Category: Travel

【Sapporo】Tadao Ando’s Atama Daibutsu and Moai

This time, we visited the renowned architect Tadao Ando’s creation for a cemetery—the Atama Daibutsu (Head Buddha).
The Atama Daibutsu is located within the Makomanai Takino Cemetery in Sapporo.
The cemetery spans 1.8 million square meters.
In addition to the Atama Daibutsu, the grounds also feature Moai and a Stonehenge.
In summer (mid-July), around 150,000 lavender plants bloom beautifully.

Sapporo Suburbs – Jozankei Onsen Hotel- Hanamomiji

Jozankei Onsen is a renowned hot spring area near Sapporo,
and it takes about an hour to drive there from downtown Sapporo.
If you don’t drive, you can also take a bus, which takes only 60 to 75 minutes to reach.
It’s a very accessible hot spring area.
This time, we stayed at the Hanamomiji, an annex of Jozankei Onsen Hotel SHIKAnoYU.
There’s a parking lot right in front of the hotel, and parking is free.

Visit Hakodate Tropical Botanical Garden to See Monkeys Enjoying Hot Springs

Originally, I planned to go to Nagano to see monkeys soaking in hot springs.
But couldn’t get a group tour ticket from Tokyo. Instead, I got one for Hokkaido, so I decided to visit Hakodate to see the monkeys in hot springs.
I heard that the Hakodate Tropical Botanical Garden also has scenes of monkeys soaking in hot springs.
It was snowing heavily that day, so the monkeys should all be in the hot spring pool, right?!

【Aomori】Tsugaru Railway – Stove train

Japan has many unique tourist trains. One of the notable ones is the Tsugaru Railway in Aomori Prefecture, which introduces different trains throughout the seasons. In winter, they operate a Stove train, which is considered one of the local specialties and is only available during the winter season.

Enjoying Seafood Donburi and King Crab at Hakodate Morning Market (2019)

Hakodate boasts numerous attractions, among which the Hakodate Night View and Hakodate Morning Market are must-visit spots for first-time visitors.
However, this is probably my third or fourth visit.
The last time I wrote an article was in 2009. After a decade, it’s time to document any changes.
The Hakodate Morning Market is conveniently located next to Hakodate Station, making it a must-visit for all travelers.

Seoul’s Melting Pot: A Journey Through the Diverse Streets of Itaewon

Today, let’s delve into a unique corner of Seoul—Itaewon. Far from the bustle of traditional tourist trails, Itaewon stands as a true melting pot of cultures, its story beginning in the aftermath of the Korean War. With the establishment of a US military base, Itaewon began attracting people from around the globe. Gradually, this area transformed into a hub of cultural convergence, where every corner is brimming with stories.