Off-the-Beaten-Path Travel Stories

October 30, 2020October 30, 2020eating, japan, tokyo

Hitting up mr. kanso, a Canned Food Bar in Tokyo

Mr. kanso is a quirky canned food bar chain with around 50 locations across Japan and Taiwan. I visited one to check out the unusual concept.

October 17, 2020October 24, 2023autumn, chubu, japan, travel

Hiking to Happo Pond in Hakuba: A Breathtaking Experience

Hiking Happo Pond is a breathtaking experience that should be on the bucket list of any nature lover or photographer. Here’s what to expect.

September 25, 2020September 25, 2020japan, tokyo

This Abandoned Konbini in Saitama has Major Ghibli Vibes

In the quiet suburbs of Saitama Prefecture, an abandoned konbini has charmed explorers for its Ghibli-like vibes. And for good reason.

September 13, 2020September 13, 2020japan, tokyo

Tokorozawa Sakura Town + teamLab: A Photographer’s Dream

Kadokawa Culture Museum, Tokorozawa Sakura Town

Tokorozawa Sakura Town and teamLab have added the cool factor to Saitama Prefecture. Here are some highlights of this photogenic complex!

August 19, 2020August 19, 2020japan, life, personal

Review: 5 Reusable Masks for the New Normal

I decided to review five different types of reusable masks I’ve used during this pandemic, based on the metrics of price, comfort, functionality and aesthetic.

August 5, 2020August 5, 2020eating, tokyo

KOMEDA is □: A Vegan Cafe With a Blank in its Name

Komeda Is □ is the famous coffee chain’s first foray into vegan food, based on the concept of sustainable living and “taking a break from meat for a day.”

July 27, 2020June 9, 2021japan, summer, travel

Hotel R9 The Yard: Stay in a Shipping Container

Hotel R9 The Yard is a fresh Japanese hotel chain based on the concept of staying in shipping containers. Is this the future of travel while social distancing?

June 26, 2020June 26, 2020japan, life, tokyo

Inside Ikea Harajuku: First City-Style Store in Japan

Ikea Harajuku, which opened on June 8, is the Swedish furniture chain’s first city-style store in Japan. But does it still have meatballs and ball pits?

June 13, 2020June 13, 2020chubu, japan, travel

Fukui Dinosaur Museum: A Taste of Jurassic Park in Japan

Fossils inside the permanent exhibit at the Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum

The Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum is Japan’s largest dinosaur museum, and quite possibly the biggest draw to the country’s least visited prefecture.

May 29, 2020January 27, 2023china, personal, travel

A Tale of China Southern Airlines’ Kickass Customer Service

China Southern Airlines wing shot (courtesy of Faraway526101 from Pixabay)

China Southern offers free hotel stays for long layovers in Guangzhou, but I initially had no idea. Cue this tale of their kickass customer service.