China without chaos: an interactive map, routes, and AI planning

Akame 48 Waterfalls is a spectacular 4km hiking trail in Mie Prefecture, Japan, featuring numerous waterfalls along a scenic mountain valley. This nationally recognized natural site is listed among Japan's 100 best waterfalls and offers visitors an immersive forest experience filled with negative ions. The well-maintained trail takes 2.5-3 hours round trip to complete, passing through lush greenery, moss-covered rocks, and crystal-clear streams. Entrance costs ¥1,000 for adults and includes access to a small aquarium showcasing giant salamanders. The area is particularly beautiful during autumn foliage season and offers seasonal light-up events that create a magical atmosphere. While the trail has some steep stairs and can be slippery, it's manageable for most fitness levels with proper hiking shoes.

109 Cinemas Osaka Expocity is a premium multiplex cinema located within the EXPOCITY complex in Suita, Osaka. It features one of only two IMAX Laser GT theaters in all of Japan, offering an unparalleled immersive viewing experience with a massive screen that fills your entire field of vision. The cinema complex includes multiple screens, premium seating options, and 4DX capabilities. While the technical aspects are world-class, customer service experiences vary significantly, with some visitors reporting unhelpful staff and strict no-refund policies. The location is somewhat remote from central Osaka but benefits from free weekday parking and less crowding than urban theaters. Tuesday and Wednesday discounts are available, and membership offers premium seat privileges.

The Tower of the Sun is a monumental 70-meter sculpture created by avant-garde artist Taro Okamoto for the 1970 Osaka World Expo. Located in Expo '70 Commemorative Park, this iconic structure features four distinct faces representing past, present, future, and underground worlds. The interior houses the spectacular Tree of Life installation depicting evolution, which visitors describe as breathtaking and reminiscent of Studio Ghibli aesthetics. While the exterior is freely viewable, interior access requires advance reservations and includes an impressive multi-floor exhibition. The tower has become a beloved symbol for Osaka residents and a significant cultural landmark that continues to inspire visitors over 50 years after its creation.

Nidec Kyoto Tower is a 131-meter tall observation tower located directly opposite JR Kyoto Station, offering 360-degree panoramic views of Kyoto from its 100-meter high observation deck. The tower features a unique monocoque structure and serves as a modern landmark in the historic city. Visitors praise the beautiful night views, convenient location, and reasonable admission price of ¥900 for adults. The complex includes the Kyoto Tower SANDO shopping area, restaurants, and a hotel, making it a multi-functional tourist destination. While the observation deck is smaller than those in other major cities, it provides excellent views of Kyoto's grid-like cityscape and surrounding mountains. The tower is particularly recommended for sunset and night visits when the city lights create a spectacular panorama.

Tawaraya Ryokan is one of Kyoto's most prestigious traditional inns, founded over 300 years ago and counted among the city's three great ryokans. Located in the heart of Kyoto near Kawaramachi Station, this 18-room establishment offers an authentic Japanese cultural experience with meticulously maintained gardens, traditional architecture, and world-renowned hospitality. Guests consistently praise the exceptional service, with dedicated room attendants providing personalized attention throughout their stay. The ryokan serves exquisite kaiseki cuisine featuring seasonal ingredients, though some recent reviews note inconsistencies in meal quality. While the experience comes at a premium price point (suites can exceed ¥343,000 per night), most visitors describe it as a transformative cultural immersion. The ryokan's traditional atmosphere, attention to detail, and historical significance make it a bucket-list destination for those seeking authentic Japanese hospitality.

Ajinoya Namba Honten is a Michelin Bib Gourmand okonomiyaki restaurant located in Osaka's Dotonbori district, renowned for serving some of the city's best savory pancakes. The restaurant cooks okonomiyaki and yakisoba right at your table, providing an authentic Japanese dining experience with a lively atmosphere. However, be prepared for extremely long wait times of 60-150 minutes, though reservations via Fast Pass (¥660 per person) can significantly reduce waiting. While many visitors praise the delicious food and unique cooking experience, some report inconsistent service quality and rude staff behavior. The restaurant is cash-only and tends to be more expensive than other okonomiyaki establishments in the area.

G-LION MUSEUM is Japan's first classic car museum housed in a converted red brick warehouse in Osaka's Minato Ward. The collection features approximately 70-100 vintage automobiles spanning from early 20th century Ford Model Ts to 1970s classics, with strong representation of American, European, and Japanese manufacturers. Visitors praise the immaculate condition of the vehicles and the atmospheric industrial setting. The museum is particularly noted for its rare Toyota 2000GTs, extensive Rolls Royce collection, and well-preserved pre-war automobiles. While relatively compact and requiring 30-60 minutes to explore, it offers good value especially when using the Osaka Amazing Pass for free admission. The main drawbacks include limited English signage and occasional unexpected closures.

Das HEP FIVE Riesenrad ist ein knallrotes Dach-Riesenrad auf dem Einkaufszentrum HEP FIVE im Osakaer Stadtteil Umeda und bietet in etwa 15 Minuten eine Rundfahrt mit Panoramablick auf die Skyline, den Osaka-Bay und den Berg Ikoma. Die klimatisierten Gondeln mit Bluetooth-Lautsprechern erlauben es, eigene Musik abzuspielen – ideal als romantischer Date-Spot oder für Familien, besonders bei Nacht. Häufig ist die Fahrt in Pässen wie dem Osaka Amazing Pass enthalten und wird für das gute Preis-Leistungs-Verhältnis und meist kurze Wartezeiten an Wochentagen gelobt. Derzeit ist das Riesenrad jedoch wegen umfangreicher Renovierungsarbeiten vom 14. Oktober 2025 bis voraussichtlich Ende April 2026 geschlossen, während das Einkaufszentrum normal geöffnet bleibt.

Yamadera (Risshaku-ji) is a thousand-year-old Tendai mountain temple famous for its dramatic cliffside setting and the climb up 1,015 stone steps. Visitors consistently praise the breathtaking valley views from Godaido Hall and the peaceful, spiritual atmosphere along the forested path. Winter brings “magical” snow scenery, while autumn offers spectacular colors. The ascent can be slippery in winter and tiring in summer, but reviewers say the effort is well worth it. An easy 5-minute walk from Yamadera Station makes it a perfect half-day trip from Yamagata or Sendai.

Yamagata Prefecture, located in the Tōhoku region along the Sea of Japan, is known for mountains, hot springs, pilgrimage routes, and a rich rural culture. It offers a serene, nature-focused travel experience shaped by dramatic seasonal changes.

Hokkaido is Japan’s northern frontier, known for wide landscapes, national parks, and dramatic seasonal beauty. Summer brings cool weather, flower fields, and hiking, while winter transforms the island into a world-class destination for skiing and snow festivals. The region is also famous for seafood, dairy, and unique local cuisine. Ideal for nature lovers, families, and anyone seeking quiet, spacious Japan.

Fukuoka Prefecture serves as Kyushu's bustling gateway, featuring the vibrant city of Fukuoka and nearby Kitakyushu as its largest hubs. Travelers flock to iconic sites like Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, a historic shrine dedicated to the god of learning amid plum blossoms, and Kushida Shrine in the heart of Hakata. The region shines with street food culture at yatai stalls offering tonkotsu ramen, mentaiko, and fresh seafood, alongside modern attractions like Fukuoka Tower and Canal City Hakata. Day trips reveal natural gems such as Yanagawa's canal cruises, Itoshima beaches, and Uminonakamichi Seaside Park, blending urban energy with serene landscapes. Excellent transport links, including subways, trains, and the Fukuoka Tourist City Pass, make exploring efficient for visitors.

Tokyo is the futuristic city, as many imagine, the perfect metropolis, with the sole exception that you can't pay by bank card everywhere, and in any convenience store you can use a public fax. Perhaps it's not another planet yet, but definitely something far from our usual way of life and ready to surprise. The Tokyo Metropolitan District (prefecture) is an administrative unit of Japan that includes 23 special wards, the Tama area, and island territories (the Izu and Ogasawara Islands). If you collect AirBnB trips, instead of a Tokyo stamp you'll get a stamp of the ward where your accommodation is located—Shinjuku, Shibuya, and others.

To feel like an otaku, you can visit the five-story Animate manga store.

Nakamura Ningyo is a fourth-generation Hakata doll workshop founded in 1917, now housed in the stunning Kaigeido Gallery designed by Kengo Kuma's disciple Shuhei Kamiya. The workshop creates exceptional art dolls that embody Japanese cultural heritage while innovating with modern themes—from samurai to Godzilla and athletes. Visitors can admire these masterpieces in a serene gallery space that perfectly complements the artistry.

LEGOLAND Discovery Center Osaka is a compact indoor attraction designed for families with children aged 3-10, featuring two rides, a 4D cinema, hands-on brick-building zones, and a miniature LEGO recreation of Osaka landmarks. Located inside Tempozan Marketplace near the famous Kaiyukan Aquarium, it offers a fun rainy-day activity but shouldn't be confused with a full-scale LEGOLAND theme park. The highlight is Miniland, showcasing Dotonbori, Osaka Castle, and Tsutenkaku built entirely from LEGO bricks with day-to-night lighting effects.

Osaka Prefecture is the energetic heart of Japan’s Kansai region - famous for its street food culture, urban buzz, friendly local vibe, and excellent transport connections. It’s often paired with nearby Kyoto and Nara, but Osaka itself easily deserves several full days.

Modern development has certainly changed the city’s appearance, but some districts have remained just as they were a century or more ago. Among them are the geisha quarters of Gion and Pontocho. A geisha is an artist who entertains guests through dance and song, conducts tea ceremonies, and engages in elegant conversation. They wear kimono along with traditional makeup and hairstyles. Since April 2024, it has been impossible to visit Gion, as local authorities have banned entry to the district due to the overwhelming number of tourists disrupting residents’ daily lives. Gion is the most famous of the five hanamachi (neighborhoods where geisha live): Kamishichiken, Bontocho, Miyagawacho, Gion Kobu, and Gion Higashi. The area is filled with old ochaya (teahouses — the most famous being Ichiriki Ochaya, with traditional architecture and a 300-year history); ryotei (traditional restaurants hosting evening performances); modern restaurants offering world cuisines; and machiya (traditional townhouses).

Kyoto is Japan’s former imperial capital, a historic city where hundreds of temples, shrines, and traditional neighborhoods sit in a basin ringed by forested hills. It blends refined classical culture—tea ceremony, geisha districts, Zen gardens—with an easy-to-navigate modern city of under two million residents.