ART & CULTURE

Discovering gems and cultural sights of Yanaka during a nice stroll

Yanaka is a part of Taito. The name Yanaka appeared for the first time during the Edo period to describe the area that was situated between hills of Ueno and the valley of Hongodai, known also as Shitaya. The concentration of Buddhist temples in this area is a consequence of the urban architecture design from the Edo period. Starting from that moment, Yanaka became the area known as the “city of temples and colins”.

Meiji Jingu Shrine in Tokyo

Meiji Jingu is dedicated to the divine soul of Emperor Meiji and his consort Empress Shoken (their tombs are in Kyoto). Emperor Meiji passed away in 1912 and Empress Shoken in 1914. After their demise, people wished to commemorate their virtues and to venerate them forever. Thanks to the sincere heart of the people, this shrine with the forest was established on November 1, 1920.

Enjoy a Starbucks Coffee on the Rooftop Garden of the Former Site of Matsuzakaya Ginza Store – GINZA SIX

Matsuzakaya Ginza store opened as the first department store in Ginza in December 1924, a year after the Great Kanto Earthquake, leading the recovery of Ginza. The approximately 43-meter-high building, which had eight floors above ground and the basement, was the tallest in Ginza at that time.

Special Days in Edo - Decorated City and People

Tokyo finds its origin in a city originally called “Edo”. After Tokugawa Ieyasu moved to Edo in 1590, he excavated canals and reclaimed the inlets of Tokyo Bay to develop towns for people to live in. This was the beginning of Edo, which evolved into one of the largest metropolises in the world.

Tokyo Higashi-Ginza Starbucks before a single act in Kabukiza Theatre Play

Kabuki is recognized internationally as one of Japan’s great performing arts with 400 years of history. Essentially a popular theatre has always reflected the tastes and fashions of the townspeople of that time. Buy a Sigle Act ticket and have an unforgettable experience.

Visit National Historic Site – Meigetsu-in Temple in Kamakura

Visit National Historic Site – Meigetsu-in, the temple with Kannon Bodhisattva as the main image of worship. The temple that was founded in the year 1160 as “Meigetsu-an” (Bright Moon Hermitage) by Yamanouchi Tsunetoshi.

Shinjuku Must-see Spots Route

See the best places in Shinjuku during 8 active hours. Don’t miss photo spots and enjoy a leisure walk through Shiki-no-michi Street that is a comfortable path full of greenery.

The Head Temple of the Kenchoji School of Rinzai Zen in Kamakura

With more than 400 branch temples in Japan, Kenchoji Temple ranks first among the Five Great Zen Temples in Kamakura. The formal name is Kofukusan Kenchoji. Founded in 1253 by Hojo Tokiyori (1227-1263), the fifth regent of the Kamakura shogunate, it was the first Zen temple in Japan.

1-Day, everything-in-1 tour of Tokyo’s top spots

A recommended tour to explore the city and suburbs. See the best of the city during a one day tour during which you will visit temples and museums. You will have some time to relax in parks and then do some shopping in vibrant streets of Asakusa.

Explore Tokyo – City & Suburbs

From Anime pop culture hotspot to stylish spots for a night on the town, discover an endless array of places for all kinds of fun in Tokyo. Visit best places in the city center of Tokyo and its suburbs.

A day trip from Tokyo to Little Edo in Kawagoe

Would you like to do time-travel and feel the Edo atmosphere? If so, you can do it easily in Japan. Are you curios where is it? Just read the post! Feel that unique atmosphere where local products melt with some modernity. Where people in kimonos stroll on the same lanes as people in jeans, T-shirts and sneakers.

Eishoji Temple - the only nunnery in Kamakura

Visit the only nunnery in Kamakura in Eishoji Temple and admire many structures designated as a National Important Cultural Property. Tokozan Eishoji is a temple of the Jodo sect of Buddhism and the only nunnery in Kamakura today. The grounds were said to have been the residence of Ota Odkan (1432-1486), a reputed warrior of his era.

Visit the main temple of the Engakuji Temple sect in Kamakura

Visit Engakuji Temple in Kamakura that is the main temple of the Engakuji sect, the school of Rinzai Zen Buddhism. Engakuji is a Buddhist temple founded in 1282 for Hojo Tokimune who was the regent of the Kamakura shogunate. Hojo Tokimune played a significant role in the Japanese history because he led the army against Mongol invasions.

Meet Ten Kings of the Underworld in Ennoji Temple in Kamakura

The Buddhist concept of retribution means that doing good things leads to good results in the afterlife, and committing evil things leads to bad results. Ten kings of the underworld judge whether people have been good or evil in their lives. If you want to meet all ten of them, visit the Enno-ji temple in Kamakura.

Thai style New Year Eve dining menu

Thailand celebrates New Year twice. Once at the end of December, and then they have their Chinese New Year that is an even bigger event. This traditional Thai and Chinese New Year is usually in January and depends on the Lunar Calendar.

Try Thai and international specialties in the iconic and luxury atmosphere of ICONSIAM

Visiting ICONSIAM in Bangkok is much more than going to a big shopping mall. ICONSIAM is an outstanding venue that encompasses many areas of life, starting from fashion, through leisure, art and culture.

A budget overnight with refreshments in Manga Kissa, Asakusa, Tokyo, Japan

Staying in Japan might be quite expensive especially if you are visiting main cities during the weekend or during festivals. If so, prices can be even trice as they are during the workweek. But, do not worry. If you are planning your trip to big cities, you would have an option to overnight in manga kissa.

Sanja Matsuri Festival – feel the Japanese spirit and enjoy food tasting around Asakusa Shrine

Sanja Matsuri is one of the most spectacular festivals in Japan. It is one of so called ‘Three Great Shinto Festivals in Tokyo’ (including Sanno Festival and Kanda Festival). It takes place in May during the first three weekends. And that is a great moment for trying Japanese food.

Sadō/chadō – a traditional Japanese tea ceremony

Participate in a traditional tea ceremony (sadō/chadō (茶道, 'The Way of Tea')) and learn what you would need to prepare a traditional Japanese matcha tea. That is one of these experiences that you cannot skip during your stay in Japan is a tea ceremony.

A culinary visit to Europe on the Christmas market in Baguio

Are you spending your Christmas time in Asia, and you would like to feel this unique and magical atmosphere there too? No worries, while visiting Philippines, you will definitively have multiple possibilities of experiencing it!

Visit Starbucks in the heart of the historic center of Manila, Intramuros in the Philippines

What would you say for a good cup of coffee in the Old Town of the Philippines’ capital – Manila? Doesn’t it sound great?

Have an organic bread in a moonlike landscape in Tunisia

What would you say about sharing a very simple, organic bread with your friends and local people in an incredible environment? In a place that is so unusual, full of mystery and beautiful? In a remote area that only slightly resembles any place on earth?

Try an alternative coffee brewing method in Bangkok, Thailand

If only you are coffee addicted and want to try something new, that is what you should try. Cafeterias with alternative coffee brewing methods are not so popular in Thailand. So, if you have a chance to get it, try it!

Wine tasting in Château Kefraya

Two Château Kefraya – red 2012 and white 2016, Les Bretèches 2014, Myst 2016 and Comte de M 2010 - perfect blends of grapes' varieties.

Not only restricted to France - Lebanese Beaujolais Nouveau

As time was still good for Lebanese Beaujolais Nouveau, we had a chance to taste jeune wines from Château Musar. Musar Jeune Blanc, Rouge and Rosé are all bottled and labeled in the same way. The label is simple, minimalistic in the design and elegant.