As first-time visitors to Japan, we made sure to spend some time exploring its amazing capital city, Tokyo. We wanted to experience what it feels like to be in the world’s most populous metropolis and dive into its wonders. This DIY Tokyo itinerary is not the most perfect one there is, but through it, we experienced the city’s traditional side and modern atmosphere while immersing in the sceneries for at least a couple of days. From the culture-rich districts of Asakusa to the high rises and busy modern streets of Shibuya. From the hippest and very trendy Akihabara to the old-fashioned settin ..read more

Our main goal in visiting Japan is to experience things that are only possible here, among which is wearing a kimono. You simply cannot leave Japan without trying this and walking in the streets like a traditional Japanese local. For us, it was best to have a kimono-wearing experience in the streets of Asakusa, Tokyo. Trivia: The word kimono literally means “a thing to wear”, from its Japanese roots ki which means “wear”, and mono which means “thing”. But it basically refers to clothing originally worn as a formal garment for special occasions in Japan. By description, it is a long ..read more

Mt. Fuji, an almost perfectly shaped volcano is nearly impossible to be excluded in every Japan itinerary. Who would skip such a timeless attraction that has inspired generations of poets and artists? Standing 3,776 meters tall, Mt. Fuji is Japan’s highest peak and the 7th highest island peak on Earth.   Mt. Fuji Sightseeing: A Day Trip from Tokyo Seeing Mt. Fuji firsthand was one of my childhood dreams that’s why this day trip was a top priority. In fact, this was on the first day of our “original” itinerary (but due to unfavorable visibility forecasts, it was moved to the third d ..read more

If you are staying in Tokyo, Nagano is another prefecture you can easily reach via shinkansen (bullet train). It is a mountainous area great for winter sceneries and activities, with Karuizawa as among the best winter dreamland just less than an hour’s shinkansen ride from the city. Karuizawa Prince Snow Resort is the place to go if you like winter activities such as skiing, snowboarding, or simply playing in the snow. This place is almost secret to tourists, as most people go to other more popular spots such as Gala Yuzawa and Nikko for snow. That’s why as a foreigner, Karuizawa is perfect i ..read more

  Nikko is just an easy 2-hour journey from Tokyo, making it an ideal quick getaway for Tokyo-based travelers. Located in the Tochigi Prefecture, Nikko is about 160 km (or almost a 3-hour non-stop drive) from Tokyo. The 2-hour journey from Tokyo is possible if you take a Shinkansen (bullet train) from the city center. Since we’re coming from Tokyo, a Nikko day trip is easy to do. We took a bullet train from Tokyo Station to Utsunomiya Station (50min), then a regular JR train going to Nikko Station (45min). That’s roughly 1.5 hours of train ride then add some allowance for walking and wai ..read more

In a country that is among the biggest coffee drinkers in the world, it’s not surprising that mobile coffee shops are popping up like food trucks and snack carts. Consumers, especially the working class, are always looking for their caffeine fix to fuel busy mornings and hectic work schedules. That’s why even in the provinces like Bulacan, you can spot several coffee shops almost everywhere. And do you know that there’s also a mobile coffee shop in the area, specifically in San Jose del Monte Bulacan?   About The Porta Brew mobile coffee shop The Porta Brew is the first mobile cafe to roa ..read more

Just a kilometer away or a 15-minute walk from Burnham Park is a lovely homestay where you can spend a good vacation. Home Sweet Home Boutique Homestay was our home for a night during our recent Baguio Trip. Awesomely, you’d get to stay in this cute Baguio homestay for just around 1.6k per night! I never knew there’s an accommodation this charming and affordable within the city center of Baguio! We stayed in their Couple’s Nest Room, which is just one of the two rooms inside the house available for rent.   Our experience at Home Sweet Home Boutique Homestay Baguio We arrived at Baguio sup ..read more

Craving for Japanese food? CHAYA Baguio serves contemporary Japanese cuisine that appears to be a favorite among visitors and locals. It is a log cabin home turned into a restaurant which makes for a homey and cozy dining experience. Feel at home and savor Japanese food in this hidden gem of the breezy Baguio! A culinary haven that anyone will surely like, CHAYA Baguio serves salads, sushi, tempura, rice bowls, noodles, desserts, hot & cold drinks, and more!   Our experience at CHAYA Baguio Woke up late in the morning with growling tummies, Jec and I instantly remembered there’s a nea ..read more

A must-try restaurant in Baguio, Cafe by the Ruins is well-loved by locals and tourists alike. You’ve probably heard about this restaurant many times already, as it’s one of the go-to restaurants near Burnham Park. Cafe by the Ruins gives that unique “Old Baguio” charm that many people keep on coming back for. We’ve been to Baguio several times already but it’s only in our recent trip that we finally got to try it! After exploring Mirador Heritage Park and having our lunch at Good Taste Restaurant, we took a much-needed power nap, then spent dinner time at Cafe by the Ruins.   Our experie ..read more

If you’re looking for a place in Baguio with overlooking views and picturesque surroundings without having to go too far from the city center, Mirador Heritage & Eco Park is the place to go! It is one of the newest attractions in Baguio that has been getting much attention since it opened in late 2020. Here, you can enjoy the Baguio weather while admiring the green sceneries and good views of the city from a hilltop.   Our experience at Mirador Heritage & Eco Park The entrance fee is 100php per person, and you can get here simply by taking a taxi from anywhere in Baguio. The park ..read more