The One about the last day of the JR Hidaka Line
The JR Hidaka Line, which opened its entire length in 1937, has already been operating with bus replacement services, but will now disappear from the railway timetable.
Category: Travel: Japan
Anything related to traveling in Japan
The One about Random Musings #156 – Hoping for an awesome AnimeJapan for 2022…
Hopefully AnimeJapan and the general public will be back in 2022 at the renovated Tokyo Big Sight. AnimeJapan 2021 (public days) has completed and this year’s event was all online. It was no doubt a different vibe seeing the industry have their own YouTube channels Read More …
The One about AnimeJapan 2021
The world’s largest Anime event proudly brought from Japan. “AnimeJapan 2021” Online starting this weekend! 51 programs including newly added stages will stream overseas! All lineup confirmed! Streaming live on 27th(Sat) & 28th (Sun) March JST. 6 more stages such as “MY HEROACADEMIA”, “Jujutsu Kaisen”, Read More …
The One about Hiroshima’s love for the Hiroshima Carps
When it comes to city love for its baseball team, when it comes to city support, I don’t think I’ve seen so much love for a baseball team than the Hiroshima Carp. This is fascinating to me because I’m a Yomiuri Giants fan and I Read More …
The One about Chion-in in Higashiyama, Kyoto – Part 4: My Final Thoughts
One of the best things about visiting Chion-in, aside from making it to one of my bucket list locations, is the fact that I got to experience a magnificent area full of history. This location is no doubt one of the best temple locations in Read More …
The One about Chion-in in Higashiyama, Kyoto – Part 3: The Lush Greenery
With such a big location, Chion-in is known for its lush greenery. There are two gardens one can enjoy, Yuzen’en Garden (to the right of Sanmon) and Hojo Garden (towards the back). Yuzen’en Garden costs Y300 and Hojo Garden (Y400). Deduct half the price for Read More …
The One about Chion-in in Higashiyama, Kyoto – Part 2: Has the temple and structures been rebuilt?
In the first part of my post about Chion-in, the large temple in Higashiyama, Kyoto, I wrote about how it was the headquarters for Jodo-shu and how it was founded by Honen. But like many temples in Japan, the originals were often destroyed during a Read More …
The One about Chion-in in Higashiyama, Kyoto – Part 1
Located in Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto, is Chion-in (which translates to Monastery of Gratitude). The location is the headquarters of the Jodo-shu (Pure Land Sect) founded by Honen (1133-1212) who proclaimed that sentinient beings are reborn in Amida Buddha’s Western Paradise by reciting the Nembutsu (Amida Buddha’s Read More …
The One about Random Musings #155 – Wish I was in Japan for Sakura 2021
Random Musings #155 – Wish I was in Japan for Sakura 2021. There is something about cherry blossom season in Japan that makes it a special time to be there. From the end of March to first week in April (This is typical in Kanto Read More …
The One about UPBEET! TOKYO (Vegan & Gluten Free Sweets)
I had the opportunity to try UPBEET! TOKYO (Vegan & Gluten Free Sweets) at the Aoyama Farmer’s Market @ UNU in Shibuya, Tokyo. The company promises the following four things: No animal food No flour No white sugar Use of Japanese Fermented Food The company Read More …
The One about Nogi Shrine in Akasaka
Not far from Nogizaka Station in Akasaka, Minato ward is Nogi Shrine. A Shinto Shrine established back on November 1, 1923, the shrine is dedicated to General Nogi Maresuke and his wife Nogi Shizuko after the their deaths back on September 13, 1912. Before I Read More …
The One about Yokohama Stadium
The first stadium I have ever went to in Japan, was back in 1999 at Yokohama Stadium. While at the time there was no baseball, there was a school soccer competition taking place. But Yokohama Stadium is known for hosting many outdoor concerts. American artists Read More …
The One about Bakudan-ya in Hiroshima
So, you are a tsukemen enthusiast? You have ventured the Kanto and Kansai area trying the best tsukemen. But in the Chugoku region, specifically in Hiroshima, is a restaurant known for Hiroshima tsukemen and its Bakudan-ya. A restaurant that is popular and has many celebrities Read More …
The One about Starbucks and what they serve during Cherry Blossom season?
During the cherry blossom season, Starbucks in Japan tends to offer special beverages and food. Every area is different but here are examples of things I ordered. In Tokyo, I tried the SAKURAFUL Doughnut. And then we go to Kawagoe: And in Kyoto: And the Read More …
The One about if what you see now in Japan is a Cherry Blossom or a Plum Blossom? What is the Difference? And when is the best time to see it?
One of the things I notice from people is that in February, many say they saw the cherry blossoms. In Japan, typically in Tokyo or Kyoto the cherry blossoms are seen during the tail end of March and early April, but the more you go Read More …
The One about Pablo Mini in Akihabara having closed down
This is a few months late, but PABLO MINI in Akihabra has closed down as of November 11, 2020. This is a bit shocking, considering how the shop known for its wonderful mini tarts, was a popular place to visit, whenever one visits Akihabara. Unfortunately, Read More …
The One about Carl’s Jr. in Akihabara
Back in 2016, Carl’s Jr. Inc, a subsidiary of Mitsuuroku Group Holdings, Co., Ltd. (MGHD) opened its first restaurant in Akihabara. And the goal of CKE Restaurant Holdings, Inc. (CKE) and MGHD to develop 150 Carl’s Jr. restaurants in Japan for the next ten years. Read More …
The One about Don Quijote in Akihabara
In Japan, Don Quijote (a.k.a. “Donki”) is a discount chain store with 160 locations throughout Japan, 6 in Singapore, 1 in Thailand and in Hong Kong and 2 in the USA (both in Hawaii). If I have to compare it with a store in the Read More …
The One about Japan’s new virus law on those who do not follow them
There has been criticism that Japan’s second State of Emergency really does nothing because it was voluntary and there were no penalties or any major punishment to those who don’t follow them. But on February 12th, the Diet passed two bills which allow authorities to Read More …
The One about the State of Emergency being expanded in Japan
Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide has expanded the State of Emergency to Osaka, Kyoto, Hyogo, Aichi, Gifu, Tochigi and Fukuoka. So, a total of 11 of Japan’s 47 prefectures. The State of Emergency which includes Tokyo, Kanagawa, Chiba and Saitama prefectures is set to expire on Read More …
The One about the Last JR East trains to depart earlier in the Tokyo metro area starting on January 20th
East Japan Railway Co. (JR East) announced that the last trains of the day will depart earlier starting on January 20th to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus in which numbers have surged in Japan. It is expected that other railway companies will follow Read More …
The One about BIC CAMERA IKEBUKURO EAST EXIT shutting down permanently on January 11th
BIC CAMERA IKEBUKURO EAST EXIT has shut down on January 11th. According to the company, the reason for the closure was not just the influence of the Coronavirus but also demand for cameras and video cameras are changing as many needs of people have changed Read More …
The One about the Tokyo Second State of Emergency: What you need to know
The second state of emergency was declared in Japan on Thursday. As of right now, the prefectures affected are: Tokyo, Chiba, Kanagawa and Saitama So, what will happen? Restaurants and Bars must stop serving alcohol at 7 om and close an hour later, except for Read More …