Anything related to traveling in Japan
Ikebukuro is an interesting district in Toshima ward. Misunderstood by people due to its past, similar to ’70s New York, what people hear of the past, think a location is the same in the present. East Ikebukuro (Higashi-Ikebukuro) is where people go to shop and Read More …
A lot of the ancient artifacts from ancient Egyptian structure and art were made of stone. Limestone, Sandstone and different types of other stone, Egyptians at the time used what was available to them. Among the ones featured at the Matsuoka Museum of Art in Read More …
One of the popular sections that people look for on my blog are medications while in Japan that they can pick up at a pharmacy. I covered medications for colds, allergies, headaches to mosquito repellent: The One about Cold Medicine for Children The One about Read More …
Once you leave the Ikuta no Mori (Ikuta Forest) at Ikuta Shrine in Tokyo, you begin to make your way towards nearly two dozen vermilion gates that take you to another shrine protected by two kitsune (foxes). This area is known as Kusunoki Shrine at Read More …
We continue our visit at one of the oldest Shinto shrines in Japan, Ikuta Shrine. Also the location of the Battle of Ichi-no-Tani in which the Taira clan used the narrow strip between the sea of the south and mountains of the north. The location Read More …
We continue our visit at one of the oldest Shinto shrines in Japan, Ikuta Shrine. To the left of Ikuta Shrine’s main hall is the Ikuta pond. Walking west, you will go to a pond area where you can find many koi fish, ducks and Read More …
As you approach Ikuta Shrine, you start to notice the shrine for its beauty but for me, it was interesting seeing the painting of dog. This may pertain to last year being the year of the dog but I found that interesting to see. Also, Read More …
As I continue to feature Ikuta Shrine, located in the Chuo Ward of Kobe and is what may be one of the oldest shrines located in Japan, in the last two blog posts, I discussed entering the first two “torii” gates. After the second torii, Read More …
As I continue to feature Ikuta Shrine, located in the Chuo Ward of Kobe and is what may be one of the oldest shrines located in Japan, in the last blog post I wrote about going through the first torii (gate). Now we are heading Read More …
Located in the Chuo Ward of Kobe is what may be one of the oldest shrines located in Japan. Ikuta Shrine is a Shinto shrine which was founded by the Empress Jingu at the beginning of the 3rd century AD to enshrine the kami Read More …
Although most of my time is spent in Tokyo, when I go to Japan, there are cities in the Kansai region that really captivate me in terms of atmosphere, food and vibe and one city I enjoy visiting is Kobe, Japan. The sixth largest city Read More …
For those traveling to Japan in February 2019, will no doubt want to download the latest issue of Metropolis Magazine. Featuring a this month’s calendar, Metropolis Recommends, Metropolis movie reviews, Valentines at Grand Hyatt Tokyo, Japan in Love, a Tale of Two Confectioners, Ryozan Park Read More …
As I walked around Ikebukuro, often do I see this bus going around playing a catchy song. So catchy that you can’t help sing it! The Vanilla Bus is what I call it: So, what is this Vanilla Bus in Ikebukuro? Apparently, the business recruits Read More …
Presented in painted wood, plaster and gold and was found in Egypt, the coffin was created during the late period during the 30th Dynasty of the Early Ptolemaic Perod ala the 4th Century B.C. The coffin is probably from the Middle Egypt. For me, I Read More …
One of the most difficult things about trying to time your trip to Japan during the cherry blossom time is when to go. Most people travel for the week, some for two. While the rule of thumb is last week of March to the first Read More …
In Japan, you will find Hiyori Cafe – Waffle & Tea- near stations. The primary thing sold is fluffy waffles and tea and the concept is quite simple, fluffy waffles (strawberry, matcha or regular) filled with cream and fruit. And the waffles range from Y280 Read More …
Located at Hanshin Koshien Stadium is the Stadium Shop. At this location, one can find merchandise for other teams, especially the Hanshin Tigers but most importantly, Hanshin Koshien Stadium merchandise for the baseball fan at heart. While the shop is not huge, Central League fans Read More …
In my effort to visit all NPB stadiums and official team stores, I went to KFC Hanshin Koshien Stadium and in front of the stadium (about a 100-150 yards away) is the team’s Team Shop Alps store. For those who never been to an NPB Read More …
Located in Shibuya’s Cat St., right next door to the Ralph Lauren Polo Store is The Roastery by Nozy Coffee. Ran by the people behind Setagaya’s Nozy Coffee and by restaurant owners – Tysons Japan, The Roastery by Nozy Coffee in Shibuya has a simple Read More …
Right after New Year, Japan’s version of Black Friday kicks in as it becomes “Fukubukuro” (Lucky Bag) Time! Each year in Japan, on New Year’s Day (and sometimes a few days before), many partake in Fukubukuro. Fukubukuro is a New Year’s custom in which merchants Read More …
I’m often asked how I prepare for my coffee/cafe tours around Japan and while there are websites that are good in showcasing cool coffee shops and cafe, one guide that I pick up at the end of November each year is the “Tokyo Cafe Guide” Read More …
In part A, we talked about the filtering process through the wooden boxes at the Yubatake (Hot Water Source). This time, we see the final steps after going through the wooden boxes for filtration of the sulfur, then going through a waterfall or this wooden Read More …
Kusatsu, home to one of the largest sources of hot water derived from nearby Mount Kusatsu-Shirane. With around a hundred hot springs in Kusatsu and a total of about 34,000 liters of water coming off the ground that is sulfurous and acidic, for centuries, many Read More …