Off-the-Beaten-Path Travel Stories

May 5, 2019May 5, 2019japan, spring, tokyo, travel

My Semi-Disastrous Izu Islands-Hopping Trip

My Izu Islands-hopping plan was simple: 5 days, 5 islands. Kozushima, Shikinejima, Niijima, Toshima, Oshima. Unfortunately, things didn’t exactly turn out as planned.

April 16, 2019April 13, 2023japan, life, spring, tokyo, travel

5 Last Minute Golden Week Ideas to Avoid Inflated Prices

Here are 5 last-minute Golden Week ideas for those of us who have missed the cheap flights, but still want to make full use of the 10-day holiday!

April 4, 2019February 2, 2023chubu, spring, tokyo

Fuji Shibazakura Festival: Get Those Spring Feels

Fuji Shibazakura Festival, Mt Fuji and mini Mt. Fuji

Missed the cherry blossom season in Tokyo? Never fear! You can still enjoy shibazakura (moss phlox) long after the cherry trees have sprouted leaves.

March 21, 2019March 21, 2019japan, life, tokyo

UNKOOOO! A Look Inside the Poop Museum Yokohama

The newly-opened Poop Museum in Yokohama shows just how fun Japan has made something traditionally seen as gross. Read a firsthand report on a day of UNKO!

March 9, 2019January 29, 2023eating, japan, spring, summer, tokyo

Nanaya Matcha Ice Cream: World’s Most Intense Green Tea Gelato

Suzukien x Nanaya Matcha level 7 ice cream

Nanaya Gelato boasts the world’s strongest matcha (powdered green tea) flavour with its ice cream range featuring 7 levels of matcha intensity.

March 3, 2019February 2, 2023japan, life, spring, tokyo, travel

Matsuda Cherry Blossom Festival: See Sakura in February!

The climb up to Nishihira Park, Matsuda Cherry Blossom Festival

Only 80 mins from Tokyo, the Matsuda Cherry Blossom Festival offers the chance to see the early-blooming Kawazuzakura as early as February.

February 23, 2019October 24, 2022asia, china, life

5 Essential Websites for Living in China

In my year or so living in China, I discovered a number of Chinese websites which proved indispensable to my sanity. Let me introduce them to you.

February 16, 2019October 24, 2023japan, life, tokyo

BURLESQUE Tokyo: For First-timers to Roppongi Nightlife

Wall art near the entrance to BURLESQUE Tokyo

Located in one of the centres of nightlife, Roppongi, BURLESQUE Tokyo mixes Japanese underground culture with sexy cabaret and a dash of otaku-ism.

February 9, 2019October 18, 2022asia, dprk, eating, korea, travel

A Review of North Korean Snacks: Expectation vs Reality

During my trip last September, I was able to purchase 5 North Korean snacks from a local supermarket. Here’s my honest opinion of how each snack tasted.

February 2, 2019October 24, 2022asia, china, travel

A Guide to Kaiping China: the Land of Overseas Chinese

I spent hours researching for my visit to Kaiping, China. Here’s a DIY guide to help other ABCs and English-speakers explore the diaolou and their roots!