PLACES Ultimate Guide to Famous Temples in Kyoto and Spiritual Sites in Japan Posted on November 6, 2015December 12, 2024 Kyoto at first glance doesn’t appear to be a traditional city. Kyoto Station is modern and surrounded by other modern buildings… just like any other city. It has modern conveniences just like any other city. It’s one of the only places you’ll see women in traditional kimonos and no one stops to stare. It’s a land of a thousand temples and where traditions flourish alongside cell phones and everything else modern. Read more
PLACES Tokyo: Exploring the Biggest City on the Planet Posted on November 6, 2015October 18, 2024 Pickup a map to make sure you are buying the correct ticket or you may be blocked from boarding the train. Having access to all three will make travel easier below ground, but you can get around the city using only the metro, as long as you are diligent and plan accordingly. Like traffic above ground, the trains and the walking patterns run reverse to what you are used to. There are signs to help you if you forget. Read more
PLACES Shopping for Faux Food on Kappabashi Street Posted on November 1, 2015May 20, 2024 Ok, I admit it. From time to time, I find a few things more interesting than other people. Delve into the distinctive treasures of Kappabashi Street, home to remarkably lifelike food models. Crafted with the needs of travelers in mind, these models act as invaluable companions, aiding you in identifying menus across the globe, especially in places where the local language might be unfamiliar. These faux foods are great companions to menus and a cool souvenir from your travels to Japan. Kappabashi Street has become an off-the-beaten-track attraction for tourists looking to mingle with the locals, and that’s one of the reasons it made my list of must-sees. Read more
PLACES Tokyo Harbor Dinner Cruise: The Ultimate Guide to Night Views and Fine Dining Posted on October 29, 2015October 31, 2024 5 days exploring the quirky neighborhoods of Tokyo culminates on a sunset dinner cruise around Tokyo Bay with delicious food, awesome service and amenities, and a great picture window to see the Tokyo skyline. Read more
PLACES The Best Fireworks Festival in the Sky Over Busan, South Korea Posted on October 25, 2015June 9, 2024 A single firework penetrates the sky from one of the barges anchored in the ocean off Gwangali Beach in Busan. It’s 7 pm, an overcast sky, an unwelcome canvass to the fireworks display. More than a million and a half people have crowded the 1.4km long stretch of beautiful sandy… Read more
PLACES OinK: Only in Korea Jjimjibangs & Gangnam Style Posted on September 30, 2015June 9, 2024 OinK: Only in Korea Jjimjibangs & Gangnam Style Now that I’ve been here a little while, I’ve noticed that many of my first impressions still hold up to be true. Only in Korea or OinK– good, bad and indifferent. I am enjoying my new temporary home and getting as acclimated… Read more
PLACES What’s UP with the Peace Sign in South Korea Posted on September 22, 2015May 20, 2024 They are doing it all over Korea. They do it in China. And even though I won’t see it for myself until next month, I suspect they are doing it in Japan too. And contrary to what I’ve read, its not just the school girls. The guys do it to look cool, usually keeping it low and to the side, while the girls do it to look cute, either framing their face or straight up. Now, they’ve even got me doing it too. Read more
PLACES What to Expect: 4-Day Group Tour to Beijing China Posted on September 10, 2015July 30, 2024 First impressions about Beijing… it’s BIG!! Really big. More than 250 million people live in the city and its surrounding suburbs. Imagine that. There are only 50 and 322 million people living gin the entire countries of Korea and the United States respectively. Read more