One of the statues featured at the Matsuoka Museum of Art is “The Statue of Enehey”. Made of Limestone. Egypt. New Kingdom, late 18th dynasty (1300-1200 b.c.). Excavated from Saqqarah, a vast, ancient burial ground in Egypt, Saqqarah served as the necropolis for the Ancient Read More …
I’m often asked if I ever go to Starbucks because I’m more of a third wave coffee guy. What is third wave? What are the first and second waves? The first wave was long ago when coffee became widely accessible and that was around the Read More …
Back in 1989, Jilla and Shallom Berkman met a coffee farmer named Jorge from a farm in Peru producing organic, heirloom coffee. Intrigued by Jorge’s mission, the Berkman’s would launch America’s first exclusively organic, heirloom coffee company named Urth Caffe. Using the old Welsh root Read More …
Located in Dotonbori in Osaka is the Dotonbori Konamon Museum. Immediately the idea of takoyaki and a museum may make you excited like I was when before I visited the takoyaki museum in Odaiba. While museum is used in the name of the restaaurant, the Read More …
I’ve been asked what my latest challenge will be for this upcoming adventure to Japan. I’ve done the Tokyo Ward Challenge, the Kanto Region Challenge and there are so many other challenges I have on my bucket list from going north of Japan for Hokkaido, Read More …
Way back in the late 1800s, Yokohama was known for being the center of foreign trade thanks to the opening of the Port of Yokohama. In fact, many westerners moved to the area and shops flourished on Motomachi St. which was known for shopping, cafes, Read More …
My Best Burger Locations in Tokyo + Metropolis Japan’s Top Picks Best Burger Locations via the Tokyo Premium Hamburger Mooks Best Vegan Burgers in Tokyo As we have discussed the top Burgers in Tokyo in parts 1 and 2, now we have to do a Read More …
My Best Burger Locations in Tokyo + Metropolis Japan’s Top Picks Best Burger Locations via the Tokyo Premium Hamburger Mooks Best Vegan Burgers in Tokyo The best burgers in Tokyo topic is always subjective. And what may be the best one day, can be off Read More …
My Best Burger Locations in Tokyo + Metropolis Japan’s Top Picks Best Burger Locations via the Tokyo Premium Hamburger Mooks Best Vegan Burgers in Tokyo I’m often asked what is the best burger in Tokyo? Everyone has their opinion as it’s subjective but the top Read More …
If you are on your way to Atago Shrine or even the NHK Museum of Broadcasting, nearby is a Buddhist Temple known as Eikaninsaru Temple. Actually, you’ll find numerous shrines and temples throughout the area but it’s best to use Google Maps because it’s around Read More …
Are you a frequent flier who often takes flights on Air Nippon Airways (ANN)? I would definitely take advantage of the ANA MILEAGE CLUB when flying to destinations around the world. Earn miles and get award tickets not only for ANA Group-operated flights but also Read More …
Halfway between the Heritage sites of Nikko and the stations is a Buddhist Temple called Ryuzoji. And the temple is of the Tendai sect Shuunsan Masamiin Ryuzo. This temple originated from Nikko mountains back in 1625 and was moved to the current area. The temple Read More …
We have now arrived to Nikko Toshogu Shrine,T the most famous shrine of the World Heritages in Nikko which enshrines Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first shogun of the Edo bakufu (shogunate). Most of the shrine was renovated by Tokugawa Iemitsu, the third shogun, in the Great Read More …
As we come closer to reaching Toshogu, the area around it also has a lot of history. To the right of the torii is the Kamijinko and supposedly this is where a lot of the samurai outfits are kept for when the area has their Read More …
After leaving the Rinnoji Temple area, its time to move on north to head to the Nikko Toshogu area and it’s important to note that this area is actually quite large, especially with the huge trees around, it’s best to stay around the main path Read More …
The first major area I’m going to spend some time discussing is Rinnoji Temple because it’s an area where a lot of renovations are taking place. According to the Nikko website: The history of the Nikkosan Rinno-Ji Temple started 1200 years ago, when Shodo Shonin Read More …
It’s now time to go enter Nikko National Park and see the temples around the area. Because the area is spread out, let’s take a look at the map: As you enter the area, you will see the red locator mark of where you are Read More …