Exploring Deoksugung (덕수궁) Neighborhood

  Many visitors think that it’s good enough to just visit Gyeongbokgung (‘gung’ means palace), the largest of the five Joseon royal palaces in Seoul. While the palaces may seem similar, they each have their own charm and history. I particularly like Deoksugung for its unique mix of western and traditional Korean architecture, a coexistence… Continue reading Exploring Deoksugung (덕수궁) Neighborhood

Forest of Warmth (Nukumori Forest), A Fantasy Village for Ghibli Fans

I chanced upon this charming little Ghibli-like village in Hamamatsu while I was looking for an interesting stopover between Kyoto and Hakone during my September 2017 Japan Trip. Nukumori no Mori (which means Forest of Warmth) is a small village of shops and cafes/restaurants housed in cute buildings, cottages, and huts designed and built by… Continue reading Forest of Warmth (Nukumori Forest), A Fantasy Village for Ghibli Fans

Real-Life Satsuki and Mei’s House from My Neighbor Totoro

Many Studio Ghibli fans are excited about the new Ghibli Park which will open in Expo 2005 Aichi Commemorative Park (愛・地球博記念公園) come 2022. But do you know that there is already a real-life version of the house from My Neighbor Totoro, belonging to the lead characters Satsuki and Mei, that you can visit in the… Continue reading Real-Life Satsuki and Mei’s House from My Neighbor Totoro

My First Day in a Campervan – Japan September 2017 Trip (Day 2)

After talking for months about traveling by campervan, I finally got the chance to do it during my recent Japan trip. And what an adventure it was! On the first day, I took photos with sunflowers that towered over me, entered the world of Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away, ate 100-yen conveyor belt sushi hoping to… Continue reading My First Day in a Campervan – Japan September 2017 Trip (Day 2)

The Day I Became An Apprentice Geisha

Many come to Kyoto hoping to encounter a Geisha or Maiko (an apprentice Geisha). Instead of just wishing to catch a glimpse of one, why not become one yourself! Read on to find out how I became a Maiko on my recent trip to Japan.   KKday – My Travel Resource //embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js Thanks to KKday,… Continue reading The Day I Became An Apprentice Geisha