The beginning of our 1-Day ‘Best of’ Kyoto, Japan Itinerary is basically just why you should not use it. In that diatribe, we promised this itinerary, a superior option that would offer fewer of the greatest hits, but better balance between popular and hidden-gem temples. We’re dubbing this alternative touring plan the Brickers’ 1-Day Perfect Kyoto, Japan Itinerary because […]
Fushimi Inari is a free shrine in Kyoto, Japan with vermilion torii gates stretching endlessly. This post details our experience hiking through over 10,000 torii gates, shares photos of the experience, and offers tips for visiting Fushimi Inari, sometimes known as the “Fox Shrine.” This post also offers a “review” of Fushimi Inari, but if […]
Our 1-day Kyoto, Japan itinerary is an efficient step-by-step plan of attack for visiting the best of the city’s temples and shrines, including several UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It’s a jam-packed day that crisscrosses Kyoto, and will take you to some of the city’s top temples and, by extension, the best of Japan. Before we […]
In some regards, Rurikoin Temple is about the furthest thing from a hidden gem in Kyoto. It’s famous for foliage–and not just fall colors–within Japan, and despite a pricey entrance fee, this renowned spot commands lengthy lines that can result in waits of 2-3 hours just to enter. Despite that, there’s a reasonably good chance […]
The Voigtländer 10mm f/5.6 Hyper Wide Heliar E is a revolutionary lens, and as a member of the ultra wide angle “cult,” it was one of my motivations for jumping back into mirrorless photography with the Sony a7 III. This photography review weighs the strengths and weaknesses of the lens, with sample photos I’ve shot while […]
It is indisputable scientific fact that modern man has two passions: cars and dinosaurs. The Cabazon Dinosaurs’ creator, Claude Bell, knew this basic fact, and sought to capitalize on it by building his dinosaurs in the 1960s along the roadside in California. I can further corroborate this fact: while driving the I-10 to Palm Springs […]
Pantheon is a church-like building in Paris, France’s Latin Quarter that now serves as a tourist attraction and mausoleum. In this post, we’ll share photos from the Pantheon, tips & info for visiting, and review whether it’s worth your time and money. Originally built as a church dedicated to St. Genevieve and to house the reliquary […]
If you’re looking for world’s largest collection of Claude Monet’s Impressionist masterpieces, Musée Marmottan Monet is the best museum in Paris to visit. In this post, we’ll share photos of the galleries, whether it’s worth your time and money, and a review of this relatively under-the-radar point of interest. While I’m not sure calling it […]
Arc de Triomphe is a French icon, behind only the Eiffel Tower as recognizable Paris landmarks go. In this post, we’ll share tips for visiting, how to avoid lines & crowds, and share photos from the galleries and top viewing deck of the Arc de Triomphe during the day, sunset, and at night. As with […]
If you’re visiting Paris, France and plan to go up into the Eiffel Tower, we have tips for saving time and money. In this post, we’ll share our experience so you can learn from our mistakes, plus photos of the views from the Eiffel Tower at sunset and night, and other helpful planning advice. We’ve […]