A visit to Asia wouldn’t be complete without taking in the breathtaking architecture of the continent’s palaces, temples, and castles. From holy places of worship to monuments made for royalty, here are some of the more beautiful buildings in the Orient. China’s Summer Palace was first built in 1750 as the Garden of Clear Ripples. […]
Japan travel
There are many wonderful but weird things in Japan, and they don’t get much weirder than the Cosplay culture of Tokyo’s Akihabara district. Every Sunday the main street is closed to cars and taken over by the wildly dressed locals. Cosplay, or Costume Play, brings together fans of the Japanese comics and animations known as […]
When many people think of Asia they think of shopping up a storm in the cities and discovering the continent’s cultural heritage in temples and museums. But some of Asia’s most interesting attractions are actually outdoors. Just outside Kunming in China you’ll find the Shilin Stone Forest, a forest which really isn’t a forest at […]
When international travelers think of Asia they think of technological innovation, a bustling lifestyle, and all that delicious food. While Asia’s cities buzz, its national parks are a real draw card for tourists looking to get back to nature. The following parks, many of which are UNESCO World and Natural Heritage sites, are amongst Asia’s […]
Once associated with sleazy extramarital affairs and one night stands, Japan’s love hotels have a brand new reputation. These days the Asian country’s approximately 30, 000 hotels are being utilized by couples simply looking for a little private time together. Many of the couples that frequent these hotels live with their parents or flatmates, and […]
For a hiking experience with a difference, consider taking the spiritual path of Kumano Kodo in the Kii Mountains near Osaka, Japan. The walking trail has the awesome views all explorers crave, and a cavalcade of sacred sites to boot. The track has been walked by Japanese emperors since the 10th century. In 2004 it […]
In Japan, sumo wrestlers earn the respect of Hollywood actors and rock stars. The sport is the oldest martial art in the country. It was originally a form of ritual dedication which asked the gods for a prosperous harvest, although in time it developed as a form of combat. Modern-day tourists can get a glimpse […]
Forget the fried rice and dim sum in Hong Kong. If you really want to live on the edge while visiting Asia, you’ll need to try some of the continent’s deadly dishes. Deadly may be overstating the point a little, but the following meals definitely have an element of danger that entices thrill seeking diners! […]
Japan experiences four distinct seasons, including very cold winters and hot and steamy summers. Knowing what to expect at different points in the year will help you plan your Japanese getaway. Winter in Japan typically lasts between December and February. If it’s skiing and other alpine sports you’re after, traveling to Northern Japan or the […]
The official currency of Japan is the yen. It is pronounced like the letter n, with no y sound. The yen is roughly equivalent to one US cent. The yen is available in ¥1, ¥5, ¥10, ¥50, ¥100 and ¥500 coins and ¥1000, ¥2000, ¥5000 and ¥10, 000 banknotes. While Japan has many automatic teller […]
