Japan: Kyoto Station

We are visiting Kyoto Station for the night lights and overlooking the view of the city. 

Kyoto, Japan: Nishiki Market

Reminder go to Nishiki Market with a hungry tummy.  But before we go to the list of snacks we tried at the market, we'll also share what to see beyond the food.

Kyoto, Japan: Kuramadera Temple and Kifune Shrine in Kibune town

Visited Kuramadera Temple, hiked  and Kifune Shrine in Kibune town

Kyoto, Japan: ShinPuhKan

New complex shopping place in Kyoto, ShinPuhKan is a combined area for Ace Hotel, cafes, restaurants, and stores.

Kyoto, Japan: Gion and Yasaka Shrine

I have recently watched Makanai on Netflix and that makes me want to visit Aomori and revisit Gion.  But for now, let's visit places we missed last on our 2012 trip and places where we can find Kiyo, the character in Makanai.

Japan: Food crawl and Cafes in Nagoya

Yomenya Goemon

Location: 13F Nagoya Towers Plaza, 1-1-4 Meieki, Nakamura-ku, Nagoya-shi, Aichi-ken

https://en.yomenya-goemon.com/

Philippines: Flavors and Food Crawl (2023)

Let's continue filling-in our tummy while visiting the old and new places around the city.

2023 Philippines: Christmas in the City

Let us be thankful for the blessings we receive and lessons we learned.  

It's time to enjoy the Christmas displays, lights and sounds around the city. 

Japan: Hotel Hankyu Osaka Annex

Hotel new Hankyu Osaka Annex

1 Chome-8-1 Shibata, Kita Ward, Osaka, 530-0012, Japan

https://www.hankyu-hotel.com/en/hotel/hh/shhannex

Travel Date: November 2023

Kyoto, Japan: Hotel Ms Est Shijo Karasuma

 

Hotel M's Est Shijo Karasuma

41 Motoakuojicho, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto, 600-8091, Japan

https://hotelms.jp/msestkarasuma/

Travel Date: November 2023

Nagoya, Japan: Ghibli Park

 

Wanted to visit this place, because it's new.  Initially inspired by the Studio Ghibli's Spirited Away, it is followed by characters Totoro and Kiki's cat Jiji that I continue to watch Miyazaki's films. 

Nagoya, Japan: Sotetsu Fresa Inn Sakuradori-guchi

 

Sotetsu Fresa Inn Nagoya-eki Sakuradori-guchi

4-4-15 Meieki, Nakamura-ku, Nagoya Station, Nagoya, Japan

https://sotetsu-hotels.com/fresa-inn/nagoya-sakuradoriguchi/

Travel Date: November 2023

Japan: Nagoya, Kyoto and Osaka - 9 days Itinerary and Expenses

Japan: Nagoya, Kyoto and Osaka - 9 days Itinerary and Expenses

Manila: Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel The Exhibition

Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel: The Exhibition. A life-size, up-close, never-before-seen perspective of the iconic masterpieces.

Taiwan: Itinerary for 5 days in Taichung

Taiwan: Itinerary for 5 days in Taichung

Accommodation:  

Where to stay in Taichung?
Norden Ruder Hostel Taichung
12F No. 123, Jianguo Rd., Central Dist., Taichung City, Central District, Taichung, Taiwan, 40043
Read the hotel review

Taichung: National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts

National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts

Taichung, Taiwan: Keng Tu Yuan Tea House

Keng Tu Yuan Tea House

A relaxing old style tea house covered with trees and koi pond nestled in the middle of the city.

National Taichung Theatre

It is suggested by most of the vlogs to visit National Taichung Theatre due to its architecture and design.  If you have a chance to watch the performances the better. 

Taichung, Taiwan: Shenji New Village

 

Shenji New Village

If you prefer to visit streets of local craft shops with the fusion of sweets, coffee and music, stroll around Shenji New Village.  It used to be an old dormitory turned to small cultural and creative park.

Tiachung, Taiwan: Miyahara ice cream

Miyahara Opthalmology ice cream restaurant

Here's what we can see after stepping to a red brick building dating back to the Japanese era in Taichung.

Tainan, Taiwan: Chimei Museum

I never knew about Chimei Museum, until I studied what to see beyond Taichung.

Taichung, Taiwan: Norden Ruder Hostel

 

Norden Ruder Hostel Taichung

12F No. 123, Jianguo Rd., Central Dist., Taichung City, Central District, Taichung, Taiwan, 40043

Travel Date: 22-26 July 2023

Fukuoka, Japan: REC Coffee

Another overlooking cafe in Japan.  Visit REC coffee in 6F Hakata Marui Mall, Hakata station. 

Fukuoka, Japan: FUK Coffee Seaside

I started the airport code coffee shop series, when I first visited the FUK coffee in Haruyoshi, Chuo Ward in 2017. 

Fukuoka, Japan: Team Lab Forest

Far away from Tokyo, luckily there is another exhibition available in Fukuoka.  We were able to visit teamLab Fukuoka forest. 

Fukuoka, Japan: Kawachi Wisteria Garden

It was in 2017 when I first visited this garden.  [Read more]  The same as last time, buying a ticket for this place is a bit of a challenge.  Tickets will only be available a few weeks before the opening date.  The garden is likely to open one week before the golden week, then close 1 week after the golden week.  But the good thing this year is that tickets are available online which truly catered the overseas visitors. So better plan your visit here.  Monitor the announcements on the website. 

Fukuoka, Japan: Nest Hotel Hakata Station

Nest Hotel Hakata Station

2 Chome-11-27 Hakata Ekimae, Hakata Ward, Fukuoka, 812-0011, Japan

ネストホテル博多駅前

https://www.nesthotel.co.jp/hakata

Travel date: 23-25 April 2023

Oita, Japan: Umi Jigoku in Beppu

Thanks tobeyondthebay's blog entry, here they have already reviewed which among the Beppu hells is the best to visit. 

I'm actually hesitant to visit Beppu due to its unique location as to why there are boiling ponds.  It may not be enjoyable to everyone, but I'm good to visit one hell for the experience.  The Beppu hot springs or hells are not actually for bathing, but are visited to view steaming various colors of bubbly mud ponds.

Oita, Japan: 10 Things to do in Yufuin

I was in Yufuin last 2017 on a day-tour from Hakata, where I also shared things to do in Yufuin.  On my second visit this spring 2023, I stayed for two nights together with my sister.  This time, we decided to take an almost two-hour bus ride from Hakata bus terminal from the Willer Express website.

Yufu, Oita, Japan: WEST in

West in B

Kawakami 3077-1 , Yufu, Yufu, Japan, 879-5102

Travel Date: 21-22 April 2023

Nagasaki, Japan: Things to do in Sasebo Port

Good base to settle in Sasebo when roaming around the northern Nagasaki.  Accessible by bus from Fukuoka Airport and to Hakata Station.  In the city, there are good bus routes to major destinations.  Below are some things you can do in the port. 

Nagasaki, Japan: Miura Catholic Church

Miura Catholic Church

Nagasaki, Japan: Matsumoto Azalea Park

Matsumoto Azalea Park

This is another off-the beaten-path garden in Japan that is worth a taxi ride. It might be another challenging journey, as there is an infrequent commuter bus going directly to Matsumoto Azalea Park.

Nagasaki, Japan: Hotel Nikko Huis Ten Bosch

Hotel Nikko Huis Ten Bosch

6, Huis Ten Bosch-cho, Sasebo, Sasebo, Japan, 859-3243

Travel Date: 19 April 2023

Nagasaki, Japan: Sasebo Flower Garden

Sasebo Flower Garden

Going to Motoyama station from Sasebo station has a very mountainous view. Sometimes the train would pass through tunnels to get through the mountains. 

Japan: Sasebo, Oita and Fukuoka - 8 days Itinerary and Expenses

Japan: Sasebo, Oita and Fukuoka - 8 days Itinerary and Expenses

Travel Date: 18-25 April 2023

Nagasaki, Japan: Toyoko Inn Sasebo Ekimae

Toyoko Inn Sasebo Ekimae
1-4 Miuracho, Sasebo, Nagasaki 857-0863, Japan
東横INN佐世保駅前
〒857-0863 長崎県佐世保市三浦町１−4
https://www.toyoko-inn.com/
Travel Date: 18 April 2023

Prefectures of Japan

image from wikipedia

Inspired by those who were counting countries they have visited around the world, congratulations to their accomplishments.  From my point of view, let's do count and continue to visit prefectures in Japan instead.