2017 May: Japan: Fukuoka: Kurume: Ishibashi Cultural Center

Ishibashi Cultural Center
〒839-0862 1015 Nonaka-machi, Kurume-shi, Fukuoka

2017 May: Japan: Fukuoka: Yanagawa

Yanagawa is the next stop after tourists visit Dazaifu.  I've seen this from Instagram as an emerging place to see.  However, I did not know that visiting the place might be better during festivities or later in the afternoon.

2017 May: Japan: Fukuoka: 5 Things to do in Mojiko Retro

Moji Port (門司港, Mojikō) has been prominent as an international trading port since the late 19th century. Today, although main port activities have been moved to a newer location at Shin-Moji Port, Moji Port retains its relevance as a tourist destination with a flavor from the past thanks to several well-preserved Western style buildings from the Meiji and Taisho Periods. [Reference]

Japan: Fukuoka: Wisteria Tunnel in Kawachi Fujien

Kawachi Fujien
2-2-48 Kawachi, Yahata-ku, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka Prefecture 805-0045
http://kawachi-fujien.com/
河内藤園
〒805-0045 福岡県北九州市八幡東区河内2-2-48

2017 May: Japan: Saga: Karatsu

Karatsu Castle
8-1, Higashi Jonai, Karatsu City, Saga
Castle Admission: Under Construction (May 12, 2017)

2017 May: Japan: Flavors of Kyushu - Oishii!

Yayoi, Japanese Teishoku Restaurant
Location: 1-22-1F, Nakagofukumachi, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka City
Website: http://www.yayoiken.com/en/menu_list/
Personal Preference: 8 out of 10. Quick serving, the food is tasty.  You'll not miss it since it's just nearby the subway exit.
Trip Advisor Review

Japan: Traveling for the First Time

Guide on traveling to Japan for the first time

If you are looking for first time Japan itinerary, planning on how to prepare for a trip to Japan and looking for requirements and stuff to know before traveling to Japan - you are on the right page!

Visa Requirements:

The country has still been strict when it comes for foreign tourists.  But not stricter than before.  As long as you prove that you have true intentions of just touring around the area (without job seeking activities in mind), plus you have good documents regarding your financial status, then you have higher chances of getting an approved visa.

How to Apply for Japanese Tourist Visa

Luckily with my previous applications I was granted: 2012: single entry, 2014: 3-year multiple entry with 15 days duration and 2017: 5-year multiple entry with 30 days duration.

Spring Inspiration

Spring equinox on mid March signals the start when spring weather can be enjoyed by most of the East Asian countries.

South Korea

In Seoul, most of the parks will amaze you with the sakura bloom. In the South, Jinhae is one of the popular sites among tourists if coming from Busan.  Suggested to head off to these cities by first week or mid-month of April. In Gyeonggi-do, enjoy tulip festival in Everland. 

[Spring Festivals]

Itinerary: Bangkok, Thailand

Travel Date: February 2008

Itinerary: Taipei, Taiwan

Accommodation: Where to stay in Taipei?
City Inn Hotel

Itinerary: Places to go, Things to see, What to do in Taipei in 7 days?

DAY 1: MONDAY (PM)
- touch down @ 13:10pm (Airport) @ Terminal 1 (Tentative Gate: B1, B3)
- BUY: easy card - 500NT
- Take BLUE and WHITE GUOGUANG BUSES (Western Route) going to Taipei - 120-150NT
- Check-in: City Inn Hotel
- MRT: Zhongshang Junior High School Station - for St. John Bosco Church
- MRT: Jiannan Rd Station Exit 3: Miramar (Ferris Wheel - 200NT)

DAY 2: TUESDAY
- CKS Memorial MRT (National Chiang Kai Shek Memorial, opens: 9am)
- NTUniversity (Gongguan MRT), checkout Esprit only if possible (opens @ 11:30am)
- Lunch @ Mr. J Restaurant (http://www.mrj-tw.com/)
- Dr. Sun Yat Sen Memorial Hall
- Taipei 101 - 500NT
- NY NY; - Warner Village

DAY 3: WEDNESDAY
- Taroko Guided Tour (2000NT via http://old.taiwantourbus.com.tw/jtbusphp5en/index.php?act=toursdetail&ID=149&VideoID=193 )
- Dinner @ Modern Toilet

Optional:
- Short walk in Ximen
- Check Redplayhouse

Taroko National Park (above), Tomita Farm (below)

DAY 4: THURSDAY
AM: 9am - 1pm
- Taipei to Daxi Bus (Ta Shee Blooming Oasis and Tomita Farm) - 110NT
- Daxi to Ta Shee Blooming Oasis proper - Taxi: 160NT
- Ta Shee Blooming Oasis Entrance - 100NT
- Tomita Farm Entrance- 50NT

DAY 5: FRIDAY
- Go to MRT Shipai
- P.S. Bu Bu Restaurant (roughly 400nt/per head ; take off: Shipai MRT)
- Walking on Tianmu Area
- Fisherman’s Walking Area

Optional:
- Transportation Taipei-LeoFoo-Taipei (240NT)
- Taipei to LeoFoo Village (Entrance: 860NT)
- Mall Hopping: Wufenpu Mall, RT Mall, Go Living Mall

DAY 6: SATURDAY
- Hello Kitty Restaurant
- National Palace Museum (160NT) (take off: Shilin MRT)
- Taipei Story Land (near MRT Taipei Main Station) - 250NT (voucher 150NT)

DAY 7: SUNDAY
- Taipei Fine Arts Museum
- Taiwan Storyland
- Departure

Hopefully this Taipei travel blog was able to help you plan your trip and build your own Taiwan Itinerary.

Travel Date: October 19 (Mon) - 25 (Sun) 2009


Tips and Note for Taiwan Travel

• When to go to Taiwan? February - late February to mid-March would be good for cherry blossom.  Late March would mean less to no flora for Taichung (Lavender Cottage, etc.) 

Other sample itineraries and expense reports:

For my further sample itinerary, expense, and trip reports please visit links below:

Itinerary for 7 days in Taipei (2009 October)

Itinerary for 5 days in Taipei and Taichung (2018 Nov-Dec)

Itinerary for 5 days in Taichung (2023 July)

*Remember, you still need to decide for yourself based upon your attraction and fascination over a place or activity.  As well as to consider the pace you want to have while traveling.  Planning too many targets on a day will either exhaust you rather than give you peace and joy on the culture and tradition.

Create your own road, rather than taking someone else's path.  

It can only be a road when one passes it.

Philippines: Taguig: Art ala Carte

Art ala Carte: An art exhibit and workshop of Kulay Diwa Gallery of Philippine Contemporary Art, currently being held in Ground Floor, Uptown Mall.  There's a wall dedicated for travel addicts, the famous landmarks that will keep you excited even by just looking at these art piece.

South Korea: dal.komm

Another coffee brand that became more famous across the kdrama world is dal.komm.  I have not visited the actual location of where the drama were taken, but I got a chance to visit the one in Suncheon.  

dal.komm
Suncheon-si, Jeollanam-do, South Korea
Food: mummy hotdog and peach ice tea, 7500krw

Personal Preference: 9 out of 10, expensive.  For the sake of re-living Descendants of the Sun, although this is not the actual location shoot, you'll be successful in hunting Jongki.  They have replays of DOTS on the video near the counter, his magazines were everywhere.

2016 Nov: South Korea: Heyri Art Village

We have visited Heyri Village because it is nearby English Village Paju.  If you are looking for what to do in Paju, here is another place to visit.  It just came along my research that this is one of the drama locations.

Autumn Trees
Coming from English Village, we walked from Gate 9 to Gate 4 (almost 30-45 minutes stroll), passed by the mountain side and saw a deer on the wild.

2016 Dec: Philippines: Metro Manila: Christmas Display

Here comes the season for the night lights and Christmas display on the streets, malls and buildings!

SM Malls

Has a theme of white Christmas, where instead of using big green trees, they have decorated the malls  with huge twigs, covered with white "as if snow" and decorative shining balls.  They have also added winter animal like deer.

Philippines: The Taste of South

Las Pinas

Ikkoryu Ramen

Location: Food Strip, Southmall

Food: chasu ramen, chicken karaage

Personal Preference: 8 out of 10.  Tasty and quick service.  Was able to accommodate us with house tea and roasted sesame seeds for the perfect taste of Japanese cuisine.

Are you looking for famous, best, top restaurant or places to experience food in the Philippines, click on the following links:

• Restaurants in Bonifacio Global City (BGC), Taguig (2017|2016)
• Restaurants in Las Pinas (2017|2016)
• Restaurants in Pasay
• Restaurants in Kapitolyo, Pasig
• Restaurants in Bacolod (2015)
• Restaurants in Iloilo (2014)
• Restaurants in Albay (2013)