2017 June: Macau: Foodstuff

Egg Tart Shop
Location: nearby stores in St. Paul Ruins
Food: egg tart

Personal Preference: 7 out of 10. Enjoy the sight while eating this famous sweet snack in the streets of Macau.  In case you like to taste the version from Lord Stow, why not visit the original store in Coloane (G/F C Houston Court 21 Largo do Matadouro, Coloane Village, Macau).

Value: Affordable 8 MOP (52 PHP, 2017)

2017 June: Macau: Towns Well Hotel

Towns Well Hotel 鎮興旅館
Address: No 6-6A Calcada das Verdades, Macau City (板障堂街哪咤廟斜巷6至6A號, 澳門市)
Email: macauoffice[@]asia1999.com
Dates Stayed: June 02-04, 2017

Price: Expensive (PHP 10,652.78 (Included: Hotel tax 15%, 1 Room, 2 Nights)).  Comparing to other countries, this is expensive for 2 nights.  However, considering that the country has many 4-5 star casino hotel rooms, this “motel” is way much cheaper.  You read it right, it is considered as “hotel” in agoda.com, but their map guide says “motel”.

2017 May: Japan: Fukuoka: 3 things to do in Hakata Machiya Folk Museum

Hakata Machiya Folk Museum

Japan, 〒812-0039 Fukuoka Prefecture, Fukuoka, Hakata Ward, Reisenmachi, 6-10

3 things to do in this museum:

Japan: Fukuoka: 5 days 5 nights Itinerary and Expenses

Travel Date:
May 11-16, 2017 (5 days, 5 nights) [click here for Fukuoka: Spring Itinerary (2016 May)]

Accommodation: Where to stay in Fukuoka?
Hakata Gofukumachi Hostel Takataniya
9-5 Nakagofukumachi, Hakata, Fukuoka, Japan 812-0035
博多 呉服町 ホステル 高谷家
博多区中呉服町 9-5, 博多, 福岡, 日本 812-0035
Hotel Review

2017 May: Japan: Fukuoka: Temples and Shrines in Gion-Hakata Areas

Kushida Shrine
1-41, Kamikawabatamachi, Hakata-ku

Japan: Oita: 8 Things to do in Yufuin

Yufuin, Oita, Kyushu, Japan

Yufuin is two hours away travel by train from Hakata station in central Fukuoka.  If you're in doubt in visiting the place, don't!  Some might be torn between Yufuin or Beppu, but what made me choose this is that the attraction is very much accessible by foot from the train station
You might think that the street shops are tourist trap, but it's not.  It is a joyful experience of unending sweet treats along the way until you arrive at the end of the road with the view of the lake and a serene garden.

2017 May: Japan: Fukuoka: Cathedral of Our Lady of Victory (Daimyomachi Church)

Cathedral of Our Lady of Victory (Daimyomachi Church)
聖母の勝利司教座聖堂（大名町教会）
2-7-7, Daimyo, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka, 810-0041 Japan
English Catholic Mass Schedule on Sundays 16:00

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]