December 3, 2010
Photo Diary: Winter
Snow falls, the wind blows and lights twinkle when winter comes to Amsterdam, Portland and Tokyo. While all three cities have fairly mild winters, they each receive a makeover when snow makes an appearance. In Amsterdam, bikes find parking wherever they can (even if it means on top of each other); Portlanders leave the car at home and dust off their cross country skies, and in Tokyo, locals leave prayers for family and loved ones at shrines, like the Yushima Tenmangu. Read more »
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February 25, 2010
Cherry Blossom Viewing Hot Spots
Spring has made its appearance uncharacteristically early this year, but Japan has welcomed the blooming cherry blossoms with open arms. The annual cherry blossom festivals typically kick off in mid- to late-March and continue through the end of April (check for this year’s anticipated schedules here), and if you’re looking for the best places to “ooh” and “aah” over the cherry blossoms trees, here are a few hot spots: Read more »
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December 23, 2009
Explore Outside of Tokyo
Japan is rich with culture, architecture, and natural landscapes. If you’re traveling to Tokyo in the winter, here are a few favorite destinations to add to your itinerary.
Kyoto
Kyoto is arguably most famous for its spectacular architecture. With over 2,000 Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines, Kyoto has preserved some of Japan’s most valued historical and cultural masterpieces. Read more »
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September 18, 2009
Photo Diary: Fall Approaches
As summer slips into fall, Amsterdam, Portland and Tokyo’s changing leaves saturate the cities in rich hues of burgundy, green and gold. With a cup of artisan coffee or herbal tea in hand, you’ll be well prepared to stroll through the gardens, along the canals and downtown streets to savor the change of seasons.