Cities of Japan
- Cities of Japan, For the Anime, Manga and Video Game Buffs, For The Photography Fans, For the Shopaholics
Pokemon Center Kyoto – The Most Traditionally Japanese Pokemon Center
Amidst the ocean of rustic historical sites in Kyoto (京都), lies Pokemon Center Kyoto (ポケモンセンター京都), one of the most traditionally Japanese Pokemon Centers across Japan. Being a fan of Pokemon myself together with my wife, we actually visited here twice simply for the sheer variety of Pokemon merchandise products it has to offer. With that said, here is our guide and details of our adventures into the world of Pokemon Center Kyoto. Trivia – Pokemon Center Kyoto Being the Pokemon Center of the undisputed former imperial capital of Japan, there is certainly going to be some historical and cultural references to Kyoto. Here are some of them to look out…
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5 Secret Kyoto Travel Tips for First Timers
It is no secret that a Kyoto travel experience is highly sought after among the travel community. Being the former ancient capital of Japan, Kyoto (京都) features a plethora of beautiful historical sites ranging from temples, shrines, and even teahouses and restaurants. Despite this, Kyoto is also infamously known for its overtourism; hundreds of tourists hogging at famous sites including Kiyomizudera, Fushimi Inari Taisha and even the streets of Gion District. So much so that even the local council passed a law to banned tourists from entering certain private streets in the Gion District. Nevertheless, travelling in Kyoto can be made much more relaxing with these tips in mind. Here…
- Cities of Japan, For The History Lovers, For The Photography Fans, For Those Who Love Shrines, Temples of Japan
Dazaifu – The Ultimate Guide to Japan’s Former Western Capital
Did you know the small city of Dazaifu (太宰府) was once shared the status as the capital of Japan together with the famed Kyoto (京都)? Located 15 kms southeast of Fukuoka (福岡), this city once served as the bridge that connects Japan and the outside world. In fact, the city traced its origin 1,300 years ago and was once a major cultural and political hub. Despite being a fraction of its former glory today, it remains a hidden yet significant travel spot simply for its historical value. Let’s explore what the once magnificent capital has to offer: What is the history behind this small city? Which attraction is not to…
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Kyushu National Museum – A Complete Travel Guide
Did you know there are only 4 national museums in total in Japan; with the Kyushu National Museum (九州国立博物館) being the latest? The Kyushu National Museum is the latest addition to the list of monumental national museums in Japan; the other three are in Tokyo (東京), Kyoto (京都) and Nara (奈良). While the former three museums were constructed during the 1800s, this one has a distinction of being completed in the 21st century (2005 to be precise). Because of this, the opening of the museum is seen as an eventful occassion among locals. It is also currently the only national museum that is located in the small town of Dazaifu…
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Seaside Momochi – A Complete Guide to Fukuoka’s Seaside Getaway
Fukuoka (福岡) features a variety of relaxing destinations; one such being Seaside Momochi (シーサイドももち). While Japanese cities aren’t exactly known for their beaches, Fukuoka is one exception and it is not just the beach, but also for its beautiful coastline sceneries. The site was once developed by the local authorities in order to host the Asia-Pacific Exposition Exhibition happened in 1989. Local authorities proceeded with the project to develop one of Japan’s largest man-made beaches. And the result is a stunningly beautiful waterfront area; featuring a variety of attractions including a beach area, museums, libraries and an observatory tower. Today, I shall introduce one of Fukuoka’s attractive sites for stunning…
- Castle Buffs, Cities of Japan, For The Fans of Mother Nature, For The Photography Fans, Scenery Photography Sites
Ohori Park – The Ultimate Guide to Fukuoka’s Tranquil Park
Ohori Park (or Oohori-Kouen/Ōhori-Kōen/大濠公園) is a huge pleasant park located in downtown Fukuoka; and a popular getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city among the locals. It was once a defensive moat for the next door Fukuoka Castle (福岡城), before being transformed into a recreational park today. Despite being located in the middle of the city, the park is surprisingly peaceful; offering quiet moments especially for families and couples who wish to spend their time together alone. Let’s explore what this old and scenic park has to offer: Learn more about the history behind Fukuoka’s most famous park. Check out the park’s beautiful and scenic pond. Then, we…
- Castle Buffs, Cities of Japan, For The History Lovers, For The Photography Fans, Scenery Photography Sites
Fukuoka Castle – The Beautiful Castle Ruins Within a City
Did you know the city of Fukuoka (福岡) once had a castle known as Fukuoka Castle (福岡城)? Once considered the largest bastion in Kyushu (九州), today only the ruins of it remained in a park located in the city. So much so that it is called the Fukuoka Castle ruins (福岡城跡/Fukuoka-jo Ato); in which ‘Ato/跡’ here refers to ruins. Despite that, it is a well-known attraction among the locals simply for its atmospheric ruins and peaceful surroundings. So what makes the castle ruins a unique attraction on its own? Let’s explore the area further to discover it’s beauty: Find out more about the history of a castle that was once…
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Canal City – A Complete Guide to Fukuoka’s Architecture Marvel
What comes in mind when you hear the name ‘Canal City’? Chances are you will immediately think of cities like Bangkok and Venice; or even Kurashiki (倉敷), a traditional town near Tokyo (東京) famed for its gorgeous canals. Today’s post however is not about traditional towns; however it is about Canal City, an illustrious and architecturally gorgeous shopping complex that is located downtown Fukuoka (福岡). Canal City Hakata (キャナルシティ博多) is not only a central shopping hub, but also a remarkable architecture marvel on its own right. Located in the central point of Fukuoka makes it a popular gathering spot among locals and tourists to shop and chill while enjoying the…
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Hakata Ramen – The Complete History of Fukuoka’s Valuable Soul Food
Intro Have you ever heard of the hearty soul food known as Hakata Ramen (博多ラーメン)? Not only is this hearty delicacy a symbol of delicacy for the city of Fukuoka (福岡), but it has also transformed from a roadside stall dish to an overseas brand. In fact, famous ramen-chain stores including Ippudo (一風堂) as well as Ichiran (一蘭) helped in accelerating the delicacy’s fame into international level. To learn more about this hearty dish, let’s dwell further into its rich history. Firstly, check out the delicacy’s rich history of evolution. Next, find out more about the ingredients that make up the tastiness of the meal. Find out how you can…
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Bungoono – A Complete Guide to Japan’s Secret Beautiful Geopark
A relatively unknown geopark among tourists, Bungoono is home to various fascinating landscapes and nature galore. In fact, the region itself is filled with lush forests, deep canyons, stunning waterfalls and even rustic religious sites. It’s minor presence is not surprising however, given the reclusiveness of the region as well as extremely scarce public transportation. Nevertheless, Bungoono will definitely rewards those who take their time to research and explore the beauty of the area. Let’s explore deeper into this gorgeous geopark, shall we? The History of Bungoono Read More About The Origin of This Fascinating Geopark Bungoono’s history dated 90,000 year ago; where the volcano Mt Aso (阿蘇山) erupted frequently.…