Japan – Page 2 – farflungistan

What to see outside of Tokyo: Kamakura..shrines, the Giant Daibutsu and a great bar!

If there is one place to visit outside of Tokyo Kamakura is it. The city itself can’t be fully seen in one day so see what you can and try to get back in the future. Here’s a great online guide to Kamakura Shrines. The city has many transportation options if needed but it is aContinue reading “What to see outside of Tokyo: Kamakura..shrines, the Giant Daibutsu and a great bar!”

Where to go other than Tokyo or Kyoto: Beppu

It’s 7:15am on a monday morning (weekend after spring-back daylight savings to boot) and I’m be-gowned and getting conveyed into the tomb or otherwise known as an MRI machine. I know, what does a MRI have to do with any trip to the spa to relax? I guess it was a combination of what IContinue reading “Where to go other than Tokyo or Kyoto: Beppu”

What to do outside of Kyoto: Nara

The visitors to the ancient city of Nara crowds mostly have two things that are tops on the bucket list are seeing the giant Daibutsu inside the Todaiji Temple and offering biscuits or shika sembei to the quit pesky and persistant tame deer. The park is large so there’s plenty of places that offer a quiet spaces away fromContinue reading “What to do outside of Kyoto: Nara”

What to see outside of Tokyo: Nara

Nara is famous for the towering wooden structure called the Todai-ji and it’s 1200+ tame deer that look innocent enough until there’s food involved. The deer roam freely around parks that lie above the city. Their numbers have increased so much that the Japanese government is trying to figure out how to control these well fedContinue reading “What to see outside of Tokyo: Nara”

What to see in Tokyo: Gojira..better known as Godzilla

Most of us growing up in the late 70’s early 80’s in Massachusetts were spending lunch in front of the TV watching Godzilla movies on the Creature Double Feature hour on channel 56 on Saturdays. It was so popular that it ousting the Candlepin bowling out of the mid day spot and up to theContinue reading “What to see in Tokyo: Gojira..better known as Godzilla”

What to see in Tokyo: Design Festa Gallery Harajuku

Design Festa Gallery as they say it is ‘the space where the dreams of artists connect with visitors, ‘ . The space allows anyone to exhibit as long as it is original. They have had over 4500 exhibits since 1998. The space is constantly changing and there’s always something interesting to see. It’s a greatContinue reading “What to see in Tokyo: Design Festa Gallery Harajuku”

What to see in Tokyo: Weddings @ Meiji Jingu Shinto Shrine

The Meiji Jingu Shinto Shrine in the Harajuku section of Tokyo is a great place to witness Japanese weddings of various traditions on the weekends. The surrounding tree filled park is a great place to go if you need a break from the clean but crowded streets of Harajuku. It is Toyko’s Central Park andContinue reading “What to see in Tokyo: Weddings @ Meiji Jingu Shinto Shrine”

Best Budget Spa Trip in Japan: Beppu Onsen

Beppu is a spa playground for everyone. There are so many choices that it’s hard to figure out which to not miss. I had already taken to the hot sand baths and was ready to find my next indulgence. My husband and I were looking for a private onsen this time which had a greatContinue reading “Best Budget Spa Trip in Japan: Beppu Onsen”

Best Budget Spa Trip in Japan: Beppu Sand Spa

Valentine’s Day around the World

Tomorrow is Valentines Day. Many lovers around the world will be scurrying to pick up last-minute chocolates, flowers and cute stuffed animals to show there love and affection they feel for one another. Many countries around the world celebrate this day in their own way. The traditional Valentine’s Day card industry began in my homeContinue reading “Valentine’s Day around the World”