A travel & adventure blog by Kara Santos
Japan is one of the top destinations in the world for Filipino travelers. Osaka, along with Tokyo and Nagoya, is considered one of the three major cities. This large port city and commercial center located in the Kansai region of Honshu in Japan is known for its modern architecture, nightlife, and street food.
Kyoto, one of the oldest municipalities in Japan, is located just 30 minutes away by rapid train from Osaka. Considered the cultural capital of Japan, Kyoto is a must-visit for first-timers traveling to Osaka. Kyoto is home to temples, shrines, palaces, and gardens, some of which have been designated collectively as a World Heritage Site … Continue reading “JAPAN | Top cultural landmarks and experiences in Kyoto”
Most first-time travelers immediately think of Tokyo when planning a trip to Japan. From hi-tech sights to vibrant culture, the bustling capital offers the ultimate modern Japanese experience. However, the city can be quite overwhelming and tiring to navigate. If you’re looking for a more peaceful and laid-back destination to go to with the whole … Continue reading “JAPAN | World Heritage Sites and Deer Encounters in Nara City”
When you think of Japanese beer, brands like Kirin, Asahi, Sapporo and Suntory immediately come to mind. You can order these beers easily from any restaurant in Japan, find them in convenience stores, or even purchase them directly from vending machines. These days, the craft brewing culture is very much alive in Japan. Tokyo is … Continue reading “JAPAN | Where to drink in Tokyo: A beer diary”
Anyone who grew up playing old school video games dreams of visiting Super Nintendo World. This themed section inside Universal Studios Japan in Osaka is a geek-filled paradise where you warp right into Princess Peach’s Castle, punch question mark blocks in real life, and dine on cute Mario-themed food items. After years of being stuck … Continue reading “JAPAN | Guide to Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Japan, Osaka”
If you’ve ever been to Japan, you know that biking is a way of life there. While in the Philippines, biking for leisure and urban mobility has only caught on recently because of the pandemic, for the longest time, people in Japan of all ages, occupations, and classes can manage to bike around safely even … Continue reading “JAPAN | Biking around Osaka”
After traversing through a maze room of a twinkling crystals, I was surrounded by hundreds of multi-colored koi fish swimming around as I waded through knee-deep high waters. Moments later, I gazed into a field of falling flowers on the ceiling, the petals seemingly swirling all around in the air. For a couple of hours, … Continue reading “JAPAN | Immersing in art realms at teamLab Planets in Tokyo”
Mt. Fuji is Japan’s highest peak and one of the country’s most famous landmarks. Commonly called “Fuji-san, this active volcano about 100 kilometers southwest of Tokyo is the country’s tallest peak, at 3,776 meters.
Dreaming of witnessing the beauty of the cherry blossoms? Filipino travelers don’t need to travel far as Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan, countries best known for these pink blooms in spring, are just a few hours away from the Philippines by plane. Typically in full bloom around March to April, cherry blossoms draw crowds from … Continue reading “Travel Guide: Cherry blossom season in Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan”
We could all use a bit of joy these days and when you think of the “Happiest Place on Earth,” you immediately think of of Disneyland. Going to Disneyland has always been a childhood dream among those who grew up watching Disney Films. Though I never had the chance to travel there as a kid, … Continue reading “JAPAN | A day in Tokyo Disneyland”
