Takayama, Gifu, Japan: Hirayu no Mori

We tried to book the Finnish sauna for our previous trip last December 2024.  But it got cancelled due to maintenance activity.  For this trip in October 2025, I started to contact them in April 2025. 

Japan: Hiking Daikokudake from Norikura Tatamidaira

I didn't have knowledge about what winter looks like until I became more interested in watching several videos about it.  Like the danger and difficulty someone might encounter when going to the top of the mountain.  Like how is the situation of the huts during the heavy snow.  Like how the mountain hotels have limited service, how they are prepared to stay safe before the winter, and how the buildings are recovered in the middle of deep snow. 

Nagano, Japan: Kamikochi

Kamikochi is famous for the clean, crystal clear Azusa river with Japanese northern alps (Hida mountains) in the background.  One of the gateways to reach multiple summits, peaks and offers great adventures in several mountains.

2025 Philippines: Christmas in the City

It's the time of the year that we enjoy the Christmas displays, illumination and sounds around the city. 

Japan: Hotel Kuretakeso Takayamaekimae

Japan: Hotel Kuretakeso Takayamaekimae

Japan: Food crawl and cafes in Tokyo

Japan: Food crawl and cafes in Tokyo

Tokyo, Japan: Gotokuji Temple

Gōtokuji Temple

Japan: Starbucks Reserve Roastery Tokyo

Starbucks Reserve Roastery Tokyo

Japan: Tokyo Projection Mapping

Visit TOKYO Night & Light.

Tokyo, Japan: Nezu Shrine Azalea Garden

Nezu Shrine Azalea Garden

Tokyo, Japan: University and Books

Agricultural Museum, Tokyo University

I visited the university in 2014, as it is a quiet place and good place for autumn viewing. 

Tokyo, Japan: DEL style Ikebukuro Higashiguchi by Daiwa Roynet Hotel

DEL style Ikebukuro Higashiguchi by Daiwa Roynet Hotel

Saitama: Food crawl in Kawagoe

 

Travel Date: May 2025

Apart from the snack shops found in Kanetsuki-dori Street, below are other restaurant 

Kawagoe, Saitama: Food crawl in Kanetsuki-dori Street

 

Food crawl  in Kanetsuki-dori Street 

Let us share with you the stores we have visited and the snacks we have tried during our visit in Kanetsuki-dori Street. 

Japan: Kawagoe Tobu Hotel

Kawagoe Tobu Hotel

Address: 8-1, Wakitahoncho, Kawagoe, Japan, 350-1123

https://www.tobuhotel.co.jp/kawagoe2020/ 

Travel Date: May 2025, 2 nights

Yamanashi, Japan: Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Shrine

Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Shrine

Travel Date: May 2025

Yamanashi, Japan: Oshino Hakkai

Yamanashi, Japan: Oshino Hakkai

Travel Date: May 2025

Yamanashi, Japan: Herb Garden Tabinikki Fuji-Kawaguchiko Garden

With dependency on the visibility of Mt. Fuji that afternoon, we decided to visit the Herb Garden Tabinikki Fuji. 

Travel Date: 15 May 2025

Yamanashi, Japan: Fuji Shibazakura Festival

Yamanashi, Japan: Fuji Shibazakura Festival

The Fuji Shibazakura Festival (or pink moss or phlox moss) happens between mid-April to mid-May in Fuji Motosuko Resort.  

Travel Date: 15 May 2025

Yamanashi, Japan: Food crawl and cafes near Fuji

Starbucks Coffee - Fujiyoshida

Location: 4-chome-14-22 Kamiyoshidahigashi, Fujiyoshida, Yamanashi 403-0032, Japan

Food: scones, soy caramel macchiato

Personal preference: 8 out of 10

Yamanashi, Japan: Plaza Inn Kawaguchiko

Plaza Inn Kawaguchiko

Address: 3639-14 Funatsu, Fujikawaguchiko-cho, Minamitsuru-gun, Fujikawaguchiko, Japan, 401-0301

Travel Date: May 2025, 1 night

Japan: Hotel Monte Hermana Tokyo

Hotel Monte Hermana Tokyo

Address: 3-3-15, Nihonbashi Chuo-ku, Tokyo Station, Tokyo, Japan, 103-0027

Travel Date: May 2025, 1 night

Japan: Yamanashi, Kawagoe, Tokyo - 8 days Itinerary and Expenses

 

Japan: Yamanashi, Kawagoe, Tokyo - 8 days Itinerary and Expenses

Philippines: Pilgrim Churches to visit in MuntiParLas area

 

Pilgrim Churches in Muntinlupa, Paranaque and Las Pinas

Sapporo, Japan: Guardian Angels Cathedral

Guardian Angels Cathedral

Sapporo, Japan: Hokkaido University

 

Hokkaido University Museum

Hokkaido, Japan: Bibai Snowland

 

Winter season ended 25 March 2025.

Sapporo, Japan: Royce Town Factory

 

Visit Royce Town Factory

Sapporo, Japan: Makomanai Takino

 

Visit Moai statue in Makomanai Takino and Hill of Buddha

Hokkaido, Japan: Food crawl and cafes in Sapporo

 

Travel Date: 17-20 March 2025

Hokkaido, Japan: Hotel Forza Sapporo

Hotel Forza Sapporo Station

  

Address: 2 Chome-1-1 Kita 3 Jonishi, Chuo Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0003, Japan

Hokkaido, Japan: Nikka Yoichi Distillery

 

Go beyond the Nikka billboard found in Susukino junction. 

Otaru, Japan: Ropeway to Mt. Tengu

 

Take the ropeway going to Mt. Tengu.

Otaru, Japan: Sakaimachi street

 

Go to Sakaimachi street to visit glass museums, music box museum, old buildings converted to restaurants and shops. 

Hokkaido, Japan: Things to do in Otaru

Things to do in Otaru

Japan: A sip of magic in Otaru

 

Bikkuri Donkey - びっくりドンキー小樽運河店

Location: 5-4 Minatomachi, Otaru, Hokkaido 047-0007, Japan

Food: hamburger steak topped with grated Japanese radish and served with rice and salad, oolong tea

Personal preference: 10 out of 10

https://www.instagram.com/bikkuri__donkey/

Otaru, Japan: Hotel Dormy Inn Premium

Location: Just across the JR Otaru station and Otaru Bus terminal.

Japan: Otaru and Sapporo - 6 days Itinerary and Expenses

Thanks to Cebu Pacific for finally having a direct flight from Manila to Sapporo.  This skips the waiting game at the airport since there's no need for connecting flights from other entry points like Tokyo or Osaka.  

Travel Date: 15-20 March, 2025

Philippines: Flavors and Food Crawl (2025)

Where to go next in the metro?

Philippines: Flavors and Food Crawl

 

In the metro

Nagoya, Japan: Christmas Market and Winter Illumination

 

Blessed to visit another Christmas season in Japan.  Let us share with you some sites in Nagoya.

Gifu, Japan: Minna no Mori Media Cosmos Library

 

There are days you may want to slow on a trip, and chilling in a library could be an option.

Gifu, Japan: Shinhotaka Ropeway

Travel Date: 09 December 2024

Gifu, Japan: Takayama Ouan Hotel

Takayama Ouan Hotel 

Takayama, Japan: Hida no Sato

Hida no Sato