Travel Adventures and Photography
Hi friends! I'm recently back from a culinary-focused visit to Tokyo and I wanted to share some tips that made the experience far more smooth than last time. Without question, the most effective thing was having a simple pocket-sized wifi router which provided unlimited internet for me and my friends at all times. What a life saver this was in terms of navigation, finding train routes and times tables, booking tickets and Read More
How can one describe Tokyo? Amazing. Crazy. Organized. Totally overwhelming in every way. Countless friends of mine say that Tokyo is their favorite city in the world because no matter where you look, there's something crazy to see. Beyond what you'll see just walking around the city and the well-known bizarre cafes, there are some super wacky experiences to have if you know where to look. Transportation Read More
Being a traveler fascinated by Japanese art and culture I wanted to try out the subscription service called Kizuna Box from Japan. Each month they send your choice of a Lifestyle or Snack Box, everything 100% made in Japan. The coolest aspect is that each box is created around a cultural or seasonal theme. I think that's a fun idea to share in another culture without leaving your home. My friends at the travel website Read More
Sweets are their #1 souvenir, most of them originally created as a companion to tea. Almost every place you look you will find pastry and sweets shops but the Lawson convenience stores are an inexpensive way to try a variety of unusual treats.Even in fine hotels beds are nearly hard as wood. They will take some getting used to, but you might sleep better than usual.WiFi is hard to find though it's common for tourists to rent a Read More
It is no secret that many of Tokyo's 13 million inhabitants love animals. Animal cafés across the city allow apartment dwellers an opportunity to give and receive love from an animal and thus help relieve stress in their lives. As an animal lover, this is a concept I can totally appreciate. Despite having a list of dog cafés to visit on my trip to Tokyo, I couldn't locate a single one! I found navigating the city overwhelming, Read More
Travelers interested in Japanese art and culture will appreciate the Nishijin Textile Center in Kyoto, a large facility showcasing the techniques of Nishijin textile making, developed over 1,000 years of Kyoto's history. They also perform a fashion show featuring stunning silk woven kimonos with designs representing the current season. My visit was in January, so the kimonos above depict the winter season and transition into Read More
An unforgettable getaway from Tokyo that offers stunning views of Mount Fuji, this destination is an exceptional one. The town is Hakone (haw-cone-ay) and its centuries-old hot springs (onsen) are located in the volcanically active Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. Onsen are very popular across Japan and are a longtime fixture in Japanese culture. The number of Hakone visitors continues to grow while the number of visitors to Read More
Have you ever had a moment when you are traveling, one which made you stop and really be so thankful for that exact moment? You feel a special connection with whatever surrounds you and it fills you with emotion. Just outside Kyoto, Japan is a place where I had one of those beautiful moments: Arashiyama Monkey Park. If and when I go back to Japan, this will likely be the first thing on my list. Snow monkeys, you Read More
One of the most fun things I did in Kyoto was visit the Toei Studio Park, a currently operating film studio and theme park. If you are a kid at heart or if you have any interest in film making, I suggest a visit. If you are silly like me you will be laughing all day long. What is This Studio Park? The studio depicts a small town from the Edo Period which is used to film historical movies and television dramas. We walked Read More
If you are planning to visit Tokyo, I highly recommend a short getaway to see the majestic Mt Fuji. It is the single-most popular tourism site in all of Japan and has been inspiring people since at least the 7th century. If aerial views of Fuji from one of the world's most breathtaking cable car rides isn't enough to convince you, these Fuji-only souvenirs might reel you in. Most of these can only be found in the shops near Mt Read More
In the famous Kyoto district known as Gion, you will find a theatrical stage show of the Japanese performing arts. Gion was originally developed in the Middle Ages (!) and eventually became one of the most exclusive and well-known geisha districts in all of Japan. After your day of strolling through the shrines, peeking into shops and sampling colorful sweets, I highly recommend an evening show at the Gion Corner. I've been Read More
I believe that taking classes of any kind when you travel can be one of the most rewarding ways to see the world; Kyoto is a fantastic city for this because you have the opportunity to learn so many different ancient skills from painting, to pottery, calligraphy, flower arranging, and much more. Kyoto was originally founded in the year 794 and for one thousand years, it was the imperial capital of Japan. The city is home to Read More
Visiting Kyoto, Japan recently I was in search of hidden gems off the beaten path. I'm drawn to local markets to see interesting things from other cultures and help support local artisans. There is no better souvenir to bring home than something handmade or an antique treasure from another country. I thought flea markets in ancient Kyoto would be a fantastic treat because their culture is so different from mine and they have a Read More
I was incredibly lucky to enjoy a meal at the family owned and operated restaurant 'Honke Owariya' as a guest of one of the owners. This restaurant, which specializes in traditional soba (buckwheat) noodles, has existed in Kyoto since the year 1465! Over the centuries, Owariya has served emperors and shoguns as well as the monks of many Kyoto temples. To this day, the royal family eats here when they come to Kyoto. (The Read More
Kinkakuji, Temple of the Golden Pavilion, is a Zen Temple in the ancient Japanese city of Kyoto whose top two floors are entirely covered in gold leaf. It is designated as a National Special Historic Site and is one of the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto World Heritage Site. The view was perhaps the most awe-inspiring sight on my visit to Kyoto. Beyond that is an education and immersion into one of the world's best Read More
The Jack Purcell Converse are an all-time favorite sneaker, both classic and modern versions. They are understated, stylish and ultimately timeless. Recent years saw some new Jack Purcell releases including a twill/leather combination and nubuck leather edition in earth-tones. Did I mention the cork footbed which is moisture-wicking, shock absorbing and with continued wear will conform to the shape of your foot to Read More
I just returned from Japan where I noticed that in modern Japanese culture many people carry an owl charm. Apparently they do this because the owl symbolizes luck and protects them from suffering. Through history in ancient Greece, Asia and America, owls have been a symbol of wisdom and magic. They are also unquestionably gorgeous, and mysterious in my opinion. But why are they lucky in Japanese culture? Here's the Read More
