We just returned from another trip to Japan, having spent a week in Kyoto during early July before continuing on to Tokyo. In this post, we’ll recap our visit to Kyoto, sharing some of what we experienced. Rather than this being a play-by-play trip report, this will mostly contain photos and observations (plus some condensed […]
Heian Shrine (平安神宮, Heian Jingū) was built in 1895 for the 1100th anniversary of Kyoto’s founding as capital of Japan. This modern re-creation is a 5/8 scale replica of the original Hiean Palace. In this post, we’ll discuss whether this free shrine is worth your time, if the paid gardens are worth the money, and […]
Kyoto has the most glorious gardens in all of Japan. From karesansui Zen rock gardens to stroll gardens, the best exemplars of the art of Japanese gardening can be found in Kyoto. In this post, I’ll share my favorite gardens in Kyoto. Fair warning: it was difficult to narrow down Kyoto’s garden highlights to a […]
Pinnacles National Park is a U.S. National Park in Northern California, south of San Francisco and an hour inland from Monterey Bay. It’s known mostly for its stunning rock-spires formed by an extinct volcano and an abundance of California Condors. Pinnacles was established as the United States’ 59th National Park, elevating it from a National […]
It’s difficult to narrow down the best fall colors locations in Kyoto down to a top 10 list. From foliage dotting the hillsides of Arashiyama to tree-lined temples of Higashiyama and everywhere in between, autumn in Japan’s ancient capital is a veritable sea of koyo (colorful leaves). The Japanese maple trees seem especially deep and vibrant in […]
Sagano Scenic Railway or “Romantic Train” is a sightseeing railway in Kyoto, Japan that runs along Hozugawa River between Arashiyama and Kameoka with beautiful mountain views. The slow-moving, 25-minute ride is aboard an old-fashioned train. It’s the Sagano ‘Romantic’ Train to the extent that this classic railway is romanticized, not because there are make-out cars […]
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is the perfect road trip in Southern California if you’re visiting San Diego or Orange County. In this post, we’ll offer tips for visiting, including some of the best locations to visit, what to see, and what to expect from the trip. The first thing we should mention is that although Anza-Borrego […]
Miyajima is an island near Hiroshima famous for the giant floating torii gate of Itsukushima Shrine, which is ranked as one of Japan’s three best views. This Miyajima Island touring plan offers a step-by-step itinerary for seeing the giant torii at both low and high tide, the ropeway to Mt. Misen, temples, great food, and […]
Thanks to craggy peaks, pristine lakes, and more, the Canadian Rockies is one of the most iconic photography locations in the world. Yoho, Jasper, and Banff National Parks feature Canada’s finest mountain ranges, making these places a bucket list destination for many photographers. Even after visiting all of these places, the Canadian Rockies remain on […]
Beyond reading that it’s Tokyo, Japan’s Hello Kitty theme park, I couldn’t find a lot of info about Sanrio Puroland before our visit. In this post, we seek to rectify the dearth of info and planning tips, covering whether it’s worth your time, how to save money on tickets, and other tips for avoiding lines […]