The One about Alan Thicke & “Growing Pains”
Alan Thicke’s sudden death has shocked Hollywood. As Florence Henderson of the “Brady Bunch” was known as America‘s favorite TV mom, there is no doubt that many looked at Alan Thicke as one of America’s favorite TV dads. As Dr. Jason Seaver on “Growing Pains”, Read More …
The One about Louise Bourgeois’ Maman Sculpture in Roppongi Hills
In 1999, French-American artist Louise Bourgeois created Maman, a spider that was sculpted from bronze, stainless steel and marble (for the spider’s eggs). And was created in part of her inaugural commission of The Unilever Series in 2000. Previously, Bourgeois created “Spider” in 1996 that Read More …
The One about Bob Clark and Jean Shepherd’s “A Christmas Story”
Today’s blog I dedicate to one of my favorite Christmas films of all time. Bob Clark and Jean Shepherd’s “A Christmas Story“. Based on Jean Sheperd’s novel “In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash”, “A CHRISTMAS STORY” has been a part of so many Read More …
The One about the Paper Museum in Kita
In 1950, the Paper Museum in Horifune, Oji, Kita-ku was opened and would later be moved to the four-story building in Asukayama Park in 1998. Kita was where the first western style paper manufacturing company was established back in 1873 and the museum would be Read More …
The One about Coffee People Jet Fuel K-Cups
Back in the ’90s, Jim and Patty Roberts created a company known as Coffee People. In Portland, the Roberts were minority owners of 40 Coffee People stores and the coffee shop was growing quickly, expanding to Denver, Chicago and California and the company even went Read More …
The One about the New Balance Fresh Foam Gobi Trail
When it comes to trail shoes, I have been using New Balance. With the last one being the MT510BS, this time around I had the chance to get a pair of New Balance Fresh Foam Gobi Trail’s. Featuring a 6mm drop, according to New Balance, Read More …
The One about Ishizuka Cycle Bicycle Service in Suginami
It was a rainy day in Suginami, a special ward in western Tokyo. My goal while visiting the area was to visit Ishizuka Cycle Bicycle Service, one of the few long standing family-owned bicycle shops in Japan. And it was great to meet with Hiroyasu Read More …
The One about Natural Lawson
In Japan, Lawson convenience stores are well-known as one of the top convenience stores along with Family Mart and 7-11. But what many people may not be familiar with is that there are several type of Lawson convenience stores. The original “Lawson” are the familiar Read More …
The One about Sushidokoro Masa in Nihonbashikakigaracho
Sure, you have heard of Sukiyabashi Jiro, Sushi Dai and other sushi restaurants around Tokyo. But there are a few out there that sushi enthusiasts claim are just as good or even better. I met a friend at Suitengumae Station to check out Sushidokoro Masa. Read More …
The One about Lasse Hallstrom’s “My Life as a Dog”
Filmmaker Lasse Hallström is probably best know as the director behind the music videos of Swedish disco group ABBA but Hallström is also known for several major hits such as “Chocalat” (2000), “The Cider House Rules” (1999), “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape (1993) and most recently Read More …
The One about Peet’s Coffee Brazil Minas Naturais Medium Roast Coffee – K-Cups
For Bay Area locals, especially in Berkeley, California, Peet’s Coffee & Tea is well-known. Founded by Alfred Peet in 1966, Peet’s Coffee & Tea is best known for introducing darker roasted arabica coffee such as French roast and established grades for espresso drinks to the Read More …
The One about the World Trade Center (Minato, Tokyo)
Before I go into describing this building, I want to put this out for all photographers who want to take pictures of the Tokyo Skyline… The BEST OBSERVATION DECK in TOKYO to take pictures is the World Trade Center Building in Minato, Tokyo. OK, with Read More …
The One about the Convenience Store Crepes vs. the Real Thing
Tokyo is known for its plethora of crepe restaurants. Find them all over Harajuku, find them at an indoor shopping center, crepes and even more crepes attract many people, young and old, local or out of the country, people want their fill of crepes in Read More …
The One about Shibamata Hachiman Shrine in Katsushika
Located in Katsushika, Tokyo, Japan is Shibamata Hachiman Shrine. While not the largest shrine in Katsushika, Japan, there is something special about Shibamata Hachiman Shrine. The original shrine was reportedly to have been built on top of an ancient tomb of the Shibamata village according Read More …
The One about Koroku Shrine in Adachi
So often, while walking in Japan, you will discover shrines or temples in the middle a neighborhood or right next to a station. Right next door to Kohoku Station is Koroku Shrine in Adachi, Tokyo. Kohoku Station was opened back in April 1, 1901 as Read More …
The One about Michael Haneke’s The White Ribbon (Das weisse Band – Eine deutsche Kindergeschichte)
Austrian Director Michael Haneke is one of cinema’s most revered and also most reviled with films that are typically bleak or disturbing, nerve-rattling and shocking. From his first major film “The Seventh Continent” of modern alienation to his next film “Benny’s Video” about a 14-year-old Read More …
The One about Eating at Hanami in Harajuku
One of the restaurants and cafe that I wanted to try when I visited Harajuku is Hanami. The restaurant is best known for showcasing cuisine from different countries and so, the menu is changed every few months to showcase something different. Also, once in awhile, Read More …
The One about Timothy’s World Coffee – German Chocolate Cake
Back in 1975, Timothy and his wife Teresa Snelgrove founded Timothy’s World Coffee, a retailer of premium roasted coffee beans. Originally as a business-school project by Snelgrove while studying at the University of Western Ontario, the business would evolve to selling brewed coffee. In 1986, Read More …
The One about Funawa Cafe in Asakusa
Outside of Asakusa Station and not far from the major temples is one of the oldest Japanese sweet shops in Tokyo, Funawa Cafe. Established in 1902, the place is known for selling “imo yokan” (sweet potato paste), various an-mitsu offerings (red bean+ fruit or cream) Read More …
The One about the Skagen Hagen Connected Hybrid Smart Watch
I have reviewed several Skagen watches on my blog and one of the things I tend to emphasize is that Skagen watches are now known for their lightness, stylish design but also being affordable quartz watches. As a watch enthusiast, I also recommend Skagen for Read More …
The One about Noel Coward and David Lean’s “Brief Encounter” (1945)
An endearing romance classic about a doomed love affair. “Brief Encounter” is filmmaker David Lean’s film adaptation of Noel Coward’s play “Still Life” and their final collaboration together. Featuring great performances by Celia Johnson and Trevor Howard, “Brief Encounter” is indeed the highlight of the Read More …
The One about the Tora-san Statue Outside of Shibamata Station in Katsushika
In Northern Tokyo, outside of Shibamata Station is the statue of Tora-san. The character is best known for the long-running film series “Otoko wa tsurai yo” (which translates to “It’s Tough Being a Man”) directed by Yoji Yamada and stars actor Atsumi Kiyoshi. With a Read More …
The One about Nagoya Castle
Earlier this month, I traveled to Nagoya, Japan to visit Nagoya Castle. And I will say it was one of the most breathtaking experiences that I have ever seen. Just from a distance and seeing the castle, you are literally in awe. According to Wikipedia: Read More …
The One about The Burgers Tokyo at Tokyo Dome City
Located at Tokyo Dome City, right between the Under Armour Tokyo Giants shop and the Japanese Hall of Fame is “The Burgers Tokyo”. The restaurant which is owned by Italian Tomato (who operates restaurants such as Faribeurre, IL VIGORE, Italian Tomato Cafe, Caffe Superiore, Panes Read More …
The One about Ryo Izaki – RIP Ryo and thank you for your travel blog!
RIP to travel blogger Ryo Izaki. A young man full of life and was traveling the world and blogging about it since Feb. 2016. This past weekend, Ryo’s next country to visit was Colombia. On Saturday afternoon, his latest stop was in Medellin, the second Read More …