Shimanami Kaido - Part 2

The second part of the Shimanami Kaido. We're going to continue where we left off, and that is the Ikuchijima Island, the most interesting island compares to others. See Full Photoshoot here

Shimanami Kaido

Shimanami Kaido ( しまなみ海道 ) is an expressway which links the main islands of Honshu and Shikoku through a series of bridges and 6 islands ( Mukaishima, Innoshima, Ikuchijima, Omishima, Hakatajima and Oshima ). The best part about it is that you can travel the Shimanami Kaido by bicycle. Cycling is a very popular way of experiencing the Shimanami Kaido.

See Full Photoshoot here

Matsuyama Castle

Matsuyama Castle (松山城) is definitely the best Castle I've been in Japan. The castle stands proud above the hill, right in the middle of the town. This castle is one of the preserved castle. It is still original, with a little bit of repair here and there because of the fire long time ago. It also offers you a gorgeous view of the city from the top.

Take a look at the Castle here.

Matsuyama

There are four main islands in Japan: Honshu, Hokkaido, Shikoku, and Kyushu. Shikoku is the smallest of the four. It is considered to be the forgotten island among the four.

Shikoku is Japan's hidden gem. If you like outdoor, nature, adventures, and willing to spend some time to venture into the inner part of this place, you will be rewarded with amazing scenic views, natural beauty untouched by human.

See Full Photoshoot here.

Teuchi Udon Kuukai

Last month I had a chance to visit to Shuunan City in Yamaguchi Prefecture for business trip. The city itself doesn't offer any interesting sightseeing spot, however the city does have a lot of delicious food to offer.

See Full Photoshoot here

Oshino Hakkai

Oshino is a small village in Yamanashi Prefecture. The village used to be a lake called Lake Utsu. Lake Utsu used to be the biggest lake surrounding Mount Fuji. When Mt. Fuji erupted around 800 AD, the lava from Mt. Fuji split the lake into two, Lake Yamanaka and Lake Oshino. Later, the lake Oshino dried up, but the eight spring (pond) still remain and they are called Oshino Hakkai.

See Full Photoshoot here

Fuji Shibazakura

I first set my eyes on Fuji Shibazakura Matsuri two years ago, right after I went to Hitsujiyama Park Shibazakura. The harmony between mount Fuji and Shibazakura are so mesmerizing that I promised myself that I will definitely go to this place. Last month, I finally able to visit this place.

See Full Photoshoot here

Doraemon Museum

Japan has so many interesting museums, from Ramen to Gyoza museum, from Parasite to Dinosaur museum, and from Bandai to Ghibli museum. Regardless of your age and interests, you will be able to find some museums that are worth the visit. For Doraemon's fans, the Fujiko F Fujio Museum is definitely a place I would recommend.

The Fujiko F Fujio Museum, also known as Doraemon Museum, was first opened on September 3, 2011. The museum is still new and a bit small, but it has its own charm, especially if you're a big fan of Doraemon. See Full Photoshoot here

My favorite season, the Sakura Season, is here. A couple of years ago while I was still living in Indonesia, I really had no idea why people always making such a big deal about Sakura. Only after coming to Japan, I could truly understand the joy of watching flowers and Sakura immediately became my favorite flower. And during this time, I would feel really bad if I don't spend time blogging about it.

See Sakura Photoshoot here

Tonki - Tonkatsu Restaurant

Tonkatsu, deep fried pork cutlet, is no doubt one of my favorite Japanese foods. Tokyo offers lots of Tonkatsu restaurants. However, when we talk about personal recommendation, there are two places I would recommend. One is Katsukura in Shiodome, and the other one is Tonki in Meguro.

See Tonki review here

Culture Japan HQ

It all began one day when I noticed that Chun, a very talented doll fashion designer, was tweeting from Akihabara, Tokyo. I contacted her immediately and we all ended up invading Culture Japan HQ. See Full Photoshoot here

iPhone 4S

I finally upgraded my iPhone from 3GS to 4S a few weeks ago. I've been trying my hard to resist the temptation to upgrade my iPhone when iPhone 4 came out last year. I couldn't get it because I was stuck with my 2 years contract at that time. When iPhone 4S came out, I still had a couple of months left in my contract. Luckily, Softbank had a free upgrade plan from 3GS to 4S. And that's how I got my iPhone 4S.

See Full Photoshoot here

Oohara Naked Festival

Wait, Naked Festival ?? Well, don't worry. The men weren't entirely naked. Every year in Isumi City, Chiba Prefecture, the Japanese people celebrates the Oohara Hadaka ( Naked ) Festival. The festival is celebrated by hundreds of nearly naked males and females to wish for the good luck and the prosperity of the year. It is by far the most interesting festival I've ever seen.

See Full Photoshoot here

Yoyogi in Black and White

It was Sunday, another day of scorching heat. No matter how hot it was, it couldn't stop me and my partner in crime, Derek, to do a photowalk at Yoyogi Koen. We walked ( a lot ! ), took photos, ate Biryani rice at Indian / African Festival, watched basketball match, and practiced some Juujutsu. See Full Photoshoot here

There are many stories regarding the origin of Maneki Neko. The three famous legends are the Goutokuji, Imado, and Yoshiwara. See Goutokuji's legend here

Takano Fruits Parlor

There are many All You Can Eat restaurant in Tokyo, such as the Guts Soul for the meat lover. For those of you fruits lover, let me introduce you a fruits buffet restaurant called Takano Fruits Parlor.

Full coverage of Wonfes Summer 2011 here

Wonder Festival Summer 2011 - One Piece and Harry Potter

See Full Photoshoot here

Higashi Murayama

Flowers are part of the Japanese culture. Apart from Sakura, Japan has many flowers to enjoy throughout the seasons, such as Ajisai, Kouyou, Rengeshouma, Ume, Yuri, etc. Higashi Murayama is a pretty good place to hunt flowers.

花は日本の文化の一部です。桜を始め、紫陽花、紅葉、蓮華升麻、梅、ゆりなど、色々な花を楽しむことができる。東村山は花狩り所としていい場所だと思う。

Full Photoshoot here

Shoufuku Ji

Shoufuku Ji (正福寺) is a Zen Buddhist temple in Higashi Murayama (東村山). The Shoufuku Jizo Hall is registered as one of the National Treasure of Japan. See Full Photoshoot here