Showing posts with label Japan. Show all posts

Dose of Art and Architecture at Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum | Japan

Marky Ramone Go June 01, 2020

Rambling mindlessly around Tokyo to random directions took me to Ueno Park where I stumbled upon an interesting looking brick-faced building. Upon closer inspection, I learned that it is the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum. Despite my novice knowledge in art, I welcomed the serendipitous chance for some artsy-fartsy exploration and hurriedly walked in.

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A Walk Along the Streets of Tokyo (part two)

Marky Ramone Go April 09, 2020

After spending the first couple of days under the mercy of a gloomy sky, the sun finally appeared in all its shining glory on the third day. The bright daylight coupled with the wind of the autumn season made for a perfect brisk walking condition—and walked I did—for miles and miles over sidewalks and subway floors. Every thump of my feet got audibly in harmony among the multitude of Japanese commuters’ rickety medley of footsteps, that sounded like an orchestral beat box.

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One Fine Autumn Day in Nikko | Japan

Marky Ramone Go August 15, 2019

As I stare at the carved maxim of the three wise monkeys pinned on an overhead panel at Tōshō-gū, the proverbial mantra it personifies was made apparent to me almost immediately; "See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil". Recognizing where I stood at that very moment, surrounded by temples—concealed under a canopy of autumn leaves—I couldn’t fathom how any of my senses can conjure a negative energy.

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24 Hours in Kyoto | Japan

Marky Ramone Go February 02, 2018

The city of Kyoto dishes an opportunity for travelers to explore and learn more about Japan’s rich history, culture and traditions.

A day or two of exploring Kyoto riding the city’s highly effective mass transit system — and to some, pedaling on a bicycle — shall give you the chance to tick off a majority of the city’s 17 World UNESCO Heritage Sites. The Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto encompasses a wealth of knowledge representing Japan’s rich history dating back to the 10th century.

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Where to Stay in Osaka | Karaksa Hotel

Marky Ramone Go January 03, 2017

Whether you went to get cultured at Kyoto or eat your heart out in Osaka, you can come home to the inviting comfort of Karaksa Hotel, especially designed for the smart Asian traveler. Inside, there’s everything you need for a cozy stay. The rooms are fully-air conditioned and equipped with hot and cold shower, all of which contains the basic necessities like the latest flat screen TV, universal sockets with USB ports, bath towels, hair dryer, suitcase storage under the bed, Japanese-style bidet, mini refrigerator, toothbrush set, shampoo, conditioner and face soap, pajamas, sanitized slippers. There’s also a mini desk area if you have an urgent work to check. The room sizes include double-decker and Hollywood twin for 2 adults and their child, and connecting room for group of friends or bigger families. The average room size is 18 sqm.

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Deer hunting (for selfies) and heritage sites in Nara, Japan

Marky Ramone Go November 22, 2016

‘OH, deer,” I muttered to myself as I sensed how these lovely creatures seem to almost outnumber us two-legged humans, who are all trying to corner them into taking selfies in the park that day. An estimated 1,200 sika deer romp the grounds of Nara Park every day in paramount freedom enjoying an almost rock-star status, brought about by their historical designation as messenger of the Gods for many centuries. According to a story handed down from more than a thousand years ago, Takemikazuchi, a Shinto God from Kasuga Shrine, descended from his world and appeared at Mount Mikasa riding a white deer. In the aftermath of World War II, the deer’s ‘divine’ distinction was replaced by a ‘national treasure’ designation, to ensure their protection while at the same time, tapering down their religious significance.

'Feeding one of the many Deer with deer cracker

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Kyoto: Of polite people, tidy streets, heritage sites, fascinating culture and then some

Marky Ramone Go November 12, 2016

It was almost to the year when I capped my first trip to Japan by spending days walking aimlessly around Tokyo—getting lost while discovering the character of its gigantic city spread over towering skyscrapers and spacious sidewalks filled with hastening crowd. A total of 12 days constituted my first foray into the Land of the Rising Sun, and yet, I still desire for more. Only India had me yearning for a return trip to the same country too soon—and in Japan I felt that same attraction quite hard to resist.

the winding bamboo path leading to Tenryū-ji temple

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Mouthing 'OMG' while Feasting on Ōmi Beef—a Popular Wagyu Beef in Japan

Marky Ramone Go November 03, 2016

A trip to Shiga prefecture in the Kansai district of Japan won’t be complete until you roll your tongue on the mouthwatering Ōmi beef the region is known for. Billed as one of the top three kinds of Wagyu beef in Japan—along with Matsusaka beef and Kobe beef—Ōmi beef is also considered as the oldest beef brand in Japan. Accordingly, Omi Beef is sourced from the Japanese Black (Kuroge Washu) beef cattle breed that make up for over 90% of all Wagyu raised in Japan.

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Things to Do in Universal Studios Osaka, Japan

Marky Ramone Go October 20, 2016

What does it feel like being Harry Potter for a day? Or chasing bad guys hopping from one building to the next ala Spidey? All that plus a lot more becomes a reality inside the magical world of Universal Studios in Osaka, Japan. Japan has become a popular travel destination for Filipinos in recent years mainly because of the appeal of its rich culture and traditions, sumptuous cuisines, efficient mass transport system, neat cities and theme parks that blows your mind with unending thrills and excitement.

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The Great Food Raid in Nagoya and its Surrounding Prefecture

Marky Ramone Go August 31, 2016

The country of Japan always ranks high among the best food destinations in the world. Even prior to setting foot in this land of the rising sun, every time I see myself circling buffet tables I always dive first on the Japanese food section, filling my plate with all sorts of Maki rolls and sashimi. When the Ramen craze hit town, I made it a point to try out one Japanese restaurant each week and order a different ramen flavor. Even though I am hundred thousands of miles away from the real thing, my worship of Japanese cuisine mirrors cult-like proportion.

Asari Kamamabushi Gozen Meal

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Learning the Art of Creating Food Replicas in Gujo Hachiman, Japan

Marky Ramone Go May 20, 2016

Even though food replicas are a common sighting upon entering most Japanese restaurants, I often give zero care at its creation process nor its origin. Totally lost on me are the amount of craftsmanship and skills required to mold each food replica items from drippings of wax. Joining the Cebu Pacific Nagoya Familiarization trip changed all my indifference towards this form of art. I got the opportunity to learn more about this inventiveness when we made a pit stop at Gujo, Hachiman to visit the Iwasaki Mokei or otherwise known as the “Sample Village Iwasaki”.

Stratworks' charming Kezia holding her lettuce creation

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A Walk Along the Streets of Tokyo (part one)

Marky Ramone Go February 16, 2016

The lyrics to an Audioslave song hums in my head “I walk the streets of Japan till I get lost. Cause it doesn't remind me of anything”, as I find myself on a slow stride along the random streets of Tokyo. Fresh visuals regales me everywhere I direct my gaze, regardless of the countless films I watched beforehand set on this bustling city of 13 million souls. Exploring a new city always presents the best feeling in the world – the sensation of not knowing what situates around the bend, only learning about it as I turn and walk closer, gifts me with an ultimate high always reminding me why I love to travel.

The unwavering lights of Tokyo are in rhythm to the constant movement of its people

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Autumn Breaks at the UNESCO World Heritage Village of Shirakawa-go

Marky Ramone Go January 24, 2016

With a couple of mornings already under my belt, my Japan experience continues to defy my expectations. Expecting to be greeted by towering skyscrapers that dots the skylines of Tokyo and other cities in this country of the rising sun, our trip so far, impresses me with endless postcard-like countryside scenery. Directing my gaze outside our bus window, I see the gleaming landscape in the process of changing hues as the lush forests from the distance starts to adapt to the incoming autumn season. As a newbie traveler in Japan, I am also experiencing for the first time the forthcoming fall season.

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Connectivity on the Road Made Possible by Flytpack Travel WiFi

Marky Ramone Go January 02, 2016

Internet connectivity when on the road has become one of the must-haves of today’s legion of travelers. There are so many things you can do when you plug yourself to the World Wide Web, and among the many travel apps, one can instantly create travel plans on the go. Using Google Maps, consulting TripAdvisor and booking hotels through AirBnb, makes life on the road so much easier. Doing so though, can amount to a huge part of your travel budget. I still remember the outrageous bill that greeted me upon my arrival from Hanoi, Vietnam three years ago when I used my roaming connectivity to use the internet while traveling. 3,500 pesos for a few hundreds of data is just too much.

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Boarding One Piece’s Thousand Sunny Pirate Ship in Gamagori | Japan

Marky Ramone Go November 27, 2015

Coinciding with our visit to Gamagōri in the Achi Prefecture is the docking of the pirate ship The Thousand Sunny from the popular Japanese manga series One Piece. As someone who is oblivious to the world of manga, I was fortunate to have gotten a quick recap about the story of the ship from a fellow travel writer Mica, who has previous knowledge about the series. According to her, the Thousand Sunny is the ship acquired by the Straw Hat Pirates—a group of misfits comprising the lead characters of One Piece—that figured prominently in both the manga volumes and the adapted anime series.