Anything related to traveling in Japan
I often get e-mails and social media messages from people of whether or not a JR Pass is necessary. They often hear from their friends who traveled to Japan that they bought a JR Pass but is it necessary? My opinion is: Only BUY a Read More …
Located near the Shinkyo Bridge are three scenic areas, two statues and one big rock that you’ll find people drinking from, it’s known as “Iwasaku Rei Sui”. According to legend, over 1,200 years ago, when shrines were built for Nikko, the spring water from the Read More …
When I was at Nikko, the locals told me that Yuba is the local cuisine to eat in the area. Yuba is made from boiled soymilk and the thick residue that is built when the yuba is boiled is skimmed off. While Yuba is known Read More …
You know when you see a photo of a location and when you get up close, it’s not exactly what you expected to see. This is how I felt about Oosugi Jinjia Kokuzoson in Nikko. Kokuzoson (虚空蔵尊) means “God of Emptiness”. I am not an Read More …
When I visited Japan at the end of 2017, I was saying goodbye to the RG 1/1 RX-78-2 Ver. GFT statue that had been a fixture at Diver City Tokyo in Odaiba. The Gundam that many of us have come to see and love would Read More …
I wrote about my experience at Moriva Coffee back in January 2017 but there are times that I get there and start working on posting photos on Facebook or answering messages that I forget to take photos of the interior or the food. So, I Read More …
When it comes to beer, it is said that there are 100 types of beer in the world and most of the time, it’s divided into “ale” or “lager” beer. The differences between the two is on the temperature they are fermented. And this is Read More …
Located at the famous Commune 2nd is BEER BRAIN, one of the popular locations for people interested in quality craft beer. What started out as a conversation between close friends (known as the Tokyo Beer Boyz), about wanting to drink quality craft beer anywhere they Read More …
When riding on a train or a subway in Japan, there are a few things that one should keep in mind and important tips of etiquette. Here are 10 things to prepare yourself before riding on a train or subway in Japan. I. WHERE TO Read More …
It’s one thing to expect see the giant bronze Buddha statue at Kōtoku-in in Kamakura, but there was a moment of time, while I looked out the window and I was shocked to see a huge white head in the middle of trees near Ōfuna Read More …
One of my favorite sculptors is Emile-Antoine Bourdelle, an influential and prolific French sculptor, painter and teacher. From his dark sketches (inspired by classic and contemporary literature) to his earlier career to the amazing sculpture he would make a few years later through the early Read More …
Do you know the feeling of when you go to an establishment, you drink or eat there and then after, while doing a blog post or research on the place you been to, you realized you missed out entirely of why people visit the location? Read More …
In 2005, a shopping complex known as Omotesando Hills was built in the popular avenue in Shibuya known as Omotesando. The area often referred to as Tokyo’s Champs-Elysees, Mori Building created the complex (which was designed by Ando Tadao) that would contain 130 shops and Read More …
I will start off by saying that visiting “Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden” in late November…if you are enchanted by the color of leaves, is one of the most beautiful and vibrant places to visit in the world. And in the spring for Hanami (cherry blossoms). Read More …
Harajuku and Omotesando are a place for trendy cafe’s, coffee shops and shops. Especially near the Jingumae area of Shibuya. And there are numerous shops that people line up for nearly an hour just to get a taste of what is being offered. Near Omotesando Read More …
Hanshin Koshien Stadium, sure it may be the home of the Hanshin Tigers but for Japanese baseball fans, Hanshin Koshien Stadium is a place where dreams are made of. The stadium opened back in August 1, 1924 as a stadium to host the national high Read More …
When you head to Kotoku-in in Kamakura, Kanagawa, one thing you will notice a lot of are soft cream (ice cream) shops. In fact, the area takes pride in their ice cream that you’ll even see President Obama partaking in soft cream. And one of Read More …
It wouldn’t be an exaggeration if I said I came all the way to Ibaraki, in the Oarai area just to see Kamisoo-no-Torii. This is the third torii (gate) for Isosaki-Jinja shrine created over a thousand years ago but why it was put there, no Read More …
Japan is known as one of the safest countries in the world. The country was ranked as third in the most peaceful country in the world according to the fourth annual Global Peace Index (GPI) back in 2010 and as of the last GPI in Read More …
I am often asked if there is anything like Wal-Mart or Target in Japan. While Costco and Wal-Mart do exist in Japan, for a Japanese retail company where people can buy clothes, food, consumer and household goods, plants and such. There are a few, but Read More …
Located in the posh shopping, Marunouchi building, Marunouchi Cafe x WIRED CAFE is a restaurant in Chiyoda ward that promotes the theme of “Work, Play, Learn”. A place that hosts dinner parties, work meetings or to grab something to eat or if you want coffee, Read More …
Located in Kichijoji, right next to Harmonica Alley is the restaurant known as Satou. While Satou Steakhouse is on the second floor, on the first floor is where you will see a large line of people waiting. In Musashino and Tokyo in general, Satou is Read More …
When I first went to Japan in 1999, I was first introduced to “Pokemon” by a friend who operated an import business. While music and anime merchandise was the big thing at the time, he began to import stuffed animals and merchandise of “Pokemon”. While Read More …