Life between trips

STAY: Nara:  Piazza Hotel Nara I  stayed at Piazza Hotel Nara, conveniently located right next to Nara Station. The location couldn't be better for easy access to transportation and exploring the area. The rooms are modern and well-designed. One of the standout features for me was the swivel mirror with magnifying capabilities, which was incredibly useful. Additionally, the rain shower was a delightful experience, with the option to toggle the water pressure to your liking. I stayed in a twin room, which was a little squeezy but still provided a comfortable stay. Despite the compact size, the thoughtful amenities and overall comfort made it a pleasant experience. Overall, Piazza Hotel Nara offers a great combination of convenience, modern amenities, and thoughtful details that enhance the stay. I highly recommend it for anyone visiting Nara. DO:  Hike up Wakakusayama Hill,  Climbing up Wakakusayama Hill was an unforgettable experience, though it was quite the challen...

Our journey began with a long ride from Osaka, armed with the Kansai 1 Day Pass recommended by the tourist center. This pass was perfect for our plans, as we were heading to Nara later in the evening. Himeji Castle, also known as the "White Heron Castle" due to its brilliant white exterior, is a stunning example of Japanese castle architecture. Built between 1581 and 1609, the castle complex includes a maze-like arrangement of fortified buildings, walls, and gates, with a six-storey tower keep at its center. The castle is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is renowned for its beauty and historical significance. Interestingly, Himeji Castle has never been under siege or destroyed by war, earthquakes, or fire, making it one of Japan's twelve remaining original castles. This remarkable preservation is a testament to its strategic design and the peaceful periods it has witnessed. The name "Himeji" derives from "Himeji-oka" (Himeji Hill) in the historical rec...

  Planned itinerary for Fukuoka in 12 Nov 2023 to 26 Nov 2023 . The pace for the trip is deliberately more relaxed compared to my other trips in view of my niece joining as well as my mother.    Most areas covered is Fukuoka but we did ventured out to Hiroshima for Day 1 and 2. Here's a day by day for reference. Click on link for more details on the place of interest or the food.  Day 1:   DO:  Flight from Singapore to Fukuoka. Arrival at 8 am, Atomic atomic bomb dome EAT:   Lunch  at Ippudo, Dinner at Anagomeshi Ueno STAY: Miyajimaguchi : Miyajima Coral Hotel  Day 2:   DO: Boat ride to itksukushima EAT:   Breakfast  at Miyajima Coral hotel,  Late lunch  at  Yakigaki No Hayashi , Snack at Momijido Nibanya . STAY: Beppu:  亀の井ホテル 別府 Beppu Kamenoi Hotel  Day 3:   DO:  Umi-Jigoku (海地獄 Sea Hell) EAT:   Breakfast  at Little Mermaid ,  Dinner  at Beppu Kamenoi H...

2 Chome-3-26 Momochihama, Sawara Ward, Fukuoka, 814-0001, Japan Standing at 234 meters, Fukuoka Tower is the tallest seaside tower in Japan .   Its distinctive triangular design and 8,000 half-mirrors give it the nickname "Mirror Sail". Observation Decks Fukuoka Tower features three observation decks at different heights: 116 meters, 120 meters, and the highest at 123 meters. These decks provide panoramic views of Fukuoka city, Hakata Bay, and the surrounding areas.  On clear days, the views are breathtaking.  We spend over an hour at the cafe at 120 metres relaxing and enjoying the view. 

Dinner  at 天一   Arrived late to Nishidori and returned our car rental. We went to the restaurant with the entire family in tow. Food is served very fast. Great as we are hungry and thirsty. The ladies and kids meal is the most value for money. Food is above average. Dinner at Tenjin underground tunnel  We have shopped too much today and it is 8 pm. Most of the restaurants are winding up and this is still open. I'm most impressed by their service. I accidently pour miso soup on my white top and pants. They promptly give a new clean white tea towel to wipe myself. I'm so grateful to the waiter for his thoughtfulness. Tonkatsu is well fried and have different size meals to cater for all.  Breakfast at Doutor The fare served here is simple. Coffee and toasts.  But the pairing of scrambled eggs made to perfection with ham on toasted bread in a cold winter day is heavenly.  Must try Live squid at Chikae Fukuoka 2 Chome-2-17 Daimyo, Chuo Ward, Fukuoka, 810-0041, J...

Hakata ramen originated in the Hakata district of Fukuoka, Japan, and is renowned for its rich, creamy tonkotsu (pork bone) broth. This broth is made by boiling pork bones for hours, resulting in a thick, milky consistency packed with umami flavor. The noodles are thin and straight, typically served firm We initially planned to eat raw squid sashimi, but since we couldn’t get a seat, we decided to try Ichiran Ramen instead.  Upon arrival, we were shocked by the long queue and had to wait for another 45 minutes before it was our turn. The restaurant features individual dining booths, allowing for a private dining experience. The ordering process is streamlined with a vending machine at the entrance where you can customize your ramen to your liking, from the richness of the broth to the firmness of the noodles.  We tailored our ramen to our taste preferences, choosing the level of spiciness, garlic, and even the type of onions, and added a ramen egg. The food was promptly served...