For years, I have been wanting to visit Hiroshima, specifically the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum. I’m not sure why exactly it took a long time but I think a big part of it was a) the ride from Tokyo to Hiroshima is quite far b) Read More …
For those who come to Tokyo and go through Shinjuku Station for the first few times, many get lost as the station is like a maze because Shinjuku Station East and Shinjuku Station West are two separate locations. It’s been a major complaint for years Read More …
A question I have been asked a lot is if I can see Japan opening its borders for international travel? While no one knows what is going to happen, my opinion at this current time is “no”. Right now, Japan is doing what it can Read More …
The visual art museum teamLab Borderless has announced they will be reopening on June 8th. There are going to be rules to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus: Precautions we are taking ・Tickets have set admission dates and times. ・The number of guests inside Read More …
I’m often asked if I use luggage locks and the answer is yes. I use TSA approved luggage locks and I have two per luggage, each carryon and it’s not just to protect my belongings when traveling overseas, but there are times where your Read More …
Located in Shinjuku, Tokyo is a Shinto shrine which was founded back in the mid-17th century known as Hanazono Jinja (Hanazono Shrine). What’s interesting about this shrine, considering its one of the more historical shrines in Japan, constructed in the Edo period by the Hanazono Read More …
When going to Japan, if there was one thing that enjoyed thoroughly is a Meetup and Facebook group known as Welcome Tokyo. When it comes to events for people to meet new friends and learn about each other’s culture, I don’t think I have experienced Read More …
I’m currently in the process of upgrading a lot of my luggage locks to cable-based locks. I always use TSA approved luggage locks and I have two to three per luggage and for each carryon and it’s not just to protect my belongings when traveling Read More …
I realized that I have not posted my random musings on the blog for awhile… Here we go! Random Musings #104: I really miss traveling and I hope someday we can return to some normalcy in the near future. Whenever or how long that may Read More …
Far often, have I seen things that caught my eye on the train or on the shinkansen which makes me want to visit a location and find out what I saw. The Bodhisattva Kannon in Kamakura, also known as Ofuna Kannon, is one of those Read More …
When I heard there was a little museum inside the Bodhisattva Kannon at Ofuna Kannon in Kamakura, I expected it to be small. Afterall, when visiting the Great Buddha, Kotoku-in in Kamakura, going inside of it, it was more or less feeling the interior of Read More …
Once you reach the top, you finally come across the 82 ft., 1900-ton reinforced concrete statue of the Guanyin Bodhisattva Kannon. Guanyin is the Chinese translation fothe Bodhisattva known as Avalokitesvara and is a Buddhist Bodhisattva associated with compassion and mercy. According to wikipedia sources: Read More …
Before we get to Ofuna Kannon, as you are making your way to the stair area, there are a few things you will come into contact. One is the Ema area. Ema is the small wooden plaques in which Shinto and Buddhist worshippers write their Read More …
Around the vicinity past the entrance of Ofuna Kannon in Kamakura City, you will come upon several important things to see at the location. The first thing to notice is a big monument and numerous things next to it and also a bhodhisattva Kannon statuette. Read More …
As I mentioned in yesterday’s post, Ofuna Kannon requires walking from Ofuna Station to get to the location (not very far, but you have to go around to avoid traffic) and also requires you walking up a hill to get to the top. In order Read More …
Before anyone wonders, “Where is part 1?”, well, back in March 20, 2018, I made the first travel blog post about Ofuna Kannon. Detailing the history of the bodhisattva Kannon but it was merely seeing the statue from Ofuna Station. I ended that blog post Read More …
The One about Shirokuma Cafe (Polar Bear’s Cafe) in Takadanobaba Part 1: Front Lobby In part 1, we took at the lobby at Shirokuma Cafe (Polar Bear’s Cafe) in Takadanobaba. But now is the best part, the delicious parfait or food that one can order Read More …
The One about Shirokuma Cafe (Polar Bear’s Cafe) in Takadanobaba Part 2 Back in 2006, mangaka Higa Aloha created “Shirokuma Cafe” (Polar Bear’s Cafe). The manga series would last from 2006-2013, while an anime adaptation by Studio Pierrot aired in Japan around April 2012-March 2013. Read More …
It’s hard to talk about traveling, while staying at home, practicing social distancing and taking part in making sure I do my part in flattening the curve to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). If anything, I do appreciate my friends for showcasing Read More …
In Japan, it’s becoming the norm of having a garden terrace above a highrise or huge shopping complex. In Ikebukuro, near the East Exit is the Seibu Roof Garden on top of the big Seibu shopping complex, right next door to Parco and Ikebukuro Station Read More …
I first discovered you while I was in college (1999). A station that looked different than any other station I saw in Japan and right outside it was the popular Takeshita St. As I took one look to see you, I realize there have been Read More …
U.S. citizens will be permitted to return from the Schengen area. The Department of Homeland Security will be issuing instructions requiring U.S. passengers that have been in the Schengen area to travel through select airports where the U.S. Government has implemented enhanced screening procedures. See DHS Read More …
The Department of State advises U.S. citizens to reconsider travel abroad due to the global impact of COVID-19. Many areas throughout the world are now experiencing COVID-19 outbreaks and taking action that may limit traveler mobility, including quarantines and border restrictions. Even countries, jurisdictions, or Read More …