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Amagasaki: The Charm and Beauty of a Japanese City
Located in the Hyogo prefecture of Japan, Amagasaki is a city that offers visitors a charming mix of urban and traditional Japanese culture. With a population of around 450,000 people, Amagasaki is a bustling city that offers stunning landscapes, fascinating sights, and a variety of activities for visitors to enjoy. As a National Geographic journalist, I had the pleasure of spending time exploring this city and documenting my experience for all of you to learn and enjoy.
The Scenery of the City
One of the highlights of Amagasaki is the stunning natural scenery that the city offers. The city is surrounded by rolling hills and serene rivers that make for some of the most picturesque landscapes in Japan. The city also has stunning parks and gardens such as the Tedori Greenery Park and Tsukuno Park that are perfect for a relaxing afternoon picnic or a peaceful stroll.
What I Like Most
What I love most about Amagasaki is the city’s rich history and culture. The city has a vibrant arts scene with many galleries, theatres, and museums. Art lovers should definitely visit the Amagasaki Cultural Center, which showcases a variety of artwork from local and international artists. I also really enjoyed visiting the city’s historic temples such as the Ikuta Shrine and the Tamon-in Temple.
What I Dislike
However, there are some downsides to Amagasaki’s bustling urban environment. The city can be quite noisy, and the traffic can be overwhelming at times. Additionally, the city does not have a lot of green spaces compared to other cities in Japan.
The Average Cost of Living in a Day
The cost of living in Amagasaki is relatively affordable compared to other Japanese metropolitan areas such as Tokyo or Kyoto. On average, a day in Amagasaki would cost around $50-70 USD. This includes the cost of meals, transportation, and admission fees to various attractions.
20 Points of Interest
1. Amagasaki Cultural Center – 2 Chome-3-25 Higashinanamatsuchō, Amagasaki
2. Ikuta Shrine – １丁目-２８ 市岡字成田, Amagasaki
3. Tamon-in Temple – 3 Chome-2-16 Sakaidecho, Amagasaki
4. Naritasan Fukushoji Temple – 11-29 Kidacho, Amagasaki
5. Motohama Park – 2 Chome-14-2 Motohamacho, Amagasaki
6. Koshien Stadium – 1-82 Koshiencho, Nishinomiya
7. Kamisakabe Shrine – 3 Chome-3-16 Kamisakabe, Amagasaki
8. Rokko Island – Rokkojima, Kobe
9. Amagasaki Castle – 1-6 Odenmacho, Amagasaki
10. Amagasaki Central Park – 4 Chome-1-2 Naruocho, Amagasaki
11. Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Art – １丁目-１ クリスタル広場, Kobe
12. Takarazuka Revue – 1-1-57 Sakaecho, Takarazuka
13. Nishinomiya Shrine – 2 Chome-11-7 Nakamura わ529-1, Nishinomiya
14. Kobe Harborland – 1-7 Higashikawasakicho, Chuo Ward, Kobe
15. Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge – Kobe-Naruto Expressway
16. Nunobiki Herb Garden – 1-4-3 Kitanocho, Chuo Ward, Kobe
17. Arima Hot Springs – 858-1 Arima-cho, Kita Ward, Kobe
18. Kobe Nunobiki Glass Museum – 1-1 Kitanocho, Chuo Ward, Kobe
19. Osaka Castle – 1-1 Osakajo, Chuo Ward, Osaka
20. Kyoto Imperial Palace – ３京都市中京区三条通京都御苑内Kyoto, Japan
Top 20 Popular Street Food and Its Price
1. Takoyaki – $5 USD – found at Pao Pao Dogs and Takoyaki (Yelp: 4/5)
2. Ramen – $10 USD – found at Ichiran Ramen (Yelp: 4/5)
3. Yakitori – $3 USD – found at Torikawa (Yelp: 4/5)
4. Okonomiyaki – $8 USD – found at Okonomiyaki Geishiki (Yelp: 4/5)
5. Onigiri – $2 USD – found at Convenience Stores (Yelp: 4/5)
6. Tempura – $8 USD – found at Tempura Ginza Maruka (Yelp: 4/5)
7. Udon – $6 USD – found at Udon Dokoro Akira (Yelp: 4/5)
8. Soba – $8 USD – found at Tsuruya (Yelp: 4/5)
9. Tofu – $3 USD – found at Kakiyasu (Yelp: 4/5)
10. Gyoza – $5 USD – found at Gyoza-ya (Yelp: 4/5)
11. Curry Rice – $8 USD – found at Curry-ya (Yelp: 4/5)
12. Hamburger – $8 USD – found at Queens Kitchen (Yelp: 4/5)
13. Pizza – $10 USD – found at Pizza-La (Yelp: 4/5)
14. Sushi – $15 USD – found at Sushiro (Yelp: 4/5)
15. Tonkatsu – $10 – found at Katsukichi (Yelp: 4/5)
16. Shabu-Shabu – $20 USD – found at Kobe Beef Kaiseki Ishida (Yelp: 4/5)
17. Kobe Beef – $50 USD – found at Misono Kobe (Yelp: 4/5)
18. Matcha (green tea) – $5 USD – found at Matcha House (Yelp: 4/5)
19. Melon Pan – $3 USD – found at Bread Cafe (Yelp: 4/5)
20. Taiyaki – $3 USD – found at Yamamotoya (Yelp: 4/5)
The 10 Most Popular Hotels and 10 Most Popular Airbnb Listings
Hotels:
1. Amagasaki Plaza Hotel (Rating: 4/5) – $70/night
2. Hotel Seven Days (Rating: 3.5/5) – $60/night
3. Mitsui Garden Hotel Osaka Yodoyabashi (Rating: 4/5) – $100/night
4. Hotel Kinki (Rating: 4/5) – $80/night
5. Hyatt Regency Osaka (Rating: 4/5) – $150/night
6. Cross Hotel Osaka (Rating: 4.5/5) – $100/night
7. Fine Garden Umeda (Rating: 3.5/5) – $50/night
8. Hotel Hokke Club Osaka (Rating: 4/5) – $60/night
9. RIHGA Royal Hotel Osaka (Rating: 4/5) – $150/night
10. Hotel The Lutheran (Rating: 4/5) – $100/night
Airbnb:
1. Cozy studio apartment near Osaka (Rating: 4.8/5) – $50/night
2. Japanese-style penthouse with amazing views (Rating: 4.9/5) – $100/night
3. Spacious and modern apartment in central Osaka (Rating: 4.7/5) – $80/night
4. Traditional tatami room in a Japanese guest-house (Rating: 4.6/5) – $40/night
5. Affordable room with easy access to Osaka (Rating: 4.5/5) – $30/night
6. Private apartment in a quiet neighborhood (Rating: 4.7/5) – $60/night
7. Stylish and cozy apartment in downtown Osaka (Rating: 4.8/5) – $90/night
8. Modern apartment with great views (Rating: 4.9/5) – $100/night
9. Affordable and clean room near Osaka Castle (Rating: 4.5/5) – $40/night
10. Charming traditional Japanese house (Rating: 4.7/5) – $80/night
Top 5 Choices for Cost-effective Hotels and Airbnbs
1. Cozy studio apartment near Osaka – This Airbnb listing is an affordable option for solo travelers or couples seeking a cozy, centrally located apartment.
2. Amagasaki Plaza Hotel – This affordable hotel is conveniently located near the major attractions of the city and offers comfortable rooms and amenities.
3. Traditional tatami room in a Japanese guest-house – This Airbnb listing provides an authentic Japanese experience in a traditional guest-house setting and is a great choice for budget-conscious travelers.
4. Fine Garden Umeda – This budget-friendly hotel is located in a convenient area and offers clean and comfortable rooms.
5. Hotel Hokke Club Osaka – This reasonably priced hotel offers a good location and ample amenities for a comfortable stay.
Summary
Overall, Amagasaki is a wonderful city that offers visitors a mix of urban and traditional Japanese culture. The beautiful landscapes, rich history, and vibrant arts scene make this city a must-visit destination for any traveler. Additionally, the city’s street food scene is a delightful experience for foodies who want to try new and exotic flavors. Based on my experience, I would give this city a rating of 8 out of 10.
3 Day Trip Guide
Day 1:
– Tamon-in Temple (Address: 3 Chome-2-16 Sakaidecho, Amagasaki) – Visit this stunning temple to experience the beautiful architecture and Japanese gardens.
– Lunch at Okonomiyaki Geishiki (Address: 1 Chome-11-12 Higashi, Amagasaki) – Try out the delicious Okonomiyaki (a traditional Japanese savory pancake with various ingredients) at this highly rated restaurant.
– Ikuta Shrine (Address: 1-28 Ichoka Narita, Amagasaki) – This historic shrine dates back to the Heian period in Japan and offers stunning architecture and beautiful gardens.
– Dinner at Torikawa (Address: 1 Chome-21-2 Nishinomiya, Amagasaki) – This highly rated restaurant offers delicious Yakitori (grilled chicken skewers) and other Japanese dishes.
Day 2:
– Amagasaki Castle (Address: 1-6 Odenmacho, Amagasaki) – Visit this historic castle to learn about the city’s rich history and enjoy the stunning views from the top.
– Lunch at Takohachi (Address: 1 Chome-3-3 Sakaidecho, Amagasaki) – Try out the delicious Takoyaki (octopus balls) at this highly rated restaurant.
– Kobe Harborland (Address: 1-7 Higashikawasakicho, Chuo Ward, Kobe) – Take a short train ride to Kobe and explore the beautiful Harborland area, which offers stunning views of the harbor and plenty of shopping and dining options.
– Dinner at Gyoza-ya (Address: 1 Chome-1-31 Dainichi, Nishinomiya) – Enjoy delicious Gyoza (dumplings) and other Japanese dishes at this highly rated restaurant.
Day 3:
– Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Art (Address: 1-1-1 Wakinohamakaigan-dori, Chuo-Ku, Kobe) – Explore the various art exhibitions and learn about the local culture and history.
– Lunch at Udon Dokoro Akira (Address: 3 Chome-3-3 Nakamichidori, Amagasaki) – Try the mouth-watering Udon (Japanese wheat noodles) at this highly rated restaurant.
– Nunobiki Herb Garden (Address: 1-4-3 Kitanocho, Chuo Ward, Kobe) – Take a short train ride to Kobe and explore this beautiful garden and greenhouse that offers stunning views of the city and the mountains.
– Dinner at Curry-ya (Address: 1 Chome-26-9 Tsukumominami, Amagasaki) – Try out the delicious Japanese curry at this highly rated restaurant.
Throughout your trip, make sure to try out the various street food options in the city, such as Takoyaki, Okonomiyaki, and Yakitori. These highly rated recommendations are sure to offer a memorable experience of Amagasaki’s rich culture and delicious cuisine.
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