Travel Guide - Japan: Kyoto Magic

Kyoto is the best city. Every site, restaurant and accommodation was a delight and surprise. It may be tourists and catering to a traveler’s ideal of Japan. It’s not wrong and I definitely don’t want to be right. I love Kyoto. Everyone in my travel group said Kyoto was their favorite. These are all my highly recommended places.

ATTRACTIONS/EXPERIENCES/ACCOMODATIONS : Everything in Kyoto is an experience.

1. Jazz Cafe Chetty- This is a Jazz Cafe run by this lovely Japanese lady who speaks English and is extremely knowledgeable about Jazz. Space is tiny and I think she keeps it that way for an intimate setting.

2. ORI Kyoto - You need to look for ‘Japanese style’ accommodations. Some of these rooms are just regular rooms. I wanted to stay at a Ryokan (traditional Japanese accommodations) but they’re some of the amenities weren’t there and it was a bit expensive. This hotel had a traditional style tatami mat living space- I loved it!

3. Gion Shirakawa - Most beautiful street in Kyoto and so cute to meander down.

FOOD - Kyoto is filled the best food

1. Nota Dorayaki & Black Tea -Pancakes with a Japanese twist. I didn’t see this place in person, I wanted to. I saw pictures and was very sad to have missed it. I heard that it was an unforgettable experience.

2. Rokujan- Traditional Japanese Breakfast. Beautiful space in a historic Ryokan converted to a restaurant. Everything in this space is on point. Food and experience is exceptional.

3. Omen - Udon - cold, hot, soup, soup less. All good!

Travel Guide- Japan: Tokyo Love

I grew up visiting Japan frequently as a kid. My mother grew up in Japan and I have family that I visit when I come. Though I am familiar with Japanese culture, I have to admit that I have a culture clash with Japan and I get things wrong a lot. I am constantly saying I’m sorry. If you’re anything like me and need to constantly apologize for your incorrect behavior, then these words will help you tremendously ごめんなさい

Gomen'nasai Phonetically: Go-Men-Na-Sai means I’m sorry. 

And if you need help navigating the dos and don’t of Japanese culture, no one says it better than Hello Kitty:

Japan is a very deliberately planned out country. If you love the Japanese’s attention to detail and thoughtfulness in their systems and products, you’ll find that this attention to detail extends into every aspect of Japanese life. Everything has its place, there is no wiggle room and you best follow the rules otherwise you’ll get very stern eyebrows and words from angry locals. Steer clear from winging it and plan your trip properly by following my travel recommendations.

ATTRACTIONS/EXPERIENCES

In true Japanese fashion, all these activities require reservations and have set times (not just day) with reservation windows so DO NOT BE LATE. The time slots are serious and they will turn you away if you are.

1. Yokohama: Cup Noodle Museum/Factory - This is super fun for kids. I recommend not coming hungry like we did so we didn’t explore the factory to its full extent. The modern building is beautifully done and very cool to just be in. You have the option to make your down cup noodle.

2. TeamLabs Tokyo - If you only do ONE thing in Japan, this is IT! Hands down the best immersive experience. It’s surprising and surreal. Highly recommend.

3. Harry Hedgehog Cafe (Fennec Fox, Ferret, Hedgehog and Meerkats) - Sugoi! (Japanese word for amazing!) There are a few different cafes locations with different animals - pigs, cats, puppies, owls, hamsters and chinchilla. Kid and adult animal lovers will love this urban petting zoo posed as a cafe.

4. Sento Public Bath House in Kosejini neighborhood of Tokyo: This gem is one of two bath houses that allow tattoos. If you have tattoos you best follow the rules and only come here because the Japanese are serious when they say something is not allowed then IT IS NOT allowed. I know this from first hand experience when I went into a bathhouse in Hashimoto and my large bandage that was covering my tattoo became unsticky and fell off. I got the finger wag from an old Japanese lady and had to sheepishly cover my arms with my hands and leave.

FOOD

ALL food is amazing and tasty. Here are a few my favorite places:

1. Tsujuki Fish Market

2. Tsumiji traditional Japanese breakfast at the Buddhist Monastery

3. Fluffy Soufflé pancakes in Shinjuku

4. Family Mart/Seven-Eleven: This is where I fed my kids. It’s so affordable, convenient (there’s one on very corner) and beats McDonalds.
   

SHOPPING

1. Shibuya Scramble (aka the Famous Shibuya Crossing)- It’s pretty crazy and overwhelming with so many people and tourist but you can also freely eat and walk so for me I felt more free here. Here’s a few places in this large shopping space that I enjoyed:

   Jins: Interesting plastic eyeglass frames (particularly for Asian faces). Prescriptions are ready in 1 hour!

   Tiger Onitsuka ASICS: Slightly cheaper than retail and all the cool new Japanese styles

   Shibuya109: Multiple floors of cool girl clothes, makeup and accessories. I didn’t buy anything but it was pretty fun to look all the colors, textures, and bling.

   Pop Mart: Anime/Manga toys and Capsule Machines

   Daiso: Largest cheap Japanese goods store located in the Shibuya train station

2. Don Quixote: They are all over the city and a few in Oahu, Hawaii. It’s my favorite, it has everything - it’s like a Japanese Target.

3. Shimokitazawa: Vintage Shopping Street- This place is a very long street of thrifting. It’s mostly American and menswear. In my opinion, it’s looking for a diamond in the rough. My favorite shop is Anchor- they have a mix of modern and vintage Japanese clothes. There is a cool bookstore/work space in this neighborhood. I can’t remember the name though.

4. Tokyo’s Sunday Flea Market located at Oi Racetrack- This is more my speed. The prices are very affordable. I bought kimonos/Yukatas for $6 each. I also found a vintage leather sidebag. I like this kind of thrifting better. I’d rather curate myself and sift through these treasures than Shimokitazawa. This place takes a bit of time to get to and I paid about $40/50 in a taxi ride back to Shinjuku where i was staying.

DIY: My Two Night Stands: a furniture refresher tutorial

I always say paint goes a long way. New hardware also makes a huge transformation. I needed nightstands to complete the bedroom of my vacation rental right away - on a budget. Used and locally in my neighborhood is often my go to hero. And it did not disappoint- I found a piece on FB marketplace. I was doubtful at first but for the price, it thought it was worth giving it a shot.

When looking for a used piece here are the things I’m looking for:

1. Ugly not broken: but not too ugly

2. Good price: It’s got to be 50% less than purchasing new because you will still have to pay for paint and new hardware. And your time is worth something too.

3. Is it upcycle-able?: Solid wood can be sanded and painted but anything with a plastic laminate top cannot be painted. An uneven leg might not be worth repairing.

Supplies used: wood putty, primer, paint (I used SW 9149 Inky blue), new gold handles, drill, sander, paint brush, couple of hours (split up into a couple days to let the paint dry) and lots of elbow grease.

Process:

1. Scour the web for the right piece, right price.

2. Remove all the hardware and fill the holes and cracks in the wood

3. Sand the entire piece starting with a high grit sandpaper (I used 150 to start) then ended with a lower grit sandpaper of 220. Then wipe down to get all the dust off.

4. Primer with one coat.

5. Paint two coats of paint letting the paint dry in between coats

6. Drill and screw in the new hardware. Use a level and make yourself a guide. I wish I did all that before hand and mine are crooked!

Travel Guide- Hawaii: Aloha Beaches!

What inspires you? I am most inspired when I travel. I often design with travel on my mind and pull inspirational elements from the places I’ve visited. Who doesn’t love to visit a space that transports them to another city, culture or even a place in time? As a world traveller in a pandemic, I was just itching to get out and be free. I had a fantastic opportunity to go to Honolulu, Hawaii and stay 5 days in a beautiful poolside Hawaiian guest house steps away from the beach owned by my incredible designer cousin Sophia @silverlakedesign. Luckily my BFF and cousin Tiff who is always down was willing to also risk it with me to get to paradise. We made it our mission to figure out a way to get there safely and economically. Things needed to align perfectly so careful planning was imperative. Anything for design - amirite?

Lots of people saw my IG Hawaii posts and asked how did you get there during Covid quarantine so here’s how we did it:

1. Quarantine restrictions were recently lifted in by Hawaii if you took a negative covid test 72 hours in advanced. Alaska Airlines was offering a rapid covid test in downtown Seattle through Carbon Health. Costs $110. You must also download and register yourself onto the Safe Travels app and upload your test results so the state can contact trace you throughout your stay. This is not very restrictive or invasive, I didn’t hear from any city officials during my trip.

2. Prep for the trip - Flight from Seattle is 6 hours and there’s not a lot of food options at the airport and the airline is only offering food preorder. I also wanted to only bring carryon luggage so to reduce the hands, exposure and possibility of lost luggage. Packing items for airport travel during Covid: heavy duty mask (N95, Kn95), face shield (I opted out because I wore glasses), disposable gloves, sanitizing wipes, hand sanitizer, hand soap (also to double as laundry soap), to go meal and snacks.

3. Download your Netflix - It’s not easy to talk with your travel buddy because you must wear your mask the entire time of the flight and in the airport unless you are actively eating or drinking. Even in a daytime flight, people were pretty quiet most of the flight. I indulged in 6 hours of Gossip Girl reruns and my favorite snacks.

4. During the flight and airport - The airport procedures and process is very smooth. The middle seats in the airplane were unoccupied even for travelers in the same party. Masks are worn properly by everyone all the time. Additionally staff all wore masks and gloves. There was minimal contact and everything was extremely clean. I felt confidently safe during my entire airport travels.

5. Finally getting into Hawaii - Locals said we arrived during a golden time. Fall/winter weather was a perfect 80 degrees, no traffic (cars and foot) and rainbows all over the place! A few attractions were closed due to quarantine (IE Diamond Head) but most parks and beaches were open.

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ACTIVITIES & FOOD

Surf -We hit up surfing in Waikiki. Highly recommend Ty Gurney surf school. Approx $85-$110/hr

Kayaked and climbed Mokoli’i Island (Aka Chinaman’s hat) on the Leeward side of the island. You have to find your own kayaks. Coda from Active Oahu Kayak Tours delivered and picked up kayaks, life vests and dry bags right to our location. Approx. $55/kayak (with a min. of $72). Be sure to wear closed toed shoes. There are some vertical climbs.

Hiked Pillbox #1 & #2 in Kailua. This is a fairly easy walk/hike with a glorious 360 view of the island.

Snorkeled in Shark’s cove in North Shore. The most beautiful lagoon with flowing waterfalls. Urchins, fish and mermaids live here!

Shop boutiques in Kailua. The goods might not be local but they have that Hawaiian feel. Browse any one of the downtown Kailua shops for one of a kind non cheesy Hawaiian buys.

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All restaurants were open for take out and lots were available for outdoor seating. Lots of times, we just picked up food and picnicked on the beach which were not crowded and we felt comfortable to go maskless with our 6 feet social distancing.

Heres some food recs:

Island Vintage Cafe , Waikiki (though they have lots of locations) You really wouldn’t think but the Acai bowls are fantastic, drinks and food are incredible. Their outdoor seating is darling!

Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck, North Shore - A huge plate of their famous garlic shrimp scampi with rice. IT IS phenomenal!

Teddy’s Bigger Burger, Kailua (multiple locations) - All kinds of massive burgers perfect for lunch after a fun and sweaty hike to Pillbox.

Kula Shave Ice Truck, North Shore - I just love their Haupia cream topping- Its heavenly!

Nalu Health Bar & Cafe, Kailua - so fresh and luxurious!

Kona Coffee Purveyors, Waikiki - authentic Kona coffee and legit pastries. The packaging and presentation of this coffeeshop is truly on point! A serious coffee lover Seattleite, I highly recommend the Kona cortado with oat milk.

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Overall, it is 100% worth giving it everything you got and all the money you have to get to Hawaii. It’s waking up in paradise everyday- lounging at the beach under the sun and the bluest blue ocean water you’ve ever seen and resting your head under twinkling stars every night. Pure magic!