Blog Hiatus: We’re Heading To Japan!

James and I will be spending the next two weeks in Japan exploring Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara, Koyasan and Osaka. So, to keep you guys entertained until we get back, here’s a quick roundup of all our previous Japan-related travel blog posts from our trip way back in 2012. When we return, we’ll be able to update our archive with tons of new stuff! Who knows, we might even be able to get a few posts in over there! Wish us luck and check back soon!

1. THE VIVID COLOURS OF TOKYO

We kicked off our first hour in Shibuya sipping drinks at Starbucks and munching on a shared green tea macaron. Miraculously, we managed to find a seat in the crowded café. The little outlet overlooks the Shibuya crossing. The crossing itself is quite a wonder. Being one of the busiest intersections in the world, it is known to cater to more than 3 million people each day! 

2. RAIN OVER SAWTOOTH MOUNTAIN

Our plan was to hike Nokogiri-yama (“Sawtooth Mountain”), a mountainous area littered with over a thousand little tokai arhats (carved statues of spiritual practitioners). We were going to visit the Daibutsu (“giant Buddha”), which is the largest stone statue of Buddha in Japan. 

3. A DAY TRIP TO KAMAKURA

Kamakura (鎌倉市) is a small coastal town located in Kanagawa Prefecture, south of Tokyo. Home to an impressive number of temples, shrines and historical monuments, it makes a good day trip destination if you’re interested in Kamakura’s beautiful architectural heritage. By train, it takes about an hour to get from Tokyo Station to Kamakura Station. 

4. NOGEYAMA ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS

The Nogeyama Zoological Gardens first opened its gates to visitors over 60 years ago. It is located on a hill in Nogeyama Park, Nishi-ku (西区). Covering a modest 9.6 hectares, it houses about a thousand animals of about 90 different species. That’s pretty decent for a little zoo tucked away in a rather secluded corner of Yokohama. 

5. NAKAMISE STREET & TOKYO TOWER

A short walk from Asakusa Station, Nakamise Street is a street on the approach to Sensō-ji Temple, Tokyo’s oldest temple. The street is believed to have originated during the early 18th century when neighbours of Sensō-ji were granted permission to set up shops along the way to the temple. Over 200 metres long, there are more than 150 small stores that line the street. 

6. BLUE SKIES OVER UENO PARK

Ueno park, established in 1873, was built on land that used to belong to the temple of Kan’ei-ji. Its sprawling grounds are home to several attractions, including a number of temples and shrines, prominent museums, a baseball field, a zoo renowned for its giant pandas, and the Shinobazu Pond, which is actually an impressive 16 hectare lake home to extensive lotus beds, large carp, an assortment of water birds and Bentendo Temple. 

7. THE EAST GARDENS OF THE IMPERIAL PALACE

The Imperial Palace East Gardens (皇居東御苑, Kōkyo Higashi Gyoen) are a part of the inner palace area and are open to the public. They are the former site of Edo Castle’s innermost circles of defense, the honmaru (“main circle”) and ninomaru (“secondary circle”). None of the main buildings remain today, but the moats, walls, entrance gates and several guardhouses still exist. 

8. DAIDAIYA @ QUEEN’S SQUARE
YOKOHAMA [AT!]

Located on the fourth floor of Queen’s Square Yokohama [at!], the stylish restaurant boasts a spacious interior with pleasantly modern furnishing and amazing panoramic views of Cosmo World and the harbour. They offer an array of beautiful fusion-oriented dishes that are charmingly original and creative. 

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