Have you been to Niigata before?

Did you know that Niigata was once the most populated prefecture in the whole of Japan, dating some 120 years back? That’s actually not that long ago. It was one of the top 5 trading ports of Japan, along with Hakodate (Hokkaido), Yokohama (Kanagawa), Kobe (Hyogo) and Nagasaki.

It is also blessed with almost everything – sea, pure water, onsen, fertile soil, gold mines, lots of snow, allowing the people of Niigata to make the best out of what nature offers – rice, sake, and great seafood.

So here’s a combined chronicle of my recent two trips to this once wealthily flourished port prefecture along the coast of sea of Japan. And Niigata is more than just snow and ski. 🙂

This post is a little bonus side-track from my JR-WEST Kansai Area Pass journey – for anime fans!

When I was asked to envision “Wawasan 2020” in my primary school years, I conjured up an image of Malaysia being a kickass city full of flying vehicles and robotic friends. And that I would be so old I didn’t even want to think about it.

That impending year has frightfully come, for the 10-year-old me. But not so scary after all, for this 2019 me.

Today I’m writing about one of the most popular destinations in the Kanto region for a therapeutic getaway from the bustle of the cities – Hakone.

Let’s travel with JR-WEST again!

Read my previous blog post on 15 things to do in Kyoto & Nara with JR-WEST Kansai Area Pass. 

Read my previous blog post on how to purchase and redeem JR-WEST Rail Passes online effortlessly!

Today, we are moving on to Osaka and Kobe (Hyogo prefecture). Let’s start with Osaka!

Kyoto is without a doubt, one of the best known and most popular travel destinations in Japan, while Nara, once the capital of Japan some 1300 years ago, is full of historical charm too.

Today I am going to share with you 15 iconic places to see and things to do that you can easily access with your JR-WEST Kansai Area Pass!

Read my previous blog post on how to purchase and redeem JR-WEST Rail Passes online effortlessly!

Let’s start!

To all my readers who love Japan and have travelled to Japan before, I’m sure by now you already know you can make good use of your status as a foreign tourist to purchase rail passes that will allow you to travel conveniently while saving a great deal.

But indeed, there are many types of rail passes and it could take some time to take in all the info. I have written 3 blog posts on traveling to Kansai with JR-WEST Rail Passes, covering two passes which are the Sanyo-San’in Area Pass and Kansai WIDE Area Pass. You can read my blog posts below. ^^

Hello guys! My journey in Japan continues and today I will be talking about shopping!

Shopping is one of the biggest activities we look forward to doing in Japan, especially for Malaysians and Singaporeans. And you guys have already seen my luggage filled with groceries on the last day of my every trip to Japan – that’s how important it is to me.

Today I am introducing Ito-Yokado, one of Japan’s largest tax-free supermarket chains offering good quality products at reasonable prices, and why it would be your one-stop shopping destination especially before flying back home for all your last minute shopping.

Ok so I have been too busy to write a proper blog post, but I think many might appreciate a simple post like this!

Yesterday was my flight back home and as usual, #AuntyCheesie was at work. Dashed to the nearest supermarket and drugstore and brought back my usual grocery stock. Instead of throwing them into stories on IG, I think it’s time for a blog post!

So here it is.

It’s Japan time again!

This time around I wanna bring you guys to Toyama, Nagano and Gifu area, on a self-drive trip.

We will be exploring these 3 prefectures by first flying into Toyama airport, rent a car and drive through the destinations. It will be a 5D4N trip of wonderful nature and rich culture in central Japan.

Read my Day 1 blog post here about abalone feast at Shima Peninsula.

Read my Day 2 blog post here about divine Ise and Matsusaka beef.

Read my Day 3 blog post here about Iga ninja and Iga beef sukiyaki

Today we are onto the last day of my #visitmie trip. I spend 4 good full days in one single prefecture and yet there are still lots of places I have not covered. #Ineedmorelifetimes.

Today we will be venturing into the very exciting Kuwana city to explore a beautiful botanical park, and some of the world’s top thrill rides that will guarantee to give your heart some good kicks.

Read my Day 1 blog post here about abalone feast at Shima Peninsula.

Read my Day 2 blog post here about divine Ise and Matsusaka beef.

It wasn’t until day 3 that I have come to realized that Mie is really blessed with everything. How long can you stay in Mie until you get bored? The answer is… until you get sick of eating good food.