Things to Do

Points of interest and things to do when you travel. Includes photos, tips and tricks for making the most of each location so you know how much time to spend there and more!

Robot Restaurant in Tokyo, Japan: Review, Reopening & Replacement

Robot Restaurant is a crazy dinner show in the neon district of Shinjuku in Tokyo with samurai, dancers, monsters, etc. This review shares whether it’s worth the money, photos from our experiences, and info about its replacement and reopening. (Updated January 21, 2025.) The bad news: Robot Restaurant has now been temporarily closed for the […]

Shibuya Sky Review: Tokyo’s Best Observation Deck

Shibuya Sky is the highest open-air rooftop observation deck in Japan. Located on the 47th floor of the Shibuya Scramble Square building, the top deck is at about 230m or 751 feet high. This review offers info, tips & tricks, and recommendations for getting the most out of your experience at Shibuya Sky. Review might […]

Review: Is Tokyo Skytree Worth Doing?

Tokyo Skytree is the tallest building in Japan, with an observatory & restaurant at its higher levels overlooking the city, and a shopping center at lower levels. This guide provides info, tips, and a review of whether the Skytree is worth the time and money, plus a comparison to alternative viewing spots. (Updated January 20, […]

Best Cherry Blossom Nighttime Illuminations in Kyoto

Evening illuminations during sakura season are popular at temples, castles, and gardens in Kyoto, Japan. This list shares the best nighttime cherry blossom spots throughout the city, with 2024 dates & details, plus our recommended 1-night itinerary if you only have a single night to see all of the special lights. We’ve experienced sakura season […]

Griffith Observatory Review & Guide

Griffith Observatory is a planetarium & astronomy museum, one of the best free things to do in Los Angeles, California. It’s also great for hikes with excellent panoramic views of the Hollywood Sign, Downtown L.A., and Pacific Ocean on clear days. This offers a review, photos, tips for visiting and everything you need to know. […]

Hirano Shrine: Kyoto’s Sakura Season Party Scene

During spring sakura season, Hirano Shrine is one of the top spots in Kyoto cherry blossoms. Its nighttime illuminations and parties are among the best events in all of Japan. This post offers hanami at Hirano tips and our thoughts on the Oukasai Cherry Blossom Festival. (Updated March 14, 2024.) As we shared in updates […]

Cherry Blossom Night Lighting at Kiyomizudera Temple

For sakura season, Kiyomizu-dera Temple in Kyoto, Japan has special night illumination. We’ve visited during the night lighting for cherry blossom season many times, and share some of our experiences, photos and tips we’ve learned during the visit. (Updated March 14, 2024.) During the 2024 cherry blossom season, Kiyomizudera Temple is open for nighttime illumination […]

TeamLab Review: Tokyo Top Pick or Tourist Trap?

TeamLab Planets and Borderless are interactive digital art museums in Tokyo Japan that offer galleries of immersive and Instagrammable surreal installations. This review explains what that actually means, shares photos from inside the exhibits and covers whether it’s worth the time, money & effort to visit, plus tips for buying tickets. teamLab offers a number of temporary exhibitions […]

Tips for Los Angeles Dodgers Stadium & Games

Dodger Stadium is a perfect setting for a Major League Baseball game, and an excellent way to spend an afternoon or evening in Los Angeles. In this guide, we’ll cover which seats to choose, what to eat, how to get there from Downtown LA and elsewhere in Southern California. (Updated March 11, 2024.) The Los […]

Studio Ghibli Museum Review & Tips

Studio Ghibli Museum in Mitaka, Japan is a tribute to anime films, and the technical & creative process of animation. This review covers whether it’s worth the time, money & effort to visit, plus tips for buying tickets. (Updated March 7, 2024.) We won’t bury the lede: Ghibli Museum is one of the best things to […]