiya Wargo) 🕙 Open 10:00 to 19:00 🚶 About 5 min from Shijo / Karasuma Station #kyoto #kanzashi #japantravel #nishikimarket #kyototrip

Japan's legendary plasterer 📍Hyogo / Takarazuka Onsen "Wakamizu" Thanks to the kindness of Hotel Wakamizu at Takarazuka Onsen, I had the special privilege of filming the plastering of the outdoor bath wall 🤝 The artisan in the video is Akira Kusumi, a legendary master plasterer. He's one of Japan's most renowned plasterers, a truly one-of-a-kind figure who is reviving traditional Japanese craftsmanship in modern times. 📜 About Akira Kusumi ・Born in 1948 in Awaji Island, Hyogo Prefecture ・Started his plastering apprenticeship at 18, training under sukiya plasterer Soji Uda in Kyoto and mastering "Juraku" walls ・At 36, became a summer lecturer at RWTH Aachen University in Germany. He has since traveled the world studying earthen wall architecture ・Recipient of the Yoshioka Prize (now the Shinkenchiku Prize) in 1995 and the Architectural Institute of Japan Cultural Award in 1999 ・His works span from tea rooms, temple halls, and traditional architecture to modern shops, inns, and homes, both in Japan and abroad 🎨 What is "Shikkui" (Japanese plaster)? A traditional Japanese wall material made primarily from lime and earth. It naturally regulates humidity, has antibacterial properties, and is eco-friendly. Each wall is hand-applied by the artisan - a craft Japan proudly shares with the world. Watching him work with such speed, delicacy, and beauty up close was truly moving 😭✨ Please take your time to enjoy the video. And if you can, do experience the beautiful private outdoor bath in the suite where this wall is featured! I've also introduced Wakamizu in a previous reel - it's a wonderful traditional inn ♨️ #hyogo #takarazuka #wakamizu #visithyogo #japantradition

📍Mie / Mikimoto Pearl Island This was amazing to watch! At Mikimoto Pearl Island in Toba, traditional female pearl divers put on a live diving show. They leap into the sea in their white costumes and dive with no oxygen tanks, just like divers have done for centuries. This is actually where it all began. In 1893, Kokichi Mikimoto created the world's first cultured pearl right here. The diving tradition itself goes back over 2,000 years! There's also a pearl museum and shops on the island. The diving show runs several times a day, all year round (weather permitting). 📍Mikimoto Pearl Island (Toba, Mie) 🚶 About 5 min from Toba Station 🗓 Diving shows several times daily, year-round 💴 ¥1,500 (adults), ¥750 (students) #mie #toba #mikimoto #japantravel #pearl

📍Nara / Wakakusayama Just a short walk from Nara Park, there's Wakakusayama, a whole mountain covered in grass where deer roam free! 🦌 The sunset and night view from the top are ranked as one of Japan's top 3 night views. From Nara Park, it's about a 60-minute walk up to the summit. Short on time? Taking a taxi is the way to go, just about 15 minutes, and roughly ¥3,000 one way! 📍Wakakusayama (Nara) 🗓 Open Mar 15 to Dec 14, 9:00-17:00 💴 Entry ¥150 (adults), ¥80 (kids) #nara #wakakusayama #naratrip #narapark #japantravel

Every JDM fan's dream in Osaka🏎️ I'd only ever seen the legendary AE86 in the manga. Never thought I'd actually drive one myself... just hearing the engine roar gave me chills!! This shop has way more than the 86, so JDM fans fly in from all over the world every single day. It's super popular, so be sure to book before you go! 📍 Osaka (MR.HIRO CAR STUDIO) 🚗 AE86, plus RX-7, GT-R, S2000 and more 🛂 International Driving Permit + passport required #klookkreator @Klook USA #JDM #initialD #ae86 #PR

Looking for somewhere beyond Kyoto's famous tourist spots? Let me show you a hidden gem you have to visit! 🐻 NEW in Kyoto, a bear paw cafe! 📍Kyoto / Anakuma Cafe Have you ever gotten your coffee from a bear? At ANAKUMA CAFE, a fluffy bear paw reaches out from a hole in the wall to hand you your drink. So cute and so much fun! This is their brand new 3rd location, just opened in May 2026 in Kawaramachi-Sanjo. The story goes that the bears left the forest and opened this cafe to befriend humans and ask us to protect nature. Kyoto even has a special experience called "Truth of the Bear," where you put your hand in the hole and the bear asks if you can be trusted. They use all kinds of playful tricks to surprise and delight you! 📍ANAKUMA CAFE Kyoto (Kawaramachi-Sanjo) 🚶 3 min from Kyoto Shiyakushomae Station ⏰ 11:00-22:00 #PR #anakumacafe #kyoto #kyotocafe #japantravel

📍Nara / Nakatanidou You have to see this! Nakatanidou in Nara is famous for its high-speed mochi pounding, and watching it live is SO much fun. The team moves incredibly fast, it's basically a performance! They even won the national high-speed mochi pounding championship in 2005 and 2006. No wonder there's almost always a line. The pounding happens roughly every 30 minutes, so you've got a good chance to catch it. The mochi is yomogi (mugwort) mochi, pounded fresh while still warm, dusted with kinako and filled with sweet red bean paste. So soft and chewy, and about ¥200 each! It's right in the Higashimuki shopping street, perfect to grab while exploring Nara Park. 📍Nakatanidou (Nara) 🚶 5 min from Kintetsu Nara Station ⏰ 10:00-19:00 (closes early if sold out) 💴 ¥600 for 3 mochi (about ¥200 each, cash only) #nakatanidou #nakatanido #nara #mochipounding #naratrip

This Nara store is the biggest of all the MUSASHI JAPAN shops out there! It's perfect to pair with a visit to Nara Park and Todaiji Temple, and you can walk there from Nara Station 🦌 📍Nara / Musashi Japan Every knife here is handcrafted by Japan's top artisans, and you can feel it the moment you walk in. The interior is stunning and each blade is honestly a work of art. 🔪 MUSASHI JAPAN works with master craftsmen from seven different prefectures, some with over 50 years of experience. Engraving, forging, sharpening, polishing... every single step is done by hand. You can even try the knives before buying, and the staff show you how to care for and sharpen them. No wonder it has 1,000+ reviews and a perfect 5.0 rating! PR #musashijapan #japaneseknife #japaneseknives #sharpening #japantravel

🙏The response to my last video was amazing and it made me so happy!! 🥹 When I rode the raft, I asked a staff member, "how do you get the raft back upstream?" and they said, "you can film us working if you'd like!" And that's how this video came to be. It's a behind-the-scenes look you rarely get to see. I'm so grateful for the staff doing this steady, hard work day after day to keep this experience alive. 🙏 For booking info, check out my last video! 📍Kitayama River Log Rafting (Kitayama Village) 🗓 May 3 to Sep 30 (weekends & holidays only in May & June) ⏰ About 2 hours total 💴 ¥7,700 (about $50) for adults #wakayamatrip #kitayama #lografting

📍Tokyo / Ginza Itoya Calling all stationery lovers, this place is pure paradise! G.Itoya in Ginza is a whole 12-floor building filled with nothing but stationery 🖊️ I was completely overwhelmed in the best way. There are around 1,200 types of pens alone, plus paper, diaries, and gifts from Japan and all over the world. Each floor has its own theme, so you could easily spend hours here. No wonder it was packed with visitors from all over the world. It's been a beloved stationery store since 1904. Add this to your Tokyo itinerary, you won't regret it! ✨ 📍Ginza Itoya Main Store (G.Itoya) 🚶 3 min from Ginza Station / 1 min from Ginza-itchome Station ⏰ 10:00-20:00 (Sun & holidays until 19:00) #tokyo #ginza #itoya #stationery #japantravel

💰 Code「HIROKOJAPAN」for a discount on Klook! 🔗 Booking link is in my bio! 📍Tokyo / Roppongi Hills 52F Tokyo City View If you want to capture the perfect shot of Tokyo Tower, this is my top pick! ✨ I booked this on Klook and you can too! Use my code HIROKOJAPAN to get discounts on hotels, activities, tickets, tours etc on Klook!! This spot is still pretty unknown to overseas visitors, so it never gets crowded. The observation deck sits 250 meters high with huge windows, so you get a full view of Tokyo. On a clear day you can see Tokyo Tower, Tokyo Skytree, and even Odaiba. The night view is just as gorgeous!!! You have to go! 📍Tokyo Roppongi Hills Tokyo City View Observatory Deck 🚶 Direct from Roppongi Station (about 20 min from Tokyo Station 🚃) ⏰ 10:00-22:00 (last entry 21:30) 💴 ¥1,350 ($8.85) for adults #klookkreator @Klook USA #tokyotower #tokyo #roppongihills #japantravel

💬What about Japan has impressed you? 😊It can be something small - let me know in the comments! 🚃 Japanese hospitality will blow your mind A scene I spotted at a Kintetsu train platform. When a wheelchair user was boarding the train, the staff laid down a ramp over the gap between the platform and the train to help them on board 🚃 It's a totally normal sight in Japan, but I think it surprises a lot of international visitors. Japan is a country full of these thoughtful little touches everywhere. No waiting, always polite, always considerate. Finding and feeling these small acts of kindness is one of the joys of traveling in Japan ✨ By the way, Japanese staff will even call ahead to your transfer or destination station when you tell them where you're going, so a staff member is often already waiting with a ramp when you arrive. #japan #japantravel #omotenashi #japanlife #traveljapan

👉 The tour that combines Amanohashidate and Ine in one day is in my bio! Use「HIROKOJAPAN」for a Klook discount 🎉 📍Kyoto / Ine This is also Kyoto Ine, the Venice of Japan The Venice of Japan. Also called "the Kyoto by the sea," Ine is a hidden village in northern Kyoto that's been catching the attention of international travelers 🌊 This traditional fishing village is famous for its「Funaya」(boathouses) - about 230 unique houses lined up along the bay. The 1st floor is a boat garage and the 2nd floor is the living space, making them look like they're floating on the sea 🛶 In 2005, Ine became the FIRST fishing village in Japan selected as an「Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings」- a rare and protected scene of old Japan. Far from the bustle of Kyoto, you can enjoy peaceful seaside views and local village vibes - another side of Kyoto you might not know. 🌅 How to enjoy Ine ・Stroll along and see the funaya up close ・Get a panoramic view of Ine Bay from the observation deck ・Take the「Ine Bay Sightseeing Boat」(about 25 min) to see the funaya from the water ・Stay overnight in a funaya inn for an unforgettable experience 📍Access 🚌 About 55 min by Tankai bus from "Amanohashidate Station" (Kyoto Tango Railway) 🚗 About 2 hrs from Kyoto City / 2.5 hrs from Osaka Pair it with a visit to Amanohashidate for the perfect trip 🇯🇵 #kyoto #ine #funaya #hiddenjapan #japantravel

📍Osaka / Dotonbori The $7 Don Quijote Ferris wheel A souvenir paradise that no one skips when visiting Japan -「Don Quijote」🛍 Did you know there's a Ferris wheel called「Ebisu Tower」on top of the Don Quijote in Dotonbori, Osaka? And it's only ¥1,000 (about $7) to ride! 👀 Don't just film it from outside - definitely take a ride while you're there! ✨ 🎡 What makes it special ・The world's first oval-shaped (vertical) Ferris wheel ・77m above ground with panoramic views of Dotonbori, Tsutenkaku, and Abeno Harukas ・About 12 min per round ・4-seater gondolas that rotate 180° It's easy to hop on after sightseeing in Dotonbori, so enjoy the lit-up Osaka skyline from above at night 🌃 📍On the roof of Don Quijote Dotonbori (heart of Dotonbori) 🕐 14:00 - 19:30 (Closed Tuesdays & Fridays) ※Check Google Maps for the latest info 💴 Regular ticket ¥1,000 (about $7) / VR gondola ¥1,600 #osaka #dotonbori #donquijote #ferriswheel #osakatrip

📍Hyogo / Fukuchiyama Line Abandoned Railway Walk Walking on an abandoned railway near Osaka A peaceful escape from the city - feeling the sounds, smells, and breeze of nature while walking along the tracks where trains once ran 🌿 There are several pitch-dark tunnels along the way - a little scary but the sense of adventure made it so much fun! A flashlight is absolutely essential, you can't see anything inside ✨ 🚂 What is the Fukuchiyama Line Abandoned Railway? A former JR Fukuchiyama Line section that was opened as a hiking course in 2016 on a self-responsibility basis. A 4.7km trail along the Mukogawa River gorge with 6 tunnels (the longest is over 400m) and 3 iron bridges still preserved exactly as they were. 📋 Basic Info 🚶 Distance: about 4.7km (round trip ~2.5 hours) 💴 Free entry 🚃 About 40-45 min from Osaka Station 🚂 Nearest stations: JR Takedao or Namaze (10-15 min walk from entrance) 🎒 What to bring / Things to know 🔦 Flashlight is a MUST! (tunnels are completely dark) 👟 Comfortable walking shoes 💧 Water & snacks (no vending machines on the trail) 🚻 Toilets are only at the stations (none on the trail) 🚭 No bicycles, motorcycles, fire, or running ♨️ Where to stay I highly recommend「Wakamizu」at Takarazuka Onsen, which I featured in a past reel! It's close to the trail area, so relaxing in the onsen after the hike is the perfect combo ✨ #hyogo #takarazuka #Hiking #abandonedrailway #japannature

📍Osaka / Shinsaibashi / Karen Japan's #1 branded pork, juicy and tender! Enjoying Japan's #1 Kagoshima Black Pork at a reasonable price while staying in Osaka is the best thing ever! Why is it so reasonable? Because this restaurant is run directly by JA Kagoshima (Kagoshima Prefecture's official agricultural co-op)! Direct from the source, served at the same price as Kagoshima 🌿 This was the most tender and juicy pork I've ever had! The fine fibers literally melt in your mouth. And the must-try dish is the seiromushi (bamboo steamer)! The meat is placed on the top tier, so the juices drip down and soak into the vegetables below, creating amazing depth of flavor 🥬 Choose from shabu-shabu, sukiyaki, seiromushi, or steak courses. 📍Prime Square Shinsaibashi B1F, 2-7-18 Shinsaibashisuji, Chuo-ku, Osaka 🚶 5 min walk from Shinsaibashi Station 🕐 Lunch 11:30-14:00 (LO 13:30) / Dinner 17:00-22:00 (LO 21:00) 🚫 Closed 3rd Sundays 💴 Lunch from ~¥4,000 / Dinner from ~¥10,000 #osaka #shinsaibashi #karen PR