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 […]
Keyhole Arch ‘Light Show’ on Big Sur’s Pfeiffer Beach
/15 Comments/in Tips & Tricks California /by Tom BrickerA few weeks each winter, a natural phenomenon lines up sunset through Keyhole Arch on Big Sur’s Pfeiffer Beach. If you’re in Monterey, California in the winter, it’s a must-see. This post shares peak dates, photos, and tips for experiencing this ethereal “Light Show.” (Updated March 14, 2024.) The light comes through the Keyhole Arch […]
Hirano Shrine: Kyoto’s Sakura Season Party Scene
/1 Comment/in Things to Do Japan, Kyoto /by Tom BrickerDuring 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
/9 Comments/in Things to Do Japan, Kyoto /by Tom BrickerFor 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?
/9 Comments/in Things to Do Japan, Tokyo /by Tom BrickerTeamLab 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 […]
Restaurant Reviews & Food Guide for Universal Studios Japan
/0 Comments/in Dining Japan, Osaka, USJ /by Tom BrickerOur Universal Studios Japan restaurant reviews feature food photos from dining spots throughout the park, menu photos, and tips for what to order while at this theme park in Osaka, now including Super Nintendo World. From cute snacks to hearty meals, and Mario to Harry Potter to Hello Kitty, we’ve got you covered! (Updated March […]
Tips for Los Angeles Dodgers Stadium & Games
/4 Comments/in Things to Do California, L.A. /by Tom BrickerDodger 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
/25 Comments/in Things to Do Japan, Tokyo /by Tom BrickerStudio 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 […]
Kiyomizudera Temple Fall Foliage Evening Illumination
/4 Comments/in Things to Do Japan, Kyoto /by Tom BrickerIn autumn, vibrant fall colors are illuminated at Kiyomizudera Temple in Kyoto, Japan for a special night lighting. We’ve done the event multiple times, and share info, our experiences, and tips we’ve learned during visits to see the 1,000+ maple trees that form a veritable sea of red koyo along the temple’s hillside. Kiyomizudera is […]
California Best Beaches: Laguna’s Victoria Beach
/16 Comments/in Tips & Tricks California, Laguna Beach, SoCal /by Tom BrickerVictoria Beach is one of the best spots in Laguna Beach, California. Despite featuring one of the city’s most famous icons (a pirate tower!), this beach is also a hidden gem in terms of crowds. This post covers what you need to know about visiting, including practical tips for getting here and other points of […]
Guide to Sensoji Temple in Tokyo, Japan
/3 Comments/in Things to Do Japan, Tokyo /by Tom BrickerSensoji Temple is one of the most popular free things to do in Tokyo, Japan. Due to it being one of the city’s most iconic and significant sites, Senso-ji can be very crowded. This info guide provides tips & tricks for visiting, a unique aerial view, and photos of Asakusa Kannon Temple. If you watched […]