Travel for Life

A Glimpse into Tsukiji Before the Move Before the move: A local's guide to the Tsukiji Fish market (YouTube link ) Before the move: TOP 10 Street Food at Tsukiji Fish Market (YouTube link ) A Glimpse into Tsukiji After the Move What NEW Tokyo Tsukiji Fish Market is like AFTER Toyosu MOVE (YouTube link ) The Ginza  ( 銀座 ) ⭐is one of the most visited areas in Tokyo.  It is Tokyo's most famous upmarket shopping, dining and entertainment district, featuring numerous department stores, boutiques, art galleries, restaurants, night clubs and cafes. Ninomaru Garden (二の丸庭園) ( YouTube  link ) Ginza Getaway: Must-See Sights Beyond the Shops Tsukiji Fish Market While Tsukiji Fish Market's famed inner market with the tuna auctions moved to Toyosu in 2018, the Tsukiji Outer Market remains a vibrant destination . This area offers a delightful experience for visitors seeking fresh seafood, local produce, and delicious Japanese cuisine. Even today, you can find...

Japan has some of the world's most infamously crowded trains, particularly the nation's capital, Tokyo . According to the transport ministry, the 10 most congested lines in the greater Tokyo area were: [1] Tozai subway line Odakyu line JR Yokosuka line JR Chuo line Tokyu Denentoshi line (to Shibuya) JR Tokaido Line JR Sobu Express Chiyoda subway line JR Keihin Tohoku Line. In this article, we explore  Shinagawa Station  (品川駅), one of Tokyo’s busiest train stations. As a major transportation hub, it often experiences significant crowds, especially during rush hour. Toei 1 Day Pass Shinagawa Station (品川駅) To exit through the automatic ticket gates at Shinagawa Station, you need a valid ticket that matches the type of transportation you used to enter the station. This could be: A basic fare ticket: Purchased for a single journey on the train. A prepaid IC card: Such as Suica or Pasmo, which you tap at the gates. A special pass: Like the Toei 1 Day ...

In this article, we just want to demonstrate how you can plan in advance to find where to eat and where to shop for groceries using both Google maps and  tabelog.com  (in Japanese; however, google translate can help). Shengokuhara Area Most people travelling to Hakone  (箱根) stay around Hakone-Yumoto area.  So, if you want to visit  Shengokuhara Area for the following activities: Visiting Hakone Glass no Mori Hakone Hiking Trail―Hakone-jinja Shrine and Old Tokaido (東海道) Hakone Travel—Visiting Choanji Temple (長安寺) Hakone Travel—Mt. Kintoki Hiking Trail Hakone Travel—Visiting Sengokuhara Pampas Grass Field (仙石原すすき草原) You probably would wonder where you could eat meals or buy groceries.  Here are the research that we have done for you: Supermarket A᛫ COOP  仙石原店 (Aコープ) Hours: 9:30～18:00 Restaurants Below restaurants are more on the economical side: めし処 いなか家 大地 Hours :11:30～14:00 18:00～20:00 Kitchen bar G...

Odakyu Movie Summer Edition (YouTube link ) Hakone⭐⭐ , part of the  Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park , is a very popular destination among Tokyoites, as well as tourists, for its gorgeous scenery around the  Mount Fuji  (for instance, the  Lake Ashinoko  芦ノ湖 and  Owakudani  大涌谷), its many onsens and vacation resorts. Actually, there are quite a few interesting museums in Hakone too, In this article, we will cover some of them: Open Air Museum Hakone Glass no Mori Pola Museum Hakone Museum of Art Hakone Open Air Museum Hakone Open Air Museum The Hakone Open Air Museum (箱根彫刻の森美術館, Hakone Chōkoku No Mori Bijutsukan) successfully attempts to create a harmonic balance of nature and art by exhibiting various sculptures on its grounds in combination with views of the surrounding valley and mountains. The museum has various different sections and exhibition spaces outdoors and indoors. The Picasso Exhibition Hall is one such space and sh...

Hakone Travel―Pirate Cruise on Lake Ashinoko (YouTube  link ) The following trip is designed for a one-day hiking around  Lake Ashinoko  area with the following itinerary: Hakone Visitor Center  ― (15 min.0.8 km) → Togendai Port  ― (50 min.8 km) → Moto-Hakone Port  ― (10 min.0.7 km) → Hakone-jinja Shrine  ― (35 min.1.8 km) → Amasake-Chaya  (Tea House)  In this article, we assume you will use  Hakone Freepass  and all transportation fees should be covered. Click to Enlarge (North points to Up). [4]   View from Hakone Visitor Center Walking Course [8] Hakone Visitor Center Immerse yourself in the natural tapestry of Hakone before embarking on your aquatic adventure. The Hakone Visitor Center's walking course beckons with chirping melodies, verdant paths, and the shimmering embrace of Lake Ashi . It's a nature lover's haven just minutes from  Togendai Port . Click to Enlarge (North points to Left, not Up) [1] ...

10 Best Onsen Ryokan Hotels in Hakone, Japan (YouTube link ) Hakone, part of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, is a very popular destination among Tokyoites, as well as tourists, for its gorgeous scenery around the Mount Fuji (for instance, the Ashi lakes and Owakudani), its many onsens and vacation resorts. Hakone Onsen  Hakone  (箱根) is one of the most popular onsen ⭐⭐(hot spring) towns and has a history of 1200 years. Visitors can enjoy a  hot spring  bath in  public bath houses  or  ryokan . Many ryokan open their baths not only to staying guests  but also to daytime visitors . While staying guests can use the baths for free, daytime visitors pay an admission fee of typically between ¥500 and ¥2000. Onsen for Daytime Visitors Below is a list of some of Hakone's better baths open to the general public: Tenzan ( 天山湯治郷 ) 天山   Hours: 9:00 to 23:00 (entry until 22:00) Admission: 1450 yen (cash only) Other Options Hakone Yury...

  Enjoy the seasons in Hakone (YouTube link ) Autumn Colors Nestled in Hakone's Sengokuhara area,  Choanji Temple  (長安寺, Chōanji) is a haven of tranquility for  Zen Buddhism  practitioners and sightseers alike. This Soto school temple boasts several reasons to add it to your itinerary: Steeped in History: Explore the main hall, a testament to the temple's rich past. Tranquil Escape: Wander through a network of peaceful walking trails. Fall Foliage Spectacle: Witness the breathtaking display of autumn leaves, with maples reaching their peak vibrancy around mid-November. Unique Rakan Statues: Encounter over two hundred statues of Buddha's disciples (rakan) scattered throughout the serene grounds. How to Access Choanji Temple  is located just a two-minute walk from Sengoku (仙石) bus stop, which is served by Hakone Tozan Buses and Odakyu Buses. The one way ride from Hakone-Yumoto takes about 25 minutes and cost 750 yen, while from Togendai i...

Hakone , part of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park , is a very popular destination among Tokyoites, as well as tourists, for its gorgeous scenery around the Mount Fuji (for instance, the Lake Ashinoko 芦ノ湖 and Owakudani 大涌谷), its many onsens and vacation resorts. Mt. Fuji View from Mt. Kintoki If you love outdoor nature, hiking in Hakone could be a good choice too. In this article, we will cover a hiking path to enjoy a splendid view of Mt. Fuji. Mt Kintoki also known as Mt Ashigara (金時山) Starting from Kintoki-jinja-ikiguchi and end at Kintoki-tozanguchi Note that North points to the left, not up direction Mt. Kintoki Hiking Trail The starting point for this trail lies a few bus stops away from central Sengokuhara and is conveniently located behind the Kintoki Shrine . Trail view taken on 12/19/2015 from this video How to Access If you plan your trip from Hakone-Yumoto Station, the bus stop you want to arrive at for the trail is named Ki...

Uji Travel—Visiting Byodoin Temple (平等院; YouTube link ) Uji  (宇治) , a picturesque town situated between  Nara  and  Kyoto , is renowned for its historical significance, tea culture, and breathtaking autumn foliage. I first visited Uji in December 2016 to admire the autumn leaves and explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site,  Byodoin Temple . In May 2023, I returned with my daughter to introduce her to this special place.  Byodoin Temple (平等院) The image of  Byodoin Temple ⭐⭐, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is featured on the reverse side of the ¥10 coin. This highlights its significant historical importance in Japan. Despite enduring war, fire, and years of neglect, its eleventh-century Phoenix Hall (鳳凰堂 ), adorned with a magnificent  Amida Buddha  statue, remains a stunning testament to  Heian-period  art. [1] Initial visit on December 3, 2016 View from the Hosho-kan Museum (鳳翔館) Visiting Uji River for Its Aut...

Hakone: A Popular Tourist Destination for Autumn Foliage Hakone , part of the  Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park , is a popular tourist destination, especially among Tokyoites, for its stunning scenery, including  Mount Fuji , Lake Ashi , and  Owakudani , as well as its many  onsens  and vacation resorts. Hakone is also a great place for hiking, especially in the autumn when the leaves change color. In this article, we will introduce a walking path that showcases the autumn beauty of Hakone. Sengokuhara Pampas Grass Field (仙石原すすき草原) Sengokuhara Pampas Grass Field   ⭐ (仙石原すすき草原) is a must-see spot in Hakone during the autumn season. [1]   Located at the foot of the northwest side of Mount Hakone, this large, rolling field of pampas grass( susuki ) is a sight to behold. The tall grasses change color with the seasons, and in the autumn, they turn a shimmering, silvery gold. A single, wide walking path leads into the field from the west ba...