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SUMMER CAMP EXPERIENCE IN NIKKO, JAPAN
Hey guys, welcome back to my blog! Apologies for not writing for a long time. Been absent for a month due to a very hectic personal schedule but I'm back again! I am looking forward to sharing with you some exciting summer activities during my online absence. The summer season was a blast in spite of the sweltering heat. I can tell you that this year's summer was really hot that most of the time we stay indoors during the daytime. Nevertheless, we find ways to beat the summer heat. Summer 2022 Soaring temperatures began at the start of school summer vacation until the last week of August. I couldn't imagine people going outdoors unless you visit the mountains. Ideally,…
Quick daytrip to Kasama City
It's the beginning of a long sweltering summer in Japan but people still find ways to get outside of their houses and explore what Japan has to offer. Kasama Inari Shrine So we decided to head off to Kasama City in Ibaraki Prefecture. We discovered that this city has a lot of things to offer for every tourist. From historical museums to shopping malls and cafes, it's definitely a must-visit destination for a quick getaway. KASAMA CITY in IBARAKI Kasama is a small city next to the place where we live in Tochigi. The city has numerous amazing local attractions and events to enjoy. It includes Kasama Castle, Kasama Inari Shrine, Kasama Nichido Museum of Art, Kasama-yaki (pottery) and Kasamatsutsuji Park…
OFF THE BEATEN PATH SERIES: KEISOKUSAN HIKING TRAIL
Today, I'm going to introduce to my readers some places that are underrated but worth visiting. So I started the off-the-beaten-path series to share with you what it's like to travel cheaply without breaking your wallet and avoid tourist traps. My family loves to explore hidden gems in Japan. While it's definitely cheaper and free to visit, these places are tucked away from the crowd and commercial tourism. The loosening of travel restrictions in Japan after two years is good news for the overall economy of Japan, however, let us still consider that Covid- 19 still exists and that we should always abide by precautionary measures. Expressways and national highways are filled with vehicles stuck in traffic and I could…
Mashiko Spring Pottery Fair 2022
The sleepy town of Mashiko located in Tochigi Prefecture, Japan once again has been brought to life! After 2 years of hiatus due to the coronavirus restrictions, the pottery fair was held once again in full swing. Held from April 29 to May 8, The Golden Week event was a blast and a relief to most artisans and entrepreneurs. It was a sign of economic recovery as people from other places flocked together and enjoy buying goods, not to mention, the restaurant businesses in the nearby areas benefited from this fair. And the event even came back with more variety in terms of merchandise. WHAT I SAW DURING THE FAIR In addition to ceramics and potteries, there were handmade goods,…
Moka SL: Steam Locomotive in Modern Japan
Have you ever wondered what it's like riding a steam locomotive? Perhaps we saw it once in vintage movies. And with trains evolving into faster and convenient ways, it is a rare event to see a steam locomotive in action. Because of their rareness, people often regard these antique trains as extraordinary and special. We often heard about bullet trains speeding their way from Tokyo to the rest of Japan's regional cities. But in Tochigi prefecture just north of Tokyo, you will see and experience a steam locomotive train that dates back to 1912. It is called SL Moka which is operated by Moka Railway. History of Moka Railway Moka Railway was launched originally before World War II in 1912.…
GRIMM NO MORI: A Fairytale Park in Tochigi, Japan
Fountain at Grimm no Mori. Japan's countryside is not just ricefields and shrines but there are lots of surprises to be discovered. You can find European-inspired parks and museums. These attractions have interesting history affiliated with some places in Europe. And that's the reason why they are created. I had a chance to discover a hidden fairy tale park when I searched for "winter illuminations near me". And that beautiful park is called Grimm no Mori (Grimm Forest). A quick history of Grimm no Mori Figure museum depicting the fairy tales from Grimm brothers. Located in Shimotsuke City, the park has an interesting history. During the Showa era, Ishibashi-cho in Shimono City became a sister city with the village of…
ONSEN EXPERIENCE for a De-STRESSING GETAWAY
Nasushiobara is a haven for onsen ryokans (traditional Japanese hotspring inn ). It is a mountainous region in the countryside of Tochigi being next to the famous tourist spot Nikko City. Most people who dwell in the urban areas of Japan would visit Nasushiobara for a quick getaway and enjoy the warm baths of a traditional onsen ryokan. Since autumn is coming to an end, my family decided to have an onsen experience to combat the coldness of the coming winter. We pick out OOIDEKAN ONSEN in Nasushiobara out of curiosity. The establishment was featured on Japanese TV for its rich sulfuric hot spring, turning metals like water faucets into black. It has an authentic Japanese ryokan appeal and it…
BEST PLACES TO VIEW AUTUMN FOLIAGE IN JAPAN
Autumn in Japan is one of the most spectacular sceneries in the world. The burst of colors from various species of maple and Japanese ginkgo trees created a mosaic of color against temples, shrines, parks, city streets, and lush countryside. Japanese maple and ginkgo leaves. From Japan's Northern prefectures down to the South, the autumn foliage views are amazing with different fall color vibrancy. They are nature's work of art and add beauty to the cool and crisp autumn season. If you are a tourist to Japan and wonder where's the most popular spots to view autumn foliage, I narrowed down my choices to four spots that are quite popular and are flocked by tourists because of their picture-perfect views.…
EXPLORING BOHOL, PHILIPPINES: OUR EXPERIENCE
Bohol is an island province in the Philippines which is known in the world for many things: the picturesque Chocolate Hills, the cute tarsiers which are known as the smallest primate in the world, pristine beaches, the dreamy Loboc river, historical sights, and centuries-old churches. We travelled as a family before the pandemic and we visited those popular and touristy spots in a short period of time. We stayed overnight with an infant so we don't really rush to the next destination or go farther to remote beaches. Even if you are short on time, you can see and experience the best places in Bohol if you plan your itinerary carefully. GETTING THERE and CHECKING IN THE HOTEL We arrived…
TOP RESTAURANT CHAINS IN JAPAN OFFERING JAPANESE FOOD
Planning to visit Japan in the future when travel restrictions ease up? Definitely, you’ll never get hungry visiting this country known for great food and hospitality. While traveling, you may have a hard time deciding which food to eat and which restaurants to visit. No worries because below are restaurant chains that offer quick and delicious authentic Japanese food that are convenient and budget-friendly making it an unforgettable food travel experience. CONVEYOR BELT SUSHI Pepper at the entrance door. Photo by Owen Beard on Unsplash HAMASUSHI With about 486 locations, Hamazushi has the top number of restaurants in the country. There are several types of sushi on the menu and many variations come with the addition of mayonnaise, sauces, and wasabi. Most of…
