Follow me to get first-hand and authentic tips on travelling in Japan
19 May 2024 3 minute read 0 comments cryotosensei
Mention Japanese weddings, and the image of a stately couple solemnly going through wedding customs in their traditional kimono at a shrine inevitably comes to mind. However, this is but one of the many ways in which Japanese couples choose to get ma...
8 May 2024 1 minute read 1 comment cryotosensei
Sometimes, the best way to understand the Japanese is to compare it with another culture. Korea may be Japan's closest neighbour, but the eating habits of the Japanese differ so drastically from those of the Koreans that you will be surprised! Throug...
8 May 2024 1 minute read 0 comments cryotosensei
With the advent of the JR Kyushu Shinkansen, travelling to Kagoshima has never been easier. Favorably compared to its sister city, Naples, you can expect mild weather, an active volcano, and - best of all - passionate individuals! Here are five thing...
7 May 2024 1 minute read 0 comments cryotosensei
5 May is Children’s Day in Japan. It is a public holiday, though ironically only boys celebrate this occasion. There’s a separate festival for girls. My wife was eager to prove her dedication as a mother. She painstakingly crafted a carp streamer...
6 May 2024 1 minute read 0 comments cryotosensei
I’m impressed by how my son’s memory works. It strikes him at random moments and holds him captive for the rest of the day. We visited Kagoshima Aquarium last December, of which the highlight was the dolphin show. Look at them soar! The other day,...
24 Apr 2024 1 minute read 0 comments cryotosensei
Dear Diary, I just came back to Singapore from my trip to Kumamoto. I had so much fun there that I’m bursting with excitement now. I made so many fond memories. Let me tell you the highlights. I took my family to Kumamoto Zoo. Yes, Singapore...
23 Apr 2024 1 minute read 0 comments cryotosensei
Dear Diary, You wouldn’t believe this! I just returned from my trip to Kokusai dori (International Street). The great vibes uplifted my spirits so much. Coconut trees greeted me warmly. Cool-looking shops vied / competed for my attention. I really...
20 Apr 2024 1 minute read 1 comment cryotosensei
The social accommodation theory states that you will pick up the habits and mannerisms of the people around you if you wish to get closer to them. It’s a theory that I studied in Linguistics classes and find applicable in my travels. When I lived in...
30 Mar 2024 4 minute read 0 comments cryotosensei
Kanazawa, the capital city of Ishikawa straddles comfortably and confidently between history and modernity. Case in point: the Higashi Chaya District, a row of traditional tea houses whose interiors now house stylish souvenir shops. Or take for insta...
29 Mar 2024 1 minute read 0 comments cryotosensei
The Japanese don’t do things by halves. Their perfectionist nature extends to the way they prepare their meals. Take for instance the day when my son was disappointed at not seeing snow. Ta-da! A snowman magically appeared for his dinner. When...
