Travel 4/9

Makomanai Takino Cemetery, Sapporo’s Strangest Spiritual Site | MK Deep Dive

MK Deep Dive uncovers Makomanai Takino Cemetery—an otherworldly mix of Moai statues, a Stonehenge replica, and Tadao Ando’s lavender-wrapped Head Buddha. Just outside Sapporo, this bizarre, beautiful site blends spiritual provocation with architectural vision. Descend into concrete prayer halls, wander among floral fields, and stumble upon hidden shrines in a cemetery that asks more questions than it answers.

May 23

Osaka Castle with ornate green and gold roof stands against a blue sky, framed by lush green trees, evoking a peaceful ambiance.

Osaka Castle – The Ghost in the Stone | MK Deep Dive

Discover the layered history of Osaka Castle, Japan’s iconic fortress built by Toyotomi Hideyoshi during the Sengoku period. Razed in the Siege of Osaka and later rebuilt by the Tokugawa shogunate, the castle’s modern keep conceals a legacy of ambition, betrayal, and resilience. Explore its surviving stone walls, moats, and sunset views—and uncover why this symbolic site remains central to Osaka’s pride and identity.

May 21

Sunlight beams through clouds over a serene temple surrounded by lush greenery, with distant mountains and a peaceful village below.

Kyoto’s Hidden Nine - A Local Friend’s Guide to the City’s Best-Kept Secrets

Discover Kyoto’s hidden side with MK’s curated list of nine secret spots—quiet temples, surreal stone gardens, back-alley pizzerias, and a cocktail bar with no menu. From the mossy stillness of Kōmyō-in to the invitation-only flame of Daichan Yakiniku, this guide goes beyond the tourist map and into Kyoto’s whispering soul. A luxury-minded look at the city’s best-kept secrets, made for those who’ve already seen the postcard.

May 20

The trail to Kamado’s summit shrine begins in shadow—stone steps swallowed by moss and myth, with a torii barely visible ahead like a portal waiting to be earned.

Kamado Shrine — Love, Lightning, and a Nine-Headed Dragon | MK Deep Dive

Kamado Shrine in Fukuoka is no ordinary shrine—it’s split between the base and summit of Mt. Hōman, one of Japan’s sacred mountains. Long associated with love, protection, and mysticism, it honors Tamayorihime, mother of Emperor Jimmu. From ancient rituals to anime pilgrimages, this shrine fuses history, folklore, and design into one unforgettable experience.

May 16

Shinsekai — Osaka’s Retro Dreamscape Reborn | MK Deep Dive

Once feared, now beloved, Shinsekai is Osaka’s chaotic, retro dreamscape where neon light meets battered kushikatsu, and old-school arcades glow beneath Tsutenkaku’s gaze. This MK Deep Dive traces the neighborhood’s transformation—from 1910 ambition to postwar decay to a new wave of reverence. Step into the unpolished soul of a city too bold to imitate, and too alive to fade.

May 15

Bagels, Slices, and Simulacra in Azabujuban | MK Eats

Azabujuban might be best known for its boutiques and designer dogs, but tucked between the luxury is a taste of New York—wax-paper-wrapped bacon, egg & cheese sandwiches and foldable pepperoni slices served with swagger. In this MK Presents dispatch, a Queens-born writer explores two Tokyo spots that channel NYC energy through simulated nostalgia, media-fueled devotion, and a surprising attention to greasy detail.

May 13

Narrow street in a traditional Japanese village with shops lining both sides. People walk under overcast skies, and signs with Japanese text are visible.

Takayama-shi – Japan’s Mountain Heartbeat and Kyoto’s Quiet Twin | MK Deep Dive

Tucked in the Japanese Alps, Takayama-shi is Japan’s living postcard—a preserved castle town filled with sake breweries, Hida beef, and seasonal festivals that float through lantern-lit streets. Known as “Little Kyoto,” it offers old-world intimacy without the crowds. With MK’s curated Takayama and Shirakawa-go Sightseeing Plan, step into a mountain dreamscape where history, craft, and nature still breathe.

May 12

Ferris wheel and skyscrapers under a colorful sunset sky in a waterfront cityscape. The word "MOSAIC" is visible on a building.

Meriken Park—Kobe’s Cosmopolitan Seaside Sanctuary | MK Deep Dive

Meriken Park blends Kobe’s international history with its serene, modern charm. Once a cargo wharf, now a vibrant seaside promenade, it offers art, memorials, city icons like the Port Tower, and cherry blossoms in spring. As part of MK’s private Kobe tours, this luminous waterfront reveals Kobe’s resilient, cosmopolitan spirit—framed by sea and mountain, and ideal for daydreamers seeking more than just a destination.

May 10

Eternal Love Tour in Kyoto | MK Travel

Discover Kyoto’s most romantic power spots on a private MK tour to Kifune and Kamigamo Shrines. Follow ancient legends, write heart-shaped ema, and enjoy grilled rice cakes along the way. Whether seeking blessings for love, renewal, or quiet reflection, this sacred journey through Japan’s spiritual heart offers more than sightseeing—it’s a return to something timeless.

May 9

Skytree tower rises above a cityscape under a clear blue sky. Surrounding buildings are shorter, highlighting the tower's height and modern design.

Tokyo Skytree — Where Height Meets Hype | MK Deep Dive

At 634 meters, Tokyo Skytree isn’t just the tallest tower in Japan—it’s a monument to engineering, resilience, and the high-definition spirit of Tokyo itself.

Apr 30

A vibrant red shrine gate with Japanese banners, surrounded by trees and visitors beneath. A large white banner displays text. Calm atmosphere.

Ikuta Shrine — Where Kobe’s Spirit Was Born | MK Deep Dive

Beneath Kobe’s neon skyline, Ikuta Shrine stands as a living link to ancient Japan. With over 1,800 years of history, this sacred site enshrines Wakahirume-no-Mikoto, goddess of weaving and love. Wander the battlefield-haunted Ikuta Forest, touch the ancient sacred tree, and glimpse the metaphysical world hidden behind the city’s modern pulse. A journey into Japan’s living spirit.

Apr 28

Historic brick building with green roofs under a blue sky. Large chimney with star and Japanese text. Sign reads "Sapporo Beer Museum."

Sapporo Beer Museum — Where Hokkaido’s Frontier Spirit Still Brews | MK Deep Dive

Step inside a red-brick relic of Hokkaido’s frontier days. The Sapporo Beer Museum pours more than golden brew—it serves up 120 years of pioneer ambition, resilience, and the simple joy of beer under cold northern skies.

Apr 28

Island with dense greenery and several traditional buildings. Blue sky above, clear water below, with boats docked at the shore. Serene mood.

Chikubushima Island — Where the Sun, Moon, and Spirits Meet | MK Deep Dive

Floating on the waves of Lake Biwa, Chikubushima Island has drawn pilgrims and poets for over 1,300 years. Home to Hogon-ji Temple and Tsukubusuma Shrine, it’s said to be a power spot—where Benzaiten, the goddess of music and fortune, still answers prayers. Part of the Saigoku Kannon pilgrimage and steeped in imperial lore, this 2-kilometer sanctuary offers myth, history, and stillness—all in a single ferry ride.

Apr 25

Snow-covered village at night, illuminated traditional thatched-roof houses, casting a warm glow. Dark background; serene winter scene.

Shirakawa Village — Where Snow Falls, But Time Stands Still | MK Deep Dive

Tucked deep in Gifu’s snow country, Shirakawa Village offers a timeslip into old Japan. Home to the UNESCO-listed Gassho-zukuri homes—steep, thatched roofs like hands in prayer—it’s a living postcard wrapped in mountains, seasons, and silence. Traditions here aren’t staged; they’re practiced. With MK’s Takayama & Shirakawa-go Sightseeing Plan, you don’t just visit—you remember what still matters.

Apr 23

Bustling Chinatown street with red lanterns, colorful signs, and crowds under a gray sky. Buildings line the street filled with lively energy.

Nankinmachi — Kobe’s Compact Chinatown That Refuses to Fade | MK Deep Dive

Once a bustling enclave of butchers, merchants, and diplomats, Nankinmachi—Kobe’s Chinatown—has burned, rebuilt, and risen again with its own brand of resilient charm. In just 270 meters, this district blends red lanterns, green tea sweets, and Taoist prayers into an unforgettable microcosm of Chinese culture nestled in cosmopolitan Kobe. A savory, sensory bridge between worlds.

Apr 18

White torii gate on a rocky beach, waves crashing. Blue sky and sea in the background, creating a serene coastal scene.

Sakurai Futamigaura’s Couple Stones — Where the Sun Meets the Sea, and Two Become One | MK Deep Dive

On the edge of Fukuoka’s Itoshima Peninsula, Sakurai Futamigaura’s Couple Stones rise from the sea—bound by rope, framed by a torii, and bathed in myth. Said to represent Izanagi and Izanami, Japan’s divine creators, these sacred rocks draw lovers and seekers alike. Whether for the solstice sunrise or a sunset stroll, this stop on MK’s 5-hour Itoshima Course reminds us that beauty, belief, and love are never far apart.

Apr 16

Dotonbori – Where Good Decisions Go to Forget Themselves | MK Deep Dive

Dotonbori isn’t just a street—it’s Osaka’s neon pulse, where retro-futurism meets fried food and spontaneity. Once a 17th-century canal, now a technicolor fever dream of signage, octopus balls, and late-night regrets. The district’s wild energy—equal parts jazz-era decadence and Blade Runner chaos—turns every walk into a scene. From Glico’s running man to legends of KFC curses and celebratory canal dives, this is where Osaka lives loud.

Apr 15