Seoul is a massive metropolis. Home to roughly 25% of South Korea's 50 million inhabitants, the city sprawls along both sides of the Han River. From the historical sites in the north to the upscale Gangnam district south of the river, Seoul is a bustling modern city with fun things to discover around most corners.…
While China and Japan get most of the publicity and tourism dollars in East Asia, Korea has just as long of a history, and just as proud of an empire. Visitors to Seoul, the bustling capital of South Korea, will still find remnants dating back to those imperial days. While there have been people living…
The countdown to a trip is always a source of excitement for me. Last minute arrangements, sourcing my favorite travel sites for recommendations, and generally figuring out what I am going to do (though I always try to remain flexible) are a lot of fun. So here I am in the final days before my…
Do you know that Chance card in Monopoly that gives you money because the bank made an error in your favor? We all smile because that never happens. Or does it? Citibank made an error in my favor, and now I am going back to Singapore! Here is the story. As you all know, I…
Isn't man but a blossom taken by wind, and only the mountains and the sea and the stars and this land of the gods everlasting? This land of the gods. Japan. I was a senior in college the first time I read Shogun by James Clavell, my soul leaving my San Diego apartment and flying…
Introduction Japan is a truly incredible place, but between the long flight, language barrier, and eastern culture, it can seem a bit daunting for Americans who might want to travel there. Here is a guide to help make that just a bit easier! Itinerary Planning Most first trips to Japan center on Tokyo, the modern…
As I mentioned earlier, I didn't love Kyoto. However, it does make an excellent base for some awesome day trips! As with Tokyo, here are some of my personal suggestions, with one addition from my companion from this trip, Dan, as we did our own things some of the time. 1. See a beautiful castle…
Going into this trip, Kyoto was the place I was most looking forward to seeing. After all, for a history and culture buff like me, this was supposed to be the Japanese version of nirvana. It was not. Don't get me wrong; there are some incredible sights in Kyoto, and those are worth seeing. However,…
Tokyo is an amazing city, and worth spending time. From exploring its varied neighborhoods, eating its incredible food, to even learning to be a samurai, the experiences you can have there are diverse. However, Tokyo also makes a perfect home base for seeing other places in the region, and the marvelous Japan Rail system (more…
I've shared my thoughts on how to be a samurai while in Tokyo, and tips on how to eat really well, but what about the city as a whole? I will admit, I didn't expect to like Tokyo, and was not really excited to visit, with the exception of some restaurant reservations I was able to…