When my friends and I desperately needed a break from Japan, we decided to escape to Korea. Here’s what we found in the land of kimchi and crazy pop stars. Continue reading »
Filed under Adventures …
Winter Break Whirlwind: THE MAP
An interactive Google Map that details the places the JWs have taken their Canadian visitors so far, plus places they’re planning to go before the end. Zoom in for street view to see it all for yourself! Continue reading »
The Winter Break Whirlwind
First, the JWs test the limits of their Japanese apartment by cramming everyone in for the holidays. Then, they test the limits of their travel endurance as they venture forth around Japan with their Canadian guests. Continue reading »
Kishiwada Danjiri Matsuri: I survived one of the world’s most dangerous festivals!
What happens when you combine the pulling of massive shrines on wheels, with speed and corners? You get one of Japan’s, and one of the world’s for that matter, most dangerous festivals: Kishiwada Danjiri Matsuri! Continue reading »
SUP, dude! The latest emerging watersport reaches Japan’s shores
Stand-Up Paddleboarding, or SUP for short, has been growing in popularity over the last few years, and in Japan some small pockets of watersport lovers are catching on. I got to try out this new sport last weekend with a small crew of Yokkaichi SUP enthusiasts. Continue reading »
Slumber Party in a Traditional Kyoto Machiya
Everyone needs a good slumber party every once in a while. Recently some friends and I rented a traditional “Machiya” for the night in Kyoto. And we ate pie. Not just any pie either, the most delicious pie I’ve ever had this side of the Pacific Ocean! Continue reading »
Tsukigase Firefly Festival
Tsukigase Firefly Festival is probably the smallest festival I’ve ever been to. Which is good, because large crowds and fireflies probably don’t mix well. Still, after driving for over 2 hours towards a GPS pin a friend had provided, the latter hour taking us deeper and deeper into the pitch black middle of nowhere, we … Continue reading »
A Tunnel of Torii
It’s virtually impossible to go anywhere in Japan without seeing a torii, the orange gate that marks the way to a shrine. They are as ubiquitous as ramen shops and Hello Kitty, perhaps even more so. However, if you ever feel the urge to see 1000+ orange gates at once, I know exactly the place.
Golden Week Road Trip, part three: Akiyoshido Grand Caving Expedition
The final adventure of our Golden Week Road Trip. We explore Japan’s largest stalactite cave, Akiyoshido cave, and the expansive Karst Topography of the Akiyoshidai plateau above. Finally, we go to a birthday party and eat real homemade apple pie before hitting the road for home. Continue reading »
Golden Week Road Trip, part two: To Hiroshima for Okonomiyaki!
After a day of exploring the sights of Iwakuni, we met up with our friend and headed to Hiroshima for some Okonomiyaki. We took a stroll through Peace Memorial Park to see the A-bomb dome, lit up at night, en route. Continue reading »
