The One about Dominique Ansel Bakery in Omotesando
French-born pastry chef, Dominique Ansel is no doubt a well-known name for pastry fans. He is the owner of Dominique Ansel Bakery in New York City back in 2011 and started the cronut craze in 2013. So popular that people were paying $20-$40 for a Read More …
The One about Revisiting Rainbow Pancake in Harajuku
I have written about Rainbow Pancake before and how busy the location was, the lines going to the popular restaurant but also how delicious and fluffy the pancakes were. But I felt I needed to revisit the location and give a more thorough review. Because Read More …
The One about Utsunomiya Station in Tochigi
In the northern Kanto region of Japan, Utsunomiya is more or less the gyoza capital with over 200 gyoza restaurants in the city alone and is known for having one of the oldest shrines with the Utsunomiya Futarayama Shrine was founded in 353 AD. But Read More …
The One about Marutake Tamagoyaki at Tsukiji Fish Market
I have written about tamagoyaki in Tsukiji back in 2016, but this time I want to spotlight one of the more popular establishments in the area, Marutake Tamagoyaki. Marutake has been around for over 80 years (founded in the late Taisho period) and has always Read More …
The One about the Shinkyo Bridge in Nikko
The Shinkyō Bridge (sacred bridge) is one of the popular sights to see before entering Nikko’s shrines and temples. The bridge was constructed in 1636 but another bridge was once there in the same spot prior to the Shinkyo Bridge and is ranked in the Read More …
The One about Onigiriya Marutoyo in Tsukiji Fish Market
A lot of people ask me if I recommend one place in Tsukiji Fish Market, I can easily say that anywhere in Tsukiji, you’ll get great breakfast sushi. But is there a place that I go to Tsukiji for and has been a ritual for Read More …
The One about Eating Kobe Beef at Kobe Tanryu Ikutashinmichi ten
One of cuisine-related things I had on my bucket list was to one day eat Kobe beef in Kobe. The thing is, all over Japan, there are many places that say they offer “Kobe Beef”. May it be in burgers or steak and sell it Read More …
The One about Wadakura Fountain Park in Chiyoda
Located near the Imperial Palace is the Wadakura Fountain Park, a park that is part of Kokyogaien National Gardens. The park was created to commemorate the royal wedding of Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko of Japan back in 1961. The fountain was reconstructed in 1995 Read More …
The One about Nakau Japanese restaurants
One of my favorite dishes in Japan is chicken donburi or oyakodon (a chicken rice bowl dish in which chicken, egg, sliced scallion/onions with a soup made of soy sauce and stock are on top of the rice). While a beef bowl, known as gyudon Read More …
The One about visiting Jun Takahashi’s MADSTORE UNDERCOVER concept store at Laforet Harajuku
Jun Takahashi is one of my favorite Japanese fashion designers and the man responsible for the brand UNDERCOVER. Jun was the vocalist of the cover band “Tokyo Sex Pistols” and his role model was Vivienne Westwood (fashion designer best known for bringing modern punk and Read More …
The One about the Hanako Memorial Statue near Kichijoji Station
In May 2017, the Hanako Memorial Statue was unveiled near Kichijoji Station. Hanako was born in 1947 in Thailand and was owned by the late Thai businessman Somwang Sarasas. In 1949, the businessman gave Japan Hanako as a gift to show the relationship between both Read More …
The One about BEAMS RECORDS in Shibuya
Back in 1976, Yo Shitahara created the Japanese clothing brand, BEAMS in the Harajuku area of Tokyo. The company has since grown beyond clothing and fashion to showcase accessories, home fashion, books and also has a music label, BEAMS RECORDS. BEAMS RECORDS’ theme is “Life Read More …
Travel Guide: The One about How to Withdraw Money from a 7-Eleven ATM in Japan
#TravelLife – For those who are traveling to Japan and want to know how they can withdraw money, 7-Eleven is the best way. Not all 7-Eleven have ATM’s but the first step is to look for the red/white sign outside the window that has ATM. Read More …
The One about the Tohoshinki (TVXQ) Begin Again Cafe in Tokyo
While I was in Japan, I had a chance to check out Tohoshinki’s “Begin After Cafe” at the Ikebukuro Parco, while also seeing the setup for the duo’s concert that would be at Tokyo Dome. Because of their “TOHOSHINKI LIVE TOUR 2017 -Begin Again-” in Read More …
The One about the Garmin Edge 520
When it comes to electronics when I’m cycling, I’m heavily dependent on my Garmin Edge 520. About nearly $300, the Garmin Edge 520 is a GPS-enabled unit that functions as a bike computer but it’s always interesting for me to compare how the GPS s Read More …
The One about the Ramen Jiro Challenge
I have taken on various food challenges and have succeeded. Last year, I was 1-1 with the “Go! Go! Curry Challenge” (which I failed) and the “Sushi Dai Challenge” (which I succeeded). But I have been gearing up to try Ramen Jiro, one of Read More …
The One about Japanese Love for KFC on Christmas
In Japan, Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) is huge! Sure, in America, we have watched the corny KFC commercials of comedians dressed up as Colonel Sanders and we have grown up with the “Finger Lickin’ Good” slogan and the restaurant is more or less a fast Read More …
The One about Joe & The Juice at San Francisco’s International Airport
For those who know me, I’m big on juice and I’m big on coffee and if I can find awesome juice chains and coffee shops, it makes my day! So, when I was at San Francisco Airport, I saw a Joe & Juice shop and Read More …
The One about Moët Marche 2017
In Tokyo Midtown, as part of the Christmas holiday, Moët & Chandon, a French fine winery and also the co-owner of the luxury goods company LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE and one of the world’s largest champagne producers held its Moët Marche 2017. Moët Read More …
The One about Tokyo Dome City Winter Lights Garden
In 2016, I was quite sad that I had to leave Japan a few days before many of the locations put up their illumination lights. And that sadness was partly what made me want to travel to Japan and stay their for a month and Read More …
The One about the Yebisu Garden Place Christmas Illumination
Ebisu is one of the more popular districts in Shibuya and was founded back in 1928 as a community developed around the Japan Beer Brewery Company (now known as Sapporo Breweries Limited) which was known for Yebisu Beer in 1890. Named after the Japanese god Read More …
The One about Tokyo Midtown Christmas 2017
In Tokyo, there are few sites that really go out when it comes to illumination during the Christmas holidays. Tokyo Midtown in Akasaka is one of those places. And this year’s Tokyo Midtown Christmas 2017 did not disappoint. One of the larger, classy commercial spaces Read More …
The One about Roppongi Hills Artelligent Christmas 2017
Located in Roppongi in Minato, Tokyo is one of the largest development projects in Tokyo, Roppongi Hills. Opened back in 2003, the place is known for its major TV studio, museum, cafes, restaurants, shops and the 54-story Mori Tower. It’s also a popular destination during Read More …