You know in Disney movies where the princess sings and a swarm of woodland creatures come flock lovingly around her? That’s how I felt at Nara Park, except the woodland creatures were exclusively deer, and I lured them with rice crackers instead of a beautiful singing voice. This town in Japan is home to a …
1000 red tori gates line the path to the peak of Mt. Inari. Early morning sun glances off the bright red gates, packed so closely together they seem to capture you in a quiet, mystical world. Fushimi Inari shrine is perhaps the most iconic picture spot in Kyoto, Japan, and for good reason. The tori …
I’m not a last minute person. I never pull all nighters, never study the day of an exam, never work out or diet the week before the beach. If it’s not done by the last minute, I’d rather not do it at all! For my around the world trip to China, Japan, and Russia, my …
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What’s on your to-do list for today? Eat a donut – because it’s National Donut Day!! From the humble glazed to the artisan lavender lemon, a donut will bring a ray of sunshine to your day. Happy Donut Day! Every culture has their version of a donut – bombolone, loukoumades, beignets and America celebrates National …
Traditional meets modern luxury in the ryokan-inspired Ritz Carlton Kyoto. Coming in at $1000 per night, is a stay here worth the price tag? “Happy Birthday!” read the chocolate-scrawled message that welcomed me to my room at the Ritz Carlton Kyoto. As the concierge politely backed out of the room, I only had one question: …
Flowers blooming in mesmerizing, ever-shifting patterns, waterfalls that part at the touch, and forests of dazzling crystal lights. The Digital Museum in Tokyo marries the beauty of nature with futuristic graphics to create a breathtaking, immersive experience. Tokyo is a city that seamlessly integrates ancient shrines in the heart of a bustling metropolis and balances …
Juicy pork dumplings bursting with flavor, scallion pancakes crisp with buttery layers, sweet buns overflowing with red bean paste – fragrant smells stir Shanghai streets awake in the morning. My summer mornings in Shanghai would always begin with an important question – what to eat for breakfast? Shops and stands throughout the city would open …
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Juicy, sweetened tomatoes blend seamlessly with fluffy scrambled eggs to create a colorful and flavorful Chinese tomato and egg stir fry. This healthy and satisfying dish brings out the tang of fresh tomatoes with just a dash of sugar. Working a full day and cooking for yourself is hard work, but working a full day …
Homemade vanilla whipped cream mixed with fresh strawberry slices top off a light, crisp pancake. This breakfast delight is infused with a subtle sweetness and is perfect for a Mother’s Day brunch or to start off a sunny spring morning. There are two ways to make a Dutch baby – one involves finding a consenting …
Cookies are the most welcoming of desserts. They are simple to make, forgiving of mistakes, and delicious even when they are one week old. And who doesn’t love a cookie? They come in so many shapes and sizes that for every person on this planet, there is a cookie out there for them. Everyone has …