Category: Stories

Kanazawa – cycling and sightseeing in little Kyoto

I found my new favourite place in Japan – Kanazawa. It is often described as little Kyoto. Kanazawa has a special charm that captured my heart. Here is how we spent our time on an overnight trip from Osaka to Kanazawa.

Getting to Kanazawa

We boarded the morning shinkansen (bullet train) from Osaka to Kanazawa. This took under three hours with one train change. We arrived late in the morning to the iconic train station in Kanazawa.

Pick up your E-bike

Machi-nori E-bike in Kanazawa

From here we made our way to the e-bike rental shop, machi-nori, a 5 minute walk from the station. https://www.machi-nori.jp/en/ Once we got set up with our E-bikes, dropped our luggage at our hotel.

Where to stay in Kanazawa

The Super Hotel Premium. https://www.superhotel.co.jp/s_hotels/kanazawa/ There are many good hotels near the station. For us it was time for lunch. The nearby street was full of restaurants, so we popped into a small restaurant for a sushi lunch set. It was a perfect way to get us fueled up for a day of exploring.

Things to see in Kanazawa

Sightseeing – Day 1

We visited Nagamachi district, Nish Chaya district and found a sword shop, a teahouse that was open to the public, Nomura Samurai family residence.

We made reservations for the late afternoon to visit the Myoryuji temple, also referred to as the Ninja temple. This was an amazing tour of a Buddhist temple that was also a special place with many secret staircases and hidden escape routes.

There are many Buddhist temples to visit or if you would rather enjoy a coffee, ride along the river path or visit the nearby art museum there is something for everyone.

In the evening we went for sushi. There are so many great places to choose from. After that it was time to enjoy the lights of Kanazawa. We walked from Oyama Jinja Shrine, to Kanazawa castle through Kenrokuen garden. There were many local Izakaya bars near our hotel. We stopped to have a nightcap and a little oden before returning to the hotel for an onsen (Japanese bath).

Stairway in Chaya district of Kanazawa

Sightseeing – Day 2

Day two our return train to Osaka was leaving at 5pm so we had time to explore and put our E-bikes to good use. After breakfast at the hotel, we made our way to Higashi Chaya district here we walked around and tried to capture the beautiful streets before the rush. Once the shops opened around 10am we could explore the gift shops including famous gold or sake shops including Sake shop Fukumitsuya Kanazawa.

Next we cycled towards the ocean and the Yamato soy sauce and miso park. The area is an old soy sauce and miso producing area that has a beautiful walkway by the water, you can watch the production, get lunch and local soy sauce to take home. After a brief stop to see the crab shop, where we were amazed at the size and price range of fresh crab that you could purchase to enjoy there.

After all the biking we needed lunch and enjoyed the local Ramen chain from this area 8ban Ramen Kanazawa that is a ramen chain that began in this area.

We made our way back towards the train station to pick up our luggage and drop off our bikes before spending some time exploring Kanazawa station area. This station offers so much excitement and entertainment. As we arrived there was a local show which we enjoyed briefly before making our ways indoors. There are craft locations here if you didn’t get a chance to make your own souvenir and a sake tasting bar in the next-door shopping center. Be sure to pick up a Bento Box from one of the many shops for the train ride back to Osaka or wherever your next desination is.

Fall colors in Kanazawa, Japan

So much to see in Kanazawa

As much fun as we had there is so much more to discover, and I can’t wait to visit again! Next time I’d definitely sign up for a show or demonstration from a Geisha, known as a Geiko in Kanazawa, and I’d visit more art museums and galleries. The history of the area can be noticed as the attention to art throughout the city is obvious. It makes me wonder how the historical presence of the Geiko and preservation of this practice of learning art, music and the art of entertainment has influenced the city to the charm it offers in present day.

June 5, 2026
I Thought I Knew Japan: Until I Cycled Through It

I Thought I Knew Japan: Until I Cycled Through It

As A Novice Cyclist

by Harrison Snyder

This is not my first time visiting Japan. I’m half-Japanese, born in Chiba prefecture before moving to Canada in 2003, and I’ve been travelling between the two countries since I was three years old. Still, this trip felt completely different.

As a novice cyclist, I was admittedly more anxious than excited when I was invited to join O Cycle Japan for a week-long cycling tour as their photographer and content creator. With the longest daily ride reaching roughly 70km, including steep inclines, I knew I had to prepare. A month before departure, I joined a gym and committed to cycling regularly to get myself physically and mentally ready. Fortunately, there was an e-bike option, which I was incredibly grateful for, especially during steep climbs and days with strong headwinds.

What surprised me most was the pacing. I expected long, relentless stretches of endurance cycling, but the tour was thoughtfully broken up with sightseeing stops and spontaneous detours I couldn’t ignore as a photographer. Even in remote areas, convenience stores and vending machines were never far away, allowing plenty of opportunities to recharge, and quickly, my worries disappeared.

Although I’ve visited Japan more times than I can count, most of my trips revolved around Tokyo. This was the first time I truly felt like I was seeing the “real” side of Japan; away from tourists. We began amidst the bustle of Kyoto, Osaka, and Nara, but each day carried us deeper into the countryside, away from the crowds and into places where time seemed to stand still. Cycling through endless farmers’ fields while catching the scent of green onions growing beside the road is something I’ll never forget.

The people felt different too; friendlier and more curious. From polite bows to conversations in Japanese and broken English, it felt like we made new friends everywhere we stopped. At one point, we were even given a private tour of a local campsite in exchange for nothing more than a conversation with a local obachan (grandmother). Moments like that completely dismantled the stereotype that Japanese people are cold or robotic, which is a common narrative I’ve heard about within major cities.

The food was equally memorable. Some of my favourite moments came from spontaneous roadside stops: the freshest strawberries I’ve ever tasted from a tiny greenhouse shack, matcha buckwheat soba in Uji, and smoky skewers from local izakayas after long days of riding. The accommodations also added so much to the experience.

We stayed everywhere from Western-style hotels and ryokans to a hundred-year-old tea house and a centuries-old Buddhist monastery. These weren’t just places to sleep; they were thoughtfully added destinations that deepened our immersion in Japanese culture.

The routes themselves were incredibly well designed. At times, the paths were so tucked away from main roads that only a local could have created routes this intimate and intentional.

As a novice cyclist, I left craving more. Whether you’re an experienced cyclist or simply looking for a unique way to experience Japan, cycling this journey offers unforgettable landscapes, authentic cultural encounters, and a genuine sense of accomplishment that stays with you long after the ride ends.

I did the Kansai classic 8 day tour. Click here to learn more. https://ocyclejapan.com/8-days-in-kansai/

May 28, 2026
Have you heard of a TANUKI? Learn more about the Japanese folklore

Japanese culture is rich with folklore, there are many symbols and stories that have deep meaning to their culture. One popular tale is the Tanuki. The Tanuki is a mysterious raccoon dog that is seen in statues all over Japan. They are reputedly mischievous and happy, masters of disguise and shapeshifting. While the tanuki is based off of a real animal, the stories to go along are that of legend. These animals have been known to be pranksters, and often deceive humans in humorous ways. They shapeshift, have been known to tease fishermen and farmers, and often play practical jokes in peoples homes.

Many Japanese people see the tanuki as a sign of luck, because of the meaning of the words’ characters. Ta「他」-other things and nuki-「抜き」-to omit- which can be understood as abandoning all else and leaving only the good things.

You’ll find statues depicting these creatures around Japan. It is said that they bring eight traits of good fortune. Including a smiling face, to represent being kind to others, big eyes to help you stay aware and make good decisions, and a belly drum, to ensure a steady, responsible, and calm attitude when making decisions. Take a look and see if you can find a Tanuki statue when visiting Japan outside a shop or family home.

Want to learn more see what NHK has to say about Tanuki https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHmlWiZO5AA.

written by Gabrielle Landry-Ellis

January 28, 2026
Discover green tea farms in Kyoto

Japan is famous for green tea and what better way to learn more than to visit farms and traditional tea roasting and matcha making locations in Kyoto. Learn all about the process, flavours, and history behind the importance of green tea and matcha of Japan, specifically in Uji, Kyoto. Your journey begins as you cycle through the incredible rolling fields, viewing all stages of the different teas and their shading. Stop by and connect with people who have made this craft their life’s work. It’s an incredibly scenic and informational experience, one fit for a bucket list.

One unique feature you’ll notice when cycling past tea fields is the large black coverings or tea shading. Originally, in the winter months in Uji, Kyoto, tea farmers in the 15th-16th century realized the cold wind harmed the tea plants. To combat this, they started what is known as tea shading. Tea shading, also known as Kabuse, is done when new sprouts appear in the soil, to change the taste and appearance of the tea, resulting in a more umami, and less bitter flavour profile– which is how matcha was accidentally discovered! When speaking about tea shading, that process is what sets matcha versus green tea apart. Green tea is typically shaded for 2 to 3 weeks, resulting in a slightly more bitter taste compared to matcha. Matcha on the other hand, is shaded for longer– about 4 weeks. This creates “stress” for the plants, and they store their natural sugars and chlorophyll, which results in that iconically sweet-umami flavour matcha is known for, health benefits– and the bright green colour that is portrayed all over in matcha-based confectionaries.

Now that we have the history in our pocket, we are able to enjoy the wide variety of green tea and matcha flavored treats sprinkled all over Japan including Uji. If you would like to further your knowledge and tasting experience on the world famous tea, there are a a few local spots in Uji to keep in mind.

Visit Mitsuboshien-Kanbayashisannyu-Honten, a tea house that is run by a 16th generation proprietor, and everyone there is incredibly passionate about their craft. This experience will broaden your knowledge -and taste buds- to the history behind Uji’s tea harvesting.

Another informative and tasty location is Itoh Kyuemon. They have several branches found within the area of Uji, accessible by both bike and train. You can find a matcha curry udon, matcha ice cream, and even a matcha themed dessert plate to satisfy anyone’s sweet tooth.
Namakura Tokichi is another stop to add to your trip. Known for their Matcha Maruto Parfait, which you can only get there. It is served in a bamboo container, which is perfect for pictures sent home. It is made with white chocolate, raspberry chocolate cream and a smooth matcha jelly– unlike anything you will find anywhere else. These confectionaries are typically available from October to May, as that is when harvesting is most prevalent. So let the joy of cycling fuel your travels, and be sure to visit to learn all about Japan’s tea culture

January 28, 2026
Osaka Expo 2025 – Banpaku

The Osaka World Expo is on until October 13, 2025. Discover the world and the future in a day.

The World Exposition or Banpaku in Japanese is held every five years in a different country around the world. It began in 1851 in London, with the purpose to share the latest in culture, economy and technology between nations. This year it is taking place in Osaka, Japan. This is the second time that Osaka has hosted the world event, the last time was in 1970. This year the theme is “Designing Future society for our Lives”. This theme allows for a broad range of interpretations by the 150 participating nations providing something for everyone.

The world’s largest wooden architectural structure was built for this Expo. A wooden ring around the grounds that is 2,025 meters in circumference, 30 meters in width and ranges from 12 to 20meters high. You can walk on the upper deck, providing a great view of the grounds below. This structure took over a year to construct.

The rest of the grounds are filled with pavilions from around the world. The incorporation of nature, culture and technology is intertwined into each pavilion and is an experience for the senses. There are also common areas that house multiple smaller nations, offering information about the country and various experiences for visitors.

There are free water fill stations, as well as vending machines for refreshments. Bring a small hand towel to dry your hands after washing at the toilets, no hand dryers or paper towels are provided, as is common in Japan. There are many food venues found within the grounds or you can bring in your own snacks and food. Wear comfortable walking shoes it is a huge facility and there is so much to see, especially if you have various reservations and need to move from one end to another. Consider the evening light shows when applying for reservations for some of the venues. Try to get a place on the upper ring to watch the final light show. Be sure to say hi to Myaku-Myaku the official mascot of 2025 Osaka Expo.

The Osaka Expo will run from April 13 to October 13, 2025. You can get a full day, evening ticket or if you are staying longer summer or season passes are available. Once you have your ticket and the day you will attend you can apply for entrance times into specific popular venues by a lottery. Many offer walk-in traffic, these can have long wait times. https://www.expo2025.or.jp/en/

Myaku-Myaku the mascot of Osaka Expo2025

Created by Kohei Yamashita a children’s book illustrator. Myaku means ‘pulse’ and by repeating the word it refers to the continuation of life. The blue body represents water and its shape is fluid. The ring of red ‘cells’ some with eyes surrounds the water. Images and the physical mascot can be found everywhere in the grounds.

Expo mascot Myaku-Myaku

January 28, 2026