Back when I was a student in Kyoto I had the chance to participate in the popular festival "Toka Ebisu" (十日戎) in Osaka as a "lucky girl" - fukumusume (福娘). This was a great cultural experience for me, and one of the most fun memories I have of my time as a student in Japan. Each year the Imamiya Ebisu shrine elects a total of 50 girls through the Fukumusume contest, and the lucky chosen get to work at the shrine during the 3-day long Osaka festival held on an annual basis in January, and if you are lucky you could have the chance to become one of the lucky girls of next year!

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Area: Minami

Welcome to Osaka's world of neon lights! The southern ("minami ") part of Osaka offers endless options for nightlife, entertainment, and shopping. Shinsaibashi, Namba, and Dotonbori are all popular choices for visitors to this side of town. Although it can be rather congested, the area offers anything from low to mid-range items, so if you are looking for unique gifts to bring back home this place will definitely not disappoint you. Just watch out for large groups of Chinese tourists shopping like there's no tomorrow. 

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Opening: Jan 2018

★★★

Hotel WBF Shinsaibashi

(ホテルWBF心斎橋)

Address：2 Chome-9-15 Minamisenba, Chuo, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture 542-0081
Google Map：https://goo.gl/maps/KWnscsVPrBy

Closest Station: 
● Shinsaibashi Station 心斎橋駅 (Midosuji Line - 地下鉄御堂筋線, The Nagahori Tsurumi-ryokuchi Line・長堀鶴見緑地線線)
● Yotsubashi Station 四ツ橋駅 (Yotsubashi Line 地下鉄四つ橋線)

Check-in: 15:00
Check-Out: 10:00

Number of Rooms: 100

Recommendation Points:
★10% discount available for travelers registered on Agoda★

Check Room Availability：https://www.agoda.com/partners/partnersearch.aspx?pcs=1&cid=1732488&hid=2962076

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Opening: Jan 2018

★★★

HOTEL UNIZO Osaka Shinsaibashi

（ホテルユニゾ心斎橋）

Address：2 Chome-10 Nishishinsaibashi, Chuo, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture 542-0086
Google Map：https://goo.gl/maps/EJYeTSXJTKm

Closest Station: 
● Shinsaibashi Station 心斎橋駅 (The Midosuji Line - 地下鉄御堂筋線, The Nagahori Tsurumi-ryokuchi Line・長堀鶴見緑地線線)
● Yotsubashi Station 四ツ橋駅 (Yotsubashi Line 地下鉄四つ橋線)

Check-in: 14:00
Check-Out: 12:00

Number of Rooms: 186

Check Room Availability：https://www.agoda.com/partners/partnersearch.aspx?pcs=1&cid=1732488&hid=2962076

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Opening: March 2018

★★★

Hearton Hotel Shinsaibashi
（ハートンホテル心斎橋）

Address：1 Chome-5-24 Nishishinsaibashi, Chuo, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture 542-0086
Google Map：https://goo.gl/maps/g7u8UPEvuy12

Closest Station: 
● Yotsubashi Station 四ツ橋駅 (Yotsubashi Line 地下鉄四つ橋線)

Check-in: 14:00
Check-Out: 12:00

Number of Rooms: 110

Recommendation Points:
★10% discount available for travelers registered on Agoda★

Check Room Availability：https://www.agoda.com/partners/partnersearch.aspx?pcs=1&cid=1732488&hid=104270

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Opening: April 2018

★★★

Hotel Oriental Express Osaka Shinsaibashi

（ホテルオリエンタルエクスプレス大阪心斎橋）

Address：3-2-13 Minami-senba,Chuo-ku,Osaka, Shinsaibashi, Osaka, Japan, 542-0081

Google Map：https://goo.gl/maps/Lf4dgptgzaF2

Closest Station: 

● Shinsaibashi Station 心斎橋駅 (The Midosuji Line - 地下鉄御堂筋線, The Nagahori Tsurumi-ryokuchi Line・長堀鶴見緑地線線) 

Check-in: 15:00

Check-Out: 11:00

Number of Rooms: 120

Check Room Availability：https://www.agoda.com/partners/partnersearch.aspx?pcs=1&cid=1732488

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Opening: May 2018

★★★

Hotel WBF Art Stay Namba

（ホテル WBF アートステイなんば）

Address：556-0005 Osaka Prefecture, Osaka, Naniwa-ku Nipponbashi 5-8-25, Japan
Google Map：https://goo.gl/maps/pgrgqMdDe8T2

Closest Stations:
● Ebisu-cho Station 胡町駅 (Sakaisuji Line 地下鉄堺筋線) - 2 minutes walk
● Namba Station なんば駅 (Nankai Main Line - 南海本線) - 10 minutes walk from the south entrance gate

Check-in: 15:00
Check-Out: 10:00

Recommendation Points: 
★10% discount available for travelers registered on Agoda★

Check Room Availability：https://www.agoda.com/partners/partnersearch.aspx?pcs=1&cid=1732488&hid=1620320

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Opening: February 2018

★
Bon Hostel 
（ボン ホステル）

Address：556-0012 Osaka Prefecture, Osaka, Naniwa-ku Shikitsuhigashi 3-1-3, Japan
Google Map：https://goo.gl/maps/FkG4qRWacg92

Closest Stations:
● Imamiyaebisu Station 今宮戎駅 (Nankai Main Line - 南海本線) - 1-minute walk
● Namba Station なんば駅 ( Nankai Main Line - 南海本線) - 10-minute walk

Check-in: 16:00
Check-Out: 10:00

Recommendation Points:
★10% discount available for travelers registered on Agoda★


Check Room Availability：https://www.agoda.com/partners/partnersearch.aspx?pcs=1&cid=1732488&hid=4066663

Area: Central Osaka

Central Osaka consists of the neighborhoods Yodobashi, Honmachi, and Kitahama. Although there isn't a lot to do in this area it is a convenient base for exploring other parts of town. The area is known for its reasonable accommodation prices, and as it mainly is an office district you can also find a large variety of good options for dining out.

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Opening: April 2018

★★★

Sotetsu Fresa Inn Osaka-Yodoyabashi

 （相鉄フレッサイン 大阪淀屋橋）

Address：541-0043 Osaka Prefecture, Osaka, Chuo-ku Koraibashi 2-4-10, Japan
Google Map：https://goo.gl/maps/H5bSSMyEEV42

Closest Station: 
● Yodobashi Station 淀屋橋駅 (Midosuji Line - 地下鉄御堂筋線)
● Kitahama Station 北浜駅 (Keihan Electric Railway, Sakaisuji Line - 京阪電鉄 地下鉄堺筋線)

Check-in: 15:00
Check-Out: 10:00

Number of Rooms: 244

Recommendation Points:
★10% discount available for travelers registered on Agoda★

Check Room Availability： https://www.agoda.com/partners/partnersearch.aspx?pcs=1&cid=1732488&hid=3008799

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Opening: April 2018

★★★

Hotel WBF Kitahama

 （ホテルWBF北浜）

Address：541-0046 Osaka Prefecture, Osaka, Chuo-ku Hiranomachi 1-6-6, Japan
Google Map：https://goo.gl/maps/nu46Xn2G2kM2

Closest Station: 
● Kitahama Station 北浜駅 (Keihan Electric Railway, Sakaisuji Line - 京阪電鉄 地下鉄堺筋線)

Check-in: 15:00
Check-Out: 10:00

Number of Rooms: 116

Recommendation Points:
★10% discount available for travelers registered on Agoda★

Check Room Availability： https://www.agoda.com/partners/partnersearch.aspx?pcs=1&cid=1732488&hid=2990780

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Opening: May 2018

★★★

Osaka View Hotel Honmachi

(大阪ビューホテル 本町 )

Address：3 Chome-12-5 Akasaka, Minato, Tokyo 107-0052
Google Map：https://goo.gl/maps/NWFTbzsj57U2

Closest Stations:
● Honmachi Station (本町駅) - 3 minutes walk

Check-in: 15:00
Check-Out: 11:00

Check Room Availability：https://www.agoda.com/partners/partnersearch.aspx?pcs=1&cid=1732488&hid=4656519

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Area: Kita / Umeda

Umeda is known as one of Osaka's main hubs, and some of the city's biggest shopping malls and companies can be found here, along with a wide range of restaurants and bars. With a direct train to Kyoto and Shin-Osaka's Shinkansen bullet train just a few stops away, Umeda also provides a perfect base camp for exploring other parts of Japan.

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Opening: June 2018

★★★★

HOTEL VISCHIO OSAKA by GRANVIA

(ホテルヴィスキオ大阪 by GRANVIA)

Address：3 Chome-1-1 Umeda, Kita, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture 530-0001
Google Map：https://goo.gl/maps/MNrPcUhZY8R2

Closest Station: 
● Umeda Station 梅田駅 (Midosuji Line - 地下鉄御堂筋線)
● Osaka Station 大阪駅

Check-in: 15:00
Check-Out: 11:00

Number of Rooms: 400

Recommendation Points: 
★10% discount available for travelers registered on Agoda★

Check Room Availability：https://www.agoda.com/partners/partnersearch.aspx?pcs=1&cid=1732488&hid=2865504

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Opening: May 2018

★★★

Daiwa Royal Hotel D-CITY Osaka Shin Umeda

(ダイワロイヤルホテル D-CITY 大阪新梅田)

Address：553-0003 Osaka Prefecture, Osaka, Fukushima-ku Fukushima 6-16-6, Japan
Google Map：https://goo.gl/maps/cyMv7giGegr

Check-in: 15:00
Check-Out: 11:00

Closest Stations: 
● Osaka Station 大阪駅 (JR京都線・JR神戸線) - 10 min walk
● Fukushima Station 福島駅 (JR大阪環状線) - 7 min walk

Check Room Availability：https://www.agoda.com/partners/partnersearch.aspx?pcs=1&cid=1732488&hid=4408028

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Opening: August 2018

★★★★

Hotel Monterey Le Frere Osaka

(ホテルモントレ ル・フレール大阪)

Address：530-0002 Osaka Prefecture, Osaka, Kita-ku Sonezakishinchi 1-13, Japan
Google Map：https://goo.gl/maps/2Lh4H85vq592

Check-in: 15:00
Check-Out: 11:00

Closest Stations:
● JR Osaka Station 大阪駅 - 5 min walk
● Kitashinchi Station 北新地駅 (JR Tozai Line - JR東西線) - 1 min walk
● Umeda Station 梅田駅 (Midosuji Subway Line - 地下鉄御堂筋線) - 5 min walk
● Nishi-Umeda Station 西梅田駅 (Tanimachi Subway Line - 谷町線) - 5 min walk
Recommendation Points: 
★10% discount available for travelers registered on Agoda★

Check Room Availability：https://www.agoda.com/partners/partnersearch.aspx?pcs=1&cid=1732488&hid=3733356

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Area: Osaka Bay

Most known as an entertainment area, Osaka Bay is the base of Universal Studios Japan, an American-style theme park that is home to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. If that isn't enough for you, you can also find the Tempozan Harbor Village, which includes a giant Ferris wheel, the Osaka Aquarium, a LEGOLAND Discovery Center (not to be mistaken with the Legoland in Nagoya) and a shopping and dining complex.

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Opening: July 2018

★★★★

Hotel Universal Port Vita 

(ホテル ユニバーサル ポート ヴィータ)

Address：6-1-16 Shimaya, Konohana-ku, Osaka 554-0024 Japan

Check-in: 15:00
Check-Out: 11:00
Closest Stations:
● JR Universal City Station ユニバーサルシティ駅 (JR Sakurajima Line - 桜島線) - 2 minutes walk

Check Room Availability：https://www.agoda.com/partners/partnersearch.aspx?pcs=1&cid=1732488&hid=4145734

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Area: Kyoto

Last but not least, Osaka's neighbor city Kyoto. The ancient Japanese capital has endless adventures to offer (I lived here myself for two years, but still feel I couldn't experience more than a fraction of the city), and if you want to get the most out of the city it might be a good idea to base your stay here. Truly a gem of a city, this metropolis will make you feel like you're visiting a small village with its small and charming houses. 

Opening: March 2018

★★★

Hotel Intergate Kyoto Shijo Shinmachi  

(ホテルインターゲート京都 四条新町)

Address：604-8214 Kyoto, Kyoto, Nakagyo-ku, Shinmachi-dori, Nishikikoji-agaru, Mukadeya-cho 387, Japan

Check-in: 15:00
Check-Out: 11:00
Closest Stations:
● Karasuma Station 烏丸駅 (Hankyu Kyoto Main Line - 阪急京都線) - 5 min walk
● Shijo Station 四条駅 (Karasuma Line - 地下鉄烏丸線) - 5 min walk

Check Room Availability：https://www.agoda.com/partners/partnersearch.aspx?pcs=1&cid=1732488&hid=3016464

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Opening: April 2018

★

Capsule Hotel Anshin Oyado Kyoto Shijo Karasuma

(安心お宿プレミア京都四条烏丸)

Address：〒600-8092 Kyoto, 239-1, Shinmeicho, Shimogyo-ku
Google Map：https://goo.gl/maps/DyJjTzWndTE2

Check-in: 13:00
Check-Out: 12:00

Closest Stations:
● Karasuma Station 烏丸駅 (Hankyu Kyoto Main Line - 阪急京都線) - 3 min walk
● Shijo Station 四条駅 (Karasuma Line - 地下鉄烏丸線) - 5 min walk

Check Room Availability：https://www.agoda.com/partners/partnersearch.aspx?pcs=1&cid=1732488&hid=4605020

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Opening: May 2018

★★★

Share Hotels Rakuro Kyoto

(RAKURO京都 -THE SHARE HOTELS-)

Address：604-0867 Kyoto, Kyoto, Nakagyo-ku, Joshinyokocho 186, Japan
Google Map：https://goo.gl/maps/fPrHK7rzCAB2

Check-in: 15:00
Check-Out: 10:00

Closest Stations:
● Marutamachi Station 丸太町 (Karasuma Line - 地下鉄烏丸線) - 2 min walk

Check Room Availability：https://www.agoda.com/partners/partnersearch.aspx?pcs=1&cid=1732488&hid=4467546

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Opening: May 2018

★★★

Hotel Resol Kyoto Kawaramachi Sanjo

(ホテルリソル京都 河原町三条)

Address：〒604-8031 Kyōto-fu, Kyōto-shi, Nakagyō-ku, Daikokuchō (Kawaramachidōri), 59-1
Google Map：https://goo.gl/maps/ejRmeeNxpXS2

Check-in: 15:00
Check-Out: 11:00

Closest Stations:
● Kawaramachi Station 川原町駅 (Hankyu Kyoto Line - 阪急京都線) - 3 min walk
● Sanjo Station 三条駅 (Keihan Main Line - 京阪本線) - 3 min walk

Recommendation Points: 
★10% discount available for travelers registered on Agoda★
Other New Group Properties opening in Kyoto 2018:
Hotel Resol Kyoto Shijo Muromachi (ホテルリソル京都 四条室町) - Opening in August
Hotel Resol Trinity Kyoto Oike Fuyacho (ホテルリソルトリニティ京都 御池麩屋町) - Opening in October

Check Room Availability：https://www.agoda.com/partners/partnersearch.aspx?pcs=1&cid=1732488&hid=4415553

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Opening: June 2018

★★★★

Daiwa Royal Hotel Grande Kyoto

(ホテルリソル京都 河原町三条)

Address：604-8031 Kyoto, Kyoto, Chuo-ku Kawaramachi Sanjo Sagaru Daikokucho 59-1, Japan
Google Map：https://goo.gl/maps/F8nEHVa949s

Check-in: 14:00
Check-Out: 11:00

Closest Stations:
● JR Kyoto Station JR京都駅八条東口 (Hankyu Kyoto Line - 阪急京都線) - 3 min walk

Recommendation Points: 
★10% discount available for travelers registered on Agoda★

Check Room Availability：https://www.agoda.com/partners/partnersearch.aspx?pcs=1&cid=1732488&hid=3624790

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• All blog posts from Osaka
• Trip to Osaka: The German Christmas market
• Spa World in Osaka!
• Day trip to Osaka!
• I'm gonna be a Fuku Musume (福娘)!
• Sakura Season in Kansai - Hanami in the Expo ’70 Commemorative Park!
• 第６０回福娘発表会 The Daihyou Fuku Musume-Election
• Fukumusume: Behind the Scene of Osaka's Touka Ebisu Festival (十日戎)
• Day 1 of the Tōka-Ebisu Festival!
• The Fukumusume TV-Show 2012 福娘2012年
• Fukumusume (福娘): The Children's Ebisu Festival 子供戎祭
• Working as a Fukumusume (福娘): The Tōka Ebisu Festival (十日戎) 2013
• Fukumusume (福娘): Working at the Tōka Ebisu Festival (十日戎) 2015
• 第１５回Fuku Musume 同窓会 in Osaka!
• Japan’s First Street Workout Gym - Kamui Park
• 商売繁盛で笹持ってこい！Behind the scene of the Toka Ebisu Festival 2016
• The Bridge Hotel Shinsaibashi in Osaka (ザブリッジホテル心斎橋)
• The Center of Osaka Nightlife - Candeo Hotels Osaka Namba
• All blog posts about hotels
• Tokyo Hotel Special: Brand New Tokyo Hotels 2018
• Osaka's 10 best-ranked hotels 2017
• Tokyo's 10 best-ranked hotels 2017
• Traditional Lodging in Japan: Top 10 Japanese Ryokan Hotels chosen by Experts
• Tokyo Hotel Special: 20 Grand Opening Hotels 2016 - 2017
• Tokyo Hotel Special: 2015 & 2016 Brand New Tokyo Hotels
• Lodging in Tokyo: 10 Fancy Budget Hotels for an Unforgettable Stay
• Osaka & Kyoto Hotel Special: Grand Opening Hotels 2016 - 2017
• All blog posts about Japanese hotels/ryokan
• Chichibu: Heritage Minoyama Ryokan
• Gunma: Kusatsu Onsen Nisshinkan
• Hokkaido: New Furano Prince Hotel
• Kanazawa: The Ryokan with a Noh Stage - Hotel Motoyu Ishiya
• Nagano - Yudanaka: Aburaya Tousen Ryokan
• Nagano: Zenkoji Temple's Jizo Matsuya Ryokan
• Niigata: Shikinoyado Minoya Ryokan
• Niigata: Iwamuro Onsen - Hotel Ohashi Yakatanoyu
• Nikko: Nikko Tokinoyuu Hotel
• Nikko Astraea Hotel in Oku-Nikko - Nikko National Park
• Osaka: The Bridge Hotel Shinsaibashi
• Osaka: The Center of Osaka Nightlife - Candeo Hotels Osaka Namba
• Saitama: Heiseirou Onsen Health Center 
• Shikoku: Rotenburo Heaven at Hotel Kazurabashi
• Tokyo: A Night at the Majestic Hotel Okura Tokyo
• Tokyo: Meeting Hachi the Owl at WISE OWL HOSTELS TOKYO
• Tokyo: Hundred Stay Tokyo Shinjuku Serviced Apartments & Hotel
• Tokyo: Remm Roppongi - A night in the Town that never sleeps
• Tokyo: A night at the upscale Centurion Classic Akasaka
• Tokyo: Futakotamagawa Excel Hotel Tokyu - A Suburban Choice
• Tokyo's First Robot Hotel - Henn na Hotel Maihama Tokyo Bay
• Tokyo: How to sleep in a Capsule Hotel - do-c Ebisu
• Tokyo: The Next Step to Explore Asakusa - Hotel Amanek Asakusa Azumabashi
• Smarter Hotel Booking: Agoda Secret Deal
• Getting you the Best Hotel Rates: Agoda Insider Deals
• All blog posts from Japan 

★

During a recent trip to Osaka, I had the chance to stop by Japan's one and only street workout gym called Kamui Park. This gym was opened just a couple of months ago by a friend from college, Kamui, who had been working out in local parks for some years before he decided to take the chance and open up Japan’s first street workout gym.

Osaka is a popular destination for visitors to Japan, and along with the increasing number of tourists, there are also more and more accommodational options available for visiting tourists (check out my list of new Osaka hotels 2017 here).
I've consolidated a list of Osaka's 10 best-rated 3+ star hotels from the hotel reservation site Agoda. The hotels on the list have received a minimum of 50 guest reviews and are ranked by average review score where 10/10 is the maximum.

See also: 10 Top Rated Hotels in Tokyo Chosen by Travelers 2017

The number of tourists visiting the famous Japanese cities Osaka and Kyoto is increasing rapidly these days, and with the huge increase in number of visitors comes a number of new hotels ready to cater to these tourists needs with their Japanese omotenashi service. In this post I introduce a list of 12 brand new hotels scheduled to open in Osaka and Kyoto in 2016 and 2017, and I hope you will find them interesting!

Tokyo Hotels: I have also written about newly opening/opened hotels in the capital city Tokyo. You can find an overview of hotels that opened in the second half of 2016 and the first half of 2017 here, and hotels that opened in the second half of 2015 and the first half of 2016 here. I have also written a post about fancy low budget accommodations in Tokyo here.

The hotels below are listed by star rating.

The annual Tōka Ebisu festival held in the Imamiya-Ebisu shrine (今宮戎神社) in Osaka is one of the city's largest festivals, and every year the 3-day long event attracts around one million visitors. The festival is held from January 9-11 (the most important day is the 10th, hence tōka ebisu) and is mainly visited by merchants who come to Imamiya-Ebisu to pray for business prosperity in the new year.

A couple of years ago I had the honour of being elected as a Fuku Musume (福娘) for the annual Toka-Ebisu festival at the Imamiya Ebisu Shrine in Osaka. Although new Fuku Musume are elected every year we still have the chance to come back to the shrine to participate in the Toka Ebisu festival. In addition the Fuku Musume Association also holds annual alumni meetings where previous Fuku Musume also have the chance to participate.
For me this was actually the first time to attend this event even though it has been a couple of years since I first participated in the Toka Ebisu festival. During the festival we are usually very busy so it is not that easy to get to know other fellow Fuku Musume that easily, so this was a nice opportunity to get to know some of the other girls a little bit more.
Although the Toka Ebisu Festival is mainly a big event in Kansai there are more and more previous Fuku Musume that for various reasons live in other parts of Japan. As a result the Imamiya Fuku Musume Association recently started up a new group in Tokyo that also are holding annual alumni meetings. I'm looking forward to this years' event that is going to be held in Tokyo in July!

Osaka Marriott Miyako Hotel

Superhotel Lohas Honmachi

Khaosan World Namba

The St. Regis Osaka Hotel

• All blogposts from Osaka
• All blogposts about Fukumusume
• I'm gonna be a Fuku Musume (福娘)!
• 第６０回福娘発表会 The Daihyou Fuku Musume-Election
• Hair Ornaments for Fuku Musume
• Fuku Musume (福娘): Behind the Scene of Osaka's Touka Ebisu Festival (十日戎)
• Day 1 of the Tōka-Ebisu Festival!
• The Fuku Musume TV-Show 2012 福娘2012年
• The Norwegian Embassy writing about Fuku Musume
• Fuku Musume (福娘): The Children's Ebisu Festival 子供戎祭
• Working as a Fukumusume (福娘): The Tōka Ebisu Festival (十日戎) 2013
• Fukumusume (福娘): Working at the Tōka Ebisu Festival (十日戎) 2015
• 第１５回Fuku Musume 同窓会 in Osaka!
• 商売繁盛で笹持ってこい！Behind the scene of the Toka Ebisu Festival 2016

• All blogposts from Japan