EARTHQUAKE IN OSAKA (June 18, 2018) – The One about Tips for Travelers who are in or traveling to Osaka (or Kansai Area)
UPDATED”: [NHK] A magnitude 6.1 earthquake has struck the Osaka region in western Japan. Three people are confirmed dead. More than 230 others are reportedly injured. The Shinkansen line that runs from Tokyo to Osaka has resumed operation after service was partially suspended. But local Read More …
The One about Chicas in Lemoore, California
With the World Surfing Championships coming to Kelly Slater’s Surf Ranch in September 2018, I will continue to showcase restaurants worth checking out in Lemoore, California. And for those who are early morning people and are wanting delicious breakfast burritos, the newly opened Chicas is Read More …
The One about Caffeineholic – Organic Caffeine Charge Bar in Nihombashi
During my coffee tour in Japan, I visited a few places in the Toranomon business district of Minato. Toranomon which means “Tiger’s Gate” is the name of the southernmost gate of Edo Castle which existed until the 1870’s before being demolished has a lot of Read More …
The One about Atago Shrine in Minato Part 2
In this second part of my coverage of Atago Shrine in Minato, Tokyo, we look at what is located once you climb those steps of the SHUSSE no ISHIDAN, all the way up. Atago Jinja (a Shinto Shrine) was established in the year KEICHO 8 Read More …
The One about Atago Shrine in Minato Part 1
If there is one shrine in Tokyo that many people want to see but many are scared of heights are afraid to visit is Atago Shrine in Minato. Established back in 1603 on the order of shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu, the shrine is known for its Read More …
The One about Shōichii Inari Shrine in Nikko
Between Nikko Station and Shinkyo Bridge is Shōichii Inari Shrine in Nikko. All that is known about this shrine is that it is a historical shrine built during the Kamakura period (est. 1218) and there is a huge large rock in the area. I read Read More …
The One about the Cressi Marea Mask & Supernova Dry Snorkel Set
For those who have read my scuba dive mask and snorkel reviews, know I am very big on Cressi products. And when it comes to dive masks, Cressi, which is made in Italy, are one of the best makers of dive masks and snorkeling gear. Read More …
The One about the Cressi Light Weight Premium Travel Snorkel Set (LAF version)
For those who have read my scuba dive mask and snorkel reviews, know I am very big on Cressi products. And when it comes to dive masks, Cressi, which is made in Italy, are one of the best makers of dive masks and snorkeling gear. Read More …
The One about Marion Crepes in Nikko
It was way back in 1976 when Marion Crepes opened a crepe shop in Harajuku. The location is known for the original Japanese-style crepe and the most famous with over 80 locations throughout Japan. Marion Crepes is known for their secret original dough (uses 10 Read More …
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 …