Top onsen houses to try in Osaka, Japan

Onsen is a hot spring in Japan. This country’s hot spring supply is so abundant that even the big cities are full of these spa-like retreats. Here are the best hot springs in and around urban Osaka.

Nobeha No Yu Tsuruhashi

This lavish spa, situated right in the middle of Osaka’s Koreatown, is the perfect escape from the city without actually leaving it. Nobeha no Yu is a massive complex that includes multiple floors of spas, saunas, and baths, as well as dining and relaxation areas. There are both public and private baths for rent, all of which are opulent and indulgent without breaking the bank.

Taihei no Yu

This sento (bathhouse) is conveniently located near Namba, one of the city’s most popular tourist destinations. It’s actually a ‘super sento,’ a public bathing facility designed to function as an entertainment center. Taihei no Yu features the requisite baths (many different types, including outdoor, electric, and cold water tubs) as well as a food court, spa area, game center, and more. It’s also located right next to an early morning fish market, perfect for those who love seafood.

Spa World

If combining the relaxation of taking an onsen bath with the heart-stopping excitement of a water park sounds like your idea of a great time, then pay a visit to Spa World – the place that does both. Inside you’ll find a variety of themed baths, a lazy floating river, and a mega waterslide. Equal parts rejuvenating, bizarre and adorably kitsch, it’s definitely worth a visit for those wanting a more unique bathing experience.

Minoo Onsen Spa Garden

This is the largest onsen complex in Western Japan. Located in tranquil Minoo Park, renowned for its natural beauty and gorgeous fall foliage, Minoo Onsen has numerous decadent baths, with waters said to have healing and beautifying properties. On the top floor is an open-air bath offering breathtaking views of Osaka City by day and night. Hotel guests can use the spa for free, otherwise it’s ¥,3500 ($32) for two hours.

Kamigata Onsen Ikkyu

This onsen boasts the largest rotenburo (outdoor bath) in the Kansai region. The pure, mineral hot spring water that services this rustic bathhouse draws visitors from all around the region. The onsen is split into two areas, the Wood Bath and the Stone Bath, each with their own aesthetic and with many different baths and saunas to enjoy. It’s conveniently located near Universal Studios Japan, perfect for anyone in need of a rest after waiting in line all day.

Amami Onsen Nantenen

This incredible hot spring resort is located only 40 minutes from Osaka City by train. Designed by the same architect responsible for famous Tokyo Station, the traditional and lush green environment allows guests to indulge in the experience of bathing in another time and place while actually near a major, modern city.

See more: Natural onsens you should visit in Tokyo, Japan

Street food in Philippines and dishes you must try

Filipinos’ love for food is unparalleled. Despite three large meals comprising their day (all of which typically consist of at least a cup of rice), they still enjoy taking several snacks in between. This is where street food comes in. Filipinos like having access to a quick bite anywhere, anytime. So a great variety of street snacks have developed — some sweet, some savory, and some just outright bizarre.

Kikiam

Kikiam was originally taken from Chinese cuisine, and authentically consists of minced meat and vegetables. The kikiam used by street food vendors in the Philippines however, are a more scrimped version, sometimes containing fish meat instead and a lot of fillers. They are brown in color and about the size of a finger.

Kwek-Kwek

These brightly colored treats could be quite deceiving to the unaware foodie. They are round and a vibrant shade of orange, but they aren’t sweet, nor do they taste like the Cheetos they match in color. They are actually quail eggs, coated in an orange batter and then deep fried. Most of its goodness relies on the sauce the street food cart has to pair it with.

Balunbalunan

Not only do Filipinos skewer and grill chicken intestine, they also do the same to chicken gizzard. In Filipino cuisine, nothing goes to waste. Balunbalunan has a chewier, more rubbery texture than isaw, slightly resembling that of squid. But like isaw, it gets much of its flavor from the sauce it is brushed with during grilling, or its dipping sauce after.

Betamax

This is one that’s definitely not for the faint-hearted. Betamax, named after the black tapes of the 70’s it resembles, is grilled coagulated pork or chicken blood. Yes, you read that right. But in fact, grilled animal blood is not as repulsive as it may sound. It doesn’t possess any foul or robust taste or smell. Aside from the variety in texture, many of these grilled animal innards depend on sauces for taste.

Turon

This is a classic Filipino favorite, made by enclosing slices of saba banana and jackfruit in egg roll wrappers and deep frying them along with a generous coating of brown sugar.

Kakanin

Kakanin refers to Filipino delicacies made mainly of sticky rice. With the country’s love for rice, a long list of desserts fall under this category, and that might just need a separate article to explain it altogether. Keep an eye out for these especially during Christmas time. The best kakanin are the ones they sell outside churches after the late night masses held during the weeks approaching Christmas.

Sorbetes

Sorbetes or “dirty ice cream” (dubbed as such for being sold in the streets, and not necessarily mean a lack in cleanliness), is Filipino ice cream sold from colorful wooden carts. Though there’s still the usual chocolate, mostly Filipino flavors are available such as ube (purple yam), queso (cheese), mango, and coconut. Have it the Filipino way and opt to have it served in a burger bun instead of a regular cone or cup.

Read more: Explore typical breakfast in the Philippines

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Top 6 gorgeous landmarks in Pakistan

Pakistan is famous for its lush green valleys, high-rise mountains and peaks, beautiful lakes, rivers, healthy weather, nature-rich wildlife, cuisines, and of course the four seasons. Traveling to a country that displays a package of beauty, nature, seasons, and food cannot be any less than a wonder?

Discover some of Pakistan’s best attractions and sights with following guide to the country’s most striking examples of historic architecture.

Wazir Khan Mosque

The Wazir Khan mosque was built by Shaikh Ilm-ud-din Ansari in 1634, who was Viceroy of Punjab under Shah Jahan. This mosque is located in Lahore, Pakistan and famous for its beautiful design. The Urdu meaning of Wazir is ‘minister’. The expanded and huge faience tile work there is the eye catching for all the tourists. This beautiful mosque is known as one of the famous historical places in Pakistan, which was built in seven years.

The most historical and architectural feature to distinguish this mosque from others is the efficient use of minarets. No doubt, this mosque depicts the real and clear picture of the historical era gone by.

Pakistan Monument

The Pakistan Monument was inaugurated in Islamabad on 23 March 2007 as a national monument embodying the country’s history, and is in effect rich with significant cultural references. For its design, architect Arif Masood drew inspiration from the figure of a blossoming flower to represent the four provinces and three territories into which Pakistan is subdivided. The structure consists of four bigger ‘petals’ (the provinces), alternated with three smaller ones (the territories), built in granite and decorated with murals on the inner sides.

Seen from above, the monument meaningfully recalls the five-pointed star on Pakistan’s national flag. Below the petals, a metallic crescent is found, which is inscribed with verses by Pakistan’s founder Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Indian poet Muhammad Iqbal.

Faisal Mosque

The Faisal Mosque is the largest mosque in Pakistan, located in the national capital city of Islamabad. Completed in 1986. It was designed by Turkish architect Mr. Vedat Dalokay to be shaped like a desert Bedouin’s tent. It is also the national mosque of Pakistan named after Saudi King Faisal bin Abdul-Aziz.

Hiran Minar

When a beloved pet dies, what people usually do to keep its memory alive is preserve pictures and maybe a few objects to remember it by. In 1606, when Mughal Emperor Jahangir’s pet deer died, he had a minaret built to commemorate it. The Hiran Minar (Deer Tower) is situated in the Pakistani city of Sheikhupura, which briefly enjoyed the status of a popular hunting ground in the early 1600s.

One day, during a hunting session, Jahangir spotted a deer he wanted to kill, but mistakingly hit his favorite hunting deer, Mansraji, instead. Feeling guilty, the Emperor ordered the construction of the minaret. Almost thirty years later, the mausoleum was enriched with an adjoining, large water tank; in the middle of the tank lies a picturesque octagonal pavilion, connected to the mainland through an elevated walkway. A rare celebration of the love of man for animals, the Hiran Minar is an attractive sight that certainly deserves to be seen.

Lahore Fort

The origins of the Lahore Fort, a stronghold in Old Lahore, are so ancient that it is impossible to establish precisely when the fort was first constructed. It is known, however, that in the second half of the 16th century, the original mud-brick structure was demolished and rebuilt with burnt bricks. Since then, this fortified citadel has undergone numerous other modifications at the hands of almost all the rulers who reigned over Lahore, British colonialists included.

As a result, it summarizes Pakistan’s amazing cultural heritage in the various artistic influences seen throughout its wide range of different buildings such as mosques, mausoleums, palaces, audience halls, baths, watch towers, and more. A journey through Lahore Fort is in fact a journey through Pakistan’s past, and is for this reason recommended to anyone visiting the country.

Read more: The best traditional dishes you should try in Pakistan

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