

The One about my Interview with “The Dark Maidens” author, Rikako Akiyoshi
Rikako Akiyoshi is an author who debuted with her novel “Snow Flower” back in 2009. A winner of the third Yahoo! JAPAN Literature Award back in 2008 (out of the 1,675 works that were entered in the competition), “Snow Flower” would be made into a Read More …

The One about Polo by Ralph Lauren on Cat St. in Harajuku
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 …

The one about kiki Japanese Chocolate in Shirokanedai, Minato
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 …

The One about the Hydrapak SF500 Handheld Hydration Flask
A collapsible hydration flask. The soft flask has a high-flow self-sealing bit valve, a 42mm opening with twist locking cap, flexible hand strap and the flask shrinks as you drink, reducing water movement. Great for the minimalist runner but while the hand strap was nice, Read More …

The One about the Cressi Tao Semi-Dry Snorkel
I’ve reviewed numerous snorkeling gear and also semi-dry snorkels. And this time I’m checking out the Cressi Tao Semi-Dry Snorkel. This is a side snorkel that attaches to your mask, not a center snorkel. The reason why this is called a semi dry is Read More …

The One about the Phantom Aquatics Semi Dry Snorkel
I was able to test out the Phantom Aquatics semi dry snorkel this weekend and before I go on to the review, if you don’t have the goggles, you can purchase the Phantom Aquatics Panoramic Scuba Snorkeling Dive Mask here. You can purchase a goggle and Read More …

The One about Pad Thai in Lemoore, California
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 …

The One about the A Bathing Ape (BAPE) store in Ura-Harajuku
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 …

The One about my interview with illustrator VOFAN
VOFAN is perhaps one of the most popular artists from Taiwan that has created many wonderful illustrations that have attracted fans of his work worldwide. Best known as the illustrator for the popular “Monogatari” light novels and his use of color and depiction of natural Read More …

The One about Shrimp Daddy at Smorgasburg LA
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 …

The One about the Phantom Aquatics Fab Series Scuba Gear Bag
I have numerous bags in my home. One to hold my bodyboard and fins, another my surfboard and another for my skimboards. But I have been looking for a bag that can hold on to numerous fins and my wetsuit and one that can hold Read More …

The One about the U.S. Divers Lux Platinum Snorkeling Set
From U.S. Divers comes the U.S. Divers Panoramic View Lux Platinum Snorkel Set. For one who is looking for a all-in-one set that is affordable, one will know that you do get quality pieces in this set but are they great? I’m going to review Read More …

The “Fear in Painting” exhibit at the Ueno Royal Museum (and why one should go VERY EARLY to major art exhibits in Tokyo!)
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 …

The One about visiting the Adidas Originals store in Roppongi
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 …

The One about the Stanley Dredge Soft Toe Industrial and Construction Shoe
I have been on the look out for industrial work shoes that are solidly built. Durable boots that have no easy separation from the shoe and its sole and where stitching is well done. But shoes that are stylish and would match the pants I Read More …

The One about Ameya-Yokocho in Ueno
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 …

The One about the History of Surfing Video Games ver 2.0 (2018 update)
If Gatorade had the “Be Like Mike” campaign years ago for the young hopefuls who dreamed about becoming the next Michael Jordan, what about the young groms who wanted to be like pro surfers Kelly Slater, Tom Curren, Sunny Garcia, Martin Potter, Occy, Gerry Lopez Read More …