Photos of Spring: Flowers, Sunshine & Hikes
Winter’s in the rear view mirror and it’s time to embrace the flowers, sunshine and hikes of Spring!
Japan
Osaka, Japan’s Dotonburi District: Get Squished, Eat, Play, Repeat
The hottest trend fueling psychology circles right now is the revival of the Enneagram, nine personality categories that help you better understand yourself and others. I am a #Seven, the consummate Enthusiast, who possesses an insatiable zeal for life. We Sevens yearn for one big, fat adventure after another. If … Read more
Kanamean Nishitomiya
Kyoto’s charms lie in its hidden alleys, majestic shrines and the careful preservation of traditions more modern cities like Tokyo have lost. And there’s no better way to experience the old-world charm of the city than in a ryokan, a traditional inn in one of the city’s old wooden houses. … Read more
3 You May Not Know
Tokyo is a city always on the move and forever changing. It had been three years since I last visited and I wanted to get out of the grid of the usual neighborhoods like Shinjuku, Shibuya and Ginza. I was looking to go deeper, to explore non-touristy neighborhoods that join … Read more
Shibuya District Beyond Shibuya Crosswalk
Tokyo is a city always on the move and always changing. This wasn’t my first trip there, but it had been three years since my last visit. I was most familiar with the Shibuya neighborhood where I had visited numerous times. But Shibuya is much more than a neighborhood; it’s … Read more
Nikko, Japan: City of Zen
You’re in Tokyo and pumped up on all the adrenaline the city has to offer; but don’t forget about getting outside the locus. Consider a day trip to Nikko. Passengers depart from Tokyo’s Asakusa station via the Tobu Railway, and the smooth, Limited Express train journey takes just under two … Read more
A Guide to Global Christmas Markets
Tis the season for twinkling lights, choirs caroling, warm mulled wine, decadent sweets and plenty of holiday cheer. And there’s no better way to experience the sights, sounds and tastes of the season than with a visit to a Christmas market. While Germany is renowned for its markets and totally … Read more
Exploration and Adventure Destinations
We just announced our picks for the most intriguing destinations for the upcoming year in travel. The list—which we’ve divided into 4 segments—includes something for every travel style. From urban destinations to cultural and foodie hotspots, and from destinations ripe for exploration and adventure to others that are probably new … Read more
Surprising Kyoto
Often compared with Tokyo, Kyoto is Japan’s most manageable city, one of the world’s greatest walking cities, and perfect for biking, too. It’s laid out on a grid so getting lost is a choice rather than the inevitability like in Tokyo. Walk, rent bicycles, or even take public transportation which … Read more
Jazzed Up in Japan
Outside of New York City, the jazz scene in Tokyo is better than any city on earth, with first rate clubs, hotel lounges, and local hangouts attracting up and coming as well as international acts. New acts, both Japanese and foreign, have eager and sophisticated audiences before them who sit … Read more
The World’s Most Unusual Cafes
You’re sitting at a charming table in a quaint café, sipping coffee, taking in the ruins in some romantic city like Rome. Across the room someone is staring at you alluringly. Nothing could be more perfect. And then you wake up, because, really, this would only happen in a café … Read more
Around Tokyo One Day at a Time
Sprawling over 5,200 square miles and with upwards of 35 million residents, greater Tokyo is the world’s largest metropolis. Scores of museums and attractions, parks and gardens, restaurants and nightspots tempt visitors. New attractions, like Tokyo Skytree, the world’s tallest freestanding tower, keep Japan’s capital on the cutting edge. But … Read more
Japan by Air and Train
It’s a new year, which means new places to see. If you’ve been eyeing Japan but haven’t been able to set aside the time or find flights that work, 2013 may be the year to look again. New means of getting to and around the island nation have recently opened … Read more
96 Hours in Japan
Japan remains for me “the trip of a lifetime” and even though I am there frequently, its magic makes each visit memorable and instructive. I learn something new every time. On a personal level, my time there has led me to think more about the group than myself; to be … Read more
Street Cuisine
From a hot dog in New York City to a taco in Mexico, street food can easily make an impression on a growling stomach and not on your wallet! Street cuisine is as much a part of the local culture as the people and if you want to feel like … Read more