One thing I’ll never get tired of in Asia is the markets. You visit the tiniest village and somehow there’s an auntie frying something incredible, selling clothes off a rack, or yelling prices at no one in particular. After spending a full year bouncing around Asia, I was so ready for Seoul and all the…
You literally won’t find a Seoul itinerary on the internet that doesn’t mention Myeongdong. It’s the most popular neighborhood. Right in the middle of the city, packed with shops, glowing signs, street food everywhere, and a busy energy. But when I started researching my trip, I kept seeing people absolutely dragging it online. Blogs, TikToks,…
Nara is easily one of the most popular day trips you can take from Kyoto or Osaka. It’s famous for its UNESCO World Heritage sites, incredible temples, and, of course, the thousands of deer roaming around freely throughout the whole city. I spent a full day in Nara myself, from early morning until late afternoon,…
I really have to say, the main reason I am so obsessed with Kyoto is its traditional, historical charm. It has such a calm, cultural vibe, especially when you compare it to the chaos of Tokyo or Osaka. A huge part of that feeling definitely comes from the crazy amount of absolutely beautiful temples everywhere….
One of the most iconic and popular shrines in Kyoto, and maybe even in the whole of Japan, is Fushimi Inari Taisha. I’m almost certain you’ve seen it in a million pictures already because of its thousands of red torii gates. The shrine itself is located just outside Kyoto on a mountain, with the gates…
The Kyoto Bamboo Forest, or officially the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, is without a doubt one of the most popular and iconic sights in the city. The whole area is filled with huge bamboo, cute little walkways, and loads of temples. It has always been a popular spot, but with social media and Instagram lately, it’s…
A very special experience that I had in Japan, and something I had high on my bucket list before I even arrived, was staying in a ryokan, which is a traditional Japanese guesthouse. You can find ryokans all over Japan, to be honest, since they are essentially just traditional inns. But because the Gion area…
I feel like this is one of the questions I hear the most from you guys! Everyone is always asking me: “Where should I stay? Where should I go? Should I spend more time in Kyoto or Osaka?” If you look on a map, you’ll probably realize pretty quickly that they’re right next to each…
I’ve realized that visiting Kyoto, and actually Japan in general, is such a different experience depending on the time of the year you choose to visit. I guess that makes sense because Japan has proper seasons, ranging from hot and humid summers to cold and snowy winters. Kyoto, in particular, is known for its stunning…
When I first arrived in Seoul, I had no idea how big the city actually was. I showed up with a long list of things I wanted to do, only to quickly realize that most of them were about a 45-minute train ride from each other. And when you have limited time in the city,…