Okayama was actually my 38th prefecture conquered in April this year. I bought my All Japan JR Pass and die die want to travel from Tokyo to Shimane as my mission was to visit Izumo Taisha (the second post powerful shrine after Ise Jingu).

(I should start a #47 Prefectures record for @cheesiepetit too!)

Okayama was a by-the-way stop since it is en route to Shimane prefecture, just to check it off my list. We put up a night at Tomata Onsen (苫田温泉) after a whole day of Shinkansen ride (over 650km from Tokyo!!)  and headed straight to Shimane the next day. read more

My mission is to travel to all 47 prefectures in Japan. I have also memorized the prefectural map of Japan by heart. ^^

In this post, I have included the prefecture breakdown of my blog posts by regions for your easy reference. For alphabetical order, you may refer to the right hand drop-down side bar, “Various Cheese”.

Come. Let’s study a little about Japan geography 101 today.

REGIONS OF JAPAN

Before moving on to the 47 prefectures, first please memorize the different regions of Japan by heart. Japan is made of 4 main islands – Hokkaido, Honshu (the main island), Shikoku and Kyushu. read more

As I owe the world pending Japan-travel blog posts from my many past trips, here’s a quick one on Hokkaido!!

If you are flying in to Hokkaido, chances are you will be landing at New Chitose Airport (新千歳空港), the largest airport in Hokkaido, also the airport serving the metropolitan area of Sapporo.

I’m sure you can’t wait to start your journey touring one of the most popular prefectures even for Japanese locals – Hokkaido (ranked no.1 for being the most charming prefecture within Japan year after year). read more

Hello! Today Junya turns 4 years and 5 months old, and Sakura turns 2 years and a half (!!!)

I have been out of home for almost who whole weeks now traveling for work so I haven’t been really spending time with the kids T_T. I am only getting updates and photos from my mom who is helping me to take care of them now.

For Junya

Read Junya’s 1st month , 2nd month , 3rd month , 4th month , 5th month , 6th month , 7th month,  8th month, 9th month , 10th month , 11th month , 12th month , 13th month , 14th month , 15th month , 16th month , 17th month , 18th months , 19th month , 20th month ,21st month , 22nd month , 23rd month , 24th month , 25th month , 26th month , 27th month , 28th month , 29th month , 30th month , 31st month , 32nd month , 33rd month , 34th month , 35th month , 36th month , 37th month , 38th month , 39th month , 40th month , 41st month , 42nd month , 43rd month , 44th month , 45th month , 46th month , 47th month , 48 months , 49th month , 50th month , 51st month and 52nd month here. read more

I can’t even remember the last time I went for an aesthetic procedure or even a facial at a beauty salon. It must have been 5 years ago. Because after that I was either pregnant or breastfeeding and these things were pretty much out of my life.

August this year I have finally decided that after so all these years, it is time I take good care of myself again, and that includes feeling good about how I look.

Over the years many many aesthetic clinics approached me and I turned down all of them. I was actually not so bothered by aging because I no longer 靠脸来吃饭 (and actually never really did haha), while it sounds ideal to be forever young, I do believe that if you overdo it you will just end up very freaky (think if you are 60 and still looks 25!). I tried to embrace the whole “aging gracefully” concept, and I was okay with it. read more

Previous blog posts on Rovaniemi:

1.Fly, Eat and Stay

2.Catching the Midnight Sun

3. Nature

Today we are meeting the most famous resident in Finland – Santa Claus, along with many of his furry pals!

Santa Claus Village

Did you know? Rovaniemi received the status of the Official Hometown of Santa Claus in 2010.

Probably the most famous attraction in Rovaniemi – Santa Claus Village is the only place in the world where you get to experience the magic of Christmas all year round and meet Santa Claus every single day of the year! He’s a hardworking fella! read more