japan – Travel Up

JAPAN | Best places to visit in Osaka

Japan is one of the top destinations in the world for Filipino travelers. Osaka, along with Tokyo and Nagoya, is considered one of the three major cities. This large port city and commercial center located in the Kansai region of Honshu in Japan is known for its modern architecture, nightlife, and street food.

JAPAN | Top cultural landmarks and experiences in Kyoto

Kyoto, one of the oldest municipalities in Japan, is located just 30 minutes away by rapid train from Osaka. Considered the cultural capital of Japan, Kyoto is a must-visit for first-timers traveling to Osaka. Kyoto is home to temples, shrines, palaces, and gardens, some of which have been designated collectively as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

JAPAN | World Heritage Sites and Deer Encounters in Nara City

Most first-time travelers immediately think of Tokyo when planning a trip to Japan. From hi-tech sights to vibrant culture, the bustling capital offers the ultimate modern Japanese experience. However, the city can be quite overwhelming and tiring to navigate.

If you’re looking for a more peaceful and laid-back destination to go to with the whole family, Osaka is a good choice with because of the rich history that will appeal to seniors and kid-friendly deer encounters.

Gear Guide: 4 tech essentials to help you travel smarter

Filipinos are finally traveling internationally once again after the pandemic. However, with the surge in travel demand and rainy season, there’s been an increase in flight delays and cancellations. It’s more difficult to book transportation getting to and from the airport, and top tourist spots require online reservations ahead of time. To make trips more hassle-free, you’ll want be connected online constantly.

JAPAN | Guide to Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Japan, Osaka

Anyone who grew up playing old school video games dreams of visiting Super Nintendo World. This themed section inside Universal Studios Japan in Osaka is a geek-filled paradise where you warp right into Princess Peach’s Castle, punch question mark blocks in real life, and dine on cute Mario-themed food items.

After years of being stuck at home and escaping to virtual worlds, it felt great to get sucked into this immersive video game world in real life in Japan during a recent family trip.

JAPAN | Biking around Osaka

If you’ve ever been to Japan, you know that biking is a way of life there. While in the Philippines, biking for leisure and urban mobility has only caught on recently because of the pandemic, for the longest time, people in Japan of all ages, occupations, and classes can manage to bike around safely even in busy cities thanks to the country’s advanced infrastructure and the discipline of road users. On a recent trip to Osaka, my family and I all had a free day in between sightseeing tours to do whatever we wanted. So we combined the usual sightseeing and food trips with biking.

JAPAN | Immersing in art realms at teamLab Planets in Tokyo

After traversing through a maze room of a twinkling crystals, I was surrounded by hundreds of multi-colored koi fish swimming around as I waded through knee-deep high waters. Moments later, I gazed into a field of falling flowers on the ceiling, the petals seemingly swirling all around in the air. For a couple of hours, it felt like I was spirited away into a magical wonderland.