My August 2019 trip to Japan was well-documented in photos and blogs. But for a long time, I had forgotten that I also took a lot of short videos during my trip. Most of them are of the inhabitants of the Kaiyukan aquarium. There are some from my trip up (and down) the Kuchu Teien Observatory, as well. I took these without a tripod or … Continue reading Osaka and Nara in Quick Clips
Looking for part one? You can find it here. Come back when you’re done! Or just read this one first. The order doesn’t really matter. Food markets and street stalls Sit-down restaurants in Japan tend to be quite expensive. A nice alternative is buying food from food markets and taking it to your hotel, hostel, or AirBNB. Most of the foods listed here came from … Continue reading Objects of My Ingestion, Japan edition: part 2
The city of Kobe sits between the Rokko mountain range and the sea. Its location made it an important port city beginning in the 19th century. The Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake hit Kobe and some nearby cities in January of 1995, killing thousands of people and causing much damage to the city’s infrastructure with tremors and the resulting fires. Looking at Kobe today, however, you’d never … Continue reading 931 Meters Above Sea Level: On Top of Mt. Rokko
Having already been to quite a few tourist spots in Kyoto – including Fushimi Inari and Arashiyama Bamboo Grove – we decided to go elsewhere this time, and ended up at Otani Hombyo temple. We also made a stop at the Pokémon Center. Otani Hombyo serves as the mausoleum of Shinran Shonin, the founder of the Jodo Shinshu Buddhist sect. Otani Hombyo is also the … Continue reading A Kyoto Day Trip: Otani Hombyo, the Pokémon Center, and Some Snacking
Himeji is a city rich in history. It’s about an hour and a half away from Osaka by train. One of the most popular attractions in Himeji is UNESCO World Heritage Site Himeji Castle. The history Before the towering structure that exists today was in place, a simple fort was built on the grounds in 1333. After 13 years, it was rebuilt into a castle. … Continue reading Up Close and Personal with the Historic Himeji Castle
After touring Himeji Castle, take some time to explore Koko-en Gardens. It’s a short walk from the castle and only costs ¥300 (~Php140) to enter. If you plan to visit both, you can get a combination ticket for ¥1,050 (~Php500) and save ¥250. Koko-en officially opened to the public in 1992. It gets its name from Koko-do, a school for literary and military training originally … Continue reading A Nature Walk Through Time at Koko-en Gardens
I previously wrote about trying out the onsen at I’m Hotel in Makati. I had planned on making part 2 about one of the onsen hotels in Laguna, but since the opportunity came up to try an authentic one in Japan, that blog will have to be bumped to part 3. Japan is actually where onsens originated. The Japanese have been using hot springs to … Continue reading Onsen Spa Experience, part 2
With the thriving Japanese community in Baguio, it’s no surprise that Japanese cuisine is easy to come by – and it receives a lot of love. While Japanese-style fast food can often satisfy your cravings, once in a while, it’s nice to spoil yourself and spring for the real thing. Chaya is a popular spot among locals and tourists alike, offering authentic Japanese food in … Continue reading Baguio’s Best Japanese Fare at Chaya
On this page, you can quickly access links to my blogs and the resources that helped make my trips to Japan more comfortable, more convenient, and all around easier. Happy travels! Blogs Tips for staying on budgetFood gallery part 1 | part 2Makeup and skin care haul✾Kansai Region Attractions (Osaka, Kyoto, Nara)Osaka: Hinata No Yu onsen spaKyoto: Otani Hombyo and the Pokémon CenterHimeji: Koko-en Gardens … Continue reading Japan Master List
My journey-slash-vacation took me to three cities in Japan: Osaka, Kyoto, and Nara. Here I talk about the museums, temples, parks, and other tourist attractions on my itinerary. I’ve also included their business hours and how much admission costs, but keep in mind that you might be eligible for certain discounts, or you might get a better deal from a package. I highly recommend taking … Continue reading Where I Went in Japan
'Ka ni Kim 