TravelswithCharie

Dinner haul from Family Mart Have you seen all the hype about konbini (convenience store) food hauls by travelers to Japan? It’s hard to miss these reels that are all over social media. It intrigued me so much that I decided to check it out on my way back to the US.  As soon as I arrived in Tokyo and after checking into my hotel in Haneda, I set out to buy the food items on my list. As if the universe knew my plans, there just happened to be a Family Mart in front of my hotel. My first shopping haul included mackerel , salmon, rice ball, rice ball with roe, edamame, matcha cookie, pancakes, french toast, rice crackers, 2 coca cola and 3 water bottles. The total came to 2,548 yen or $16.11. The viral items that these travelers to Japan grab at the konbini stores are the onigiri, egg sandwich, strawberry custard creamy sandwich and smoothies. Notice I didn’t buy any of these as I’m allergic to some of the ingredients in these food items.   Day 1 - dinner Rice, salmon and edamam...

Corridor leading to the cabins in the Ladies section of the hotel I recently stayed at First Cabin Haneda Hotel in Tokyo. After missing my flight (I was flying on standby), I was glad to have found First Cabin. The hotel is conveniently located at Terminal 1 and as it happened, they had a room available for me. The hotel is divided into two areas, one for male and another for female guests. To enter the respective areas, you are given a security card key upon check in. Check out time is 10 a.m. Rooms are also available for a minimum two hour use and may be extended for a corresponding fee. First Class Cabin There are two types of rooms, a first class cabin with semi double bed and a business class cabin with single bed and no room for baggage. I arrived close to midnight and I had to be quiet because my neighbors could easily hear me through the thin walls and gaps between the door and ceiling. The front desk has ear buds if you’re a light sleeper. Accordion door does not lock Ameni...

These three cities in the Kansai region will leave your diary full of memorable entries. Nara Nara is awash with historical temples, shrines and ruins, a legacy from its early influence as the capital of Japan in the 8th century.  Todai -ji Is  the most visited of these temples. It is the home of the seated  Daibutsu  (Great Buddha), one of the largest bronze statues in Japan. It measures an impressive 15 meters in height and and fills the Great Hall (Daibutsuden) with its presence. Two  Bosatsu (Bodhisattva) sit on either side of Buddha.  The  Daibutsuden  is the biggest wooden building in the world though it is much  smaller than the original structure which was razed by fire in 1180 during the Genpei Civil War. Other interesting displays in the Hall are the mock-up model of the temple as it was in the 8th century and gigantic Nio statues. The Nio deities are the traditional guardians of Buddha. They protect the temple from evil spirit...

On a recent unexpected layover in Tokyo, we were lucky to find a hotel in Shinagawa with a beautiful strolling garden. I would have missed it had I not caught a glimpse of greenery from the lobby after my morning walk. Since there was not much time before checkout, I skipped to the back door to discover this secret garden in the shadow of towering buildings. I wanted to learn more about Japanese gardens after this trip and found that t here are several elements  defining a Japanese garden.  First of these are the trees and plants which are especially chosen to provide texture. Various types of shrubbery, grasses, moss, conifers and trees are carefully selected depending on the type of garden. There are no shade trees. Subtle use of color is achieved with flowering trees and shrubs like azaleas, camellias and hydrangeas. A stone pagoda lantern completes the picture. Water and carp. The Japanese garden is a refuge of calm especially for city dwellers weary of the dail...

As I sleep Facing the city, My Buddhas Stand even in my dreams On an autumn night. Aizu Yaichi, Poet, historian, calligrapher 1891-1956 Daibutsu Nara is chock-full of historical temples, shrines and ruins, a legacy from its early influence as the capital of Japan in the 8th century. Todai-ji is the most visited of these temples. It is the home of the seated Daibutsu (Great Buddha), one of the largest bronze statues in Japan. It measures an impressive 15 meters in height and and fills the Great Hall (Daibutsuden) with its presence.  Bodhisattva Two  Bosatsu (Bodhisattva) sit on either side of Buddha.  Todai-ji Temple The  Daibutsuden  is the biggest wooden building in the world under one roof though it is much  smaller than the original structure which was razed by fire in 1180 during the Genpei Civil War.  Model of Todai-ji One of several interesting displays in the Daibutsuden is the model of Todai-ji as it w...

Hozu/Oi River Arashiyama  has the distinction as being both a Historic Site and Place of Scenic Beauty. It shares its name with the mountain that creates a lovely setting to this popular destination.   Sakura or cherry blossoms in the spring, the red and golden colors of autumn leaves and snow on the slopes of Arashiyama in winter enhance the beauty of the landscape through the changing seasons. 

Unlike its neighbors, Kyoto and Nara, Osaka has few historical landmarks to show. This third largest city in Japan makes up for the shortfall with its thriving entertainment and food scene.  Dotonbori Street Dotonbori is referred to as the Times Square of Osaka. I think of it as an amusement park with shopping, restaurants, theaters, night clubs and crazy billboards all lit up at night. This place is all about fun, food and whimsical appearances. Restaurant signboard Osaka has been christened the city of kuidaore which means, "eat until you drop". Nowhere is food more visible than in Dotonbori where cartoon signs come alive in the evening, beckoning patrons to dinner. The restaurant shown above is on Dotonbori Street and from the looks of things, the favorite of Spiderman. There are also food stalls on the street selling two popular street food,  okonomiyaki (grilled pancake with flour, eggs, shredded cabbage and meat)   and takoyaki (octopus dumplings)....

While waiting for my flight to Singapore from Narita, I was a lucky witness to this incredible sunset in the land of the rising sun.

Main Hall of Kyoto Station When Hiroshi Hara conceived his plan for Kyoto Station, he thought about "geographical perspective" and Kyoto's grid patterned streets. I am reminded of Piet Mondrian's painting, Broadway Boogie Woogie , which is based on the grid pattern of the streets of Manhattan. Hara had essentially incorporated old Kyoto in his design. But his futuristic ideas met resistance from locals who viewed his modern aesthetic plan for the station as a threat to the traditional landscape of Kyoto. I felt dwarfed by the immensity of the main hall with its glass and steel beamed roof. Standing in the center of the hall, I looked around in wonder and wondered where to begin my exploration of this city within a city. Here's where three rail lines converge. There's a bus terminal on the north side of the station and a mall in the basement called Porta Underground with about a hundred shops and restaurants. No need to search far for lo...