Category: Explore

When in Shizuoka: Discovering Izu Peninsula 伊豆半島

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I hadn’t planned on writing about my weekend trip to Izu Peninsula 伊豆半島, but it left such an impression on me that I decided to share my experience!

Located south of Mt Fuji, Izu  is renowned for its breathtaking coastlines and hot springs, surrounded by mountainous terrain that stretches for miles on end. While often overlooked by foreigners in favour of Hakone and the like, it’s rather popular among locals as a weekend destination, thanks to its abundance of hot spring resorts.

Tsumekizaki

After spending the first leg of my trip navigating Tokyo’s dense neighbourhoods and complex subway systems, the serenity of Izu was a welcome change, albeit only for a couple of days.

It’s relatively accessible via train from Tokyo, although getting around will take considerably longer, especially if you’re thinking about visiting the coastal attractions.

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When in Tokyo: Luke’s Lobster @ Harajuku/Omotesando – Get a Taste of Maine in Harajuku

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Towards the tail end of my Tokyo trip, I was craving for Western food badly enough that I decided to brave the queue at Luke’s Lobster, a seafood franchise located a stone’s throw away from Takeshita Dori in Harajuku.

Contrary to my initial belief, Luke’s Lobster did not originate in Japan; it was brought over from New York some time around 2015. The idea came about when founder Luke Holden and his father set out to make their idea of a perfect lobster roll: chock full of fresh, chunky lobster claws, minus the diluted coleslaw and mayonnaise mix that seemed to plague most restaurants in New York.

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As luck would have it, the queue had pretty much dissipated when I joined, although it swelled to about 20 people by the time I reached the front counter. Good timing, or maybe I’m just incredibly lucky when it comes to queueing for food overseas (why the same luck doesn’t apply to my favourite stalls at Amoy during lunchtime is a mystery).

Check out my other Harajuku food recommendations! 

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When in Tokyo: Eating Your Way Around Harajuku 原宿

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While Harajuku 原宿 is widely considered as one of the ultimate places for teenaged fashionistas to visit, especially on the weekend, the hipster haven is also host to a variety of foodie gems. Whether it’s a sugary treat or a  belly busting bowl of ramen, here’s a rough guide of what to check out if you’re feeling anything between peckish to ravenous:

harajuku-takeshita-street

Catch up on the rest of my Tokyo trip here!

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When in Tokyo: Ryu Sushi 竜寿司 @ Tsukiji Fish Market 築地市場 – Have Sushi Here if You Want to Skip the Line at Sushi Dai 寿司大 and Daiwa Sushi 大和寿司

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Mention the words “seafood” and “Japan”, and Tsukiji Fish Market 築地市場 comes to mind. Indeed, the world’s biggest wholesale fish and seafood market is host to a gamut of fresh catches, and more importantly – sushi restaurants.

There are a couple of options when it comes to having sushi at this time honoured market. Sushi Dai 寿司大 and Daiwa Sushi 大和寿司  are two massively popular choices, thanks to the dozens of recommendations on TripAdvisor. But if you don’t want to burn the better part of your day queueing for three to four hours minimum, you can also check out Ryu Sushi 竜寿司 – or Ryuzushi as it’s known among the locals.

ryu-sushi-counter

Read my other Tokyo posts:

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When in Tokyo: Book and Bed 泊まれる本屋 @ Ikebukuro 池袋 – Sleep Inside a Bookshelf at this Unique Hostel

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Few things in life are as pleasurable as curling up with a good book in the comfort of your bed.

So when it was announced that a unique bookshelf themed hostel by the name of Book and Bed 泊まれる本屋 had opened in Ikebukuro 池袋, Tokyo in late 2015, I knew I had to add it to my bucket list.

book-and-bed-common-room

Home to 1,700 books and growing – all of them published by Shibuya Publishing & Booksellers, Book and Bed was inspired by the founding company, R-Store‘s vision to let guests combine the best of both worlds: a place that’s comfortable to sleep, as well as more interesting than your run of the mill bed.  And judging by their unique set up, they certainly achieved that!

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When in Tokyo: How to Buy Ghibli Museum Tickets Outside Japan

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Whether you’re an ardent fan of animation or a casual viewer, the Ghibli Museum in Mitaka is an attraction that can’t be missed if you’re visiting Tokyo.

Unlike most attractions, though, it isn’t a place you can simply stroll in when the mood takes you. Admission is strictly by advanced booking at certain times before your desired date and time.

Here’s how you can get your hands on the coveted tickets!

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Artbox Singapore @ Marina Bayfront Event Space (14-16 & 21-23 April 2017) – What to Check Out if You Absolutely Must Go (Invite)

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Regular travellers to Bangkok would be familiar with Artbox, the pop-up concept which features an array of hipster food and goods in giant shipping containers.

For fans of this famous flea market, the Singapore edition, consisting of over 300 stalls (made up of approximately 500 vendors in rotation) spread across 50 000 square feet, will be held at Marina Bayfront event space for the next 2 weekends.

Artbox Singapore

Given all that hype, is Artbox Singapore worthy of a visit?

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