Kobe Beef in Kobe 2016 - Ishida Kobe Beef Steak Restaurant

In October 2016, I traveled to Japan using the 14-day Japan Rail Pass. While I was traveling from Kanazawa 金沢 to Kagoshima 鹿児島, my cousin and I decided to stop by Kobe for a few hours of sightseeing and for Kobe Beef 神戸牛 lunch. I did some research prior to my arrival in Kobe, we decided to visit ishida Kobe Beef Steak Restaurant 神戸 石田 屋 based on their recent rise in popularity and well labeled online menu.

Best Kobe Beef in Kobe 2016. ishida steak teppanyaki restaurant. A5 BMS 10-12 grade Steak

Atami Onsen area - Hot Spring Day Trip from Tokyo

In November 2015, I traveled to Japan using the JR Pass. While I was staying in Tokyo area, I decided to take a day trip to the Atami Onsen 熱海 温泉 Hot Spring area because Atami is a much less traveled, off the beaten path area when compared to Hakone. I took the Kodama Shinkansen bullet train line from JR Shinagawa station in Tokyo to JR Atami station. The train ride was only 40 minutes and I soon arrived at one of the best coastal hot spring resort area in Japan.

Day trip to Atami Onsen Hot Spring area from Tokyo

Asakusa Area - Travel in time in Tokyo Japan

Asakusa 浅草 area, Sensoji 浅草寺, and Nakamise 仲見世通り areas have been the stables of must-visit sightseeing spots for new travelers to Tokyo Japan. With the recent development of the new landmark Tokyo Skytree, the already-popular tourist area has become even more popular not only among international visitors, local Japanese tourists have also flocked into the bustling neighborhood of Asakusa by the Sumida river 隅田川. I highly recommend both new or experienced travelers to visit and stay in Asakusa area for the feeling of traveling in time in the middle of modern Tokyo city.

Asakusa, Nakamise, Sensoji, and Pagoda in Tokyo Japan 

Japan Domestic Ferry Experience - Shikoku Yawatahama to Kyushu Beppu

In 2015, I traveled to Japan using the JR pass. While I was traveling through Shikoku 四国　Yawatahama 八幡浜 to Kyushu 九州 Beppu 別府, I took the Uwajima-Unyu 宇和島運輸 ferry to go across the Seto 瀬戸 inland sea. I have dedicated this article for my experience of taking Japanese domestic ferry while traveling in Japan.

Japanese Domestic Ferry across Seto Inland Sea

Day trip to Shizuoka and viewing Fuji Mountain

In November 2015, I traveled to Japan using the JR pass. When I was going from Kansai area to Tokyo, I decided to stop by Shizuoka 静岡 on the way to Tokyo. Since Shizuoka is less than one hour away from Tokyo by bullet train, I figured that Shizuoka would be a perfect place for taking a day trip from Tokyo, especially for travelers who enjoy great food and great views of Fuji Mountain 富士山.

I was greeted by Fuji Mountain on the way to Shizuoka

Crab Feast Experience at Tokyo Shinjuku Kani Douraku Restaurant

Have you ever wondered what this famous franchise restaurant serve inside? Japan is full of specialty food ingredient restaurants. The ingredient ranges from Wagyu Kobe beef to seafood. This article is dedicated to my dining experience at the famous Kani Doraku or Douraku かに 道楽 Crab specialty restaurant in Tokyo Shinjuku during lunch hours in March 2010. I have posted photos of most of the dishes from the ~3000 yen lunch course meal.

Kani Doraku Crab Restaurant. They are everywhere in Japan!

Tokyo Love Story - Tokyo Romantic Places and Things to Do

Many travelers visit Tokyo for different reasons, for people who travel as couples, it is their romantic getaway. Historically Tokyo has been giving visitors the mere impressions of mixture of the past and the future, however, with some detail planning, visitors would soon discover that Tokyo as a city offers many romantic spots and activities. I have come up with some of the best recommended spots, activities and tours for couples who are seeking for good times, romantic getaway, proposal or perhaps memorable honeymoon.

Tokyo Tower has always been the symbol for romance in Japan

The origin of Ippudo Ramen: Quest for world's first Hakata Ippudo restaurant

In November 2015, I traveled solo to Japan using the Japan Rail JR Pass. While I was touring in Hakata/Fukuoka of northern Kyushu, I decided to pay a tribute to the very first franchise restaurant of the most popular ramen  chain in the world: Ippudo Ramen, 一風堂

Original taste at the origin of Ippudo Ramen franchise restaurant in Fukuoka Japan

Tokyo Akihabara Maid Cafe Experiences

One of the most interesting experiences I had in Japan was at Maid Cafe in Tokyo Akihabara. In general, Japanese Maid Cafe consists of waitress in maid outfit that serves up a cute show, drinks, meals and dessert. This blog post is written to show and tell about my few visits to some of the most popular maid cafe in Japan.

Maid Cafe Capital: Japan Tokyo Akihabara

Kobe Beef in Kobe, Japan: My Kobe Beef experiences.

Updated on 01/31/16

Only the specific breed of cattle, processed in specific areas in Japan, raised by special methods, and graded by strict Japanese beef rating system, are qualified to be the real "KOBE BEEF" Real Kobe Beef are rarely exported outside of Japan, and when they are exported, they are usually served at very expensive restaurants overseas.

Nicely marbled intramuscular fat Kobe beef steak.

Tokyo and Kyoto Sample Itinerary: Planning for the essence of Travel in Japan

Many of the first time travelers in Japan, while the main destination is modern Tokyo, will always try to fit ancient Kyoto or Osaka into their busy itinerary. Being a working professional with a busy schedule, I find it difficult to come up with vacation time longer than two weeks. With a short vacation time in mind, I have listed my own itinerary in 2012 as well as my suggested travel planning. Briefly, I flew from Los Angeles to Kansai international airport near Osaka; after touring in the Kansai area, I took the ultra modern bullet train from Kansai area to Tokyo; after touring in the Tokyo area, I flew home from Tokyo Haneda airport back to Los Angeles.

Traveling between Tokyo Tower and Kyoto Tower

Wagyu Japanese Beef

Wagyu Japanese beef, the most sought after land animal meat in the world, usually have similar characteristics of being very tender and having extreme level of intramuscular fat. Wagyu is a general term used for high grade Japanese breed beef, which usually covers famous "brand" names such as Kobe, Matsusaka, and Omi beef. I am dedicating this blog post to some of my best Wagyu experiences and Wagyu restaurants in Tokyo and other parts of Japan.

Wagyu Japanese Beef, the most tender and juicy beef in the world

Japan Onsen for Shy Travelers - Hakone Kowakien Yunessun Swimsuit Hot Spring Bath and Private Onsen Ryokan

While almost all Onsen in Japan do not allow wearing swimsuits, I believe many of the foreign travelers to Japan feel uncomfortable getting naked for the authentic hot spring experience. Luckily there are some special hot spring onsen near Tokyo Japan that permit and require bathing suits to be worn. There are also options of private onsen, foot onsen, and reserved-time family onsen time for those who are a bit on the uncomfortable side.

Open-air private onsen hot spring with a nice view. This type of accommodation could be very expensive.

Project Shinkansen 2015 - Japan Rail Pass Itinerary Seto Inland Sea

In November 2015, I traveled to Japan using the Japan Rail Pass. I traveled solo. It was my second trip using the JR pass since the The Journey 5 years prior. I bought a 14-day JR pass and used it for 10 days in Japan due to lack of vacation time from my job. Even though it was only a 10-day trip, I was able to maximize my time in Japan and the value of the JR pass for a trip of a life time. Briefly, I traveled through Osaka/Kobe/Kyoto, Shikoku, Fukuoka, Ise, Tokyo and Nagano. Here are the highlights of my itinerary:

Japan Rail Pass Route 2015. Project Shinkansen Setonaikai Seto Inland Sea

Day Trip from Tokyo - Quest for Snow Monkey in Nagano Jigokudani Monkey Park

In November 2015, I traveled to Japan using the Japan Rail Pass. While I was staying the Tokyo area, I took a side/day trip to Nagano, hoping to see the amazing Jigokudani Snow Monkey bathing in hot spring.

Baby Japanese Snow Monkey