PLACES Land of a Thousand Temples: Kyoto Japan Posted on November 6, 2015June 16, 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.
PLACES Tokyo: Exploring the Biggest City on the Planet Posted on November 6, 2015July 13, 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.
PLACES Taking the Train: Shinkansen Package Deal to Kyoto Posted on November 3, 2015July 5, 2024 We were told any visit to Japan would be incomplete without visiting Kyoto, but we were only going for a week, barely enough time to do Tokyo any justice. So, to make good use of our time, we booked tickets on the Shinkansen from Tokyo to Kyoto. It’s a 6-hour drive…
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.
PLACES Tokyo Harbor Cruise: Dinner and Sightseeing in Japan Posted on October 29, 2015May 20, 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.
PLACES 10,000 Temples: Top Reasons to Visit Kyoto Posted on October 28, 2015June 9, 2024 The temple shrines are guarded by statues of Foxes which are believed to be “messengers” of Inari Okami. The statues hold a symbolic item in their mouths or beneath their front paw—most often a jewel and a key, but a sheaf of rice, a scroll, or a fox cub are also common. Almost all Inari shrines, no matter how small, will feature at least a pair of foxes, one male and female, usually flanking or on the altar or in front of the main sanctuary.
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…
PLACES I’ve Got a Date with a Geisha in Kyoto Posted on October 22, 2015June 9, 2024 Japan is synonymous with Geisha’s right? Well, at least it used to be. Nowadays they are not as common as you might think. And their services are extremely expensive. I am not kidding, time spent in the company of a geisha is ridiculously expensive. And more often than not, you’ll…