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Guides4 min readTennoji Park and a slow museum afternoonTennoji Park has a zoo, an art museum and an old temple close to the station. Here is how to plan a slow afternoon there, with a rest under the trees.Guides5 min readUmeda and Kita: Osaka's hub for trains and big shopsUmeda and Kita form Osaka's northern hub, with many train lines, department stores and towers. Here is how to use it as a base and plan your trips.Guides5 min readUmeda and Kita at sunset: city views and a calm eveningWatch the sun set over Osaka from a rooftop in Umeda, then walk the calmer streets of Kita for a quiet evening meal and a slow end to the day.Seasons5 min readApril: peak blossom and busy streetsApril often brings peak cherry blossom to Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, and the streets are crowded. Learn how to plan around the crowds and still enjoy the flowers.Seasons6 min readHokkaido in winter: snow, ski and coldHokkaido is snowy and cold from January to March. Learn how to plan snow days in Sapporo and Otaru, what to pack and what to check before you travel.Seasons5 min readJuly heat and fireworks: a hot-season planJuly is hot and humid in most of Japan, with festivals and fireworks at night. Learn how to plan the heat, the evening events and the crowded trains.Seasons5 min readMay: mild weather and the spring festival seasonMay brings mild weather, green parks and spring festivals to Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka. Learn what to expect and how to pick the right days for a relaxed trip.Guides5 min readNara from Kyoto: deer, Todai-ji and a short walkA day in Nara from Kyoto: the deer in the park, the great temple, a walk through the woods and tips for dealing with the deer.Seasons4 min readOsaka Castle Park in cherry blossom seasonOsaka Castle Park is a good place to see cherry blossom in spring. Here is how to plan a visit in March or April, with a picnic, a walk and a forecast check.Festivals5 min readSapporo Snow Festival: how it worksThe Sapporo Snow Festival is held in February with large snow sculptures. Learn how the festival is laid out, how to plan your visit and what to check before you go.Festivals5 min readSummer fireworks: how to watch themSummer fireworks draw large crowds in Tokyo and Osaka. Learn how to choose a viewing spot, arrive early and get back to your hotel safely.Festivals5 min readTenjin Matsuri in Osaka: boats and drumsTenjin Matsuri is one of Japan's great summer festivals, held in Osaka in July. Learn how the boat procession works, where to watch and how to plan a night out.

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