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 …
The One about Revisiting the KIK Building in Kawaguchi, Saitama
Back in 1999, Kawaguchi Station and the area surrounding it was not so crowded as it is today. As the location was still developing (as I wrote in my May blog post), I wrote that I would be returning to the area in November 2016 Read More …
The One about the 15th Annual Dream Yosacoy Matsuri
I have always heard of Yosakoi, a unique style of dance that originated in Japan and you can see at festivals and events all throughout Japan. The first Yosakoi festival was held in Kochi back in 1954 but has now become a huge event in Read More …
The One about the Milk Coffee (Cafe Au Lait) and wanting it in the USA
In Japan, my favorite beverages that I tend to drink are milk tea and milk coffee. And for the latter, Cafe Au Lait (Coffee and Milk), I absolute love it! For milk coffee, I absolutely love Coca-Cola’s hot Georgia Milk Cafe Au Lait and Kowai Read More …
Travel Guide – Japan: The One about Riding the Shinkansen
For those who have read my post about the Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass), I first recommend after activation at a JR Station to discuss with them on getting shinkansen tickets in advance (as you want to make sure you get your seat before finding Read More …
The One about Nishiarai Daishi in Adachi
Nishiarai Daishi (西新井大師), known formally as Sojiji (総持寺), is a relatively large Shingon Buddhist temple located in the northeastern part of Tokyo. It is said to have been founded in 826 by Shingon Sect founder Kukai. This temple of the Buzan sect of Shingon Buddhism, Read More …