Marbella: city, location and weather on the Costa del Sol

If you ask me about Marbella, there is only one sensible answer:

Marbella is the Miami of Europe!

A pleasant climate all year round, lots of sun, right on the Mediterranean Sea and all this just a few hours away by plane, from European capitals such as Berlin, Stockholm but also Rome. In fact, many Italians are also here in Marbella, as well as Swedes and Germans. One reason for this are, for example, the countless, large and lush green golf courses. As well as the “Old-Town” of Marbella, the kilometer-long beaches and the Spanish attitude towards life. What this means, you will learn in this Marbella guide for your first vacation.

Listen along with Zoe:

Location: South-Southeast Spain, almost at Gibraltar

Marbella is located in Spain, more precisely on the southeastern coast, just before the southernmost point of Europe.

Before starting, a piece of Marbella, from above!

Drive from the airport: In 40 minutes at the marina

Marbella itself, like the other coastal cities (Malaga, Mijas), stretches along the beach and coast. When driving from the airport of Malaga to Marbella, one hardly notices the transitions between the cities and districts.

Malaga, Mijos, Marbella: Route

The way from the airport to the center of Marbella takes about 40, 45 minutes by car.

Expressway, speed limit and coast

On the expressway you are allowed to drive a maximum of 120 km / h. In fact, you often even drive up slowly, because the road runs directly along the coast. The view is captivating, especially if you are coming from the northern regions of Europe.

As you drive, on your right are the residential areas and behind them the mountains. More precisely, the Sierra Blanca. The mountain range runs along the coast, through Istán, Ojén, Marbella and Monda. One mountain in particular stands out later in Marbella, the 1,215 meter high Mushel peak.

In Marbella they say that the mountain stops the heat from inland, also the clouds! Therefore, the good climate, the many sun, but more about that later in the section “Climate and Weather” in Marbella.

So to the right you have the mountains and to the left, the Mediterranean Sea is constantly visible. With good visibility, you can even see the African coast from here. Even Gibraltar (the southernmost tip of Europe, only a few kilometers to Africa) is only 30 minutes away by car.

So Marbella is different from the typical, European city. It is not centrally located, but typical of coastal cities, it stretches along the sea. Accordingly, one is also more likely to travel by car than by bicycle or on foot.

Along the entire route from the airport to Marbella, you pass a lot of greenery through palm trees, you see golf courses and settlements, with vacation homes and villas. Everything in the typical Spanish look. Here are mainly the properties that are used by the owners for their own vacations and when the occupants are not on site, the vacation homes and villas are rented to tourists. The further you get into Marbella, the more exclusive the neighborhoods become, especially when looking towards the mountains.

So many spend their autumn and winter time in Marbella. Then, when it is cold and wet in the rest of Europe! Why? In Marbella is always pleasant climate.

Climate: weather and temperatures in Marbella

Temperatures – Due to the southern location with sea air and warmth from inland, a warm, not hot, climate has been established here. In this location palm trees grow and the oranges on the trees are ready to be picked in December. In fact in December!

Pure Mediterranean climate.

All this, in Europe.

Plants and fruits: green all year

Here too, Marbella is very reminiscent of Miami, palm trees grow 20 meters, 30 meters in height. Orange harvest in December, palm trees and fruit all year round, that’s what everyone dreams of when they think of vacation and relaxation.

During the day, the city is relatively protected by the high mountains from the more extreme heat inland.

Houses in the ground – Only 30, 40 km further in the mainland, for example, there is a region where houses are traditionally built in the ground! From above you see as only a small door, the rest of the apartment is under the ground and is thus always cooled. As I said, in Marbella such extreme heat, e.g. over 35, 36 degrees are rather rare.

Because, at the same time from the sea blows a cool breeze, especially in the evening, so that even after hot days, in the evening is not uncomfortably hot. The Mediterranean Sea provides balance.

Clear starry sky through mountain and sea air

At the same time, the protection of the mountains ensures that few clouds pass over Marbella, even at night. Marbella is not a big city, like Berlin, Hamburg, Munich or other European cities like Paris and London. The starry sky over the sea spark so, as in few places in Europe.

Seawater desalination and irrigation – clouds, rain, all this is very rare in Marbella. If you wonder why there is so much greenery, most of the land is irrigated, permanently. Marbella and Spain as a whole, are among the most successful countries when it comes to seawater desalination. So they can create a lot of green despite the warm temperatures, a lot of sun. Hence the almost unique golf courses in the region, with almost always good weather.

The moment between sunset and starry sky:

Weather in Marbella: Today + temperatures

Here’s a quick look at the current weather in Marbella:

Marbella City: Old Town, Villas & Starbucks

Marbella’s downtown consists of many small neighborhoods. However, the city itself feels larger than it actually is, due to the stretching along the coast.

Downtown and Old-Town

Old-Town of Marbella – One of the most important places is probably Marbella’s “Old-Town”. The name says it all, this is how you imagine the old town in Spain. Many small restaurants, small boutiques, small squares, orange trees and also small highlights, e.g. a wall with hundreds of blue flower pots (ideal for Instagram). Here in the old town you can find the real Marbella. Later in the tips, we also recommend a restaurant where every evening an opera surprises you.

During the day you will find relatively few people in the city center, due to the high temperatures, especially in the summer months! After all, hardly a breeze blows in the alleys of the city center. But in the evening, Marbella’s old town feels fast!

The “big meal” here doesn’t start at 6 or 7 pm. You start with a few drinks around 8 p.m., 9 p.m., then come tapas and only late in the evening, around 10 p.m., 11 p.m. or even 24 p.m., comes the actual dinner, the big main course.

Shopping: shopping and tips

Puerto Banús – Another important spot, especially for the first visit, is Puerto Banús. In Puerto Banús you will find the big yachts, sailing ships and also very many shopping opportunities. However, it is not cheap here, because it is mainly Gucci, Louis Vuitton or luxury brands the Hermés.

Location in Marbella:

Rating on Google: 4.4 / 5.0 with 1,660 reviews

To the left and right of the port of Puerto Banús, stretch the beaches, as well as large hotels. In addition, there are beach bars and many other ways to spend time here.

Golden Mile: Villas neighborhood in the center

Only a few minutes by car and you are at the Golden Mile. The Golden Mile is the most exclusive area, at least in the downtown area of Marbella. Here are large, stately villas. Accordingly, many streets are closed off by barriers.

The Golden Mile is above the main road (yellow on the map) and covers a wide area. The higher you go into the mountains, the larger the villas and estates become.

Away from that, there is everything you need. From everyday groceries and markets like Lidl and Aldi, to small stores in the streets, to large shopping centers with Starbucks and Wendy’s, so even American stores that you can’t find in the city. This is what makes Marbella special. With only 141,500 inhabitants. You can find everything here, as well as Gucci, Louis Vuitton & Co. in Puerto Banús.

Beach and shopping in Marbella

Vacation in Marbella means for many above all: relaxing, visiting the beach and finally time for shopping!

Beaches in Marbella: Almost 100% sand

If you spend your vacation in Marbella, you are lucky, because here is almost exclusively sand to find! Directly on the Mediterranean Sea, not far from Gibraltar, the southernmost tip of Europe, you can have pure beach feeling. From the entire journey via Malaga and Mijas, in Marbella and to the next town is Estepona.

That means where you go to the beach doesn’t really matter! You can find beautiful sand everywhere.

When it comes to space, you might want to look for a beach outside the city center. Because of course most of the tourists are here and of course also the locals. That’s why many very good adresses, like Nikki Beach, are not centrally located in the city, but a few kilometers outside the big tourist crowds.

Toplist: Best beaches in Marbella

What does the community on Google say? Thousands have left reviews, these are the best beaches:

1. Playa del Alicate
2. Playa Nagüeles
3. Cabopino Beach
4. Playa de Puerto Banus
5. Playa de Artola
6. … and many more!

At Cabopino Beach:

Shopping:

Believe me, you have so many possibilities to go shopping in Marbella! From big shopping malls, where you can also find many international stores, from Starbucks to Wendy’s, to many, small shopping streets and of course many, small boutiques in the “Old-Town”.

If you want an exclusive shopping experience then you have to go to Puerto Banús, here you will find luxury brands from all over the world, from Louis Vuitton to Burberry and Hermès. My first stop was at Louis Vuitton, in fact we even walked out with a pair of shoes. Why not! Fitting for our almost daily visits, to great beach clubs, here locally. Always at yes you can enjoy the good life.

Here you will find the Louis Vuitton store and many other luxury brands:

Villas and vacation homes: real estate

In Marbella there are pretty much all forms of real estate. So to speak, from the rental apartment, to the exclusive designer villas in the mountainsides.

Villas: Golden Mile

If you can afford it, you can live and reside very exclusively in Marbella! On the one hand, there is the “Golden Mile”, or the entire area from the golden mile up to the mountain slopes. Here you can find villa after villa. The higher up in the mountains, the more exclusive the location. Even more exclusive than in the Golden Mile, it becomes a little further inland. Here there are small settlements where the super rich live. Again, they live somewhat secluded, so they are not directly accessible to everyone from the city. In addition to seclusion, of course, security also plays a big role for these real estate buyers.

If you want to see the expensive villas in Marbella, drive along the coastal road, in Marbella it becomes the main road and orient yourself towards the mountains. You can start for example in the “Golden Mile”. But it is important that you cannot explore the area on foot.

Tip: It’s best to organize a good, high-quality car. After all, you will have to pass through some barriers where you don’t want to attract attention. You can find the map and location above, in the “City” section.

Cottage: beach location

In Marbella, however, you can also find many vacation homes, especially on the beach locations, left and right of the city. As already described in the introduction, Marbella stretches over the entire coastal area and accordingly the settlements are also extensive, with small and large vacation homes.

Often they are owned by owners who rent them out as vacation homes for many months. So you can enjoy the luxury of Marbella itself, for example, in the cold autumn and winter months in Europe. In the spring and summer, the vacation homes are then rented out to tourists.

A good deal! Because, as a rule, you pay 20% commission to the local managers. So if the house costs 1,000 euros per month, whether rent or repayment of the loan, but per month 3,000 euros can be collected (minus 20%, 600 euros) remain after rent or repayment of the loan still 1,400 euros per month!

• Reading tip: Buying real estate as an investment and first apartment

Real estate for golfers

Marbella is the Miami of Europe. There are over 100 golf courses in the area, all within an hour’s drive. In Marbella alone you will find about 20 golf courses and golf clubs. Golf courses in Marbella are very popular! Therefore, the business is booming and meanwhile more and more properties, directly at golf courses are designed. Therefore very popular, also very special, the various properties that are built directly on or around golf courses!

The big advantage for all golf fans, the golf club is only a few minutes walk away. E.g. directly through your own garden, past your own swimming pool. Already you are at the 1st hole. Very practical, for all those who practice golf as a hobby and sport. The membership is included in these properties, so you can play directly.

Villa Tour! Real estate agents in Marbella

House Tour Marbella! After we have already taken you to Los Angeles with our luxury broker Lukinski, today we take a closer look at one of the hotspots in Europe, Marbella! The “Miami of Europe”. Designer Villa in Sierra Blanca for 4.4 million XXL-Finca or also my highlight, in the end with day and night house. Directly in Marbella or a bit more secluded, anonymous for 2.28 Mio. Euro in Real de la Quinta. In August it is here maximum 31°C, in December still 17°C, that makes Marbella so special. We show you some of the most exclusive villas that are currently on offer. Our Marbella special on real estate, villas and rentals!

• Marbella: Villa Tour

Photo: AMA / Lukinski

Golf in Marbella: Number 1 in Europe

In addition to the city and the beaches, or of course, in addition to Mediterranean climate, but above all had one thing to offer, golf courses! Therefore, the designation, Miami of Europe, is also so appropriate.

Tip: Los Naranjos Golf Club

A good tip for golfers is for example the “Los Naranjos” golf course. “Naranjo” is the Spanish word for “orange tree”, “Naranja” means “orange”. The golf course is called this way because there are extremely many orange trees in this area. The golf course is managed by Swedes. There are a lot of them in Marbella! Besides the wide lush green, you will also find a great culinary offer, with international cuisine. Los Naranjos is definitely worth a visit, not only for golf, but also for delicious food.

The best golf clubs in Marbella

Marbella is not only a dream destination for vacationers looking for sea and sun, but also for golfers! The city offers centrally and in the surrounding area several exclusive golf courses with varied courses for passionate golfers or a shooting ranch for beginners and beginners. We have selected some of the most popular and best rated golf courses for you and present them here. Whether you are looking for a large golf course with restaurant and hotel with all-round service or a secluded, quiet golf course with a sea view: Marbella has the right golf course for every golfer!

More top recommendations for Marbella can be found here:

• Marbella Golf Course

Restaurants and Beach Clubs: Good life

Here are 3 more tips: 2 beach clubs and 1 distinctive restaurant in the old town of Marbella!

Why 2 Beach Clubs? If you want to enjoy the good life in Marbella, you have to go to beach clubs or restaurants. On the one hand you meet your friends here to let the day end, on the other hand you can decide for yourself whether delicious food, another jump into the sea or directly into the pool. Relax on a lounger with cocktails and snacks.

Only 10 minutes from Old-Town, in the middle of the beach:

Nikki Beach: Las Chapas

Nikki Beach Club – Away from the big tourist crowds of the city center, you’ll find Nikki Beach Club, in Las Chapas (Marbella). Right on the beach, extremely cozy and with fantastic and stylish food. Stylish? Yes! The sushi alone, but read more here! Our tip for those who want beach club, extremely tasty food and drinks.

• Nikki Beach Marbella

Nikki Beach Marbella, Photo: Pedro Jean

You’re right downtown? Then you should check out this beach club:

Ocean Club: In the City

Beach Club XL – Right in the center of the city, in the middle of the hotels and shopping streets, is the Ocean Club, directly on the beach! Best location, everything kept in white, an XXL pool, live DJ, dancers… more does not go. The reviews on the Internet are top, almost 5 out of 5 stars gives the community on Google. Reason enough for a visit, in one of the recommendations for Marbella, the Ocean Club.

• Ocean Club Marbella

Insider tip: Juan! Restaurant with spontaneous opera

Here is an absolute insider tip, which I really only know through good friends! In the middle of the city center (Old-Town), you will find Juan’s Restaurant. Every evening, absolutely surprising, under palm trees, in the courtyard of the restaurant, something comes with the no one expects while eating: An opera! Sung by a real, married couple who work in the kitchen and in the service, respectively. Both are trained opera singers and when Juan heard about it, he found it so charming that unless there is a small live performance every evening.

Not in fine pinstripes, suns in the typical clothing of the kitchen and service. The performance goes from 10 to 15 minutes each and includes two to three songs, with a special charm, in the night of the Marbella.

El Patio De Mariscal – Calle Virgen de los Dolores, 3, 29601 Marbella

Tip: Nearby is a beautiful church “Templo de Dios” hidden in the alleys.

Discover Marbella

The beautiful Old Town, miles of beaches, villas on the Golden Mile and outside the city and Europe’s number 1 when it comes to golf courses. This is Marbella!

“I’m very persistent” – Fatas success at GNTM

FIV: In 2016 you took part in the TV show Germany’s Next Topmodel. You even made it to the top 3! And would be interested in when your interest in modeling has developed and what finally moved you to participate in the show?

Fata: That was quite a long time ago when I knew: I want to model. When I look at photos from the past, you could already tell by the poses that I wanted to be in the media industry – I wanted to be in front of the camera, and preferably in front of a huge audience. Maybe it was also because I was bullied for years at school and didn’t want to be the fragile little grey mouse anymore.

FIV: Two years ago you already tried your luck on the show. But there you only made it to the top 20. The fact that you wanted to try your luck again underlines your joy in modeling very much! How did it come about that you applied for the show again 2 years later?

Fata: I unfortunately didn’t get a visa for the US the first time I attended, as I only had my Bosnian passport at the time. Then I applied for my German passport and it finally arrived 1.5 years later! So I immediately went to the casting again and was rejected for the first time. However, Heidi personally came to Berlin again to cast more girls and so I went again. I was very persistent! Since the first season I wanted to take part in this whole experience, so I stayed on.

FIV: Many young girls and boys also want to realize their dream as a model. Also, every year many new young people want to apply to the show. Looking back, what are your best tips that you can give to all model enthusiasts regarding the application for GNTM?

Fata: Make an effort! Practice, practice, practice! Keep pushing – you only have this one chance! That’s my advice! So many girls want to get on the show and when you do, you have to work your ass off. It’s a great stepping stone.

Social media, sports & travel: This is Fata’s everyday life as an influencer

FIV: Well, four years after your success on GNTM, you’ve achieved a lot! You have your own Youtube channel where you upload weekly videos, your own podcast Fataland and you live in Dubai. Your followers like you especially for your humorous and open nature, which you bring out on your social media channels and in the podcast! What do you like most about being a public figure and what are you most proud of?

Fata: I’m proud that I get messages every day about how happy people are and that I can put a smile on their faces through my videos. I think anyone can be beautiful on social media, but to be able to carry people along and be honest, open and down to earth is something I pride myself on. I’ve been the same since day 1 and thankfully never had a high.

FIV: Social media can take a lot of time! Managing an Instagram and YouTube account, as well as your own podcast is not as easy as it seems. Do you have any other pursuits besides your job as a blogger? How do you like to spend your free time?

Fata: I try to balance my free time and my job. That means I film my very normal life. So the work never stops – I really film from morning to night – like a reality TV show. An absolutely private insight into my life. In my free time I like to go to the beach, play volleyball, go camping and try to be outside a lot.

Moving to Dubai & travel tips for unforgettable trips

FIV: Together with your boyfriend you moved to Dubai a few months ago. What was the reason for your move there and what do you like most about the city? What is it like to live in such a big modern metropolis and what do you think are the biggest differences compared to Germany?

Fata: I was born and raised in Berlin, which is also a big metropolis for me. Therefore, big city life was not a problem for us. However, I needed good weather and distance from Berlin. Dubai is incredible! Incredibly nice people, permanent sun, good service, beach, sea and freedom. I am very happy here and needed the distance from Berlin.

FIV: Travel, Beauty and Fashion: These are your topics! You love to travel around the world and discover new places. What has been your favorite travel destination so far and do you have some travel tips for our readers? We would also like to know who you prefer to travel with, alone or in company?

Fata: I love travelling with Izi – he is my partner and best friend. He is uncomplicated and open to everything. We can also enjoy the peace and quiet together. Sometimes it doesn’t take many words to be happy. You have to go to Playa del Carmen and Tulum. The most beautiful trips I’ve ever had so far.

FIV: Finally, we would like to hear from you what your absolute career highlight has been over the last few years?

Fata: My absolute highlight was my emigration – I’m so happy to be able to work from anywhere and take my community with me. I am so grateful to be so free.

Fata Hasanovic: Social Media

• Podcast
• Instagram
• Youtube
• Tik Tok

Now also in the magazine: Fata Hasanovic

You can also find the interview with Fata Hasanovic in the magazine. Now on fivmagazine.com, the whole magazine is also online:

• FIV Issue #7

• Instagram: Pilot Madeleine
• Instagram: Pilot Madeleine Presets
• Blog: Pilot Madeleine Lifestyle Blog
• Youtube: Pilot Madeleine

Travel blog of an influencer

FIV: Hello my dear! During my research I asked myself, if you don’t mind the feeling to share your life during your dream travels. Your job is to constantly take and post pictures and videos, even on holiday. Does this commitment bother you or does it not prevent you from enjoying every moment of your travels?

Madeleine: Of course for me travelling is not like for a holidaymaker, it is my job. But I enjoy photographing and sharing with my community a lot, so I don’t see it as an obligation. Besides, you can still freely choose what you share from your travels and what you don’t.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BrXkpEaF1AI/

Tokyo through the ages

Today, more than 9.5 million people live in Tokyo, but if you look back only a few centuries, there was nothing but a small settlement with a fishing port called Edo. By the way: its roots even go back to the Stone Age! In the 15th century a castle was built near the settlement, but the present world metropolis only gained historical importance at the end of the 16th century, when Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu took possession of the settlement and castle and a few years later in 1603 became the capital of his shogunate. As the seat of the Shogunate, the city of Edo underwent numerous changes and changes until Emperor Mitsuhito moved from Kyoto in the middle of the 19th century and renamed the city – now home to around 1 million inhabitants – the “imperial residence city in the east”, i.e. Tokyo. Tokyo is now a real cultural metropolis with numerous theatres, museums and parks, yet it has never forgotten its origins. Thus, in addition to the numerous modern blocks of buildings that tower up into the sky, historic buildings and temples are also lined up everywhere. It is an unusual and unique harmony between modernity and antiquity, so typical of Tokyo, and is also reflected in the two largest and most important sights of the city: the old Imperial Palace and the Tokyo Tower with a height of 333 meters.

Drone flight – sight seeing over the rooftops of Tokyo

Tokyo’s 23 boroughs and their special features

Adachi – impressed with large Senju bridge

A small district in the north of Tokyo. An important sight is the large Senju Bridge, which connects the individual areas within the district.

Arakawa – directly on the banks of the Arakawa River

This district is named after the river of the same name.

Bunkyō – Location of the World-class University of Tokyo

The educational district of Tokyo with numerous educational institutions and sights, including the University of Tokyo and the Tokyo Dome.

Chiyoda – from Imperial Palace to Sega World

The administrative district and headquarters of numerous large companies. Here you will find the imperial palace, the old castle Edo and many other historical buildings. Chiyoda also has the famous Akihabara entertainment district, the heart of the Japanese electronics trade and THE place to go for all fans of video games, anime and manga – the eight-story Sega World is just one example of many. Cosplay cafés and fan meetings are the order of the day here and the last celebrants often leave Akihabara only the next morning. Chiyoda is one of Tokyo’s least populated districts, but during the day there are 20 times as many workers and commuters here!

Chūō – extensive shopping in Ginza

One of Tokyo’s main business centres, including Ginza (THE shopping and entertainment district in Tokyo!) and the famous Tsukiji fish market.

Edogawa – birthplace of trend musician Kazuya Kamenashi

Named after the nearby river and hometown of Kazuya Kamenashi, member of the successful J-pop band KAT-TUN.

Itabashi – medical pioneer of Nihon University

Tokyo’s industrial district with business district in the north and four large universities, including the medical faculty of Nihon University

Katsushika – Residence of over 400,000 Japanese

This district was originally a union of several villages and small towns and now provides mainly housing for the population of Tokyo.

Kita – attractive for young & old: Asukayama Park

Although this is one of Tokyo’s smallest districts, it is also one of the most populous with 80% of the population. Next to Akabane railway station is Tokyo’s first public park, Asukayama Park.

Kōtō – world important exhibitions in the Tokyo Big Sight

The Tokyo Big Sight international exhibition hall and the Toyko Gate Bridge are located in this district, which was largely built by reclaiming new land.

Meguro – full of diplomats & embassies

A combination of a residential area and diplomatic quarter. It is the seat of numerous international embassies, especially of the West Asian countries and Africa, but also of the Honorary Consulate General of Iceland.

Minato – Tokyo Tower, Tokyo Midtown & Roppongi

In addition to a large number of educational institutions, some sights such as the Tokyo Tower and the Toyko Midtown high-rise complex with the highest skyscrapers in the city as well as the luxury district of Roppongi can be found here. Minato is also home to the tech companies Sony, Toshiba and NEC Corporation.

Nakano – divided into 18 individual districts

This district consists of 18 districts and is divided by several rivers. Nakano is connected to the subway network, but has no motorway of its own.

Nerima – over a hundred years of carousel

In this district there are mainly residential buildings and individual parks. In the Toshima-en amusement park you can marvel at the oldest still operated carousel in the world – it was put into operation for the first time in New York in 1910!

Ōta – Temple complex Homon-ji from the 13th century

This is the largest district in Tokyo and the third largest in terms of population. Here you will also find the famous Homon-ji, a Buddhist temple from the 13th century.

Setagaya – Luxury district with over 800,000 inhabitants

This is by far the most populous district of the city. Of Tokyo’s more than 9 million inhabitants, over 800,000 live here in Setagaya. It is one of the more expensive residential areas with about 60% pure residential development. The Carrott Tower with a height of 124 meters is also here.

Shibuya – Shopping & Fun in Shibuya

The Shibuya entertainment district is part of the district of the same name. The shopping street Senta-gai is one of the most popular shopping opportunities for Tokyo’s young population. The world famous statue of Shiba Inu Hachiko stands directly in front of Shibuya station. By the way: due to the mass of information technology companies Shibuya is often called Bit Valley!

Shinagawa – 6,000 hotel rooms near the station

A variety of universities and offices are located here in Shinagawa. However, due to the highest concentration of hotels and accommodation in Tokyo, the district attracts special attention with 6,000 rooms around Shinagawa station alone!

Shinjuku – bigger, nicer, better

Shinjuku station in Tokyo is one of the stations with the highest passenger volume in the world! But everything else in Shinjuku is bigger, better or more successful: Japan’s most important commercial and administrative centre is here, as is the largest shopping district in the whole of Japan, Japan’s largest and oldest entertainment district… Yayoi Kusama, one of the most important Japanese artists of the post-war period, had her own Yayoi Kusama Museum built here. By the way: Shinjuku maintains a partnership with the Dongcheng district in Beijing and the Mitte district in Berlin.

Suginami – Education in over 100 institutions

This district is mainly a residential area with only a few industrial settlements. There are 47 primary schools, 32 secondary schools, 21 secondary schools, 6 universities and 11 libraries!
Sumida – Sumo & Sumida Hokusai
Sumida is also mainly populated by people. There are several museums here, including the architectural Sumida Hokusai Museum and Ryogoku Kokugikan Sumo Hall.

Toshima – International in Tokyo

About 47% of this district consists of a residential area, in addition there are public places and some commercial enterprises. With a non-Japanese population of about 15,500 people, Toshima is one of Tokyo’s international districts. Here, too, there are several educational institutions, including the Tokyo Conservatory of Music.

Taitō – Sumidagawa-Hanabi, the biggest fireworks festival

In Taito there are the entertainment districts Asakusa and Ueno. The National Museum of Western Art, the Daimyo Clock Museum and the Ueno-Zoo are just some of the places to visit for culture and entertainment. Taito is also a popular place to celebrate Sumidagawa-Hanabi, Japan’s largest fireworks festival, and Sanja-Matsuri are both held here every year.

The travel guide for Tokyo

Holidays Extras Travel Guides explains the easiest and most convenient way to travel to Japan and what sights and attractions you should not miss on your first visit to Tokyo.

The Tokyo Metro – immortalized on a Nike sports shoe

Nike has drawn inspiration from the world’s major cities in creating the new Air Max series. The Tokyo Metro’s labyrinth-like rail network is reflected in the “Tokyo Maze” model and also gives its name to the new sports shoe.

Luxury life Tokyo – the most expensive apartments in the world

Living in Tokyo is a costly thing – especially the house prices are horrendous, one is not satisfied with the absolute minimum. In Ginza, for example, for a 13m² apartment you can expect about 800,00 Euro per month, for 50m² in Shibuya even between 2.500,00 Euro and 3.000,00 Euro per month and in Akihabara a monthly rent of 1.200,00 Euro for a 35m² apartment is a real bargain!

Between pressure to perform and late pension

That is perhaps why the people of Tokyo are particularly ambitious. Demands on academic and professional performance are high, which is particularly noticeable to the children time and again. You have to be diligent and work hard later so that your own children will have a better time. Only the factor of public school or private institute has a decisive influence on future careers. The pressure of expectations to which people here are exposed – both in their private lives and in society – means that everyone works late from morning to night, a 40-hour week plus 40 hours of overtime per month is the standard here and an after-work time after 11 p.m. is not uncommon. This is very harmful to Japanese health, and people are retiring very late – at 67 years of age – but on average the Japanese are getting much older than anywhere else in the world.

Creative outburst of opposites

In this context, it is understandable that the people in Tokyo sometimes seem a little chilly – like ants driving them from one place to another, always purposefully, always focused – like little wheels in a gear. There is no time for a nice smile or an apology and the necessary energy for it is better spent on more work. Nevertheless, the lifestyle in Tokyo in particular is rich in contrast, colourful, loud and shrill. There is nothing that does not exist – and what does not exist is probably invented here! This principle is reflected in music, art and, of course, fashion. From elegant women and men in kimonos to doll-like Lolitas with lace umbrellas to young men in flashy designer suits and colourful streetfashion – the main thing is to stand out. But of course there are also the normal suit and costume wearers as well as the students in their uniform uniforms – a surreal mix, especially if Spiderman and Sailor Moon are walking around the corner, closely followed by an adult in a Pikachu costume.

Impressions from Style ID: Tokyo Fashion Week A/W 18/19

A short impression of the last Fashion Week in Tokyo with designs for the autumn-winter collection of the year.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gpXlVYYwVo

Designer Tokyo

Dice-K with its GlamHate brand is a prime example of a young Tokyo designer who once again redefines the term fashion for himself and takes up elements from GlamRock, vampirism and Lady Gaga’s stage outfits. His current collection VAMPYRE has been running for several weeks and is aimed specifically at Japan’s youth scene.

Tokyo – overwhelming and beautiful

All in all, Tokyo is definitely worth a trip – one should only plan enough time to take in all the different impressions. In seven days, not even a 100th of what the world metropolis has to offer! Fortunately, there is a sophisticated and 100% reliable rail network that transports you from one district to another in the shortest possible time. Only during rush hour it is hard to stand in the Tokyo Metro, so you shouldn’t have any fear of contact and claustrophobia. As an alternative to the subway’s local trains, there are also the Shinkansen, the famous Japanese high-speed trains with a network across Japan and an impressive top speed of up to 320km per hour. Aomori, Kyoto, Osaka, Yokohama and Sapporo and many other cities are only a stone’s throw away.

More about Japan: Travel tips for vacation or weekend

Tokyo is of course not the only beautiful city in Japan. The Land of the Rising Sun has several other exciting, colourful and fashionable cities to offer with unforgettable sights and events. Of course, we have already compiled more information about Japan for you:

• Amazing Osaka! Between Samurai & Shopping in Japan’s #2 Metropolis
• Coloured Kyoto – Sake, Shopping & Imperial Palace in the heart of Japan
• Glamhate: New collection Vampyre by Dice-K in Tokyo, Japan
• Kobe Travel Guide: Sightseeing, Fashion Week & Lifestyle in Kansai

Osaka in 4K: Almost as good as live!

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By the way: Osaka received its name officially only in 1868, although it is historically proven that the city was already called “Ozaka” in the Middle Ages. However, its original name is Naniwa and as “imperial residence city Naniwa” until the year 744 Japan’s capital. Since then Osaka has been a more important trade hub than ever, not least because of its excellent land and sea connections. In the meantime, Osaka was the most populous city in Japan, but Tokyo and Yokohama have meanwhile pushed Osaka to third place. In the 1990s, most of the large companies previously based in Osaka relocated their headquarters to rapidly growing Tokyo, which burst the economic bubble around Osaka and plunged many Japanese into bankruptcy and unemployment.

A little history… and tips for your first trip!

Due to the constant changes that the city has been exposed to over the centuries through wars, earthquakes and other natural disasters, Osaka has had the opportunity to reinvent itself every time. Today, the big city is a prime example of modernity and highly efficiently structured. The transport network, for example, is well thought-out, reliable, closely linked and affordable for everyone. This makes Osaka a place with an impressive variety of transport options. There are two airports in and near Osaka – the Kansai International Airport, built on an artificial island, and the smaller Itami Airport for domestic flights. From Kansai International Airport there is a rail connection connecting the airport with the cities of the region, including Osaka, of course. Osaka’s inner-city rail network is the second largest in Japan and almost identical in structure to the Tokyo Metro. Seven different railway companies operate the railways and trains in Osaka, and ownership seems rather fragile. Nevertheless, the entire transport system works perfectly – delays are not only not tolerated here, as in the rest of Japan, they simply do not exist!

Know already? In Osaka you pay by train according to route

By the way: in Osaka you pay depending on the distance covered, the shortest distance costs 200 Yen, so just 1,53 Euro. The JR Osaka Loop Line is one of the more popular routes as it circles – as the name suggests – once around the whole city. Thus, one gets easily and uncomplicated to every part of the city and saves the change to one of the other railways. The train stations per line per direction are simply gigantic – so you should definitely plan enough time to get from A to B. Those who prefer to save the effort and instead reach for their wallet can also treat themselves to a taxi as an alternative. There are no modern apps or vending machines – not yet! – but for that there are taxis literally on every corner – and most taxi drivers even speak a little English.

Tips and Insights for your trip to Osaka

Osaka – official partner of eight international cities

• Chicago, USA
• Hamburg, Germany
• Milan, Italy
• Melbourne, Australia
• San Francisco, USA
• Saint Petersburg, Russia
• São Paulo, Brazil
• Shanghai, China

Although Osaka has had its heyday as Japan’s commercial centre, the city still has a lot to offer culturally. For example, it is the most important city in terms of classical Japanese theatre. Among the sights of the city is the Tsūtenkaku, “the tower that reaches to the sky” with an impressive 103 meters height. The tower, which is loosely designed to resemble the Eiffel Tower in Paris, also provides the current weather forecast for the following day based on the colouring of the top of the tower. The 16th century Osaka Castle with its interior museum is also worth a visit and if you like the underwater field, you should definitely plan a visit to Kaiyūkan – one of the world’s largest publicly accessible aquariums!

Attractions in Osaka – La Santa Maria Cruiser, Owl Family Café, Dotonbori and more

Osaka sees itself as the anti-capital city – proud, cool, self-confident. Full of hospitality and with an exquisite cuisine. The passion for food in particular has a far-reaching historical background here. Hundreds of years ago, when Tokyo was still a military base and Kyoto was considered the imperial capital, Osaka was already known as “Japan’s cuisine”. Osaka is the home of soul food – in no other city in Japan do people spend more money on good food and the quality demands on food and restaurants are extreme. The people here are almost obsessed with food and drink and reinvent dishes seasonally.

Streetfood in culture imprinted Osaka

Street food can be found everywhere and there are always new and unusual creations on offer, alongside the traditional and local dishes for which Osaka is famous. In some restaurants, for example, there is the option “How you like it”, which you can select separately for each main course – and actually you can put together a selection of all available ingredients and garnishes and mix at the table yourself, however you like. There are no limits to your creativity – pancakes with pork belly and shrimps in sesame sauce? No problem. There is even a separate term for Osaka’s culinary culture: “kuidaore” – which means “eat until you burst”. The distinctive eating and enjoyment culture invites you to linger and so it is not uncommon to meet people late into the night in restaurants and bars – in Osaka nobody has to be alone and the last people stagger in the morning hours to work or home, depending on the job.

Kuidaore! The best street food in Dotonbori

The best local delicacies in Osaka

Takoyaki

Literally translated as “grilled octopus”, Takoyaki are small pieces of octopus with pickled ginger and spring onions in dough – a special Takoyaki pan provides the spherical structure. In addition there is still the Takoyaki sauce or alternatively Majonese, seaweed or dried Bonito. Takoyaki is available at every street food stand in Osaka and is one of the most popular snacks there.

Teppanyaki

Teppanyaki translated means “grilling on a metal plate” and describes more a certain cooking technique than a certain dish. The special thing about Teppanyaki is that the customer can fully witness the preparation process and there are even restaurants that specialize solely in this special customer service. For lovers of good food, anticipation is an essential component and, moreover, cooks in Japan are generally very respected and have to undergo many years of training before they can really call themselves chefs. There is no limit to Teppanyaki, but usually either high quality beef or seafood is used.

Okonomiyaki

Okonomiyaki is visually reminiscent of pancakes and is widespread throughout Japan. Therefore, there are many different variants of this dish. Typical for Okonomiyaki in Osaka is the grated cabbage. Together with a variety of other ingredients, including squid, prawns, octopus or various kinds of meat, the cabbage is put into dough and cooked. Of course there is a special Okonomiyaki sauce and alternatively mayonnaise, seaweed or bonitos.

Kushikatsu

Kushikatsu is actually anything that can be baked in dough and fried on a skewer – meat and various vegetables are often the basis for this dish. But there are also very creative variations with fried strawberries, for example. There’s nothing in food technology that Osaka doesn’t have!

Kitsune Udon

Anyone who has ever eaten at a Japanese restaurant will certainly be familiar with Udon. For everyone else: Udon are thick, light noodles – usually made from wheat – and a component of many hot soups. Kitsune Udon is a variant of these soups, in which the Udon noodles are supplemented with fried tofu. A simple recipe, but not the less popular in Japan, as it has a mythological background. For Kitsune is another word for the Japanese fox, which in Japan is considered a lucky charm and whose favourite dish is allegedly fried tofu. The fox, on the other hand, is the sacred animal of the Shinto goddess Inari, who stands for fertility.

Streetfood Season 9 – Episode 8: Kitsune Udon in Osaka

More about Japan: Travel tips for vacation or weekend

Osaka is of course not the only beautiful city in Japan. The Land of the Rising Sun has several other exciting, colourful and fashionable cities to offer with unforgettable sights and events. Of course, we have already compiled more information about Japan for you:

• Tokyo Experience: Travel tips & Field reports from Adachi to Taitō
• Coloured Kyoto – Sake, Shopping & Imperial Palace in the heart of Japan
• Glamhate: New collection Vampyre by Dice-K in Tokyo, Japan
• Kobe Travel Guide: Sightseeing, Fashion Week & Lifestyle in Kansai

At dizzying heights above Kobe

Built close to the water

The city of Kobe is long and narrow, which is due to its location between the coast and mountainous country. As everywhere in Japan, the lack of usable land can be felt in Kobe – but thanks to its proximity to the coast and the sea, the Japanese have managed to build two artificial islands between Kobe and Osaka to expand the base of the Japanese island complex, namely Port Island and Rokkō Island.

Without snow through the winter

The weather in Kobe is characterized by hot summers and cool winters. With an average annual temperature of 15 to 20 degrees Celsius, it can be tolerated here all year round. The hottest phase is in August with an outside temperature of up to 32 degrees – in winter the temperatures rarely go below 0 degrees, so that it hardly ever snows in Kobe.

Melting Pot Kobe: internationally popular

Incidentally, about 13% of the city’s population is made up of people under 14, 67% of people up to the age of 64 and 20% of people over 65. 44,000 non-Japanese are registered in Kobe, with South Korea and China as the most common foreign nationalities, and Vietnam and America by far.

The nine faces of Kobe – all municipalities at a glance

International ME: Angela with over 15 destinations in just one day!

Nishi – fresh fish from Akashi

Nishi is the westernmost district of Kobes and with almost 250,000 inhabitants the most populous district of the city. Nishi borders the town of Akashi known for its fresh fish – the temple Gessho-ji is located on the 135th meridian east of Greenwitch, which determines the Japanese normal time JST. That is why the JST is also simply called Akashi time in Japan.

Kita – Natural paradise on the mountain Rokko

Due to its mountainous structure, Kita is the most suitable area for hiking in Kobes. The two mountains Rokkō and Maya invite you to take long walks – the Rokkō Alpine Garden, for example, offers an impressive array of colours and plant diversity especially in autumn and is the perfect place for a day out in nature. If you are looking for relaxation, Arima Onsen is the place for you. The hot spring is an absolute insider tip and lies well protected behind the mountain Rokkō By the way, it is one of the oldest sources at all and is already mentioned several times in historical texts from the 8th century. By the way: Rokkō towers above the whole city with a proud 931 meters height!

Arima Onsen – hot spring, footbath & Mouchi with Allan tea

Tarumi – over the bridge to Awajji

The area around Tarumi was originally not part of the city and was only incorporated in 1946. Tarumi is mainly a residential area and offers few attractions for tourists. However, the AkashiKaikyō bridge, which connects the main island Honshū via Tarumi with southern Awaji on Awajishima, is worth a visit. With a span of 1,991 metres, it is the longest suspension bridge in the world – its actual length is as much as 3,911 metres!

The longest suspension bridge in the world – the crowning glory of bridge construction

Suma – Summer, Sun, Beach and more!

This municipality is located in the western part of the city along the coast and Osaka Bay. Formerly a picturesque district with beautiful small wooden houses, Suma has not been the same since the strong earthquake in Kobe at the end of the 1990s. But the famous beach complex in Suma Kaihin Kōen Park continues to inspire many visitors all year round, but especially during the summer months of course, and invites them to extensive walks and beach parties.

Nagata – the best shoes in Japan

According to figures, Nagata is the smallest district of the city and the least populated compared to the other eight districts. Nevertheless, with almost 9,000 inhabitants per km² it has the highest population density – the majority of the people here are among Kobes with the lowest income. Nagata is known for its shoe production and is still the leader in Japan. Also worth mentioning is the Nagata Shrine, one of the largest shrines in the city.

Hyōgo – drawn by time

Hyōgo is the historical heart of the city and has been run under various names throughout history. Once the core of Kobe’s business, Hyōgo has never fully recovered since the severe damage caused to the area by the Second World War. In 2004, the municipality was further affected by devastating floods. Nowadays people live here at a population density of 655 inhabitants per km² – a faint reflection of the past.

Chūō – from Motomachi to Harborland and Chinatown

The current business and entertainment centre of the city is clearly Chūō – the city centre Sannomiya, the office and business district Motomachi as well as the popular shopping district Harborland directly at the harbour form the character of the area. The artificial islands Port Island and Kobe Airport are also part of Chūō. Along with Nagasaki and Yokohama, Cobes own Chinatown Ninkanmachi is one of the most important conurbations for residents of Chinese descent in Japan – among Chinese, the term “Tangren Jie” is preferred because of its historically negative use of words.

Harborland Tour: Tiger in the shopping area of Kobe

Nada – Uni, Zoo and Sake Production

Nada is home to Oji Zoo, Oji Stadium and Kobe University. Together with the neighbouring district of Higashinada, Nada is best known for its sake. Adding the annual production rate of rice wine to that of Fushimi in Kyoto, as much as 45% of the country’s total production of sake is produced here!

Higashinada – celebrate in Kobe for the wagon festival

Higashinada district is located in the eastern part of the city. A large part of the area is the artificial island Rokkō, which was completed in the early 1990s. The Kōnan University and the Canadian Academy, an international university, are located in Higashinada as well as numerous museums, not least of course the Hakutsuru Gallery, named after the great sake producer Hakutsuru. The Okamoto plum garden makes botanists’ hearts beat faster and in May the whole town comes together to celebrate at the Danjiri-Matsuri.

Economic centre Kobe – upswing of the city

Economically, Kobe is an important hub on Japan’s main island Honshu. Large and well-known companies such as UCC have their headquarters in Kobe, but also various companies of the Kawasaki Group and the Mitsubishi Group can be found here. Some Japanese companies have moved to Tokyo over the years, but the city has not lost its appeal for international companies and is home to many successful companies such as the pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly & Company, the consumer goods group Procter & Gamble, Boehringer Ingelheim – the largest research-based pharmaceutical company in Germany – and the Swiss food group Nestlé.

Teamwork with partners & sister cities worldwide

In addition to official city partnerships with Tianjin in China, Philadelphia, USA, and Daegu in South Korea as well as numerous sister cities, the port of Kobe Sister Port is linked to the ports in Rotterdam, Netherlands, and Seattle, USA.

Research in Kobe: High-End Technology & Supercomputers

Furthermore, many research institutes are present in Kobe, above all the RIKEN Kobe Institute Center for Development Biology and Medical Imaging Ttechniques. An example for the work on RIKEN – short for “Rikagaku “Rikagaku”, which means physical-chemical institute – is the K-computer, which RIKEN developed together with Fijutsu. With a computing power of 10.51 petaflops, the K-Computer took first place among the fastest computer systems in the world in 2011!

The history of the K-Computer from 2006 to 2012

Attractions and Culture: Luxury Meat, Golf and Kobe Fashion Week

Apart from rice wine, the famous Kobe Beef has its origin in Kobe and is named after cattle of the Japanese breed of Tajima cattle from the region around Kobe. It’s the most expensive beef in the world. The meat impresses with its strong marbling and the low content of saturated fatty acids. Market prices range from 400.00 euros to 600.00 euros per kilogram – Kobe Beef’s EU import has only been possible since summer 2014!

Food Guide Kobe: from Akashiyaki to Kobe Beef with Lyz Kelly

From jazz to wrestling and futsal – music & sports in Kobe

Every year in October the music event “Kobe Jazz Street” takes place, but not only culturally the city near Osaka has a lot to offer. Kobe is home to Japan’s first mosque, inaugurated in 1935, and the country’s first golf club, founded in Japan at the beginning of the 20th century. In general, sport is very important in Kobe – it has a rich tradition in baseball, football, rugby, volleyball and wrestling as well as futsal, a variant of indoor football internationally recognised by the World Football Association FIFA, where flying changes in the team’s own area are possible and the ball may not be controlled for more than four seconds when at rest.

Kobe Fashion Centre: Kobe Fashion Week

In Kobe there is a saying: “If you can’t go to Paris, go to Kobe”, because cosmopolitan and fashion are particularly important here. Kobe Fashion Week is held twice a year and brings together the country’s most important designers and numerous international guests. The Kobe Collection was launched in 2002 and was one of the most important fashion shows in the region until it was discontinued in 2007. The Kobe Fashion Museum was chosen by CNN as one of the top 10 museums in the world!

CSE TV News: Interview with fashion god Keitaro Takada

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwHBbZil-Xg

Impressions: Kobe Collection x Tokyo Girls Collection

Read more about Japan’s metropolises Tokyo and Kyoto.

Kyoto is the sister city of many world-famous cities, such as Prague, Paris, Florence, Zagreb, Kiev and Cologne. It also maintains an official partnership with Istanbul, Qingdao and Viantiane, among others. Read more about Japan’s metropolises Tokyo and Kobe.

The highlights of Kyoto in 4D

Kyoto is Japan’s number 1 destination for tourists from all over the world. The former capital offers so many different impressions and experiences, something new, exciting or unusual can be discovered in every corner of the city. From a bird’s eye view Kyoto is breathtakingly beautiful – Fushimi-Momomiya Castle and the paradisiacal mountain village Miyama are a real insider tip! Arashiyama has been a popular excursion destination since the 8th century and has lost nothing of its beauty to this day. The Zen Buddhist temple Tenryuji, for example, impresses with its beautiful gardens, designed by the famous Japanese Muso Soseki, who was the first abbot of the temple. At least as worth seeing is the small temple Senkoji. The river Hozu invites you to extensive sightseeing from a boat, while the Togetsukyo bridge may be familiar to some from historical Japanese films. Simply beautiful!

From Miyama to Senkoji – the enchanting Arashiyama in the West of Kyoto

Kyoto 794 – the imperial residence

As “Heian-kyo” Kyoto was the second permanent capital of the country since 794. At that time, Japan’s political power essentially originated there, which is why it also served as the imperial capital. When the emperor moved to Tokyo 400 kilometres away in 1185, Kyoto lost its position of power and the slow and gradual decline of the city began. 1568 came with the first Christian place of prayer, Namban-ji, then also the Christian influence to Kyoto. Only in 1580 did the reconstruction of the city begin and the first temples were built within the city – this had previously been strictly forbidden. Kyoto recovered and flourished and was one of the few cities in Japan to be spared from nuclear bombs and air strikes during the Second World War due to its cultural importance.

Kyoto Cultural Center – nearly 1,600 temples and more

Today Kyoto is the best preserved city in the country and is known as the cultural centre of Japan. Inside the city there are about 1,600 Buddhist temples and another 400 Shinto shrines, palaces and gardens. Many of these shrines and temples are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Historic Kyoto” and are therefore particularly protected. This is one of the reasons why many of the country’s most famous buildings are located in Kyoto. The most important sights are in the east, north and west of the city – the majority of the temples are a bit remote in the north and on the surrounding mountain slopes. Every year Kyoto hosts the “Gozan no Okuribi” festival – large fires are lit on the mountain tops in the north whose flames simulate Japanese characters seen from a distance.

Ghostworld & Beacon – how to celebrate Gozan no Okuribi in Kyoto

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8tAuVU50pf4

Excessively polite in dialect

In Kyoto dialect is spoken, especially by the older inhabitants of the city. What distinguishes the Kyoto dialect from other language variants of Japanese is its strong historical influence, because here the old courtly culture is reflected in a form that cannot be found anywhere else but within the former capital. That is why the Kyoto dialect is also regarded as the higher variant of the generally regionally widespread Kansai dialect.

The most beautiful buildings in the 11 districts

The city of Kyoto is divided into 11 districts, all of which are worth a visit. – Because in every district there are beautiful temples and shrines and many other attractions and tourist destinations.

Fushimi – the best water of the country

The district of Fushimi is known for its particularly soft and clear water, which is of great importance for sake production. That’s why this is also where sake producer Gekkeikan is based. Also worth seeing are the Fushimi Inari Shrine, Fushimi Castle, Teradaya Inn, Gokogu Shrine and the ruins of Yodo Castle.

Kamigyo – from Imperial Palace to University Campus

The high-quality silk textile Nishijin-Ori has been produced in the district of Kamigyo for centuries. The old architecture of the Imperial Palace as well as various temples and shrines, including the temple of Shokoku-ji and the shrines of Kitano Tenman-gu and Seimei, meet modern structures such as the Imadegawa Campus of Doshisha University.

Kita – golden pavilion and oldest shrine in Japan

Kita belonged to the district of Kamikyo until 1955 and is rich in sights. Here is the Daitoku-ji and the Imamiya Shrine with its famous Yasurai Festival and Japan’s oldest shrine, the Kamo Shrine. There is also the golden pavilion Kinkaku-ji, the mountain Funaokayama and four large universities.

Higashiyama – National Museum Kyoto

The entertainment district of Gion is located in the heart of Higashiyama. There are numerous temples including Kiyomizu-dera, Tofuku-ji, Kennin-ji, Kodai-ji, Imakumano Kannon-ji and Sanjusangen-ji.

Minami – the southern city entrance

Until 1955 the municipality was still part of the Shimogyo district. Minami is located in the south of Kyoto, the only area of the city that is not bordered by mountains. Here is the former southern entrance to the city, Rajomon, as well as the famous temple complex To-Ji, where monk Kukai taught. By the way: Minami is home to the Zainichi, a population group with Korean roots.

Nakagyo – the tourist center of the city

The district of Nakagyo is located in the city centre of Kyoto and is therefore also the hub for administration, consumption, tourism and entertainment. Three of the city’s most famous festivals are held annually in Nakagyo: the Aoi-Matsuri, the Gion-Matsuri and the Jidai-Matsuri. Of particular note in Nakagyo are Nijo-jo Castle, Tokugawa’s former seat of the Shogunate, the Rokaku-do Temple, rebuilt after a devastating fire in 1877, and the Kyoto International Manga Museum.

Nishikyo – the Imperial Katsura Villa

The district of Nishikyo is of particular importance because of the imperial Katsura Villa, which was built over the Katsura river of the same name. The old moss temple Saiho-ji and the Yoshimine-dera are also located here.

An ode to Katsura Rikyu

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gow111KwfM

Sakyo – rice fields and botanical garden

The district of Sakyo is very close to nature. It is the only district of Kyoto that has been able to preserve its rice fields and prevent new development areas and high-rise buildings due to urban planning restrictions. The wood industry has also been a constant in Sakyo for many years. Besides temples and shrines like Ginkaku-ji, Nanzen-ji, Kamo Shrine, Heian-Jingu Shrine, Kurama-dera, Kifune-jinja, Sanzen-ji and Manshuin Temple there is the Imperial Villa Shugakuin and the botanical garden of Kyoto. The Kyoto International Conference Center, in which the famous Kyoto Protocol to the climate protection agreement was adopted, and the Kyoto University for Art and Design are also located here.

Shimogyo – Shopping, Travel, Rivers

Shimogyo is home to the large Kyoto railway station and the city’s largest shopping district at the corner of Shijo Street and Kawaramachi Street. Three rivers flow through the district and the famous Kyoto Tower rises far beyond the city.
Ukyo – Bridge to the Moon

The temple complex Ninna-ji, the Zen temple Ryoan-ji, Daikaku-ji as well as Koryu-ji and the bridge with the mystical name “Bridge to the Moon”, Togetsu-kyo are located in this district. The Kyoto Prefecture University is also located here. By the way: Ukyo is also seen as the centre of the Japanese film industry and is home to one of the two film studios Toeis.

With Kenny Lee in Arashiyama: from the bamboo grove to the “bridge to the moon”

Yamashina – the oldest imperial tomb of Kyoto

Yamashina station is only one stop from Kyoto station in Shimogyo. As a former imperial residence, a number of emperors have of course also been buried in Kyoto. In fact, the oldest imperial tomb in the city, the tomb of Emperor Tenji, together with that of General Sakanoue no Tamuramaro and other important historical figures are located in the Yamashina district. The famous Oishi Shrine is also located here.

The Top 10 City Attractions

1. Fushimi Inari Shrine
2. The golden pavilion Kinkaku-ji
3. Kiyomizu-dera
4. Eikan-do
5. Sanjuzangdo Temple
6. Shoren-in Temple
7. Emperor Shugakuin Villa
8. Imperial Katsura Villa
9. Ninna-ji Temple
10. Sanzen-in Temple

With Shan Axe in Kyoto – 11 recommendations in less than 3 minutes!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Puov0rSlyuk

University City Kyoto – Studying at the highest level

Due to its status as a university city, Kyoto is home to many young people, but in fact the students are not only city residents and regional residents, they come from all parts of the country to study at one of the approximately 40 universities and colleges in the city. Since the opening of the first Shinkansen line in 1964, Kyoto can also be reached by high-speed trains, which makes commuting much more pleasant. The main station in Shimogyo was completely rebuilt and modernised in 1997, which makes it more attractive to the young population, but in the eyes of many it is too much in contrast to the traditional Kyoto architectural style.

Japan’s Top 5 Universities & Colleges

According to a foreign ranking of Japanese universities and colleges from April 2018, the national universities of Tokyo, also known as Todai, and Kyoto, aka Kyodai, ranked first for the first time together; until now, the national university of the capital was considered Japan’s undefeated top university. In the 2018 global ranking, however, Todai is still one step ahead; with 46th place on the world list of universities, it is 28 places ahead of Kyodai (74th). By the way: the universities of Oxford, Cambrige and Stanford occupy places 1-3 in the worldwide ranking.

• 1st Tokyo University & Kyoto University
• 3rd University of Tohoku
• 4th Tokyo Institute for Technology
• 5th Kyushu University

Catch your dream! Studying at Kyoto University

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGWkIQr54uk

The three pillars of Kyoto – Tourism, Tradition & Modernity

1. tourism

Its long-lasting architecture and the many historical sites of Kyoto make the city Japan’s most popular tourist destination. In fact, tourism is the city’s main source of income and the tourist infrastructure is well developed here.

2. traditional handicraft

There are also many small businesses and family businesses dedicated to traditional Japanese crafts, for example Kyoto is famous for its silk manufacture and the production of kimonos, which are often worn here for festive occasions, but also in everyday life. A very special dyeing technique, called Kyo-Yuzen, was passed down from the 17th century and was developed many years ago by Yuzen Miyazaki in Kyoto. Outside Kyoto there are few practitioners, most of them in Kanazawa – but even within the city, Kyo-Yuzen is only used by a few.

3. electronics

The third pillar, besides sake production of course, is electronics. The headquarters of renowned companies such as Nintendo, Murata Eletronics, OMRON, Wacoal, Kyocera and many others are located in Kyoto. Nevertheless, many of the working population have to commute daily to Osaka, 40 km away, since the jobs in the city centre are no longer sufficient.

Eating in Kyoto – a culinary feast for all the senses

Kyoto is also famous for its excellent cuisine. The stylish, often simple dishes focus on mainly vegetable ingredients such as pickled vegetables, called tsukemono. Many vegetables, which are seasonally found in the city’s specialities, come from the immediate vicinity of Kyoto and are known for being somewhat smaller in growth, but also significantly more intense in taste than in the rest of Japan, thus giving Kyoto cuisine a very special touch. By the way: a popular souvenir from Kyoto is the candy Yatsuhashi.
Most poular: Nama Yatsuhashi

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5kMMweVJxQ

Kaiseki Ryori – luxury dinner in several courses

Kaiseki Ryori is a multi-course and often expensive menu whose origins lie in the traditional tea ceremony. In the course of time it enjoyed great popularity at the Imperial Court and became increasingly pompous and extravagant. A variant of Kaiseki Ryori is Kyo Kaiseki, which is primarily based on seasonal vegetables from the Kyoto region.
Shojin Ryori – pleasurable modesty

The Shojin Ryori comes from the abstinent monks in Buddhist temples. The simple dishes consist exclusively of vegetarian ingredients, but are still rich and filling. A popular example of Shoji Ryori is a vegetable broth with tofu, called yudofu.

Obanzai Ryori – Food like Mum

The Obanzai Ryori is originally traditional cooking at home. Typically it consists of several small dishes that are not very complex to prepare. Restaurants that specialize in Kyoto cuisine often create a homely atmosphere to create a sense of home and togetherness among their guests.

Kawayuka – Food above the water

Kawayuka or Kawadoko refers to food in nature. But not somewhere, but on wooden platforms floating above rivers! These platforms are built by restaurants all over Kyoto during the summer season as a kind of terrace over rivers and streams, offering a refreshing alternative to stuffy restaurants and oppressive heat. The culinary district of Pontocho in the city centre is particularly suitable due to its proximity to the Kamogawa River, but also the two mountain villages Kibune and Takao in the mountains north of Kyoto invite you to Kawadoko from May to September – an absolute recommendation!

Streetfood in Kyoto: Yakitori, Okonomiyaki & Dango

More about Japan: Travel tips for vacation or weekend

Not enough of Japan yet? The Land of the Rising Sun has several other exciting, colourful and fashionable cities to offer with unforgettable sights and events. Of course, we have already compiled more information about Japan for you:

• Tokyo Experience: Travel tips & Field reports from Adachi to Taitō
• GlamHate: New Collection Vampyre by Dice-K in Tokyo, Japan
• Kobe Travel Guide: Sightseeing, Fashion Week & Lifestyle in Kansai
• Amazing Osaka! Between Samurai & Shopping in Japan’s #2 Metropolis