A Malaysian fitness and travel Blogger on a personal journey towards fitness and balance, fueled by her passion for travel and the noms.
As the year-end holidays approach, many Malaysians are gearing up for their next getaway. Whether it’s a serene beach escape, a flavorful food trail, or a cultural city tour, the excitement of exploring new destinations is in the air.
But what if you could make the journey itself part of the adventure? If you’re seeking stunning scenic routes, budget-friendly travel options, or a sense of adventure without taking to the skies, we’ve got you covered with these flight-free travel ideas.
In the travel industry, there is a term for Japan called the Golden Route. It basically means the popular travel route of travellers from Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka or vice versa. The reason why this is a common route for travellers to Japan is because there are three major international airports (Haneda, Narita and Kansai Airport) connecting two major cities, Tokyo and Osaka for international travellers to fly into. Plus, the Shinkansen connects all three cities, making it a kill three birds in one situation for tourists.
But as a result, overcrowding and an influx of tourists to these areas has become prevalent. To combat this, Japanese airlines like ANA has introduced discounted or complimentary domestic flights to other parts of Japan when booked with your international flights. I have used this service quite a few times to travel to Sapporo, Okinawa and Nagoya and I will share that it was very convenient for jetting across the country without having to touchdown in the major hubs.
Like most people who have visited Tokyo, Japan, Kawaguchiko was definitely on my list of places to explore - famous for its generous views of Mount Fuji and lake. The town is easily accessible by train and highway bus and getting around the town itself can be done on foot, car, bike or even by their local bus.
So naturally when I dragged my group of friends along for the Fujisan Marathon, I was determined to make the most of our 4 days in Kawaguchiko and even then, we didn't cover everything. I have visited Kawaguchiko before in 2017 on a solo trip, during which I ran and cycled around the lake and has since been in love with the town. This was of course simpler times when the town was still relatively under the radar for most.
When in Japan, especially in March to April in the season of spring, do not miss out on cherry blossom hunting. Whether you're first time visitor or a frequent traveller to this beautiful country, there is always something new to be discovered. From the most convenient of spots to see cherry blossoms to the most unexpected, my trip to Tokyo at the end of March 2023 was exactly just that.
I will be honest. The main reason I picked Saruya Hostel to stay at in Fujiyoshida, Japan was its location - right in front of the iconic historical street framing Mount Fuji. The aesthetically pleasing interior built within a renovated 80-year old Japanese-style house and Muji-like decors were plus points.
The hostel is just a 10 minutes walk from Shimoyoshida Station, which makes it easy to access from Shinjuku, Tokyo and to explore the surrounding area including Chureito Pagoda and Lake Kawaguchiko. Mount Fuji (Fujisan) station is in the opposite direction and convenient for catching a train or bus back to Tokyo.
What would it be like to sleep in between shelves and racks of books and comics? If you're a bookworm or just a curious traveller, then perhaps Book and Bed Shinjuku might be worth a try on your next trip to Tokyo, Japan. Set in amidst the hustle and bustle of Shinjuku district, this unique capsule hotel is located just a 10 minutes walk from Shinjuku main station and two streets away from the busy Kabukicho where Godzilla looms.
Source: South Australian Tourism Commission If you're a coffee lover in Tokyo, you won't want to miss the Starbucks Roastery Reserve Tokyo, the 'it' specialty coffee shop that offers an unforgettable coffee experience, regardless if you're a Starbucks fan or not. Located in the vibrant Nakameguro neighborhood, this coffee roastery is the perfect place to savor the rich, flavorful Reserve coffees that Starbucks is known for.
There are only six Starbucks Roastery outlets in the world and Starbucks Roastery Reserve is the second largest and undoubtedly the prettiest.
If visiting Japan at the peak of cherry blossom season is on your bucketlist then this is the post for you!
Prior to Covid, I had an ambitious weekend itinerary planned to fly in and fly out of Tokyo to see their sakura season at its peak. Then of course lockdown happened and that plan was put on hold until 2023. Revenge travel applied here as I picked up on my original plan to travel during cherry blossom season and extended it to include Mount Fuji spotting as well.
Here's my 7D6N itinerary rundown:
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Shutterbugs and instagrammers, if there is one spot you must visit in Seoul, it's the Starfield Library located in Asia's largest underground mall, COEX Mall in Gangnam. You will be surprised to learn that the library is a permanent part of the mall and open to all.
The two storey open space library is home to over 50,000 books and magazines with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves. Occasionally there will be centerpieces set up right smack in the middle of the library depending on the season.
