Santa Train – Mooka Railway offer an incredible and very seasonal journey on a Steam Locomotive (SL) Train between the prefectures of Ibaraki and Tochigi. For many of us, a steam train is an important part of our Christmas decorations, with prime position chugging around the base of the ChristmasRead More →
The landmark Redbrick Warehouses in Yokohama (akarenga 赤レンガ) are running a number of Christmas events this holiday season, including the chance to meet Santa Claus. On December 6th, 8th, 10th, 13th, 15th, 17th and 24th, Santa Claus will be taking a walk around the redbrick warehouses, both indoors and out.Read More →
I want to share one of Tokyo’s secrets: there are a number of free loop shuttle buses in popular tourist areas of Tokyo. And despite the number of English speaking tourists, expats, residents and interested parties, there’s little, if any, English sources online of the routes the buses take. So I compiled one!Read More →
Capsule Hotel Kawagoe Well I never… I had no idea… there is a capsule hotel in Kawagoe. It’s the cheapest accommodation I have ever seen in Kawagoe. It’s right beside the station too. Out the East side, just past the bus depot, right on the corner – maybe see the linked website,Read More →
Atami Sun beach – The lasting impression I got of Atami was that, while it is slowly being rejuvenated, it’s prime was in a past era. I wasn’t surprised on reading up on it to learn it has been popular as a hot spring resort since the 8th century. I was surprised, though, toRead More →
Yasai Shokudo Cafe, Books, wood museum, play area and Suichurakuen Aquarium – Tokinosumika, Gotemba, Shizuoka Prefecture Formerly called “Books and Cafe”, the Books and Aquarium is a leisure area of the excellent Tokinosumika resort in Gotemba. The books area is part of a cafe now called Yasai Shokudo Rafu. IfRead More →
One thing you rarely see in Japan is graffiti. I have seen it only a handful of times in my 14 years in Japan. Today, was one of those rare days. In Kofu.,, Yamanashi prefecture. Read More →
We went to Tokinosumika in Gotemba, Shizuoka, this past Golden Week. To be honest, I love discovering new places, but with 4 young children it is easier just to go somewhere we are familiar with. Tokinosumika never disappoints and each year they have something new there. Something that is notRead More →
Ichigo no Sato is a “roadside station” in the prefecture of Saitama, North west of Tokyo. A roadside station is a type of rest and service area with a large parking area. There are toilets and benches as well as a gift shop, a vegetable shop, a farmer’s market, aRead More →
Blueberry Lodge, Tokinosumika, Gotemba Shizuoka: On our most recent visit to Tokinosumika we tried the self catering (with breakfast buffet included) option, for the first time, in the Blueberry Lodges. The Blueberry Lodges are one floor houses essentially. There are four to a block. Each lodge has a Western bedroom,Read More →