Kobe Beef Gallery
Just as we were about to leave the ANA Hotel, a small luminous sign caught our eye: Kobe Beef Gallery. Having just eaten the famous wagyu, we decided to pop … Continue reading
Kyoto: Arashiyama and Tenryuji
As I came across many travel photos of Arashiyama’s bamboo grove, I was intrigued. “Would you like to see a bamboo grove?” was the question I asked my parents on … Continue reading
Central Japan: A 2-Day Side Trip from Kyoto
While booking this trip to Japan, I initially intended a relaxed vacation where we would just explore the city of Osaka a bit more, eat some of their fantastic food, … Continue reading
Shirakawago: Walking around the Village
From the Ogimachi Observatory, it was an easy trek down to the cluster of houses that made this village famous. The houses slowly got bigger as we made our descent, … Continue reading
Shirakawago: A Pretty Village in the Japanese Alps
Our side trip to Kanazawa and the Japanese Alps all stemmed from one thing: my desire to visit the village of Shirakawa-go. Its winter scene of snow-capped roofs and light … Continue reading
Takayama: Hida Beef Adventures
Over the course of researching what to do in Takayama, eating Hida beef, the region’s famed wagyu, was one of the top results. I never thought that we would be … Continue reading
Takayama’s Sanmachi Suji: A Walk Back in Time
Takayama’s Sanmachi Suji is arguably Takayama’s biggest draw. I was one of those who, upon seeing photos of the town, searched how to get there on that very instance. It … Continue reading
Takayama Jinya: A Detour
Trying our best to avoid the sudden rain, we sought refuge to the nearest tourist attraction, Takayama Jinya. It was the only place I could think of where we could … Continue reading
Takayama’s Miyagawa Morning Market
It was damp the morning after our arrival in Takayama. It was no longer pouring heavily, but it was visible that it had not stopped raining. The summer showers were … Continue reading
Train Travel: From Toyama to Takayama
Next up on our itinerary was to travel from Kanazawa to Takayama. Two segments were involved: a bullet train to Toyama and a scenic train from Toyama to Takayama. Though … Continue reading
Kanazawa: Stepping Back in Time at Higashi Chaya
Following our visit to Kenrokuen, we decided to drop by Higashi Chaya, Kanazawa’s answer to Kyoto’s Gion. It was still relatively early for our journey to Takayama, so we opted … Continue reading
Kanazawa: Strolling around Kenrokuen
It was drizzling by the time we were ready to leave Omicho Market, but no weather misfortune could deter us from heading to Kanazawa’s claim to fame: Kenrokuen. Touted as … Continue reading
Osaka: Ajinoya, Dotonbori and Abeno Harukas
The sashimi slices we indulged in Kuromon Ichiba weren’t enough to tide us over until dinner, so we had to grab a more filling meal before moving on our Osaka … Continue reading
Osaka’s Kuromon Ichiba
Though we were to visit several markets over the course of our trip, I was admittedly more excited to visit Osaka’s own. The city is known as a gastronomic hotspot, … Continue reading
Himeji-jo: A Striking Japanese Castle
Barely an hour from Kyoto, Himeji was an easy day trip from the historic capital. The city’s pride, Himeji Castle, had a commandeering presence even from the train that passengers … Continue reading
Kyoto: Ginkakuji and Honke Owariya Soba
Shortly after our exploration of Nishiki Market, we were back on the bus to get to our next destination. Ginkaku-ji, or Silver Pavilion, stood in the shadow of Kinkaku-ji when … Continue reading
Snacking at Kyoto’s Nishiki Market
Kyoto’s Shijo Street may not exactly be the first image that comes to mind when talking about this Japanese city. This modern hub is filled with sprawling commercial establishments, and … Continue reading
Kyoto’s Temples: Kiyomizu-dera
The steps leading to Kiyomizu-dera were almost devoid of crowds, a far cry from the sea of people standing there a few years back. Indeed, it paid to get to … Continue reading
Kyoto’s Alleys: Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka
Disclaimer: All photos were taken prior to the photography ban. As it was my brother’s first time in Japan, we decided to revisit a lot of the must-see temples and … Continue reading
Back in Japan
I had long been dreaming of visiting Japan, a dream that came true in 2015. It was short, but it was a trip of lifetime. We saw bits and pieces … Continue reading
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