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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Olympic Park Rose Plaza

Rose is blooming in entire Seoul now! One of the best place to visit is Rose Plaza in Olympic Park. Not only colorful roses, the garden has also the iconic big red-blue ball made by string in the middle

Rose flower blooms in Seoul city starting from last week of May until second week of June (depend on the weather). The best time to visit is late May (after May 25th) until first week of June (before June 10th) when rose reach its peak.

Not only rose flower, they also have the red poppy flowers (양귀비) which bloom in a small hill and blue corn flower (수레국화) on the other side.

[HOWTOGETTHERE]

Get off at Bangi Station (Line 5), take exit 4.
When you get out, keep going straight until you see the intersection and you will see the garden across the road (walking direction on map)

VISITED ON MAY 28TH, 2017

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May 29, 2017May 29, 2017

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Seoul Grand Park Rose Festival

Seoul is having full bloomed rose flower in some days. There are some rose garden where you can see the beautiful colourful roses, one of the best one is the Seoul Grand Park Rose Garden. It also has the annual festival, which will be held from May 27 – June 11 this year.

Watch the beauty-story of Seoul Grand Park Rose Garden HERE

[HOWTOGETTHERE]

Get off at Seoul Grand Park Station (Line 4), take exit 2.
When you get out, keep going straight until you see the shuttle train station (see on map)
Take the shuttle train (1000 won) to the rose garden

Watch the detailed direction from the subway station to the rose garden through rufustory video-footage HERE

*more info

VISITED ON MAY 27TH, 2016

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May 24, 2017May 29, 2017

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Chosun University Rose Garden Festival (Gwangju)

Rose blooms everywhere on late May in Korea. One of the beautiful rose park is in Gwangju city, 3,5 hours away from Seoul. The garden is located inside the biggest private University, called Chosun University in Gwangju city. The garden has so much various kind of beautiful and colourful roses. Chosun University Rose Garden festival is only held for 3 days on May 19-21 this year, but you can still see the pretty flowers until first week of June.

[HOWTOGETTHERE]

Take bus from Express Bus Terminal (17.600 won) to U-Square Gwangju Bus Terminal for 3,5 hours.
In front of the bus terminal take bus no 03, 02, 01 for 30 mins and get off at Chosun University bus stop. Taking taxi is only 6000 won for 15 mins.
From the bus stop you can walk towards the main gate and the garden is located about 5 mins from main entrance.

VISITED ON MAY 21TH, 2015

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May 22, 2017May 24, 2017

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