Anything related to traveling in Japan
For “Doraemon” fans, the Fujiko F. Fujio Museum in Kawasaki is a must visit location. For those who are not familiar with “Doraemon”, back in 1969 when Fujiko F. Fujio created the popular manga (comic book) series “Doraemon”. One of the best-selling manga in the Read More …
For those who are looking for a quick, inexpensive bite to eat at a western style diner, there are a variety of choices in Japan. I discussed Cafe Gusto in a previous post and now I’m going to discuss Jonathan’s Coffee & Restaurant, which is Read More …
Ao no Dokutsu right near Yoyogi Park in Shibuya, Tokyo will kick off on November 29th through December 31st. (Free, 5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.). One of the best Christmas Illumination areas of Japan (all blue, but quite surreal). You can easily reach it via Read More …
It’s an interesting sight to see in Tokyo, as not long after Halloween is over, Tokyo starts to go in Christmas mode for the next two months. As Halloween has become a big sales boom with people buying costumes, candy, cakes, etc. Now it goes Read More …
For the past six years, Halloween has become a phenomenon in Japan and Halloween night in Shibuya has attracted travelers from all over the world. Due to the growth, the ward has taken precautions but hopefully in 2019, there are no major issues tonight. And Read More …
Last year, I wrote about 551 Horai as mainly as a warning of not to eat it in the Shinkansen. And while I wrote about the experience, I wanted to write more about the actual food. Located in Kyoto and Osaka is 551 Horai, a Read More …
Back in 2015, I wrote about the observatories at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building. And I know way back in 1999, I wrote about the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building for a website. It has been a long time since I have been to this place Read More …
It has long been a problem for Kyoto residents, as tourism to Kyoto has led to unruly tourists and for those who live near Hanamikoji Street, an association of residents and shop owners in the Gion district have imposed a ban on photography effective on Read More …
Wishing everyone an awesome upcoming Halloween. A lot of cool events happening this coming weekend, especially in Tokyo. Looks like the Halloween parades scheduled for Sunday should be good, as the Sunday is mostly light showers. This weekend should be busy! Just be remember to Read More …
Located in Harajuku is cafe STUDIO, a cafe located at the YM SQUARE building next door to Tokyu Plaza. (Note: Same location as Harajuku Kawaii Monster, but on the first floor towards the rear) But the attraction of this location is its large space which Read More …
If there is one thing that remains consistent from the old Tsukiji Fish Market and the new Toyosu Fish Market, that food and restaurants still are what bring people to the area. If anything, the restaurant area is where I saw the most people and Read More …
Above Toyosu Fish Market is the roof garden. In Japan, terrace rooftop gardens built on top of major buildings are quite popular. They give great cityscape views, they are typically relaxing and there are often restaurants and things nearby. The rooftop garden is quite lengthy Read More …
The auctions at the fish market begin at 5:30 a.m., but for those who are there still early in the morning, you can still see a lot of the tuna on display and it’s interesting to see how huge maguro is. Let’s check things out: Read More …
For years, I have been waiting for the Toyosu Fish Market to open. For those who have read my visit to the old Tsukiji Fish Market, I have gone to Tsukiji Fish Market (Inner Market) and say my goodbyes but each time, things were delayed. Read More …
A lot of people are writing about their flights being canceled due to Typhoon Hagibis, some who are stranded in the airport and some who were to flyout, missing their flight to Japan. Please know that at this time, there is record downpour in various Read More …
At Enoshima Island is a location called “Yama Futatsu” (Divide between Two Mountains). The location is a boundary dividing Enoshima Island in two. And a theory is that over the ages, the tides have eroded the area along the geologic stratum and formed a large Read More …
One thing I realized that there is a store which I have visited often, and that is Don Quijote in Akihabara and MEGA Don Quijote Shibuya Honten in Shibuya and shocked I have not even blogged about it. In Japan, Don Quijote (a.k.a. “Donki”) is Read More …
For those who are traveling to Enoshima and traveling back from it, more than likely that you will be riding on the Shonan Monorail and will be arriving at Shonan-Enoshima Station. Shonan Monorail is a railway company operated by the Monorail Enoshima Line and Shonan-Enoshima Read More …
I often hear it from travelers especially to Japan… “I booked my flight for ANA and it was United Airlines” “I booked my flight with JAL and it was American Airlines” And people sharing their anger on social media about codesharing and not getting the Read More …
I’m often asked about when one should go to Shibuya for Halloween. For those not familiar with Halloween in Japan, it’s a phenomenon. About five years ago, you would see office parties and a few people dressed up but now, it’s become so huge that Read More …
With my first blog post about the Starbucks Coffee in Kawagoe Kanetsuki-dori, I showcased the aesthetics and interior. But now I want to talk about the beautiful garden which gives this Starbucks its charm. Most Starbucks don’t have a dedicated garden, but Starbucks Coffee in Read More …
Back on March 19, 2018, Starbucks opened a shop in Kawagoe’s Koedo (Little Edo) where many historic buildings are located. And similar to Kawagoe’s unique landscape in Saitama prefecture, Starbucks made sure to match the traditional architecture of the area with the same rooftops but Read More …
When it comes to ramen, Ippudo is one of the most popular restaurant chains. Known for serving Hakata tonkotsu ramen, the restaurant chain has literally sprouted throughout Japan since the first restaurant opened back in 1985 in Fukuoka City. And in 2008, the restaurant opened Read More …