#lakes

A must try in Japan!

At Kinosaki Onsen located in Hyogo Prefecture, there are five quintessential activities that visitors should experience!! While onsen-hopping, don a yukata and geta to immerse in the onsen culture of Japan. Visitors can also ride the Kinosaki Ropeway, stay in a traditional Japanese inn, and learn about local traditional craft, to complete their experiential stay at Kinosaki Onsen. #urbanexplorer #momentsmission #thanksgiving#luxuryhotel#skiing#nationalpark#lakes#beaches#deserts#romanticrestaurant#bestislandtraveltowns#museumquest#beautifulsunsets#themeparks#café#historicculture#scubadiving#paragliding

Cute little penguins

Nagasaki Penguin Aquarium houses half of the world’s nine species of penguins – from the large King penguins to the inquisitive Gentoo penguins – all under one roof. The facility consists of the Aquarium where you can see the penguins in their enclosures, as well as the Nature Zone where Humboldt penguins swim freely in the natural ocean. Never skip visiting to an aquarium every vacation! #urbanexplorer #momentsmission #thanksgiving#luxuryhotel#skiing#nationalpark#lakes#beaches#romanticrestaurant#bestislandtraveltowns#museumquest#beautifulsunsets#themeparks#café#historicculture#scubadiving#paragliding

Kawachi Fuji Garden is a privately owned wisteria garden, and the land area is a staggering 3,000 tsubo (Japanese unit of land. One tsubo is about 3.3 square meters). It is said that this is one of the largest gardens in Japan. In spring, more than 100 wisteria flowers of 22 types bloom on the ground, and besides wisteria, it has about 700 Japanese maple trees, so the scenery in autumn is also magnificent. To maintain that beauty, the garden is carefully controlled, and since the wisteria flowers can be damaged if too many tourists come, this place is not advertised at all. In addition, the number of entries is limited throughout the year, and general visitors can only enter during a limited period of Spring and Autumn. However, because they want to see the zekkei (beautiful scenery) even if it is only a glimpse, many tourists and media from all over the world visit there. As a result, the reputation of this place immediately spread by word of mouth also abroad. #lakes #triplocal #themeparks #nationalpark #beaches #garden #themepark#zoo#nationalpark#lakes#beaches

Ibis is happening in Umeda

We stayed here as our base in Osaka for nearly a week, but broken into 3 stays. Even before we checked in, the hotel was responsive through emails and also helped with a restaurant reservation. On arrival from Kansai airport after our red-eye flight, we thought of dropping off our luggage for an early lunch in Umeda, but the hotel surprised us (pleasantly) by saying that our room was already ready for us (at 11am) - very positive welcome which we really appreciated! From JR Osaka station, it is possible to roll your luggage all the way to Ibis without using the lift or stairs (except for a small flight of stairs at Ibis' entrance) if you exit via the south exit and head underground towards the Whity underground mall. At the Whity mall, exit to Whity East Mall and Ibis is on the left (Exit 7-72), right after Cafe英國屋 - the hotel lobby is one floor up via the lift (insiders will love this connectivity...). As expected, the rooms were sized a la Japan but were very functional and up to date (viz: USB wall chargers, Toto Washlets, UCC coffee pod machine). Breakfast became boring after the third morning as there was no variation at all in the food provided and there are no live stations. Toiletries were thankfully made in Japan (iso PRC as is too common in Asia!). Small issues: (i) housekeeping could have vacuumed more, and (ii) when housed on the 10th floor, we noticed a strange but strong smell of kitchen exhaust along the corridors. The hotel was able to store one of our luggage in between stays. Ibis Umeda also provides a very good same-day luggage delivery service to Kansai airport Terminal 1 for y2500, if your departure flight is after 1700h - leave your bag with Ibis before 1100h and get it at KIX (KABS Counter, T1 level 4) from 1500h (our luggage was already ready for collection at 1400!). Given the hotel's service and location, and if rates remain competitive, we will certainly return. #themepark#zoo#nationalpark#lakes

Autumn memories

Kiyomizuyama in Fukuoka Prefecture is one of the 500 best walking paths in Japan, and when the leaves change color in autumn, it is exceptionally beautiful and spectacular. This is the perfect place to recreate your "all to well" parody! #urbanexplorer #momentsmission #thanksgiving#luxuryhotel#skiing#nationalpark#lakes#beaches#deserts#romanticrestaurant#bestislandtraveltowns#museumquest#beautifulsunsets#themeparks#café#historicculture#scubadiving#paragliding

Rice crackers!

Cracker Museum is more than just a place to shop for well-known “Bakauke” crackers – you can get limited edition products, from Bakauke croquettes to rice cracker ice cream. You can also have a go at grilling and customising your own rice crackers with lettering or even drawings; many people come here to make monster-sized crackers with a drawing in the centre! #urbanexplorer #momentsmission #thanksgiving#luxuryhotel#skiing#nationalpark#lakes#beaches#romanticrestaurant#bestislandtraveltowns#museumquest#beautifulsunsets#themeparks#café#historicculture#scubadiving#paragliding

#themepark#zoo#lakes#beaches

Edo Castle was the home of the ruling Tokugawa shogunate, so it became the center of Japanese politics and its many intrigues. It is now the palace and residence of the Royal Family, as well as tranquil gardens and several museums open to the public. #nationalpark #themeparks #lakes #triplocal #themepark#zoo#nationalpark#lakes#beaches