Travel Contents: Snagging Amazing Deals on a Two-Day Kansai Adventure
The Kansai region, located in the central and western parts of Japan's Honshu Island, is famous for its well-known cities such as Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe, and Nara, drawing countless visitors eager to explore its historical and cultural heritage as well as its incredible cuisine.
In mid-April, my best friend and I traveled to Japan. Using the "Travel Contents" mini program on WeChat, we earned enough points to exchange for a one-day pass to Universal Studios Japan and a two-day Kansai Enjoyment Pass (关西乐享周游券) covering six activities—sightseeing plus food stops. We were absolutely thrilled to score such great deals.
Travel Contents is a travel-sharing and route-planning app accessible via WeChat’s mini program feature. Just search for it, register, and start using it. It consolidates the latest safety, transportation, and tourism information from Japan, as well as deals and discounts for restaurants, shopping, sightseeing spots, and theme parks in the Kansai area. Even better, aside from earning points by spending at partner merchants listed in the mini program, you can also check in at various landmarks and attractions worldwide. By the way, it’s not limited to Kansai—you can check in and earn points in Beijing and at major scenic spots, too. So start using the Travel Contents mini program now and begin accumulating points! Once you have enough, you can redeem them for Japanese travel products and save even more money.
For exploring Kansai, the Kansai Enjoyment Pass is a must-have attraction package. It features a curated selection of popular sights and dining spots in Osaka, Kobe, and Kyoto. Within a week, you can choose any three or six experiences you like. I exchanged 5,500 points on Travel Contents for my Kansai Enjoyment Pass. After booking online, you simply show the electronic voucher’s QR code to enter each venue effortlessly. The pass is valid for 30 days from the order date, but once you activate the first experience, you must use the remaining choices within 7 days. Each experience can only be used once. My friend and I chose the six-experience version. Some items gave us an instant ¥1,000 off, and others we just scanned the code to redeem.
1. Osaka Abeno Harukas 300 Observatory
After spending most of the day at Universal Studios Japan, we arrived at the Osaka Abeno Harukas 300 Observatory in the evening. At the front desk, we opened the mini program, presented the QR code from our booking, and walked right in.
It’s the tallest building in Japan. The sky corridor on the 60th floor is a 360-degree indoor promenade made entirely of glass. Not only can you enjoy Osaka’s scenery from high above, but you also get a real sense of strolling through the urban sky.
2. Jambo Tsuribune Tsurikichi Namba Shop
Always wondering what to eat in Japan? Open the Travel Contents mini program, tap on “food,” and all kinds of cuisine in the Kansai region are neatly compiled for you—from soba noodles and okonomiyaki to grilled meat and izakaya. You can view restaurant info and see the average cost for lunch and dinner. But the best part is that you might find exclusive coupons inside, so when you pay, not only do you get an extra discount, but you also earn bonus app points!
The hugely popular fishing boat-style izakaya “Tsurikichi” has arrived in Namba! Just a three-minute walk from Nihonbashi Station. The restaurant has a water tank designed to encircle a boat, where you can actually fish and then enjoy what you catch. Your fresh catch can be prepared into sashimi, tempura, fried skewers, or okonomiyaki—just the way you like it. Tasting the fruits of your own effort makes everything even more delicious. It’s a truly fun and entertaining izakaya. When we paid with our Kansai Enjoyment Pass, we got ¥1,000 off instantly.
3. Kobe Nunobiki Herb Garden (admission and round-trip ropeway included)
Nestled on Mount Rokkō, the Kobe Nunobiki Herb Garden is a peaceful oasis amid the busy city. Here you can literally stop and smell the flowers, admiring their delicate beauty and fragrance. Riding the “Dream Wind Ship” gondola up to the herb garden halfway up the mountain, we were immediately greeted by waves of lovely scents. Over 70,000 plants and flowers bloom in different seasons—cherry blossoms in spring, a dazzling summer illumination show, and fiery autumn foliage that dyes the hillsides red. From the observation plaza at the top, you can overlook the city of Kobe. It’s a place to soothe your body and soul with flowers and greenery. On the way down, you can choose to walk part of the way, slowing your pace to better soak in the relaxed, leisurely moments.
4. Kobe MOSAIC Giant Ferris Wheel
It was a clear day, and at Kobe Harbor we saw the famous 112-meter-tall Ferris wheel. My friend and I eagerly boarded it. As the wheel slowly rose, the bay, mountains, parks, buildings, and roads wove together before our eyes. Ascending gently, I felt a wonderful sense of freedom and relaxation, as if strolling through the air. The whole city unfolded at my feet—the beauty of Kobe, expansive and majestic.
5. Frantaz Dessert Coupon
For one of our Kansai Enjoyment Pass selections, we chose a Kobe dessert coupon that allowed us to redeem a box of selected chocolates worth ¥1,000 for free at the shop. The Frantaz chocolate shop at Kobe Harbor is known for making high-quality chocolates with distinctive flavors. In addition to classic creations, Frantaz has also developed a range of innovative products—chocolates paired with coffee or alcohol, limited-edition gift boxes, and more—to satisfy a wide and loyal following. We bought a few extra boxes as souvenirs. Whether for gifting or personal enjoyment, they offer a delicious and delightful experience.
At Kobe Harbor, besides admiring the beautiful port scenery with its piers, boats, and lighthouses, there are also plenty of restaurants, shops, and museums to enjoy a leisurely afternoon.
6. Kobe Romantic Concerto Cruise
Kobe is a famous port city in Japan, and taking a cruise along its harbor lets you admire the scenery on both banks. We chose the Kobe Romantic Concerto cruise for the 17:15–19:00 time slot and exchanged our tickets at the CONCERTO boarding office.
The Romantic Concerto is a luxurious cruise ship that provides passengers with a premium travel experience. While savoring absolutely gorgeous views, we enjoyed Kobe beef teppanyaki with beautiful music drifting in the background, making the entire journey wonderfully pleasant and relaxing. Kobe beef is world-renowned for its even marbling, tender texture, and exquisite flavor.
As the ship set sail, we had the city’s towering buildings on one side and lush green hills on the other. This area is known as the “Lighthouse Path” because of its many historic lighthouses, the most famous being the Red Lighthouse and the White Lighthouse. The cruise also passed the Akashi Kaikyō Bridge, called the “Sky Bridge.” This enormous suspension bridge spanning the sea is a great spectacle of Japan and one of Kobe Harbor’s iconic landmarks.
Finally, as the sun set and we finished our dinner, the cruise returned to Kobe Harbor. It was a wonderful journey—gorgeous views paired with delicious food. As the city lights twinkled before us and the sea breeze brushed our faces, we were left with lingering memories to savor.
PS: The price for Kobe beef varies depending on the grade and set menu. By presenting the Enjoyment Pass at checkout, we enjoyed a ¥1,000 discount.
Cruise departure times:
October–March: 16:00–18:15 / 19:15–21:00
April–September: 17:15–19:00 / 19:30–21:15
The Kansai Enjoyment Pass is flexible, easy to use, and offers incredible value.
Travel Contents is designed for travel lovers. It provides countless check-in spots, lets you accumulate points, and exchange them for many great deals. With real-time, fresh, and rich travel information, you can play and earn at the same time—filling both your itinerary and your wallet. So wherever you go, open the mini program, check in at as many locations as possible, and rack up those points to prepare for your next bargain-filled trip to Japan.
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Four Key Features of Travel Contents
1. Check in at Popular Spots and Earn Points
Not sure where to go after arriving? Follow the check-in map in the Travel Contents mini program—it’s like an exploration game. Once you reach a spot, simply tap “check-in” and earn corresponding points. Besides Kansai, you can also check in and earn points in Beijing. When departing, check in at Beijing Capital International Airport Terminal 3 to earn 500 points.
2. Get Discounts, Earn Points, and Redeem Travel Products
Once you’ve accumulated enough points, you can redeem them for transportation and attraction tickets, including a Universal Studios Japan 1-day pass, Kansai Airport Express HARUKA tickets, a 5-day Kansai Wide Area Rail Pass, a 1-day Hankyu Railway Pass, and more. Redeem directly with points and save even more on your trip.
3. Access a Wealth of Dining and Entertainment Info
After registering on Travel Contents, you can select topics that interest you—like theme parks, fashion shopping, or hot spring hotels—and the app will recommend relevant travel information and discount alerts.
4. Enjoy Bonus Points After Purchases
Besides checking restaurant details and average meal costs, you might find exclusive shop coupons. When you pay, not only do you get an extra discount, but you also earn bonus app points.
