A Japanese photo album

Known as Japan's kitchen, Osaka is a city that never sleeps.

While the Dontonbori is fun for a brief period before it gets overwhelming, the shinsekai “new world” area was more enjoyable. It’s less crowded but just as vibrant and eye-popping. We did a three-hour food tour here that was fantastic.

The famous Rikuro fluffy cheesecake in Osaka allowed us to eat our feelings the day after the election when it became likely things were going to go badly. The pastry chefs bake the cheesecakes in batches and then ring a bell when they are ready.

The Arashiyama Monkey Park lets you feed the snow monkeys. (There’s also an outside area where they can walk right up to you — just don’t make eye contact and crouch down to their level!)

Kyoto has some lovely tranquil spots on the edges of the city, away from the temples, shrine, and the bamboo forest.

Our omakase sushi dinner at Hozenjiyokocho Seitaro turned into a private dinner — it was just the two of us in the eight-seat restaurant. The chef and his wife were so incredibly nice and the food was amazing.

Himeji Castle offers a really good English-language tour twice a day that helped us understand how the castle functioned during the 16th Century. Himeji is an easy train ride from Osaka.

The deer in Nara have learned to bow in exchange for crackers.

The great buddha in Nara at Todai-ji Daibutsuden is 49 feet tall.

Izakaya Toyo working his magic.

The eel rolls (left) and broiled tuna cheeks (right).

We really loved this Yakiniku restaurant where you could grill your own meat and veggies. The steak was waygu — lower grade and not A5 but still *amazing.*

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Coming up in December: A week in Berlin and then Germany’s Christmas markets. Subscribe below to follow our adventures!