Hakone

Hakone is one of the most famous destiantion for Japanese and International tourists to visit. It is a small town area, less than 100 km away from Tokyo, a part of Fuji Mountain area. The most popular spot in Hakone is the Lake Ashinoko, where you can see Fuji Mountain during the clear day, and Hakone Shrine.

The best time to see the Fuji Mountain is sunrise when the sky is really clear and the sun come up from opposite side. I took pictures starting at 4.30am in the morning since in spring time the sun rises earlier.

However, the sunset scenery is magical as well eventhough the snow of top Fuji Mountain is covered up by the sun light.

[HowToGetThere]

You can travel to Hakone by taking the Odakyu Line Train from Shinjuku Station.

[Tips]

The best way to travel in Hakone is using the HAKONE PASS which you can buy online in advance (you have to exchange the ticket in Shinjuku station) or just buy directly in the counter in Shinjuku station. This pass is the best offer for International tourist when travelling to Hakone since this pass will give access to every transportation from Tokyo to Hakone and throughout all Hakone area. They have 2 days pass which is 5.140 yen, and 3 days pass which is 5.640 yen, or you can combine the pass with other nearby area such as Fuji, Enoshima and Kamakura if you also want to visit there.
If you never visit Fuji before, you can visit both Fuji and Hakone using the Fuji Hakone 3 Day Pass.
If you only want to visit Hakone, you can just use Hakone 2 Day Pass 2 with 1 night stay over in Hakone area (this super recommended especially for those who wants to see sunset and sunrise). My recommendation schedule will be like list below.
- Taking Odakyu Line from Shinjuku Station to Odawara Station (75mins) and proceed to Hakone Yumoto Station (15 mins) which is FREE with the pass, or you can try taking the direct train from Shinjuku to Hakone Yumoto by paying additional ticket fee 1.090 yen (total trip is faster).
- In Hakone Yumoto Station, proceed to Bus stop number 2 to take H LINE Bus going to Motohakone. It will be better if your accomodation is somewhere in Motohakone where you will spend most of the first day.
- In Motohakone, you can visit the Museum there, Observation Deck on park, and Hakone Shrine and spending sunset time in Lake Ashi. Dont forget to have meal in the famous Soba Restaurant there (Hatsuhana Soba Shinkan).
- The next day, you can take the ferry for free from Motohakone port to Togendai port (30 mins) while seeing the beautiful Lake Ashi (if you are lucky, you can see Fuji Mountain during a clear day).
- As you arrive in Togendai Port, you can proceed by taking skylift to Owakudani to see the sulfur creater.
- After you spend some time in Owakudani, you can proceed with cable car going down to Sounzan Station, continue riding tram untill Gora Station.
- In Gora Station, you can visit Gora Park and having meal in the famous Tamura Ginkatsu-tei to try tofu cutlet dish.
- You can take the Hakone Tozan Train back to Hakone Yumoto, then Odawara, continue to Shinjuku Station.

VISITED ON MAY 26 TH, 2018

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May 30, 2018May 30, 2018

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Colorful Shibuya at Night

Who does not know Shibuya? Shibuya is one of the most famous icon of an area in Japan as the world’s most crowded crossing street. Whenever you travel Jalan, everyone must visit Shibuya once. Shibuya is one of district full of shopping mall, stores, restaurants, bars, clubs, etc. It is perfect place for tourist to feel the atmosphere of hanging out in Japan, especially at night. Hundred stores in Shibuya with their each own led board name make the colorful vibe of night life in Japan. Here are some photos taken.

[HowToGetThere]

So many subway rail lines to Shibuya, you can take any of them getting off at Shibuya station.

[Tips]

If you want to see the colorful led light in Shibuya, better to visit at night.
Do not forget to take care of your people, since it is really crowded, easy to get lost.
You can have many recommended menu such as ramen, sushi, other japanese foods in this area.

VISITED ON MAY 26TH, 2018

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May 27, 2018

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Daegu Lantern Festival

Daegu Dalgubeol Lantern Festival ( 대구 달구벌 등불 축제 ) is the annual event, held in Daegu city, when people gather altogether to make their own colorful lantern, write some wishes on the lantern and fly them together during sunset time. This event is held to celebrate Buddha’s birthday every year on April or May at Duryu Park, the famous baseball stadium in Daegu City which also held Chicken Beer Festival annualy.

It is one of the most famous annual festival in entire Korea as people come from every area to see the magical beautiful colorful flying lantern in this park. As a result, it is super difficult to get the ticket for this event. Usually the ticket will be sold online and gonna be sold loud within 5 mins only. Another option is buying the ticket on the spot. But, you have to come early in the morning and line up (it might be so long) because the ticket is limited. People do queue for the day ticket even though this section does not have the best view of the event.

I really recommend you to visit. The view is one of the most magical and most beautiful moment I’ve ever had in my life. Even though I tried to capture the moment with my camera dslr, but still cannot describe the magical moment I saw with my own eyes. It was 1000 times more beautiful if you witness by your own eyes. All you can see is the colorful lantern flying with the sunset sky as the background, the atmosphere was filled of people wishes which they write on the lantern and fly up to the sky as the lanterns go up. Sooooo beaautiiifuuulll.

[HowToGetThere]

Take Bus to West Daegu or East Daegu Terminal or take normal train to Daegu Station or take KTX to East Daegu Station from Seoul or other cities.
Then take subway and get off at Duryu Station. Take exit 14, and go straight (follow other people) to Duryu park

[Tips]

Book the ticket online to get best seat for the event. The green section will be the most favourite and the most difficult to get. Get ready for the ticket war.
Come earlier to Daegu city and enter the venue earlier to keep best seat.
Do not forget to check the weather forecast, it is better to bring matt, jacket, blanket, pillow, food, drinks, camera, tripod and everything you need to wait for more than 3 hours.

*more info

VISITED ON MAY 19TH, 2018

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May 21, 2018May 23, 2018

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Hiroshima

Hiroshima is the bigest city in Chugoku region, south Japan which is one of the most popular destination city. Hiroshima is popular as a city which was bombed by a nuclear weapon back on August 6th, 1945 during the World War II. Many tourists visit this city to see historical monuments, which were left by the atomic bomb tragedy.

Atomic Bomb Dome is one of the main destination in Hiroshima. This place was originally burnt and destroyed by the atomic bomb but was preserved as world heritage site by UNESCO. It is said that the bomb was released about 600m above this building resulting big damage to this building.

On the other side of the river, tourist can visit Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park which was built by the government to represent the peace of the world that the atomic bomb tragedy should not happen again.

Tourist can also take the boat tour to go around the river while seeing the memorial park.

Hiroshima Memorial Park has some monument to visit. First one is Children’s Peace Monument to emphasize the peace for children as the tragedy took many life of children,

Tourist can also see the Flame of Peace and Pond of Peace in the park.

The main spot of this park is The Memorial Cenotaph, located in the middle of park, being built to give honour and love for all the victims. Many tourist or local put flowers and pray in front of the monument to show their respect.

Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum is next. You can find out how terrible the atomic bomb tragedy is, as the museum display through pictures and stories.

Hiroshima is also popular destination for local students from all over area who visit to learn their history.

HowToGetThere

Take streetcar and get off at Atomic Bomb Dome station

*more info

Hiroshima Castle is the next destination tourist should visit. Being destroyed by the atomic bomb in 1945, government rebuilt the castle as the symbol of Japanese culture.

You can go inside the castle for 370 yen and see the Hiroshima city from above.

HowToGetThere

Take streetcar and get off at “Kamiya-cho” stop then walking for 15 mins.

*more info

VISITED ON MAY 10TH, 2018

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May 11, 2018May 11, 2018

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Nami Island in White

Good to be back for post. Today I could capture one of the best view of Nami Island during Winter in Korea, the prettiest Nami Island I’ve ever seen.

One night snowing in Nami Island already turned the whole island into magical white land. I took the earlier ferry to Nami Island at around 8.30am in the morning to get the best moment to have photo session as well as capture the landscape.

You have to be really lucky to be able to see the white Nami Island because the snow will melt in 1-2 hours when there’s sunlight. TIP : check the weather forecast, the perfect time to see Nami Island in white is right after it snows. Do not wait for 1-2 days, too late babyyy, even 1-2 hours can make a different change.

[HowToGetThere]

Take ITX from Yongsan Station to Gapyeong Station for 55mins (cost 5200 won / per person for adult) or take all-stop train to Gapyeong Station (about 2000 won)
When you get out from Gapyeong Station, you can take taxi for 5 mins (3000-5000 won) or take the Gapyeong shuttle bus for 6000 won or normal bus for 1300 won.

However, now travelling to Nami Island is so much easier if you join TRAZY daily tour which is good, efficient (no need to waste time by getting lost), fair price, and you can also travel to Petite France, Garden Morning Calm, Rail Bike, etc which are located in the same area. You can join the daily tour below.

Travel with TRAZY to Nami Island

[Tips]

Book the ITX through online on letskorail.com, even 2 weeks before because some period can be sold out, or juts take the normal train if you don’t get any.
If you’re planning to visit only Nami Island, it’s better to take the taxi to be faster. But if you plan to visit other places (Petite France, Garden of Morning Calm) you can take the Gapyeong shuttle bus for 6000 won (all day ride).
Come early in the morning! You might have to wait for more than 1 hour just to take ferry to Nami Island if you come after lunch time.
Check the weather forecast, come on the snowing day, or the next morning if it snows the whole night

*more info

VISITED ON NOVEMBER 24TH, 2017

IF YOU READ MY BLOG AND MANAGE TO VISIT THE PLACE, I APPRECIATE IF YOU CAN HELP ME TO SHARE MY BLOG BY USING HASHTAG #rufustory WHEN YOU POST THE PHOTOS OR SHARE MY BLOG ON YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA^^

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November 25, 2017November 25, 2017

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Cafe Yeonnam-dong 239-20

Seoul is never enough to offer you instagram-worthy places to visit such as Inside Comic Book – look alike cafe in Yeonnam-dong. The name is Cafe Yeonnamdong 239-20, which is the address of its cafe.

Just located 10 mins away walking from Hongdae station exit 3, this cafe offers you unique experience as you feel going inside a comic book when you enter the cafe building. The interior is only black and white color with hand-painted interior for doors, windows, tables, and chairs.

Just like other cafe, you can order various drinks such as coffee, tea, smoothies, juice, as well as cakes. My favourite one is their authentic ice milk tea, taste soo good, different with the milk tea you buy in gongcha.

The thing you can forget is taking photos with the concept of “being inside the comic book” such as popular Korean drama titled “W”. This time, I visited the cafe with Lee San, Malaysian friend who is also blogger and traveller like me. Check her blog here.

[HOWTOGETTHERE]

Take subway and get off at Hongdae Station, take exit 3
Going straight and take 2 o’clock direction on the first BIG 4-INTERSECTION
Going straight and take right on the next 4-INTERSECTION
Take left on the first 3-INTERSECTION
Keep going straight for 30m, and you will see the cafe on your left

*Naver Map

VISITED ON AUGUST 6TH, 2017

IF YOU READ MY BLOG AND MANAGE TO VISIT THE PLACE, I APPRECIATE IF YOU CAN HELP ME TO SHARE MY BLOG BY USING HASHTAG #RUFUSTORY WHEN YOU POST THE PHOTOS OR SHARE MY BLOG ON YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA^^

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September 29, 2017September 29, 2017

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Twenty-Four Seven Cafe

It is never enough to tell you about Seoul’s story. Not only has many tourist places to visit, Seoul also has many unique and beautiful cafes where you can have a break while travelling around Seoul, to enjoy a cup of coffee and some simple food (or even meals). Cafe in Seoul is a good place for hanging out with friends, taking beautiful photos and have sweet talk with beloved ones. It is also perfect destination for you who visit Seoul many times already and wanna visit some new places.

The first ever post about Seoul’s cafe is Twenty-Four Seven Cafe, located in Sangsu Station area. This is one of the most happening cafe in Seoul because of its beautiful interior and concept.

When you enter the cafe, all you wanna see is pretty flowers and plants decoration on every corner. It is green, pink, yellow, red, so colorful. The cafe has 2 floors, but it is not that big, however you gotta come earlier if you wish to get a good spot to sit and take photos freely before many people come and its gonna be too crowded. The cafe opens at 12pm. You can order various drinks (hot or ice) as well as waffle and shaved ice (bingsu).

‘After you get the seat and try the drinks, it is a must to take photos on the special spot which was designed on purpose for customers to take beautiful photos. You can also wear the flower hair crown and borrow the flower bouquet which are provided by the cafe as props for photoshoot.

It is gonna be perfect if you bring good camera to take photos as the photo spots in the cafe is the way too beautiful to be missed. This time, I visited this cafe with lovely pretty best-friend Jennifer, who became the model for my superb camera. Check her blog and also the photos below.

It’s enough to be envy, check the direction and make a visit soon to get your own beautiful cafe visit story in Seoul.

[HowToGetThere]

Take subway and get off Sangsu Station
Take the stairs of exit 2, and turn left as you get outside, go straight
Keep walking and you will pass some alleys
Turn right on the 4th alley (the 4th alley is after starbucks store)
Keep walking for around 30m, its gonna be on your right

*Naver Map

VISITED ON AUGUST 6TH, 2017

IF YOU READ MY BLOG AND MANAGE TO VISIT THE PLACE, I APPRECIATE IF YOU CAN HELP ME TO SHARE MY BLOG BY USING HASHTAG #RUFUSTORY WHEN YOU POST THE PHOTOS OR SHARE MY BLOG ON YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA^^

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August 23, 2017August 23, 2017

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