Japan: Starbucks Reserve Roastery Tokyo

Starbucks Reserve Roastery Tokyo

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.

Mie, Japan: Oharaimachi and Okage Yokocho

 

Part of going to Kotai Jingu (Ise Jingu Naiku, Inner Sanctuary), is to pass by a street market known as Oharaimachi.

Japan: Book cafes in Nagoya, Kyoto, Osaka

If you are adding libraries, bookstores, or book cafes in your itinerary, you may want to look at these places. 

Kyoto, Japan: 9 things to do in Uji

 

What are the places and things we can do in the home of the famous matcha, Uji in Kyoto?

Saga, Japan: Takeo Library

 

We learned about this place when looking for options on which library to see in Japan.  Takeo City Library was included in Beautiful Modern Libraries Designed by Master Architects in Japan.

Fukuoka, Japan: Food Crawl

Red buns at Dazaifu
Food: red buns
Price: 130 yen (53 php, 2022)
Location: Dazaifu Old Street
Personal Preference: 8 out of 10

From Dazaifu bus station, we headed straight to the old street to check-out the buns.  This is because we want to avoid the crowd and to only have a small snack before we go to Kamado Shrine. 

From our short trip at Kamado Shrine, we headed back to the old street.  Luckily, there is no queue , try to visit the Starbucks, famous about it's architecture and design. Then, we continue our journey to Dazaifu Shinto Shrine.

Fukuoka, Japan: Seasonal Sips and Festive Food in Starbucks

Holiday spirit is now in Starbucks as we were able to try some of the seasonal beverages that is offered in Japan (which some are not available in the Philippines).

South Korea: Seoul: Food Crawl

Let's taste what we have been searching to visit from the dramas and instagram.  Plus, the great finds along the way, 먹자 (meogja / let's eat)!

Greem 2D Cafe
Food: orange latte, green tea latte, salt caramel cheese cake
Price: Expensive
Location: 223-14 카페, Yeonnam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul (10 – 15 min walk from Hongik University Station Exit 3)
Website: @greem_cafe
Personal Preference: 9 out of 10

Japan: Tokyo: Starbucks Reserve Roastery

There are reserve Starbucks cafes over the world, but this one raises the bar into a different level as it is one of the few Starbucks Roastery out there.

City Collection: Bali, Indonesia

Added to my collection, I bought small city mugs for 200,000Rp.  (If I bought it on Starbucks near beach walk area, they are willing to give me a free coffee drink, how nice of them).

City Collection: Seoul, South Korea

I bought my Starbucks city mug from Myeongdong area.
I got this postcard from Namsan Tower. Aside from the postcards we sent from Nami Island, we sent out others from Korea Post Office and Incheon Airport Post Office.

City Collection: Sabah, Malaysia

During primary school days, I used to see Sabah as part of printed Philippine maps, it is in southern part of Tawi-tawi. Who knows I’ll be able to step on that part of the land.
I got this mug from Kota Kinabalu last April 2010. Too bad, there is no Starbucks in Brunei, so I had only 1 pair for that trip.

I must commend the post office of Brunei as they have Stamp Museum in it. While the door signs for KK’s post office are so familiar with “tolak” (which is “tulak” or “push”) and “buka” (which is “bukas” or “open”).

City Collection: Taipei

Upon my visit to Taipei 101, I was looking forward to send out postcards from the Sky! I saw this first time from the series Wish to See You Again. What’s the difference? They have a special stamp and mailbox if you are sending it for a Friend, Love or Family.

I’d say that Taiwan has a good collection of postcards – some were made of wood, transparent plastic [right] and pop-up designed cards. Hotels also offer mail services.

Be aware that Post Office in the Airport closes on Sundays.

As for the Starbucks mug, I bought it from the café in front of my place, City Inn Hotel.

City Collection: Singapore

I got my first set of Singapore mini mugs from my sister’s friend who visited Singapore for a vacation.

Then, was able to buy the 2nd set last year (August 2010) from Bugis area. I also got cheap postcards from the stalls in Arab Street.

Postcards below were from Marina Bay Sands Sky Park. They were sent from Sing Post, IMM Building, Jurong East to my place in Manila. The stamp was designed for Youth Olympics Celebration that time.

City Collection: Hong Kong

Been here in July 2007, July 2008 and February 2009 - able to collect 4 Starbucks mug. I got my first mug with old floral version.

In my next trip, I first sent out a city postcard back to Manila. I got this idea from my sister as she is now part of post-crossing activity. I must commend how modern the HK Airport Post Office is. Aside from the normal counter, there is a separate machine that releases stamps just by inserting coins. This is really helpful as you don’t need to fall in line in the counter section. With this postcard collection I was also able to start a stamp collection on the side.

The Peak mug, this is memorable because I got to the place after getting lost for almost 30 minutes when I was looking for my way from the Central Station.

After 2 years, I got this new version of HK City mini mug together with a new postcard.

City Collection: Kuala Lumpur, MY

Collection: Starbucks Mini Kuala Lumpur and Malaysia Mugs
I must acknowledge that I got this Starbucks Coffee City Mug collection idea from my sister’s friend Alnor when I had a trip with her in Singapore. Although I bought my first official Mug in HK, I’m posting this KL mug first since this is the first city I have visited.
I’m not a total coffee addict but I started to love this collection. The mini mugs costs 350-450php, while the big mug ranges from 450-550php. Aside from the not so cheap price, you also need to be careful in handling this breakable material in your hand-carry luggage, not unless you want to take the risk of placing it in your check-in bag.
I have visited Kuala Lumpur in July 2006 but did not bother to buy a mug. I got this KL and Malaysia mug when I requested my friend Che to buy one pair for me. She used to work in Singapore then, but has a quick trip in Malaysia before visiting Manila. Good thing that I was still able to grab a pair!
Thank you Alnor and Che!