Planned a stopover at Osaka's Kansai Airport or Itami Airport? Thinking of what to do? Well, fret not! We got you all covered! Are you ready for your 24-hour journey?
Kamakura, for me, is not just about the Great Daibutsu or
the Komachi-dori (all right I'm not gonna lie here, they could be part of an amazing journey) but it's more of immersing myself deeper into
the Japanese culture by getting a feel of the quiet alleys of this lovely city.
Whenever I'm here, it's always that same scenario: I never want to leave for
the city. Its actually very rare for me to get that strong feeling of
attachment when I've gone around for just a few hours and I think that's what
makes this city very special.
Kita-Kamakura
is the stop before the main Kamakura station on the JR Yokosuka Line. It’s a
relatively small station compared to the ones you see in Tokyo and I think
that’s what makes this place even more special than what its already is.
(Personalize: to change or design (something) for a particular person) If you
ask me, personalization is one of the highest forms of luxury nowadays. I mean,
who does not want a little piece of something they could call their own? Some
might even think of this deed as being a bit materialistic but for me, it’s all
about having that small connection with the object that makes it even more
unique.
On our second and final day,
we decided to see the other side of Nikko; the side that many has grown to
admire. I like calling this place as the “historic center” of Nikko because in
this area, the beautiful Nikko Temple Complex is located and with a few minutes
walk across the Daiya River, you’ll reach the Kanmangafuchi Abyss; where the
famous statues of Bakejizo can be seen.
After a very long and careful planning, I gave in and decided to see the other face of Japan. Away from the glimmering lights of Ginza and Roppongi and deep into the snow-capped mountains of Tochigi Prefecture. Over the course of one day, I saw myself walking along the snow-lined shores of both Chuzenji-ko (中禅寺湖) and Yu-no-ko (湯の湖). I can say that the first day of the trip is definitely is a success.
One of the many reasons why I keep coming back to Japan is its abundance of great coffee shops, cafés and brunch places. The districts of Harajuku, Daikanyama and Nakameguro never fails to give me that feeling of excitement whenever I see a prospective place to try and I tell you, these places never runs out of interesting places! But on a recent trip to Tokyo, I added another district on my list. And that's Kanda, specifically Obscura Coffee Roasters in the old Manseibashi Station.
If there is something I always incorporate with the word
“chilling” that would probably be coffee. Whenever I’m hanging out with friends
or having a quiet time alone, you’ll usually find me with a cup of coffee
beside me. Coffee just makes everything easy for me, you know! And then I
thought, what better way to enjoy my escapes than chilling with coffee? After
all, escaping is all about chilling out and forgetting about the world (my
world, that is.)
I don't know with you guys but for me its always the unusual that makes a place standout. Weird sculptures, gigantic landmarks, a building unusually taller than the other ones; all of these show a different kind of beauty that I really admire. And as a traveler, these are bits and pieces that I usually try to find.
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