Whatever level of hotels/airbnb/B&B/residence you stay at big cities like Osaka in Japan, and no matter how many times you have been there, breakfast at convenience store is always a wonderful option. Cheap, fast, safe and delicious. No other option can beat all these criteria at the same time. Our favorite has always been onigiri
Kansai+Tokyo Trip Day 1 – Arrival
We never thought that Kansai Airport is so close to Shanghai, the East-side largest city in China. It was only 1.5 hours away JR pass is a necessity to travel around main cities in Japan efficiently. It’s very easy to order online abroad in the US. We ordered 7-day normal pass online at this website
World’s Best Kindergarten in Japan
World’s Best Kindergarten in Japan![]()
World’s Best Kindergarten in Japan
We saw this best kindergarten in Japan via TED talk several years ago. What a courageous try in architecture and philosophy! Takaharu Tezuka is an architect, founder of Tezuka Architects, and Professor at the Tokyo City University. Tezuka and his wife built schools centered on trees, play areas created from interwoven wooden beams and hospitals that
Why Japan Has No Mass Shootings?
Pray for all people impacted by mass shooting in Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida <10 shootings in Japan annually vs. 30000 in the US, what a big difference! Japanese people and government have learned a hard way during World War eras that violence is not going to bring any good to the
Architecture in Memo Pads – Japanese Aesthetics
How different a memo pad could be? Japanese company Triad’s Omoshiroi Block is giving us the surprise. Adjective おもしろい/Omoshiroi has basically two meanings, ‘interesting’ or ‘funny’, which can be used in vary situations. One thing comes from both meanings, which is positivity, what we experience while watching at all these beautifully designed memo pads. Tearing off
Family Crest and Pattern Design – Japanese Aesthetics
Japan’s pattern design can be well demonstrated via over 5000+ family crests. Family crests, Kamon are Japanese emblems used to decorate and identify an individual, a family, or (more recently) an institution or business entity. While mon is an encompassing term that may refer to any such device, kamon and mondokoro refer specifically to emblems used
The Origins in Obuse – Japanese Aesthetics
In 1980s, when Japanese towns were following the trend to be modernized and adapted to a new era, Obuse stayed quiet and somehow reserved the authentic taste of ancient Japan. With a population of 10,000 inhabitants, Obuse is a small town in Japan. It is located in Kamitakai District in northern Nagano Prefecture. From
To Dye or Not to Dye?
There are many reasons why people dye their hairs. The most common reason of all could be covering gray hairs that add additional years to the person even that person is a high schooler. We have a friend in that situation. She started growing gray hairs since early high school time. Some say it is
No Brand Goods – Japanese Aesthetics
Over-packaging is a unique problem or situation in Japan. If you have ever brought any souvenir from Japan or got something from a decent department store, 99% of the chance that you have seen the packaging skills of the store sales. There are so many layers of wrapping paper, on top of which could be
Dice Bag – Japanese Aesthetics
If you play board games, you might need a bag to store all your favorite game supplies including dices. We met Chris today, who is half Taiwanese and half Hispanic. As most full-time software engineers, he has a hobby at the side. He makes dice bags, in a unique triangle shape. We asked, why this