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Day Trip from Takayama - Trendy Things to Do in Hida Furukawa

2017-01-30T05:20:00.000-08:00

In the afternoon, we went to a quick trip to Hida Furukawa using our pass. It is only 15 minutes away from Takayama by train (310 yen). Let's follow our footsteps to see what's trending in Hida Furukawa!

Hida Furukawa is an old town made famous by Makoto Shinkai's latest film "Your Name" (君の名は). Landmarks in the movie "Kimi no Na Wa" include the Hida Furukawa train station, library and the surroundings.

Hida Furukawa is a small town. The whole area can be explored on foot within 3 hours.

A walking map can be acquired in the Hida City Tourist Information Centre inside the Hida Furukawa Station.

1. Feed the Carps

Our first destination is Setogawa River. Allegedly, the Setogawa River is filled with thousands of carp during the summer. In the winter (around November to April), carps would be placed in the winter pool.

The Setogawa River was man-made around 400 years ago for irrigation. It was gradually abandoned and became seriously polluted as a result of economic growth. In 1968, locals began placing carp in the Setogawa River to remind others the importance of maintaining water quality.

When you walk along the Setogawa River, you can see boxes filled with packets of bread crumbs. Bread crumbs can be purchased for 100 yen to feed the carps.

Setogawa River and Shirakabe Dozo District 瀬戸川と白壁土蔵街
Address: Ichino-machi to Tono-machi, Furukawa-cho, Hida City, Gifu Prefecture

2. Dress in Kimono

What is better than visiting an old town dressed in kimono? A Kimono experience is available nearby for 3000 yen only.

Rumor is that Mitsuha's Kumihimo (as featured in the anime "Kimi no Na Wa") can also be purchased in the store. There are plenty of beautiful accessories in the store.

Credit: Pixabay

Kimono Oobora 染めと呉服大洞
Address: 〒509-4232　岐阜県飛騨市古川町本町2-15
Operating Hours: 10:00-17:00. Closed on Thursdays
Reservation: nagomi_bora@yahoo.co.jp
Website (In Japanese)

3. Visit the Honko-ji Temple

Honko-ji is marked by a cypress entrance hall. It is the largest wooden building in Hida. The architecture and wood carving by carpenters have made it worth seeing.

The streets are very rustic and beautiful.

Honko-ji Temple 本光寺
Address: 1-17 Furukawa-cho Ninomachi, Hida, Gifu Prefecture 509-4235, Japan

4. Purchase Sake and Bracelet in "Kimi no Na Wa"

Furukawa was famous for its sake brewery in the past. The brewery itself is a registered cultural asset in Japan.

After great success of the anime "Kimi no Na Wa", one of the brewery in Hida Furukawa made "Sake Houai" (420 ml, 3240 yen). The sake bottle looked exactly like the Kuchikamizake (Saliva alcohol) in the anime!

Due to hygienic reasons, the sake was not made by saliva. The sake bottle, along with the bracelet featured in the anime can be purchased at the Hida Sakura Gift Shop.

Credit: watanabeshuzouten.com

Hida Sakura Gift Shop 飛騨古川さくら物産館

Address: 2-20, Sannomachi, Furukawa-cho, Hida city, Gifu

Operating Hours: 9:00 - 4:30. Closed on Thursdays

Website (In Japanese)

Watanabe Sake Brewery 渡辺酒造店
Address: 7-7 Furukawacho Ichinomachi, Hida, Gifu Prefecture 509-4234, Japan
Operating Hours: 8:30 - 17:15

Website (In Japanese)

5. Visit the Hida City Library

The Hida City Library is around 6 minutes from Hida Furukawa Station. It is also featured in the anime "Kimi no Na Wa". There are a few rules to observe:

Ask for permission at the counter to take photos
Avoid taking photos of visitors' faces that are identifiable
Try not to cause disturbance to locals
When sharing photos on social media, use the hashtag #飛騨市図書館きたよ

Credit: https://www.hida-kankou.jp/model/1000000603/

Hida City Library 飛騨市図書館
Address: 2-22, Furukawacho Hommachi, Hida-shi, Gifu, 509-4232, Japan
Operating Hours: Mon to Sat 9:00-18:00, Sun 9:00-17:00
Website (In Japanese)

6. Visit the Keta Wakamiya Shrine

Keta Wakamiya Shrine (気多若宮神社) is 15 minutes away from Hida Furukawa Station. It is also a pilgrimage site in "Kimi no Na Wa".

Credit: youtube

Credit: http://www.gifureki.com/hida/wakamiya/02syasin.html

Keta Wakamiya Shrine 気多若宮神社
Address: 〒509-4212 岐阜県飛騨市古川町上気多1297番地

7. Support Local Farmers

Credit: Pixabay

If you happen to visit Hida Furukawa in the morning, be sure to check out their local market. The vegetables and fruits are grown by locals, particularly elders with an average age of 73 years old. Handcrafts and recipes are also sold in the market.

It is only a 5 minute walk from the Hida Furukawa Station.

三寺めぐり朝市
Address: 〒509-4234 岐阜県飛騨市古川町壱之町10-1
Hours: 7:30 -15:00
May to mid June: Every Saturday and Sunday
Mid June to end of November: Daily, except Tuesdays

Seoul & Incheon Filming Locations in Goblin: The Lonely and Great God

2017-01-23T20:27:00.000-08:00

Credit: TvN

Part 3 of the pilgrimage series, with more beautiful sites from Seoul and Incheon, including: Zino, BBQ Chicken Store, Baskin Robbins, Konkuk University, JF Design Flower, Songhyeon Geunrin Park and Cheongna Lake Park.

1. Zino (지노)

No, this steak house is not located in Quebec... It's actually located in Seoul.

Credit: TvN

Korean Address: 경기도 파주시 탄현면 대동리 94-5（새오리로 211-31）

Tel: 031-949-8365

Hours: 11:00~17:00. Closed on Mondays

Access: Exit 2, Hapjeong Station (238, 622 합정역). Take bus no. 2200. Get off at "Heyri Gate 1" stop (헤이리1번게이트). Go to the opposite side to take bus no. 36 and get off at "Earthworm Farm" (지렁이농장) bus station. Walk for 500 meters.

2. BBQ Chicken Jongno Store (BBQ치킨 종로관철점)

The new BBQ fried chicken store.

Credit: TvN

Korean Address: 서울특별시 종로구 관철동 11-5（청계천로 81）

Tel: 050-4109-9263
Access: Exit 5, Jonggak Station, Subway Line 1
Operating hours: 11 am to 12 pm
Website: www.bbq.co.kr

3. Baskin Robbins Seocho Branch (배스킨라빈스 서초우성점)

Credit: TvN

Korean Address: 서울특별시 서초구 서초동 1337-34（강남대로 331）

Tel: 02-525-3136

Operating Hours:10:00~23:00
Access: Exit 5, Gangnam Station, Subway Line 2
Website: www.baskinrobbins.co.kr

4. Konkuk University (건국대학교)

Credit: TvN

Address:120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, Korea
Korean Address: 서울특별시 광진구 화양동 1 (능동로 120)
Access: Exit 3 and 4, Konkuk University Station (212, 727 건대입구역), Subway Line 2 or 7
Website: www.konkuk.ac.kr

5. JF Design Flower (제이에프디자인플라워)

Credit: TvN

Korean Address: 경기도 안양시 동안구 관양동 1710-1（동편로 45）

Tel: 031-421-7268
Access: Exit 8, Indeogwon Station (440 인덕원역), Subway Line 4
Website: blog.naver.com/jf_flowers

6. Songhyeon Geunrin Park (송현근린공원)

Credit: TvN

Address: 51 Solbit-ro, Dong-gu, Incheon, South Korea

Korean Address:인천광역시 동구 송림동 182-85（솔빛로 56）
Access: Exit 4, Dongincheon Station (160 동인천역). Walk 700 metres.

7. Cheongna Lake Park (청라호수공원)

Credit: TvN

Address: 630, Yeonhui-dong, Seo-gu, Incheon
Korean Address: 인천광역시 서구 경서동 627-1
Access: At exit 4, Gajeong [Lu1 City] (I211 가정역), take bus no. 7700 and get off at "Cheongna Lake Park Entrance" (청라중앙호수공원입구). Walk 800 meters to the park.

Takayama - Hida Hotel Plaza Review (Food & Cuisine)

2017-01-08T07:02:00.000-08:00

Let's move onto the food and cuisine review of Hida Hotel Plaza.

Related: Takayama - Hida Hotel Plaza Review (Room & Facilities)

1. Review: Japanese Restaurant "Hana Chaya" (Dinner)

We had Japanese dinner on our first night. We were presented with a menu: 8 courses, with rice, miso soup and drinks. Each dish was introduced to us in Japanese by a lady dressed in kimono.

For starter, we had appetizers, sashimi and somen. (Autocorrect keeps saying 'women'…no!!!!)

Somen are thin white Japanese noodles. In our set, it is served cold with jelly and vegetables in a vinegar sauce. I have to say, the appetizers are too salty and the sashimi from the supermarket tastes better…

We then proceed to the miso grilled salmon. Hmmm… a bit dry?

For the main course, we had steamed Hida beef.

Hida Beef (飛驒牛) is from a black haired Japanese cattle breed raised in Gifu prefecture for at least 14 months. It has a unique marble patterned appearance.

The beef is gradually steamed in a wooden box. I have to say the Hida beef tasted blant. Not that kind of "melt in your mouth" delicious beef that I was expecting for.

Tempura with green tea flavored salt. Crispy, not too greasy.

Steamed Hida pork with egg plant, along with rice, miso soup, pickles and a mystery dish.

Yes, this is the mystery dish. Green tea jelly, finely sliced cucumber, shredded turnip, red ginseng, pickled ginger, tofu and edible flowers all mixed together. I was skeptical about the combination of these ingredients.

But after one bite… O.M.G.

I want the recipe for this "mystery dish". It levitated the whole Japanese cruise experience!

To finish up, there is traditional Japanese sweets (wagashi): daifuku and summer orange sweet (natukannton).

I have always wanted to try natukannton. It is one of the representative wagashi that I missed in Kyoto. It is a summer dessert. To make natukannton, the orange pulp is hollowed out carefully while keeping the orange intact. The pulp is then mixed with gelatin and injected back into the orange. The natukannton that you see in this picture is made with this method.

The aroma of the citrus peel taste good together with sweetness of the orange.

I'm also very pleased with the daifuku. It has strawberry ice-cream filling.

Overall, I think the "mystery dish" and Japanese sweets were outstanding in terms of value! It is also worth taking your family to try exotic Japanese dishes in this friendly atmosphere.

Verdict: 8/10

2. Review: Japanese Restaurant (Breakfast)

I present to you: breakfast buffet at Hida Hotel Plaza!

On the first day, I had salad, grilled salmon, scrambled eggs, potato salad, curry with fried rice, fish with grated daikon, vegetables stir fry with bean curd, cod roe. To be frank, the food was quite salty.

Nonetheless, I would highly recommend the drinks. Full fat milk and apple juice from Takayama. Nothing beats apple juice and milk after an early onset bath at 6 am!

You would probably notice these are the two items that are constantly consumed by hotel guests during the breakfast buffet.

Fine. I had a third dish. No biggie. It is buckwheat noodles with grated yam and spring onion. Nothing particularly special about this soba. You can probably skip it during breakfast (unless you want to eat an all Japanese breakfast with natto)

Then I proceed to eat Western style food (as part of my balanced meal plan).

I saw a bunch of people reheating croissants in the toaster. So I decided to have one, along with whipped butter, blueberry jam and coffee.

The croissant is goddamn delicious!! I ate three of them the next day :P

Verdict: 8/10

3. Review: French Restaurant Bonjour (Dinner)

On the second night we had French style dinner. When we arrived, the place was empty. Apparently the guests have chosen Japanese dinner over French at an onsen resort. No surprise.

The good thing is that we have the whole restaurant to ourselves. We chose a table next to the window. It is a 5 course dinner.

L’Entrée (Appetizer). Egg plant, cabbage, cauliflower and smoked salmon.

Potage (Soup). Cold green bean soup

Le Plat Principal (The Main Dish) - la viande. Rare. The portion is a bit small, but delicious.

La Salade (Salad)

Le Dessert. Love the ice-cream (and anything that can satisfy my appetite)

Le Café (coffee)

I felt so hungry after this dinner (when compared with the Japanese meal). So we went to look for extra food later at night. An extra bowl of ramen is definitely needed!

Verdict: 7/10

I would recommend having Hida beef in one of the BBQ restaurants near JR Takayama Station.

I was a little surprised to know that Mema prefer the French restaurant over the Japanese one!

Related: Takayama - Hida Hotel Plaza Review (Room & Facilities)

Ski Resort in Goblin: The Lonely and Great God

2017-01-07T23:28:00.000-08:00

Credit: TvN

Part 2 of the series. Latest pilgrimage sites from the Korean drama, featuring: Yong Pyong Ski Resort, Woljeongsa Temple, Haetalgyo, Seoknamsa and Mirinae Holy Site.

Related: Korea Filming Locations in Goblin: The Lonely and Great God (Part 1)

1. Yong Pyong Ski Resort (용평리조트)

This ski resort is close to many beautiful attractions, including: Odaesan, Jeongdongjin and Samyang Ranch! I have to admit this site is beautiful…

Credit: TvN

Address: 715, Olympic-ro, Daegwanryeong-myeon, Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon-do, Korea
Korean Address: 강원도 평창군 대관령면 용산리 130（올림픽로 715）
Access: Shuttle bus from Incheon Airport, Hongik University, Sinchon Station, Myeongdong Station
Operating Hours: 8:30-16:00

Website: www.yongpyong.co.kr

2. Woljeongsa Temple (월정사전나무숲길)

Credit: TvN

Address: 63-1 Dongsan-ri, Jinbu-myeon, Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon-do, South Korea
Korean Address: 강원도 평창군 진부면 동산리 63-1 (오대산로 374-8)

Access: Take the bus from Dong Seoul Terminal (동서울종합터미널) at Exit 4 of Gangbyeon Station to Jinbu Public Bus Terminal (진부공용버스정류장). The journey takes 2 hours 15 minutes. Cost: 13000 won.

At Jinbu Public Bus Terminal, take the bus towards the "Woljeongsa" (월정사) direction. Get off at "Woljeongsa Entrance" (월정사입구) and walk 400 meters.

The bus from Jinbu Public Bus Terminal to "Woljeongsa" operates from 6:30 to 19:20. An overnight temple stay at Woljeongsa Temple is also available.

A taxi ride would take 15 minutes. Estimated cost: 18000 won.

Website: www.woljeongsa.org

3. Haetalgyo (해탈교)

Credit: TvN

Located near Woljeongsa (월정사) above.

At Jinbu Public Bus Terminal, take the bus towards the "Woljeongsa" (월정사) direction. Get off one stop prior to "Woljeongsa Entrance" at "Odaesan Entrance" (오대산입구). Walk 400 meters.

Website: www.woljeongsa.org

4. Seoknamsa (석남사)

Credit: TvN

Address: 508 Sangjung-ri, Geumgwang-myeon, Anseong-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
Korean Address: 경기도 안성시 금광면 상중리 508（상촌새말길 3-120）
Access: Take the bus from Dong Seoul Terminal (동서울종합터미널) at Exit 4 of Gangbyeon Station to Anseong Bus Terminal (안성종합버스터미널). Journey takes around 1 hour 40 minutes, 5,700 won.

Take bus no. 5, 5-2, 10-1, 10-7, 10-8, 20, 20-4 to "Civic Hall" bus station (시민회관). Get off and take bus no. 100 on the opposite side of the road. Get off at "Sangjungri Sangchon" bus station (상중리상촌) and walk 1.5 km.

Sounds complicated? Take a taxi from Anseong Bus Terminal. The fee is around 20,000 won (20 minutes ride).

* Don't confuse this with another Seoknamsa (석남사(울산)) , which is located in Ulsan!

5. Mirinae Holy Site (미리내성지)

Mirinae Holy Site is located in Anseong, Gyeonggi-do. It holds the grave of Korea's first Catholic Saint - Saint Andreas Kim Daegeon. During Joseon dynasty, Koreans Catholics come to this place to avoid persecution.

Credit: TvN

Address: 420, Mirinaeseongji-ro, Yangseong-myeon, Anseong-si, Gyeonggi-do
Korean Address: 경기도 안성시 양성면 미리내성지로 420
Access: Take the bus from Dong Seoul Terminal (동서울종합터미널) at Exit 4 of Gangbyeon Station to Anseong Bus Terminal (안성종합버스터미널). Journey takes around 1 hour 40 minutes, 5,700 won.

Then take bus no. 60 to "Mirinae Holy Site" (미리내성지). Takes around 45 to 60 minutes.

Takayama - Hida Hotel Plaza Review (Room & Facilities)

2017-01-06T20:38:00.000-08:00

For the next two days, we stayed at the Hida Hotel Plaza in Takayama.

It's a hotel resort with Japanese bathhouse. Our package is only 10,000 yen per person, each night (Around US 84.9) - including breakfast buffet and dinner.

I'll stay there again with my family during my next visit to Takayama. Here are the reasons...

1. Location, Location, Location

Hida Hotel Plaza is only 5 minutes walk away from the JR Takayama Station.

It was drizzling lightly when we first arrived at the Takayama Station. Still we were able to drag our luggage to the hotel with ease. I would recommend taking a taxi if you're traveling with your family, especially children or elders.

You can see the hotel logo after crossing a few street. I believe we found the entrance to the South Wing Tower of Hida Hotel Plaza.

Overall, Hida Hotel Plaza is quite large - there is North Wing, South Wing, and East Wing.

The staff helped us carried our luggage to the East Wing to check in. We were given breakfast and dinner coupons. The breakfast is a Japanese style buffet.

For dinner, there is an option of French cuisine or Japanese cuisine. Since we have booked for 2 nights, we decided to have Japanese cuisine on the first night and French cuisine on the second night.

Our rooms were located on the 2nd floor of the South Wing Tower. The corridors in the South Wing were very wide. Overall, the environment was free of cigarette odor. We were quite pleased.

2. Spacious Room

I believed our room was being upgraded. The Twin Bed Room is very spacious when compared to our hotel room in Nagoya. There were two chairs and a mini table near the window. Plenty of space for us to share beer and food at night.

The sashimi from Takayama is very fresh and delicious. Probably due to its proximity with Kanazawa?

3. Stylish Onsen Bath

Hot springs are available in this hotel for free. One is located on the roof top of the North Wing. Another is located at the basement of East Wing. During my stay, I visited both onsen baths.

I would definitely recommend the one on the roof top. It has a spectacular view in the early morning. If you're an early riser like me, you can have the whole roof top onsen to yourself at 6 am (Plus the sauna steam room). Fabulous.

4. Tasty Treats & Shiitake Tea with Black Pepper

Complimentary snacks were given. The drink was "shittake black pepper tea". For snacks, they provided Japanese dried plum and red bean paste dessert. Mema loved the taste of Japanese dried plum.

On the other hand, I enjoy drinking shiitake black pepper tea (which is enriched with collagen). It tasted like chicken soup with black pepper. These items can all be purchased in the gift shop of this hotel.

5. Gift Shop Inside the Hotel

The gift shop is located on the first floor, East Wing. Inside you'll find many souvenirs and local specialties that can only be found in Takayama. I saw this man purchasing a luggage full of local specialties before leaving the hotel...

This cat shaped chocolate biscuit is so cute. Only 600 yen!

6. Breakfast Buffet & Local Specialties

Breakfast is located on the 2nd Floor of East Wing (7:00-9:00 am) inside a Japanese style restaurant. It has a buffet style with plenty of local seasonal food to choose from.

To name a few, there is a salad bar, scrambled eggs, beef curry, grilled fish, potato salad, tofu and bread. Plenty to choose from even if you're a vegetarian (or vegan)...

That's only my first tray. Feeling particularly hungry in the morning :D

7. Japanese Cuisine

For the first night, we chose to have Japanese dinner. Today I still don't have any idea what this dessert is about, but it tastes amazing. There is a mix of shredded radish, pickled turnip, cucumber slices, green tea jelly and edible flowers (?).

We were told to mix it altogether. Somehow it formed a symphony in my mouth???

8. French Cuisine

On the second night, we opted for the French cuisine. The main course is Hida beef. A"must have" here in Takayama Hida.

One complain: the portion is too small…...

Related: Takayama - Hida Hotel Plaza Review (Food & Cuisine)

9. Local Supermarket

Shops in Takayama Hida close at around 5 pm.

Valor Takayama Shopping Center (バロー高山ショッピングセンター) is around a 10 minute walk from Hida Hotel Takayama. You'll pass through some farm land on your way to the supermarket. Great for some late night exploring activity. Operating hours: 10 am to 9 pm.

Hida Hotel Plaza
ひだホテルプラザ
Address: 〒506-0009　岐阜県高山市花岡町2丁目60番地
Tel: 81-577-33-4600

Korea Filming Locations in Goblin: The Lonely and Great God

2016-12-28T06:09:00.000-08:00

I love visiting bookstores and coffee shops!

Now I have a new list of updated location to visit next time when I'm in Seoul...

See Also: Quebec Filming Locations in Goblin: The Lonely and Great God

Update: Visitors have been flocking to the Jumunjin seaside. Now you can rent a red scarf, boutique of flowers and an umbrella for 1000 won. Plus you have to wait in line to take a picture. Be prepared to queue up near the beach...

See: Tourists Flock to Seaside Filming Site of Drama 'Goblin'

1. Deoksugung Stone Wall Road (덕수궁 돌담길)

Also known as Jeongdong-gil road. It is a popular place for romantic strolls, especially in the fall.

Address: 5-1, Jeong-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul
Access: Exit 2, City Hall Station（시청역）, Subway Line 1 & 2. Walk straight to the end of the palace wall and turn right
Nearby attractions: Deoksugung Palace, Deoksugung Art Museum, Seoul Museum of Art, Gyeonghuigung Palace, Jeongdong Theater

Related: Fall Foliage Destination in the City

2. Yunung Nang Palace (덕성여자대학교양관)

This white mansion is located at the Foreign Museum. This two-story Western-style building is now part of the Jongno Campus of the Tak Sung Woman's University. It is also a designated historic site.

Address: No. 460, Sanyi Road, Jongno-gu, Seoul (Access from Tokonomo Women's University main entrance)
Korean Address: 서울 종로구 운니동
Access: Exit 4, Anguk Station（안국역）, Subway Line 3
* Closed on Mondays. Free admission.

3. North Village Central High School (북촌중앙고등학교)

Address: No. 1, Gui-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Access: Exit 3, Anguk Station（안국역）, Subway Line 3

4. Duksung Woman's University （덕성여자고등학교）

Korean Address: 서울특별시 종로구 안국동 37（율곡로3길 50）

Access: Exit 6, Anguk Station（안국역）, Subway Line 3

5. Mocha Study (맥심 모카책방)

Mocha Study is now closed.

However, you can still see the street art that appeared in Episode 3. Originally, this place was an industrial area. It is now converted into a special district with special shops and cafes.

Address: 333-93, 2-St, Shui Shui-dong, Seongdong-gu, Seoul
Korean: 서울시 성동구 성수동2가 333-93
Access: Exit 4, Seongsu Station （성수역）

6. Hanmi Book Store (한미 서점)

This second hand bookstore is located in Incheon. There are many children's books. Occasionally it host book repair activities for participation.

Address: 14-4, Jingu-dong, Higashi-ku, Incheon City
Korean: 인천광역시 동구 금곡동
Access: Exit 1, East Incheon Station (동인 천역), Subway Line 1

7. Barley Farm（보리나라 학원농장）

This farm is famous for its buckwheat flowers in the field. Buckwheat flowers can be seen in September.

Address: 119-2, Koryo-dong, Kaohin-myeon, Gochang-gun, Jeollabuk-do.
Access: Take the local bus from Express Bus Terminal to MuJang（무장）
Website: http://www.borinara.co.kr/

8. Bridge

Access: Exit 2, Subway Line 2 Longtan Station (용답)

9. BBQ Olive Chicken Café

Fried chicken chain store, as featured in the drama.

Korean Address: 서울 강남구 일원로9길 8 1층
Tel: 02-3411-5949

Access: Exit 4, Daecheong Station (대청역), Subway Line 3, walk about 500 meters

10. dal.komm coffee, Balsan Branch（달콤커피 발산역점）

Chain coffee store featured by various Korean drama. Good for spending an evening here!

Address: 894 Nagamachi-dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul
Korean Address: 서울특별시 강서구 마곡동 723-2（공항대로 271）
Access: Exit 1, Balsan Station（ 발산역）
Operating Hours: 7:00-23:00
Website: http://www.dalkomm.com/english/

11. Jumunjin (주문진)

Jumunjin (주문진) is located in the northern-most part of Gangneung, and is a great place for family vacations.

Address: 81-32 Gyohang-ri, Jumunjin-eup, Gangneung
Korean Address: 강원도 강릉시 주문진읍 교항리81-32

12. Xury Kim’s Raramuri（셔리킴의 라라무리）

Korean Address: 강원도 강릉시 강동면 정동진리 491-1（정동등명길 42-6）
Website: http://blog.naver.com/xurykim

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Quebec Filming Locations in Goblin: The Lonely and Great God

2016-12-26T01:38:00.000-08:00

I'm currently watching: Guardian: The Lonely and Great God (쓸쓸하고 찬란하神-도깨비). Quebec is so beautiful in the Korean drama. I might as well book a ticket to Canada next autumn!

Here are the location of the sites in Quebec that appeared in the drama. The Seoul locations will be released shortly. Stay tuned!

See Also: Korea Filming Locations in Goblin: The Lonely and Great God

More sites for pilgimage!!!

1. Plains of Abraham

Address: 835 Wilfrid-Laurier Avenue, Québec City, QC G1R 2L3, Canada
Hours: 9am-5pm
Website: http://www.ccbn-nbc.gc.ca/en/

2. Rue du Petit Champlain

Address: Rue du Petit Champlain, Québec City, QC G1K 4H5, Canada

3. La Boutique de Noel

Address: 47 Rue de Buade, Québec City, QC G1R 4A2, Canada
Hours: 9am-9pm
Website: www.boutiquedenoel.ca/en

4. Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac

Address: 1 Rue des Carrières, Québec City, QC G1R 4P5, Canada
Estimated Cost: CAD 219+ per night
Website: www.fairmont.com/frontenac-quebec/

5. The Parliament Gardens

Address: 1045 Rue des Parlementaires, Québec City, QC G1A 1A3, Canada

6. Hotel la Maison Demers

Address: 68 Rue Sainte-Ursule, Québec City, QC G1R 4E6, Canada
Estimated Cost: CAD 80+ per night

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Traveling from Nagoya to Takayama

2016-12-18T07:04:00.000-08:00

Today we're going from Nagoya to Takayama by the "JR Limited Express Wide View Hida" Train. There are two common ways to travel from Nagoya to Takayama:

(1) By bus (single trip 2980 yen, 2 hrs 40 mins)

(2) By train (JR "Limited Express Wide View Hida", single trip 6070 yen)

I would recommend purchasing a bus pass or JR pass to save money. Here are a few options available for visiting the Chubu and Hokuriku area:

By bus: Shoryudo Highway Bus Ticket is a bus pass available for foreign travelers. Great for highway buses connecting Nagoya, Takayama, Shirakawa-go, Kanazawa and Toyama. The 3 day pass costs 7000 yen and the 5 days pass costs 14,000 yen.
By train: Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass allows unlimited rides on JR in Nagoya, Gero, Takayama and Toyama area. This is ideal for those who are also visiting the Kyoto and Osaka area. This pass can be used for 5 conservative days. It costs 14,000 yen for adults (7000 yen for children).
By train: Hida Free Pass (飛騨路フリーきっぷ). Ideal for 2 to 4 people traveling to Gero onsen, Takayama or Hida Furukawa in JR. Returning bus tickets to Shirakawa-go are included. It can be used for 3 conservative days.

The trip takes around 2.5 hours, so it is always a good idea to eat Bento.

This lunch box from Ise caught my attention. It is called "Ama Diver's Treasure Box". Ama means "women from the sea" who dives to the bottom of the ocean to collect seaweed, oysters, and abalone without scuba gear or air tanks.

Ama are native to the Mie Prefecture in Toba City. According to the description, the bento use seafood collected from Ama.

And the menu makes it sound so extravagant!

Food menu: 10 different types of food

There are two layers of this bento. They are stacked together. No cooking is required.

Lower Layer

The lower layer consists of boiled rice with hijiki seaweed, vinegar marinated saury sushi, egg rolls and a selection of autumn vegetables.

Pumpkins and carrots carved into autumn leaves, with matsutake mushrooms on the side. Wait... it's not a mushroom, but yam carved into the shape of a mushroom. Impressive!

The vegetables are simmered in soy sauce and mirin, very much like a home cooked Japanese dish.

Lower layer: Appetizers, sushi and rice

Upper Layer

The upper layer is very colourful when compared with the lower layer.

Chewy seaweed, oyster wrapped in bacon with asparagus, scallop with salmon roe and shrimp with avocado dipping sauce. On the right, there are 2 kinds of dessert: wagashi and egg pudding.

Upper layer: Seafood and dessert

Overall, I'm happy with this extravagant bento. The avocado dipping sauce tastes awesome. The oyster wrapped in bacon is quite delicious. This bento costs 1350 yen and can be purchased from the bento store located at the boarding platform of the JR Nagoya Station.

Be sure to try this bento next time you travel to Takayama!

Nagoya - International Hotel Nagoya (Sakae) Review

2016-12-14T21:58:00.000-08:00

I would like to recommend a hotel that I really like in Nagoya: International Hotel Nagoya.

International Hotel Nagoya is located at the heart of Nagoya. You can walk to Oasis 21, Nagoya TV Tower and the Hisaya-Odori Park on foot. Great for families and budget travelers.

Related: Nagoya - Which is Better To Stay, Nagoya Station or Sakae?

International Nagoya Hotel is only 2 minutes away from Exit 8 of Sakae Station.

Exit 8 is right beneath Sunshine Sakae. You can find Tully's Coffee, SKE48 Cafe and a few bookstores there.

Here's what the hotel looks like at night. It's the building on the right (not the karaoke on the left!).

Tourist information and maps are provided at the counter, free of charge.

The staff are really friendly. They confirmed our booking at an onsen ryokan and provided us with free bottled water during our stay.

There is a coffee shop in the lobby of the hotel. Great for a relaxing breakfast or afternoon tea!

The room is quite spacious (compared to Tokyo standards). Twin bed is better than double bed, if you want a good night's rest...

Department stores in Japan are open until 8 pm. But don't worry, you can always go to the Don Quixote. It's open 24 hours! The ground floor is the food department.

Time for some late night snack...

Later in the night, we followed the map provided by the hotel and found one of the "food streets"nearby.

We've decided to try Nagoya's specialty dishes at Gomitori a Japanese bar (Izakaya). During our first night in Nagoya, we've already tried many local dishes including: deep fried pork cutlet with red miso, chicken wings and miso stew!

Related: 12 Foods You Must Try in Nagoya

If you're looking for seafood, Sapporo Kanihonke (札幌かに本家) is also available on the "food street". KFC, Sukiya and ramen are also within walking distance to the hotel.

Overall, I would recommend International Hotel Nagoya. It is conveniently located in Sakae, a place with plenty of options for dinner and night life. Just be careful not to wander into the red light district if you're traveling with family!

International Nagoya Hotel (名古屋国際ホテル)
名古屋市中区錦3丁目23-3
Tel: 052-961-3111
Check in: 14:00
Check out: 12:00

Nagoya - Which is Better To Stay, Nagoya Station or Sakae?

2016-12-10T00:27:00.000-08:00

During my visit to Nagoya, I've stayed at both Sakae and Nagoya Station. I'll have to say Sakae is a better choice. It has an abundant night life, Japanese pub, Don Quijote, 24 hours gaming centre and plenty of night view.

Here are a list of reasons why you should stay in Sakae during your visit to Nagoya...

1. Oasis 21

Oasis 21 is the landmark for Nagoya. At night, it looks like a spaceship. Oasis 21 is located at Exit 4 of the Sakae subway station, easily accessible on foot if you're staying in the Sakae area.

Credit: Pixabay

2. Sunshine Sakae

Marked by its iconic ferris wheel, Sunshine Sakae is a shopping centre that provides gaming arcade, cafes and bookstores. It is located at Exit 8 of the Sakae subway station.

Sunshine Sakae is also home to SKE48, an all girls idol group in Japan. There is a SKE Theater on 2F of Sunshine Sakae, where the artists would sing and perform from time to time. The SKE48 Cafe is located on 5F of Sunshine Sakae. If you're lucky, you may encounter members of the SKE48 in Sunshine Sakae.

Address: 3-24-4 Nishiki, Naka-ku, Nagoya-shi, Aichi
Opening hours: 11:00 - 23:00

Ferris wheel, Sunshine Sakae

3. Nagoya TV Tower

Nagoya TV Tower is the old landmark in Sakae. It is located at Exit 3 of the Sakae subway station.

Next to the TV Tower is the Harbs cake shop. One of the "must eat" items in Nagoya.

Related: 12 Foods You Must Eat in Nagoya

Lunch set is available between 11:00 am to 3 pm. It costs 1500 yen, including salad, spaghetti dish, cake (half portion) and coffee. What a value combo!

Harbs cake shop

4. Izakaya

Izakaya are Japanese pubs where you can enjoy large mugs of beer and eat. It is catered to locals and many traditional Nagoya dishes are served, including deep fried pork cutlet with red miso, chicken wings, red miso udon and beef stew.

Sakae is the home to many Izakaya. They are usually open at night.

What an Izakaya looks like

A variety of food is available inside Izakaya

5. Japanese Arcade Chain & Bookstores

Pachinko and slot machines are available near Sunshine Sakae. It is one of the popular hangout spots for teenagers in Nagoya. If you like gaming and night time entertainment, then Sakae is for you!

Pachinko, here we go!

6. Don Quijote

Opposite to the Sunshine Sakae is a 24 hour tax free store: Don Quijote. Inside you'll find food, cosmetics, toys, medicine and many other strange Japanese items. You can purchase ice-cream, alcohol, potato chips and instant ramen in the ground floor. It is a great place to satisfy your food cravings anytime of the day.

7. Hisaya-Odori Park

The park is an oasis near the TV Tower. In the morning, you can enjoy the nature at the Garden of Sculpture and look at the carps and ducks swimming in the Sakaegawa River.

At night, there is a beautiful illumination at the fountain in the Plaza of Hope.

Plaza of Hope

8. La Chic

In La Chic, you'll find trendy clothes and accessories. Restaurants are located on 7F and 8F. There you'll find many specialty food, including Hida beef, grilled eel on rice, pizza, sushi and an oyster bar.

Address: 3 Chome-6-1 Sakae, Naka Ward, Nagoya, Aichi
Opening Hours (restaurants): 11:00 - 23:00

9. ESCA Underground Shopping Mall

Sakae is the biggest shopping area in Nagoya. The underground mall is located in the Sakae subway station. It is interconnected with other subway stations, as well as large department stores and supermarkets. You can stay inside these underground maze without getting wet on a rainy day.

10. Complexity of the Nagoya Station

Credit: JR West

Sakae is only 2 stations away from Nagoya Station. The trip takes only 5 minutes. In terms of layout, the Sakae subway station is less complicated than the Nagoya Station.

12 Foods You Must Try in Nagoya

2016-12-08T05:34:00.000-08:00

Nagoya city was constantly voted by Japan as the least popular prefectures to visit. Yet, I must say, Nagoya has exceeded my expectations. You only have to know where to go and what to eat.

1. Deep Fried Pork Cutlet with Red Miso

Nagoya is famous for red miso (hatcho-miso). One of its signature dish is deep fried miso pork cutlet in red miso sauce. Nagoya's Red miso is quite sweet when compared with other types of miso in Japan.

Gomitori is a Japanese bar (Izakaya) with a rustic charm and an English menu. It is conveniently located in Sakae - the district where the night life of Nagoya is most concentrated.

Operating hours: 17:00-24:00
Gomitori Website (伍味酉)

Deep fried pork cutlet skewers with red miso (どて味噌串かつ) on the house!

2. Deep Fried Spicy Chicken Wings (Tebasaki)

You cannot leave Nagoya without eating some chicken wings!

Deep fried spicy chicken wings with sesame sprinkled on top. It is cold when you purchased it from one of the accessible chain stores. It is also available in Izakaya.

3. Nagoya-style Breakfast

Nagoya has its own unique breakfast culture, that is, if you order coffee during breakfast hours, you'll get free toast along with a side of freebie. It could be sweet bean paste, hard boiled egg or potato salad, depending on the shop you're visiting.

If are looking for afternoon tea, you should try the signature dessert at Komeda: Shironoir (Warm Danish topped with vanilla ice-cream).

Komeda Website (コメダ珈琲店)

A typical Nagoya-style breakfast

4. Award Winning "Chick-Shaped Pudding" (Pyorin)

Unleash your inner demon. Look at this cute, fluffy baby chick. Start by devouring it bit by bit, until you can no longer recognize its adorable appearance. The only thing left is the taste of soft sponge cake and pudding melting in your mouth...

Pyorin are all handmade at JR Nagoya Station’s Cafe - Janjyanu Rejie.

5. Shrimp Tempura Rice Balls (Tenmusu)

A great snack to carry with you. Look for this package near the JR Nagoya Station or in supermarkets. There are 5 pieces of tempura rice balls in each package. Great for sharing with family and friends during a day trip!

The bag is made from insulated materials

The rice balls are further wrapped in bamboo leaf

You've got to love the packaging of this snack!

6. Grilled Eel on Rice (Hitsumabushi)

Perhaps this is the most popular dish in Nagoya. Aichi prefecture is the top production area for eel. The eel is slit open in the belly and grilled whole with charcoal to make Hitsumabushi.

The proper way to eat this dish is to mix the eel and rice, and divide it into 4 portions. Enjoy the first portion as it is.

For the second portion, combine the eel and rice with the condiments provided (such as: wasabi, dried laver and green onion).

For the third portion, combine the eel and rice, condiments and pour broth over it in a bowl to make ochazuke (rice with tea). Repeat your favorite method for the final portion.

Many would recommend eating this dish at Atsuta Horaiken, but beware, this shop has a really long queue due to its high popularity!

Website (あつた蓬莱軒)

A complete set of Hitsumabushi

My favorite method!

7. HARBS

Harbs opened its first cake shop in Nagoya and has quickly gained popularity over Japan. Cakes are prepared with seasonal fruits and local ingredients. I tried their most popular layered crepe cake: Mille Crepe. Lots of whipped cream and fresh fruit. Worth trying... for once.

Website

Mille Crepe, 780 yen

8. Taiwan Ramen

Nagoya-style super spicy ramen. It is recommended by locals as the "must try" food when you're visiting Nagoya.

It is developed by a Taiwanese chef. The main ingredients include ground pork, garlic chives, garlic, chilli and spicy sauce.

Credit: Wiki (味仙の台湾ラーメン麺)

9. Spaghetti with Tomato Sauce (Ankake Spaghetti)

Yes, I know. It gets even more strange. Spaghetti with tomato sauce!

It has an unique sticky sauce with green peppers, onion and red wieners.

Credit: Wiki

10. Flat Noodle (Kishimen)

A broad and flat noodle in a sweet (and salty?) broth.

Red Miso Udon (味噌煮込みきしめん)

11. Red Bean Toast (Ogura Toast)

In Nagoya, pancakes with red bean paste are available in McDonalds.

Credit: Wiki

12. Shrimp Rice Crackers (Ebisenbei No Sato)

Shrimp crackers are famous in Aichi prefecture. In this shop, there are many varieties to choose from. You can see tourists purchasing boxes (!) of these shrimp rice crackers. They're so addictive.

This shop is available at 4F of the Chubu Central Airport. A great way to spend your coins before leaving Japan! Operating hours: 8:00-21:00

No, that is not a bag of shrimp crackers

Bonus:

Meshiya

This is a local restaurant that I stumbled upon after visiting the Osu Kannon Temple (大須観音). There were plenty of locals eating there. It has a buffet setting with plenty of fresh vegetables, grilled fish, hot dishes and miso soup. Great for budget travelers who want to eat (and spend money) like a local.

Name of Restaurant: ザめしや (名古屋上前津店)
Address: 〒460-0013　愛知県名古屋市中区上前津2-9-4
Operating hours: 11:00 - 2:00

Website

Traditional Japan cuisine

Must Buy - Akafuku Mochi in Nagoya Station

2016-12-08T03:53:00.000-08:00

There is a Japanese saying that "one must visit the Ise Grand Shrine at least once in life". Ise Grand Shrine is considered one of the most spiritual shrines in Japan.

Akafuku mochi is a local confection that is synonymous with Ise. It has been loved by worshippers for over 300 years.

Credit: Wiki

Akafuku mochi is pounded glutinous rice cake topped with red bean paste. It has 3 ridges in the sweet bean paste, which represents the clear water of the Isuzu Rive which flows through the Ise Grand Shrine Region.

Akafuku mochi is enjoyed with a tiny wooden spatula and shared among family and friends, symbolizing the deepening of bonds.

I like the taste and texture of Akafuku. The red bean paste is slightly sweet and the pounded glutinous rice cake is chewy. Great for a travel souvenir when you're visiting Japan!

Good news. Akafuku Mochi can be found in JR Nagoya Station. Keep an eye on this packaging at various department stores in Nagoya and Sakae.

Credit: Wiki

Of course, the best way to enjoy Akafuku mochi is inside a traditional tea house in Ise, served with Japanese hot tea.

赤福本店
Hours: 9:00 - 17:00
Address: 三重県伊勢市宇治中之切町26番地

Kansai Itinerary - Kyoto, Nara, Osaka and Kobe

2016-12-07T20:53:00.000-08:00

For our first trip to Japan, we went to Kansai (Kyoto, Nara, Osaka and Kobe) for a week. It was an amazing trip! I've listed out a sample itinerary to highlight the best places to visit during our 7 days 6 nights visit.

Day 1 - Kyoto

Our flight to Kansai airport was delayed for 2 hours. The place that we intended to have dinner was closed. As a result, we had ramen at the JR Kyoto Station.

Travel from Kansai Airport to JR Kyoto
Check in at New Miyako Hotel, Kyoto
Dinner: Hakata Ikkousha Ramen

Day 2 - Kyoto

Kyoto is a fascinating place. We spent the day blending into local culture. We went t the Nishiki market and Kiyomiza Temple. Unfortunately it started raining in the afternoon, so we didn't visit the Fushimi Inari Shrine (伏見稲荷大社) as planned. After the rain stopped, we went to the Gion District. We (again) had delicious ramen.

Morning: Nishiki Market
Brunch: Shinshindo Bakery
Visit the Kiyomizu Temple
Nightlife at Gion District and Geisha
Dinner: Ramen near Gion

Day 3 - Kyoto

A hot, sunny day. We took a trip to Western Kyoto to take the Sagano Romantic Train in Arashiyama. The bamboo groves were amazing. It was followed by special sushi set in a quiet neighbourhood. In the afternoon, we went to see the Golden Pavilion, which was shimmering in the sunlight. Ah, my eyes...

Morning: Sagano Romantic Train
Lunch: Budget Sushi Set
Afternoon: Visit the Golden Pavilion

Day 4 - Nara

After checking out of our hotel in Kyoto, we took our luggage to Nara. We stored our luggage in one of the coin operated lockers to begin our adventure wandering in the woods and chasing deers! It was pretty late when we arrived at our hotel in Osaka.

Day Trip to Nara
Check in at Sheraton Miyato Hotel, Osaka
Dinner: Dotonbori

Day 5 - Osaka

We purchased the Osaka Amazing Pass, intending to cruise around the Osaka Bay on a sightseeing ship. However, it started raining heavily! We headed to the Kuromon Market to eat pufferfish (fugu) instead. Fugu is a Japanese delicacy. It is prepared by experienced Japanese chefs to keep us from getting poisoned.

The Osaka Museum of Housing and Living was worth visiting. It consist of many re-created buildings in old Osaka.

Lunch: Kuromon Market
Visit the Osaka Museum of Housing and Living
Visit the Osaka Castle
Night View at the Umeda Sky Building
Dinner: Umeda

Day 6 - Kobe

It was an exciting day. We purchased a 500 yen discount ticket to Kobe and had the famous Kobe steak! It was followed by a visit to the Animal Kingdom.

Day Trip to Kobe

Lunch: Kobe Steak House
Kobe Animal Kingdom
Afternoon Tea: Motomachi Cake
Visit the Kitano-cho Plaza and Weather House
Dinner: Takoyaki

Day 7 - Osaka

Last day in Kansai. We did some final shopping at Umeda before heading to the airport. Abeno Harukas is located at the JR Tennoji Station. It is convenient to visit the observatory before traveling to the Kansai airport...

Shopping at Umeda
Qu'il fait bon
Take JR to Airport
Lunch: Takeaway sushi at Kansai airport
More shopping at the airport!

Day Trip from Kyoto: Tips for Traveling to Nara

2016-12-06T18:17:00.000-08:00

Nara is less than one hour travel from Kyoto. It is both easy and convenient to take a day trip to Nara from Kyoto. Travelers going to Nara usually have one distinct purpose: to chase deers (or be chased)!

We started our day trip in Kyoto, took the Kintetsu to Nara, and then head to Osaka for the night. We purchased the Nara-Ikaruga One Day Pass (奈良・斑鳩 1day チケット) which includes unlimited bus ride and round trip to Nara from Kyoto or Osaka.

We used this pass to travel from Kyoto to Osaka, while making a cursory pass through to Nara.

Why Nara?

Nara was Japan's first permanent capital established in 710 AD. During 710 to 784, Nara enjoyed great prosperity. Till now, eight temples, shrines and ruins remain and they are collectively referred to as "Historical Monuments of Ancient Nara".

Also, visiting the deers is a great bonding activity for the family.

Tip 1: What Type of Rail Pass?

The first tip is to decide what pass you'll be using. We purchased the Nara-Ikaruga One Day Pass because it included bus rides in Nara. This pass is ideal if you're on a day trip from Kyoto or Osaka. There are of course other options, such as the Kintetsu Rail Pass (1 day or 2 days).

If you wanted to visit Nagoya and Ise-Shime, Kintetsu Rail Pass (5 days) is a good choice. It is only 3800 yen and offers unlimited rides on the Kintetsu for 5 days.

You can check the Kintetsu timetable to check train times and fares. The Kintetsu railway has limited express, express and local trains.

We took the express train and 50 minutes later we're at Nara.

We found a coin locker near the exit of Kintetsu Nara Station to store our luggage. Then we're off to exploration!

Nara, here we come!

Tip 2: Nara Kintetsu Station

The JR Nara Station, is around 12 minutes away on foot. Hence, I would recommend traveling to Nara by Kintetsu, instead of JR to save time. A bus station is located near the Nara Kintetsu Station.

If you want to sample some local specialty food, I would recommend taking a walk into the shopping district from the exit of Nara Station. Specialty food in Nara include: persimmon leaf sushi (kakinohazushi) and soft rice cake (yomogimochi). You can witness the making of yomogimochi at Nakatanido (中谷堂). It is a traditional dessert which involves continuously hitting grounded rice with a wooden mallet.

Nara Kintetsu Station

Once you stepped out of the Nara station, you'll notice that the atmosphere is quite different than Kyoto. Nara has a rustic charm and it is surrounded by hints of Buddhism. For instance, you'll see this statute of a monk standing in front of a fountain. He is known to give money and food to people who have suffered in the past. Today, you'll likely find people donating and bowing to the living monks.

As you continue to follow you crowd, you'll see a shopping street that resembles that of Osaka. You'll find old coffee shops, pickled vegetable shops and vintage clothing items. Nara is rather famous for its pickled vegetables due to its long distance from the sea.

Shopping street

Tip 3: Feeding Deers at Nara Park

As you follow the crowd, you'll soon see a pond. Keep walking and you'll start to notice the smell of deers...

Nara Park was established in 1300. It is one of the oldest park in Japan. We spotted the first deer wandering near the park. The deers in Nara may look tame, but they can become quite aggressive when hungry. Often you'll see school girls screaming when being chased by hungry deers. The deers also ate a tourist's map. So beware of your belongings...

If you want to feed deers, look for the 150 yen signs around the park to purchase deer crackers. The deers are known to bow to visitors to be fed. The deers were selectively aggressive. I was lucky enough to feed some really gentle deers.

Tip 4: Group Photo at Todai-ji Temple (東大寺)

Todai-ji is a landmark in Nara. It is the largest wooden structure building and home to the Great Buddha. The entrance fee is 500 yen. We were accompanied by a group of students on our day of the visit. If you're brave enough, you can ask them to take a group photo with you!

The size of the Buddha inside Todai-ji is impressive.

On the day of our visit, we saw worshippers getting dressed for a ceremony to be held by a monk.

Tip 5: Don't Walk to the Kasuga Taisha Shrine!

After visiting the Todai-ji, we were a bit hesitant to wait for a bus, so we walked to Kasuga Taisha Shrine. It was a bad decision. Kasuga Taisha Shrine is actually quite far away and it involved quite a bit of climbing.

Kasuga Taisha was part of the "Historical Monuments of Ancient Nara", yet I have to say visiting the Todai-ji itself was quite enough. If you're only visiting Nara for a day trip, I would recommend skipping the Kasuga Taisha Shrine.

Credit: Wiki by Pundit

The deers found near the area were quite skinny. Probably due to the lack of deer crackers stalls and tourists that provide food?

Tip 6: Packing Lunch and Snacks is Always a Good Idea

We almost forgot lunch! We wandered off away from the shopping streets and tourist areas. It can be quite challenging to find food if you wander too far away into the forest areas.

We walked back to Nara Park. There was a restaurant that offered steamed rice and seafood, but it was closed for the day! At that point, we were hungry enough to consider snacking deer crackers! So we headed to one of the traditional tea garden hoping to find some food.

Luckily the shop sells congee and related snacks. A congee set costs 1000 yen. It is congee with miso, with side dishes, pickles and steamed egg roll.

I believe the congee set is vegetarian. This set is ideal for people who want to experience traditional Japanese food and try Nara specialty food. For those who would like to drink coffee, there is also a cake set provided in the menu.

They also provide a kind of special dessert, which tastes very similar to the yomogimochi that we tried earlier at Nakatanido, near the Kintetsu Nara Station.

Tip 7: Visit the Naramachi Early (and avoid Mondays)

The shops in Naramachi opens in 9:00 and gradually close at 16:00 to 17:00.

The Naramachi consists of special houses that were part of the merchant's traditional homes. It is quite similar to those found in Takayama Hida. The Lattic House, Nara Craft Museum and Imanshike Shoin Residence is closed on Mondays.

As we wander aimlessly in the streets of Naramachi, we found a supermarket. Hurray! This supermarket sells plenty of local food, including Nara pickles (yes, pickles again!). My mum really enjoy the taste of pickled vegetables.

We found a bus stop nearby and took the bus back to the Kintetsu Nara Station. It was then we realized how long we've been walking!

Tip 8: Don't Forget the Buddha Pudding!

I can't stress how much I love this Nara pudding! It tasted even better than Kobe pudding.

Before you leave Nara, you need to visit a special shop that sells Buddha related souvenirs inside the Kintetsu Nara Station. It also sells stationary, including stickers, plastic folders and T-shirts.

Do remember to drop by this shop to purchase this delciious Buddha Pudding!

Nara pudding. So cute!

In short. I'm quite satisfied with this impromptu day trip to Nara. We should have followed the direction of the maps and be less ambitious in visiting all the famous sites in Nara. I hope you'll find the travel tips useful for your next visit to Nara! :D

Ending our trip in Osaka

Kyoto - Golden Pavilion: Beautiful & Simmering in the Sunlight

2016-10-08T09:44:00.000-07:00

Kinkakuji (金閣寺), also known as the Golden Pavilion, is a Zen temple in northern Kyoto, with its top floors covered in gold leaf. In 1994, it was inscribed by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage. Currently it is one of the most visited sites in Kyoto.

After lunch at Denhichi Sushi, we continued our journey to visit the Kinkakuji.

Admission fee is 400 yen. The admission ticket has an unique design. The admission ticket takes the form of a lucky talisman. It has good luck and prosperity written all over it.

It was originally built at the end of the 14th century as a villa for Ashikaga Yoshimitsu. after his death, it was converted into a temple of Zen Buddhism.

Kinkakuji was burned down twice during a civil war. In 1950, it was burned down again by arson. A 21 year old monk set fire to the pavilion due to a sense of self hate and detestation of anything beautiful. The present building was rebuilt in 1955. Improvement works were done in 1987 to replace all of the gold leaf.

There were different scenes of the garden when you walk around the pond. there were carp fish swimming upstream. The bridges, stones and plants created a zen typology.

In the winter, the Golden Pavilion would be capped in snow. In the summer, you can see the golden pavilion shimmering in the lush green background.

I was not able to capture the reflection of the golden pavilion on the pond that day. However, it was amazing with the building shimmering in the sunlight.

The Golden Pavilion is surrounded by a Japanese strolling garden. It integrates building and the setting around it to create an artistic design.

There were people throwing coins at the stone carvings for luck.

It is worth visiting if you are interested in Japanese architecture and culture. I hope you'll get to see the gold leaf reflecting on the pond when you're there next time!

Kinkakuji (金閣寺)
Hours: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Address: 1 Kinkakuji-cho, Kita-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto

Kyoto - What to Eat Near Golden Pavilion

2016-10-06T23:37:00.000-07:00

We were quite pleased to find a local sushi store that doesn't break the bank! Denhichi Sushi serves over 30 different sets during lunch time. Located in Kitano-Hakubaicho, it is a great venue for lunch before (or after) visiting the Golden Pavilion.

Randen is a type of train that connects Arashiyama (嵐山) and Kitano-Hakubaicho (北野白梅町). The single journey cost 210 yen and took 29 minutes. It is a convenient way to visit the Golden Pavilion after you've finished your visit at Arashiyama.

It's almost lunch time when we arrived at Kitano-Hakubaicho. We had a quick look around and found a little shop that says "Denhichi Sushi". It is an old style Japanese building.

We followed a few locals and entered the shop.

Immediately we were warmly welcomed by the sushi master.

The menu consists of many set choices, ranging from 580 yen to 1980 yen. You can just point at the picture at the menu to order a particular sushi set.

I ordered a tempura set with sushi, 924 yen (including tax). The fried shrimp is crispy and not greasy. Salad was fresh and the sushi was good. Fried chicken was quite delicious. My mom was very satisfied with the food.

Overall, Denhichi Sushi is a good deal. You can enjoy the sushi experience for less than 1000 yen. There are around 30 different set combination to chose from. A sashimi set is also available for those who are on low-carb diet. I would definitely recommend this place to everyone visiting Kitano-Hakubaicho!

傳七すし白梅町店 (Denhichi Sushi)

11:30-14:00, 17:00-22:00
Tel: 075-463-9991
33-1 Kitanokamihakubaicho Kita-ku Kyoto Kyoto
京都府京都市北区北野上白梅町 33-1

Kyoto - Sagano Romantic Train: Arashiyama & Bamboo Groves

2016-10-05T07:40:00.000-07:00

The Sagano Scenic Railway (嵯峨野観光鉄道), also known as the "Romantic Train" or "Sagano Torokko" is a train that runs through Arashima and Kameoka. You can take the 25 minute journey to enjoy the views of the Hozugawa River.

Credit: Sagano-Kanko

The ticket can be bought at the Kameoka Torokko Station for 620 yen. I enjoyed my breakfast near the station. It was a beef cutlet sandwich (450 yen) from Sizuka and coffee.

During the journey, we encountered people rafting down the river. Before the opening of the JR Sanin line in 1895, transporting timber, grain, firewood and charcoal by boat was a thriving business. Rafting logs has now become a tourist attraction for those visiting Arashiyama.

The creatures found in the stations are raccoon dogs (also known as "Tanuki"). In Japanese folklore, Tanuki have shape shifting powers and are mischievous. Today, they are creatures that brings prosperity and business success.

Finally we've arrived at the Arasiyama Station.

The Mikami Shrine (御髪神社) is the only shrine that honors hair in Japan. It is a very small shrine near the JR Arasiyama Station. My mum was a bit conscious of thinning hair, so we paid a visit...

Inside, there were amulets in the form of a tiny comb. So cute!

We continued our journey to the bamboo groves. I would say it's a bit overrated. However, walking among the bamboo grove road is quite pleasant in the summer.

And there's yet another shrine.

The scenery after you've crossed the "Moon Crossing Bridge".

The Sagano Scenic Railway is a good way to spend a morning in Kyoto, especially during the spring and autumn season. It can be quite hot to walk around in the summer.

The Sagano Scenic Railway (嵯峨野観光鉄道)

Address: Sagatenryuji Kurumamichicho, Ukyo-ku Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
Operating hours: 9:30am - 6:30pm (Closed on Wednesdays)
* Trains do not operate in winter from 31 December to the end of February

Kyoto - How to Get to Kiyomizudera from Kyoto Station

2016-10-04T00:30:00.000-07:00

One of the must do in Kyoto is to visit the Kiyomizu Temple (清水寺), officially known as the Otowa-san Kiyomizu-dera (音羽山清水寺). With over 1,200 years of history, it is one of the signature UNESCO World Heritage sites in Kyoto.

Update: The main hall of Kiyomizu Temple will undergo large scale repair work from Spring 2017. It is expected to be completed by 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. Visitors will still be able to worship the main hall.

The temple was associated with one of the oldest schools within Japanese Buddhism. It is best known for its wooden stage that is 13 meters above the hillside below.

Getting to Kiyomizu Temple is rather easy. You can take the Route #206 or #100 bus from the bus station outside JR Kyoto. The "Kyoto City Bus One-Day Pass" is 500 yen. It can be purchased from one of the vending machines near the bus station.

It will take approximately 15 minutes to get to the Kiyomizu Temple by bus. The entrance fee is 300 yen for adult.

The place was crowded with high school students and avid believers.

The main hall of the Kiyomizu Temple is supported by 139 pillars. It is constructed using a wood building method called "Kazezukuri" which does not use a single nail or peg. A closer look reveal the details of the architecture built over 1,000 years ago.

Jishu Shrine (地主神社) is known as the cupid in Japan.

Its main god, Okuninushi no Mikoto, is a god that promotes endless love, wisdom and happiness. Many are here to pray for finding love and long lasting relationships.

Otowa Waterfall (音羽の滝) has water divided into three streams and it has wish-granting powers. Visitors would drink water from one of the streams. However, if one drinks from all three streams, it will be considered greedy and none of the benefits will be granted.

Accordingly, the left stream is for academic achievement, the middle stream is for success in love and the right stream is for longevity.

Kiyomizu Temple (清水寺)
Address: 294 Kiyomizu 1-chome, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture 605-0862, Japan
Opening hours: 6:00am - 6:00pm

Kyoto - All You Can Eat Breakfast Buffet at Shinshindo

2016-10-02T21:39:00.000-07:00

If Komeda is the must try coffee chain store in Nagoya, then Shinshindo is the must try in Kyoto! Their bread tastes awesome. Quick, put this on your to do list in Kyoto.

Shinshindo was founded in 1913 in Kyoto, Japan. The founder Hitoshi Tsuzuki was the first Japanese baker to visit Paris to learn authentic French baking.

I was told that during breakfast period (7:00-11:00), you can have as much bread as you like when you order "Premium Breakfast" or "Special Breakfast". However, this bread buffet is only available in the Kitayama branch (北山店) and the Sanjo branch (三条河原町店). The Sanjo branch has a European style interior decoration.

If you're in a hurry, consider purchasing bread from one of the bakery shops (indicated in green). My mum bought a custard bun from bakery store in the central exit of JR Kyoto Station. She highly recommend the bun. As for me, I purchased and ate an Apricot and Custard Danish. The quality was really good, considering that I left it overnight :P

Then we went to have breakfast at one of the bakery & self-style cafe (indicated in yellow) on the next day! The coffee and sandwiches were also delicious.

Here's a map of the Shinshindo shops in Kyoto (courtesy of Shinshindo):

Credit: Shinshindo

進々堂 JR京都駅前店
電話：075-342-5013
地址：京都市下京区烏丸通塩小路下る東塩小路町902（京都駅前JRバスチケットセンター内）
營業：6:30～22:00

Kyoto - Best Pork Ramen at JR Kyoto Station

2016-10-02T21:37:00.000-07:00

Creamy pork bone soup. Thinly sliced flat noodles. Soft savory cha-siu pork.

What's better than a bowl of hot delicious ramen when you've first arrived at Kyoto?

Till today, I still dream about this bowl of ramen.

Our flight was delayed for an hour. It was already late when we arrived at Kyoto.

Finding dinner has quickly became our first priority after checking in at our hotel near the JR Kyoto Station.

Luckily, we were able to locate the Kyoto Ramen Koji right away. It is located on the 10th floor of the Kyoto Station Building (West Zone). The last order is 21:30. Still have time, excellent.

After a round of observation on the 10th floor, we've decided to have ramen at Hakata Ikkousha. I ordered "Cha-siu ramen with ﬂavored boiled egg and scallions 1,150 yen".

You'll have to order the ramen via vending machines outside the restaurant. First decide on the item to order and put sufficient cash (preferably ￥1,000 yen bills and coins) into the machine. Press the "Otsuri (おつり)" button to get the change back. Then hand the printed ticket to one of the staffs. The staff will read the ticket out aloud. You can then take a seat and wait for the food to come.

Ikkousha Hakata is actually derived from the Hakata region, the city of Fukuoka, Kyushu, Japan. Hakata ramen has became one of the most popular type of ramen in Japan. The famous Ichiran Ramen (一蘭) is Hakata ramen and it has been rated by many as one of the best ramen in Japan.

My opinion? Hakata Ikkousha is even better than Ichiran!

The pork bone broth is rich and tasty. The noodles and the char-siu pork are thinly sliced. The problem is that you'll start to feel full after eating 2/3 of ramen due to the melted fat in the broth...

Yet, a great and cheap solution when you're in a rush. Try it the next time when you're in Kyoto (or Hakata)!

Ikkousha Hakata (博多一幸舎)

Kyoto Station Building (West Zone), 10th ﬂoor,
at the south side of the department store and DaiKaidan
11：00 ～22：00（L O 21:30）
Open 11:00～22:00 (Last order 21:30)
Closed days / Unscheduled holidays

Hokkaido - Must Buy: Rokkatei Butter Cream Sandwich

2016-10-02T03:30:00.000-07:00

It's worth mentioning about the most famous shop in Hokkaido: Rokkatei.

Rokkatei is famous for its desserts, in particular, butter cream sandwich (マルセイバターサンド). The main ingredients include Hokkaido butter and rum infused raisins. I would definitely recommend this to everyone visiting Hokkaido! This buttery rum-infused biscuit is delicious!!

The expiry date is ten days after purchase

The Rokkatei head office is just a three minute walk away from the JR Sapporo Station. It has a more modern outlook than the little store inside Hokkaido Shrine.

Rokkatei (六花亭札幌本店)
Address: 札幌市中央区北4条西6丁目3-3

Hokkaido - Toya Kanko Hotel Review (Breakfast & Surroundings)

2016-10-02T02:58:00.000-07:00

Mema woke me up at 5 a.m. to see the beautiful sunrise at Lake Toya. She told me there's a cat wandering at the pier.

As a cat lover, I quickly grabbed my camera and rushed down to the pier to search for it. Yet, there is no sign of any cat...

And suddenly, when I turned around....

There he is, sitting on a post that said foot "bath"!

Look, his coat is so clean and shiny..... Clearly the cat noticed someone crazily meowing at him, but he chose to ignore me. The cat looked a bit mean and I fear he may scratch or bite me because I'm an annoying human. ~~I nicknamed him "Big Balls"~~ (it's so obvious why!) XD

So I went to the other side of the pier to take photos. The cat followed me and pretended to drink water nearby! I was so surprised to see something furry sneaking by...

Finally I'm able to touch his back when he's distracted! His fur was so soft.

Japanese cats are so clean and graceful ♪

And meeting with "Big Balls" was my best memory of Hokkiado ლ(=ↀωↀ=)ლ

I played with the cat for a while... and went off to breakfast!

It was a traditional Japanese breakfast buffer with seasonal produce. Mema was really pleased with the variety of vegetables presented.

There are quite a number of root vegetables offered in the buffet, including white radish (daikon), yam (nagaimo), lotus rot (renkon) and burdock root (gobo). It is a really healthy meal.

Hokkaido is famous for its potatoes. It accounts for 2/3 of all the potatoes grown in Japan. The Danshaku variety, in particular, was highly prized for its thick consistency and savoriness.

The tranquil grassland and sunny weather also made Hokkaido the biggest agricultural area in Japan. Remember to indulge in the diary products, including lots of milk, pudding, butter, cheese and ice-cream during your stay!

Lake-Hill Farm is the place to eat some ice-cream before you go!

レークヒル・ファーム (Lake Hill Farm)
〒049-5724 北海道虻田郡洞爺湖町花和127
TEL: 0120-83-3376

Hokkaido - Manners & Etiquette at a Japanese Shrine

2016-10-02T02:55:00.000-07:00

Today marks our first visit to a Japanese shrine!

Hokkaido Shrine is located in Maruyama Park, Sapporo, Japan.

It is believed that the Meiji Emperor selected three protecting deites of the reclamation of Hokkaido - God of Okunitama, God of Onamuchi and God of Sukunahikona - and enshrined them here.

To visit a Japanese shrine, take one of the ladles provided near the purification fountain near the shrine's entrance. Then fill it with water and follow these 3 steps:

Take the water ladle on the right hand to wash the left hand.
Take the ladle with your left hand to wash the right hand.
Take the water ladle on the right hand, pour water on the left hand and wash your mouth.

To pray, throw a coin in the offertory box. A five yen (hole coin), which is considered a lucky charm in Japan is generally used. The Japanese word for "5 yen" have the same pronunciation as "forming ties", including affection and friendship.

After throwing the coin, ring the bell to call the god into the shrine. Deeply bow twice, clap twice, make your wish and deeply bow once before leaving.

No, this is not a Japan God

Afterwards, you can purchase ema and/or omamori. Ema are small wooden plaques where you can write your wishes and hang them in the shrine.

Credit: Pixabay

Omamori, on the other hand, are amulets to ward off evil spirits or bring good fortune. There are many omamori in different colors and they have different benefits, ranging from business success, educational success, family safety to safe delivery.

Credit: Wiki

According with Japanese tradition, you should keep it with you to receive its benefits. The benefit lasts for a year. Many Japanese would return the omamori to the shrine to thank the gods after their wishes have been fulfilled.

Credit: Pixabay

Hokkaido - Toya Kanko Hotel Review (Room & Dinner)

2016-09-29T00:41:00.000-07:00

I stayed at the Toya Kanko Hotel during my stay at Lake Toya, Hokkaido.

Lake Toya is situated in the southwestern part of Hokkiado, just 2 hours away from the New Chitose Airport by train. It is a relaxating vacation spot for family and friends of all ages.

After checking in at Toya Kanko Hotel, it's already dinner time!!

If you stay at a Ryokan, dinner is usually the highlight. The Japanese dinner (Kaiseki) consists of multi-course Japanese style haute cuisine. Meals often feature local and seasonal specialties.

For starter, there is a seaweed salad mixed with bean curd. The plum tastes amazing!

Main courses include sliced raw fish (sashimi): squid, sweet shrimp and mackerel dressed in vinegar based sauce. The steamed dish is savory egg custard (chawanmushi). There is also deep fried fish, boiled pumpkin with minced pork and shiitake mushroom with scallop.

The shokuji set consists of miso soup, pickles (tsukemono) and rice with diced chicken.

For dessert, there is pineapple and mango pudding.

Ryokan is a great way to experience Japanese lifestyle: Tatami floors and futon beds and communal hot bath! There is a bath for the ladies and the other for men. The first thing is to wash yourself at the seated shower station before entering the hot bath.

I would highly recommend staying at a ryokan for at least one night to enjoy this traditional Japanese experience.

The average cost of a ryokan stay is about 15,000 to 20,000 yen, per person per night.

In summer, there is fireworks at Lake Toya....

The fireworks cruise is also available.

I would recommend staying at the Toya Kanko Hotel. It is affordable and the location is great. In summer, you can see the fireworks without leaving the hotel room.

Read on to see what breakfast is like. We also get to see a special guest!

Seoul - Tips for Transit Flight at Incheon Airport

2016-08-24T02:30:00.000-07:00

Seoul Incheon Airport is absolutely my favorite airport. There are so many reasons why it's the perfect location to stop over, especially during long flights to the United States.

Here are some of my hidden favorite tips and tricks for those who are having a layover at the Incheon Airport...

There are so many things that I'm going to miss in Seoul: the traditional food dining experiences, cat cafes, hanbok experience, eating sesame instant noodles from a copper pot lid, getting naked at a Korean spa, the surprisingly delicious blood sausage...

However, it's time to move on!

The boarding gate is a bit far away, but still, plenty of time to explore! Let's start....

Tips for Transit Flight at the Seoul Incheon Airport

Here are some tips for taking full advantage of the time at Seoul Incheon Airport...

1. Free Shower

I cannot stress how rejuvenating a shower feels after hours of flight, crammed in a tiny space. There is free shower and free toiletries provided at Incheon Airport. The bathtub and cat are not included. Operating hours: 7:00-21:30.

Credit: Pixabay

2. Traditional Crafts Experience

I was also able to create a traditional Korean clay mask. I happen to miss the previous Korean fan painting session.

My finished product looks depressing. That mask suffered hours of squashing and the melting heat before it was released from the bag. Total destruction. Look at the tears rolling down his eyes (?)

3. Folk Music Performance

It was more like a folk music performance. The lady was playing a bamboo flute (Danso). She blushed when I took pictures.

4. Royal Parade in Traditional Garments

The royal parade is performed 3 times per day. There you can take photos with the performers!

5. Free Massage Chairs

Need I say more about that? It's actually one of the hidden places. It's located on the fourth floor of the passenger terminal near the "Rest and Relax" area.

Credit: Pixabay

6. Cultural Museum

There is a cultural museum on Korean history and mini art galleries.

Credit: Pixabay

7. Tax Refund

You're eligible for tax refund when you spend more than 30,000 won (including tax). Just keep and sign the receipt. It is eligible for foreigners visiting Korea for less than 6 months.

Credit: Pixabay

8. Free Internet Zone (Public Access Computer)

Seoul is also known as the "bandwidth capital of the world". The Wi-Fi connection in the airport is really fast. I was able to make a few video chat via "FaceTime".

Credit: Pixabay

9. Free Transit Tours

A free, guided transit tour is available throughout the day for transfer passengers. The information desks are located throughout the passenger terminal.

Credit: Pixabay

Monitor Blood Pressure

Day Trip from Takayama - Trendy Things to Do in Hida Furukawa

1. Feed the Carps

2. Dress in Kimono

3. Visit the Honko-ji Temple

4. Purchase Sake and Bracelet in "Kimi no Na Wa"

5. Visit the Hida City Library

6. Visit the Keta Wakamiya Shrine

7. Support Local Farmers

Seoul & Incheon Filming Locations in Goblin: The Lonely and Great God

Credit: TvN

1. Zino (지노)

2. BBQ Chicken Jongno Store (BBQ치킨 종로관철점)

3. Baskin Robbins Seocho Branch (배스킨라빈스 서초우성점)

4. Konkuk University (건국대학교)

5. JF Design Flower (제이에프디자인플라워)

6. Songhyeon Geunrin Park (송현근린공원)

7. Cheongna Lake Park (청라호수공원)

You Might Also Be Interested In:

Takayama - Hida Hotel Plaza Review (Food & Cuisine)

1. Review: Japanese Restaurant "Hana Chaya" (Dinner)

2. Review: Japanese Restaurant (Breakfast)

3. Review: French Restaurant Bonjour (Dinner)

Ski Resort in Goblin: The Lonely and Great God

1. Yong Pyong Ski Resort (용평리조트)

2. Woljeongsa Temple (월정사전나무숲길)

3. Haetalgyo (해탈교)

4. Seoknamsa (석남사)

5. Mirinae Holy Site (미리내성지)

You Might Also Be Interested In:

Takayama - Hida Hotel Plaza Review (Room & Facilities)

1. Location, Location, Location

2. Spacious Room

3. Stylish Onsen Bath

4. Tasty Treats & Shiitake Tea with Black Pepper

5. Gift Shop Inside the Hotel

6. Breakfast Buffet & Local Specialties

7. Japanese Cuisine

8. French Cuisine

9. Local Supermarket

Korea Filming Locations in Goblin: The Lonely and Great God

1. Deoksugung Stone Wall Road (덕수궁 돌담길)

2. Yunung Nang Palace (덕성여자대학교양관)

3. North Village Central High School (북촌중앙고등학교)

4. Duksung Woman's University （덕성여자고등학교）

5. Mocha Study (맥심 모카책방)

6. Hanmi Book Store (한미 서점)

7. Barley Farm（보리나라 학원농장）

8. Bridge

9. BBQ Olive Chicken Café

10. dal.komm coffee, Balsan Branch（달콤커피 발산역점）

11. Jumunjin (주문진)

12. Xury Kim’s Raramuri（셔리킴의 라라무리）

Quebec Filming Locations in Goblin: The Lonely and Great God

1. Plains of Abraham

2. Rue du Petit Champlain

3. La Boutique de Noel

4. Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac

5. The Parliament Gardens

6. Hotel la Maison Demers

Traveling from Nagoya to Takayama

Lower Layer

Upper Layer

Nagoya - International Hotel Nagoya (Sakae) Review

Nagoya - Which is Better To Stay, Nagoya Station or Sakae?

1. Oasis 21

Credit: Pixabay

2. Sunshine Sakae

3. Nagoya TV Tower

4. Izakaya

What an Izakaya looks likeA variety of food is available inside Izakaya

5. Japanese Arcade Chain & Bookstores

6. Don Quijote

7. Hisaya-Odori Park

8. La Chic

9. ESCA Underground Shopping Mall

10. Complexity of the Nagoya Station

12 Foods You Must Try in Nagoya

1. Deep Fried Pork Cutlet with Red Miso

2. Deep Fried Spicy Chicken Wings (Tebasaki)

What an Izakaya looks like

A variety of food is available inside Izakaya

傳七すし白梅町店 (Denhichi Sushi)