{Japan: Eat} Lunch On A High-Speed Train: Ekiben From 6 Different Cities

On this last trip to Japan, M and I managed to hit 16 cities in a little over 3 weeks.  This means that we spent a lot of time on trains as we… Continue reading →

{Japan: Explore} Up, Up, Up to the Top of Sapporo’s Okurayama Ski Jump Stadium

In a Nutshell: Where: Okurayama Ski Jump Stadium, Sapporo, Hokkaido When: October 7, 2013 *Notes: Website (English), the 90 meter ski jump competitions were held here during the 1972 Winter Olympics, 500 Yen… Continue reading →

{Japan: Eat} Castella Is All Around in Nagasaki, Kyushu

As M and I emerged from the beautiful Glover Gardens (home to mansions of former Western merchants in Nagasaki), we came upon a row of stores selling all sorts of souvenirs and snacks. … Continue reading →

{Japan: Explore} The Netherlands Come to Japan! An Afternoon at Huis Ten Bosch

In a Nutshell: Where: Huis Ten Bosch, a theme park in Sasebo, Kyushu that recreates the Netherlands When: October 28, 2013 *Notes: Website (English), 5900 Yen entry fee per adult (18 and over),… Continue reading →

{Japan: Eat} A Late Lunch At The Straw Hat Cafe, Ghibli Museum

In a Nutshell: Where: The Straw Hat Cafe at the Ghibli Museum, Tokyo When: October 11, 2013 *Notes: Ghibli Museum Website, the animation and art museum of Hayao Miyazaki’s Studio Ghibli (responsible for… Continue reading →

{Japan: Eat} A Seafood Breakfast At Sapporo’s Nijo Fish Market

In a Nutshell: Where: Nijo Market, Sapporo, Hokkaido When: October 6, 2013 *Notes: open from around 7 AM – 6 PM, a variety of fresh seafood and produce is sold here, approx. 5-minutes… Continue reading →

Exploring Andy’s Backyard at Toy Story Land, Hong Kong Disneyland

In a Nutshell: Where: Toy Story Land, Hong Kong Disneyland When: September 26, 2013 *Notes: Hong Kong Disneyland Website, one of the park’s 7 themed areas, added to the park in 2011, based… Continue reading →

{Japan: Eat} A ‘Topping’ Good Time At Go! Go! Curry! In Sendai

In a Nutshell: Where: Go! Go! Curry!, a 5-minute walk from Sendai Station When: October 10, 2013 *Notes: Website (Japanese), named after Hideki Matsui’s number, stores throughout Japan with 4 branches in New… Continue reading →

{Japan: Explore} Down The Rabbit Hole To Shinjuku’s Underground Passageways

When I first stayed at the Tokyo Hilton back in 2008, I noticed a narrow staircase inconspicuously tucked away in a corner of the lobby.  Immediately intrigued, I stood at the top of… Continue reading →

{Japan: Eat} Pastry Snaffle’s @ the Kanemori Red Brick Warehouses, Hakodate

In a Nutshell: Where: Pastry Snaffle’s, Kanemori Red Brick Warehouses, Hakodate, Hokkaido When: October 8, 2013 *Notes: Website (Japanese), famous for their bite-sized cheesecakes Full Report: If our 2012 Japan trip was all… Continue reading →

Eat, Drink, and Be Merry At The Sapporo Beer Garden

In a Nutshell: Where: Kessel Hall at the Sapporo Beer Garden, Sapporo, Hokkaido When: October 5, 2013 *Notes: Website (English), the specialty of the house is Genghis Khan (barbequed mutton), Viking meals are… Continue reading →

{Japan: Explore} Searching for Helen Keller at the (Haunted?) Fujiya Hotel

In a Nutshell: Where: the historic Fujiya Hotel in Hakone (1.5 hours outside of Tokyo) When: October 16, 2013 *Notes: Founded in 1878, the Fujiya is one of the oldest hotels in Japan. … Continue reading →