Jul11
Published by misha in Asia, Cities, Cultural, Eating, Hiking, Hotels, Japan, Parks, Photos, Relaxing, Restaurants, Romantic, Sightseeings, Spa, Travel Stories, Urban Tourism
Hotel Kobe Harborland is the perfect combination of urban chic and seaside relaxation. Sleek, modern interiors, two superb restaurants, an indulgent spa, as well as a true sense of welcome and great service make this a special place to stay. The simplicity of Japanese design creates an atmosphere of casual sophistication, totally conducive to relaxation.
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Apr29
Published by misha in Adventure, Asia, Cultural, Eating, Hiking, Japan, Photos, Relaxing, Romantic, Sightseeings, Travel Stories, Villas
Oozing rustic charm, the isolated Aoni Onsen offers the most evocative bathing in northern Japan. It is no surprise to hear that it is also known known as ”lamp no yado” because it has run for decades without electricity. Even today, oil lamps are used to light the hot springs for guests, who are cocooned in peaceful solitude.
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Apr29
Published by misha in Adventure, Arts, Asia, Chillin, Cultural, Hiking, Hotels, Japan, Museums, Photos, Relaxing, Sightseeings, Travel Stories, Urban Tourism
The rooms at Benesse House in remote Naoshima Island on Japan‘s Inland Sea are, quite literally, works of art. A unique hybrid of art museum and boutique hotel, it is the inspiration of Soichiro Fukutake, president of Benesse Corporation, a publisher of books for children and the parent company of Berlitz language school.
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Mar24
Published by misha in Asia, Cultural, History, Japan, Photos, Sightseeings, Travel Stories, Walking
Few original Japanese landmark survive because their wooden structures were so vulnerable to fire. White Heron Caste, however is perfectly preserved because its walls were covered and reinforced with white fireproof plaster. The building’s name derives form this peculiarity as well as of its gracefully upturned eaves, which gave the impression of a heron taking flight. Built on Mount Himeyama, the castle was originally a fortification for the Akamatsu clan against attacks from local shoguns. Photo by: JP in Dublin
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Mar12
Published by misha in Adventure, Asia, Eating, Hiking, Japan, Photos, Relaxing, Resorts, Romantic, Sightseeings, Spa, Travel Stories, Walking
The ritual of bathing has never been more sublime that at the new, stylish Hoshinoya resort. This is no traditional hot spring. Hoshinoya sits firmly in twenty-first century. Green geothermal energy supplies the underfloor heating, and the surroundings ate seriously contemporary. Dark wood and stone floors replace the familiar tatami mats. Photo by: terururu
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Mar12
Published by misha in Adventure, Asia, Cities, Cultural, Eating, Japan, Photos, Relaxing, Romantic, Travel Stories
Should you be given the distributing news that you are officially dead, do not panic. You have probably just tied your yukata (house robe) right over left – kimono speak for ”deceased”- and need to retie it. More than 300 years old, Hiiragiya Ryokan is a historic inn that is widely regarded as the pinnacle of style and traditional hospitality. Look closely and you will see the wooden hitching posts, used by traveling feudal lords who arrived on horseback, on the long clay walls. Such grand arrivals might e a thing of the past, but theater comes with the territory, and thanks to the six generations of the same family, service is as sharp as samurai sword. Photo by: Rob Gruhl
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Feb24
Published by iv in Arts, Asia, Cultural, History, Japan, Museums, Photos, Relaxing, Shopping, Walking
The National Art Center is a unique and innovative art exhibition facility. Opened in 2007 in Roppongi, Tokyo.
The facility has 47,960 m of floor space on a 30,000 m site with four stories above ground and one below. Access is from Nogizaka Station on the Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line.
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