Ever since my first trip to Tohoku two years ago, I’ve been yearning to visit more of that northern Japanese region. What better better way to do so than with the JR East-South Hokkaido Rail Pass? Meanwhile, for a quick refresher on what constitutes the Tohoku region, here’s a map, with each prefecture’s most important […]
Travel Photography
Hotel Review: Imperial Hotel Tokyo
Even if you weren’t specifically interested in architecture or history, you’d be in for a treat at Imperial Hotel Tokyo. Location & Access The Imperial Hotel Tokyo, close to the Imperial Palace, Ginza, and Hibiya Park, also has very good rail connections. In addition to being a hop and a skip from Hibiya metro station, […]
Japanese Theme Trains
Whereas I might take issue with Japanese rail bureaucracy, Japan is still one of a handful of countries where I consider it a pleasure to travel by train. Whether it’s the 15-car trains running every two minutes during Tokyo’s rush hour, the tracks running right along the sea, or the peculiarly named stations, one could […]
JR EAST PASS Nagano Niigata area
Late last month in Japan, I was able to test out the last of the major JR East rail passes, the JR EAST PASS Nagano Niigata area. Outside of the Tokyo metro area, this particular pass could be a hit for outdoorsy visitors, including hikers and skiers. However, there were a couple of bureaucratic hiccups […]
JR Hokuriku Arch Pass and Gassho Architecture in Toyama, Japan
Contemplating a trip to Tokyo and Osaka, but unsure about where to go between the two visits? Why not get a JR Hokuriku Arch Pass to appreciate the UNESCO World Heritage gasshou-style (合掌造り) architecture in Toyama? Skip to: gassho, what’s that? First, let’s briefly delineate the Hokuriku area. The three mainstay prefectures are Fukui, Ishikawa, and […]
Hotel Review: Shinjuku Prince Hotel, Tokyo
Disclaimer: I am writing this review in exchange for a one-night stay at the Shinjuku Prince Hotel. There is probably no single Tokyo hotel that I’ve walked by more than the Shinjuku Prince Hotel. Why? One, it’s in a cliché photogenic neighborhood, Kabukicho: Two, I’m a frequent visitor to the Shinjuku Batting Center, home of […]
Kagoshima Chuo Station, Japan: Scene of the Week, Part 1
I’ve decided to start a weekly travel photo series to highlight some of the more unexpected angles one’s camera lens might encounter. Given that I was recently in Kagoshima, Japan, I’m going to give a shout-out to Kagoshima Chuo station for having provided NoWorkAllTravel’s first scene of the week— Why this shot? Three reasons. Firstly, […]
A Visit to Saratoga Springs, New York
Disclaimer: In early October 2024, I was invited by Travel Alliance Partnership and Discover Saratoga to experience an historical tour of Saratoga Springs, New York. I’m ashamed to say that I don’t know my state that well. Sure, I can locate all of the prominent cities and attractions — and food destinations — but ultimately […]
