The Backpack Adventures

Introduction It was just last 2018 when we last visited Japan. In just a year, we were blessed to be given another opportunity to revisit the Land of the Rising Sun. Finally! Everyone's ready! Ella will revisit Japan for the 3rd time. For this visit, we'll be staying in Japan for only 7 days. Hence, this would be the shortest Japan Diaries series so far. However, unlike the first two series, this one became extra special as my parents and siblings would be part of it. This would also mark our first travel abroad as a family -something that I have long waited for in my 3 decades of life. So, please join me and my family as we recount the daily accounts of our trips and adventures in this awesome country that I call my second home - Japan .  Day 0   Dec. 18, 2019 Arrival It's my parents' and brother's first time in Japan .  Off to Osaka! This international family trip was actually planned a long time ago. However, due to a lot of facto

For those who don't know, Kansai Region lies in the south-central area of Japan's main island Honshu. It is composed of seven prefectures namely Hyogo, Kyoto, Mie, Nara, Osaka, Shiga, and Wakayama. The main entry point of foreign tourists to this region is the Kansai International Airport (KIX) and Kobe Port.  10 Kid-Friendly Places to Visit in Kansai Region This region is a great place to immerse oneself in Japan's rich history and culture. Adults would surely find Kansai a fascinating place to visit... However, the big question is, is it kid-friendly? In my opinion, and probably the majority of all those who had visited this region before, the Kansai Region and Japan, in general, is a very child-friendly place.  Here we go!!! For today's article, I have compiled 10 child-friendly places to bring your child(ren) when you visit the Kansai Region. Here are my top 10 recommendations of child-friendly places in the Kansai Region: 1. Eiraku Yumenomori Park

Day 22 June 7, 2018 Farewell Japan Ohayou ! This is it! Our final day in Japan . Cold and foggy morning at Tsubasagaoka! I woke up early and was amazed to see the neighborhood of Tsubasagaoka blanketed by thick fog. What's more amazing was the fact that it was still very foggy until 8:30AM.  All our bags are packed... but we don't want to go... Off to the mall for our last lunch in Japan . Aside from being chilly outside, I decided to remain indoors because of the fact that my mind kept on playing scenes from Stephen King's The Mist . Thankfully the fog lifted at around noon and it turned out to be quite sunny. for the first time, Japan 's weather forecast didn't hit the mark. AEON Mall in Wakayama Ella with Montbell's mascot Looking for a place to eat... Lunch at Shabusai Ella with Ms. Taeko We went to AEON Mall in Wakayama for lunch and also to look for ingredients for some dishes requested by our Japanese family. Sadl