Back in 1979, Takohachi opened in Osaka. It is said that the popular Japanese snack known as Takoyaki, was born in Osaka back in the early Showa era. While there are many opinions in regards to the roots of takoyaki, people feel the origin of Read More …
UPDATED”: [NHK] A magnitude 6.1 earthquake has struck the Osaka region in western Japan. Three people are confirmed dead. More than 230 others are reportedly injured. The Shinkansen line that runs from Tokyo to Osaka has resumed operation after service was partially suspended. But local Read More …
With the World Surfing Championships coming to Kelly Slater’s Surf Ranch in September 2018, I will continue to showcase restaurants worth checking out in Lemoore, California. And for those who are early morning people and are wanting delicious breakfast burritos, the newly opened Chicas is Read More …
During my coffee tour in Japan, I visited a few places in the Toranomon business district of Minato. Toranomon which means “Tiger’s Gate” is the name of the southernmost gate of Edo Castle which existed until the 1870’s before being demolished has a lot of Read More …
In this second part of my coverage of Atago Shrine in Minato, Tokyo, we look at what is located once you climb those steps of the SHUSSE no ISHIDAN, all the way up. Atago Jinja (a Shinto Shrine) was established in the year KEICHO 8 Read More …
If there is one shrine in Tokyo that many people want to see but many are scared of heights are afraid to visit is Atago Shrine in Minato. Established back in 1603 on the order of shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu, the shrine is known for its Read More …
Between Nikko Station and Shinkyo Bridge is Shōichii Inari Shrine in Nikko. All that is known about this shrine is that it is a historical shrine built during the Kamakura period (est. 1218) and there is a huge large rock in the area. I read Read More …
It was way back in 1976 when Marion Crepes opened a crepe shop in Harajuku. The location is known for the original Japanese-style crepe and the most famous with over 80 locations throughout Japan. Marion Crepes is known for their secret original dough (uses 10 Read More …
While one can find the Ralph Lauren store on Omotesando quite easily, there is another Ralph Lauren (a Polo by Ralph Lauren) shop nearby, this one in Cat St. Literally a few blocks across the street from the Omotesando Store will take you to Polo Read More …
In Japan, you’ll find many gourmet chocolate shops. Many people who have trained overseas and starting their own shops is quite common. Located in Shirokanedai, Minato is a Japanese chocolate shop known as kiki Japanese Chocolate and one of the major highlights of this shop Read More …
Located near downtown Lemoore is a Thai restaurant called Pad Thai. I’ve been to numerous Thai restaurants up and down California and I noticed there are some that tend to use satay peanut sauce or those who tend to use peanut butter. Often when I Read More …
Back in 1993, Tomoaki “NIGO” Nagao founded A Bathing Ape (BAPE) in Ura-Harajuku. With nearly two dozen stores in Japan which include BAPE, BAPE Pirate, BAPE Kids, BAPexclusive Aoyama and BAPexclusive Kyoto. But before he founded BAPE, he was an editor and stylist for “Popeye” Read More …
One of channels I subscribe to on YouTube is June Quan’s Stir & Style. She was a lawyer, but got tired of the banality and the fact that all she did was work, work, work and had no time for anything. So, tired of it Read More …
You live, you learn. That is how I felt when I visited Ueno Royal Museum at Ueno Park in December to see the “Fear in Painting” exhibit. For me, I wanted to see Paul Delaroche’s renown painting, “The Execution of Lady Jane Grey,” one of Read More …
I tend to wear a few shoe brands and when it comes to Sneakers, my closet is primarily Adidas-driven. When I was in Tokyo, I visited the Adidas Originals store in Roppongi and I was literally in Adidas heaven! I had to check out the Read More …
Ameya-Yokocho (also known as “Ameyoko”) is an open-air market in Taito ward right next to Ueno Station. And one of the things people will notice of how it has an international flair, reminding me of Shinuku’s Okubu-dori (or Shin-Okubo) and a mix of clothing shops, Read More …
Shibuya, the city that never sleeps. I have been to Shibuya at many hours of the day and there are still crowds. You would think that between 1:00 -3:00 a.m., that it would be dead, but you would see people who are getting off of Read More …