The One about the “Exhibition of Shinkai Makoto” at the National Art Center – Tokyo in Roppongi
With the announcement of Shinkai Makoto’s upcoming 2019 animated film “Tenki no Ko” (Weathering With You), I figured why not blog about the “Exhibition of Shinkai Makoto” which I attended in Roppongi at the National Art Center – Tokyo. Just the mere mention of Shinkai’s Read More …
The One about Kotoku-in in Kamakura Part 4 (Final)
As I was able to explore Kotoku-in and after having this location on my bucket list, it was nice to finally say that I’ve finally visited. Sometimes certain locations gets pushed away due to time, weather or changes in decisions. It was great to see Read More …
The One about Kotoku-in in Kamakura Part 3
The next thing we are going to take a look at for Kotoku-in is the interior of the Great Buddha. To the left of the bronze sculpture is where one can pay and go inside it. And it’s fairly inexpensive, if I recall, the price Read More …
The One about Kotoku-in in Kamakura Part 2
For the second part of Kotoku-in in Kamakura, we will take a look at the actual statue of the renown Great Buddha (Daibutsu) bronze statue of Amida Buddha. Looking at the area and seeing how much has changed over a hundred years later since the Read More …
The One about Kotoku-in in Kamakura Part 1
Located in the city of Kamakura in Kanagawa Prefecture is the renown Great Buddha (Daibutsu) bronze statue of Amida Buddha. The Jodo-shu Buddhist temple is known as Taiizan Kotokuin Shojosenji (“Kotoku-in” for short) brings in travelers all over the world. The bronze version was created Read More …
The One about Dennis A. Amith’s Random Musings Travel Vlog #35
There is something magical about going to Japan around the Christmas time. Although Christmas in Japan is seen much differently than in the United States and other countries, who celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ or a holiday as gift giving to family and friends. Read More …
The One about Cafe Restaurant Gusto in Japan
In America, there are numerous diners that people flock to for breakfast or late night meals, may it be Denny’s, iHop, Sizzler, etc. or even local diners, in Japan, a family restaurant that is well-known for its western-style cuisine is Cafe Restaurant Gusto. Operated by Read More …
The One about VenusFort in Odaiba
Located in Odaiba in the Pallette Town area is a shopping mall known as VenusFort. The mall has been called a “Theme park for women” and the mall is operated now by Mori Bulding. VenusFort opened back on August 25, 1999 and is located on Read More …
The One about KOFFEE MAMEYA in Jingumae, Shibuya
From Eiichi Kunitomo, known for his famous OMOTESANDO KOFFEE (which closed down in 2015, due to building being demolished), has two popular coffee shops in Tokyo. KOFFEE MAMEYA is considered the reincarnation of OMOTESANDO KOFFEE, while TORANOMON KOFFEE (which opened back in 2014) located in Read More …
The One about the Michel Germain Sexual Noir Pour Homme 3-Piece Gift Set
I have to first preface that I have been using primarily Versacci, Prada, Armani, Ralph Lauren and Calvin Klein cologne for most of my life. Rarely do I experiment with other brands but I have with a few such as Yves Saint Lauren L’Homme, LACOSTE Read More …
The One about J-World Tokyo closing on February 17, 2019
I have to say that I was quite surprised by Bandai Namco’s announcement that J-World Tokyo in Ikebukuro will be closing down on February 17th. Beginning on December 21st through February 17th, J-World Tokyo will be hosting it’s “Grand Finale Event”. I covered my visit Read More …
The One about Yamashita Tatsuro – OPUS ~ALL TIME BEST 1975-2012~ (September 2012)
You get 55 tracks in this magnificent best album. This may be the final Yamashita Tatsuro produced best album on CD and he no doubt wanted it to be special. And it’s a special best album featuring hit songs and also unreleased songs from 1975-2012 Read More …
The One about ONE OK ROCK’s “Stand Out Fit In” and why it made me shed some tears…
I just happened to have my YouTube running, while I was working on one of my websites and I heard this song which caught my attention. It happened to be ONE OK ROCK’s “Stand Out Fit In” but when I watched the music video from Read More …
Travel Guide: The One About Taking Photos of People or Inside Stores in Japan
A question that I am often asked is my approach to taking photos of people or inside stores in Japan. One thing that I can say is that one should always ask permission if I get a portrait or if I am inside a store. Read More …
The One about the Octopus Christmas Decoration at Katsuta Station in Hitachinaka, Ibaraki
Right outside Katsuta Station, near the bus stops, I discovered a Christmas decoration I’ve never seen anywhere else before. Seeing a Christmas tree next to a station is common, but in this case, we have a Christmas tree via lights and an octopus made with Read More …
The One about Katsuta Station in Hitachinaka, Ibaraki
For those who are traveling to Ibaraki from Tokyo will no doubt be taking the Joban Line from Ueno Station to Katsuta Station in Hitachinaka, Ibaraki. The station (which is operated by East Japan Railway Company – JR East) first opened back in March 1910 Read More …
The One about EVA-YA (Evangelion Store) Christmas Style in Hakone
I’m a big fan of the manga and anime series “Neon Genesis Evangelion” and visiting Hakone, one of the coolest things was to visit the Evangelion store in Hakone “EVA-YA” during the holidays! Of course, there were a lot of cool Christmas Evangelion merchandise but Read More …
The One about “WHITE KITTE” (November 21 – December 25)
In America, we grown accustom to seeing huge Christmas trees. My hometown still has a Christmas tree they put up right after Christmas near the downtown area and a lot of cities and towns celebrate with a huge Christmas Tree. In Japan, Yebisu Garden Place Read More …
The One about the LG V35 ThinQ smartphone
With the release of the LG V40 ThinQ, the release of the LGV35 this past summer and the LGV30 smartphone earlier this year, there may be a little confusion of why LG has released different versions so quickly. The goal for LG is to introduce Read More …
The One about “Is it easy to see Mt. Fuji?”
A question that I am often asked is “is it easy to see Mt. Fuji?”. To be truthful, in my experience, the answer is “no”. A big part of seeing Mt. Fuji is always depending on the weather. One of the best places to see Read More …
The One about the Tokyo Christmas Illumination 2018 Part 11: Daikanyama T-Site Christmas 2018 (11/16-12/25)
Located in southwest Shibuya is the town known as Daikanyama. The location is known for its elegance, may it be boutiques, cake shops, restaurants and cafes, but it was a town redeveloped after the end of the bubble economy. While the origin of Daikanyma is Read More …
The One about the Tokyo Christmas Illumination 2018 Part 10: Shinjuku Winter Illumination 2018–2019 (November 14, 2018 – February 14, 2019)
Located near JR Shinjuku Station is Terrace City, which receives a good does of Christmas illumination but also lasts through Valentine’s Day. While not long, part of the beauty of this area is its pink lights which brings out a lot of couples and families Read More …
The One about the Tokyo Christmas Illumination 2018 Part 9: Rikugi-en Gardens -Koyo to Damyo Teien no Light Up- (November 17-December 9)
The Rikugi-en Gardens is one of the beautiful traditional Japanese gardens in Tokyo. Rikugi, which means “Garden of the Six Principles of Poetry”, while the “en” means park consisting of a small pond, trees and a hill. The construction of Rikugi-en was around 1695-1702 and Read More …
The One about the Tokyo Christmas Illumination 2018 Part 8: Tokyo Dome City Illumination ~Edo no iki Nihon no hana~ (November 7, 2018 – February 17, 2019)
I’ve written about visiting Tokyo Dome City to check out the illumination for the past few years. And this year’s theme is to feature Illumination via Japanese style for the “Tokyo Dome City Illumination ~Edo no iki Nihon no hana~” event. Part of the fascinating Read More …
The One about the Tokyo Christmas Illumination 2018 Part 7: Marunouchi Bright Christmas 2018 ~ Hokuō kara todoita Christmas with Yuming ~ (November 8-December 25)
Across the street from Tokyo Station is the Shin-Marunouchi Building and also the other Marunouchi Building. The region around Tokyo Station is known as the Marunouchi area where other buildings such as the Brick Square, Tokyo Building Tokia, Iiyo! and Marunouchi Oazo also exists. But Read More …