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Tsumago • Japan

Old post town, Tsumago, in a historic preservation area with important traditional buildings. There was the main road from Tokyo to Kyoto about three hundred years ago, its name Nakasendo can be translated to “road through the central mountains”. At that time, Japan was ruled by the Shogunate. If you were there, you would see […]

02:38

Magome to Tsumago Trail – Kiso Valley

The Magome / Tsumago Trail is a well-maintained section of the former Nakasendo, the route that ran along the Kiso Valley and connected Tokyo with Kyoto during the Edo Period. The trail is not difficult and is well marked in English and Japanese. It is about 8 km long and should take two to three […]

03:03

Fujioto Ryokan – Tsumago Japan

Ryokan is a Japanese guest house. Fujioto Ryokan is a ryokan in an old post town in a historic preservation area along the old Nagasendo route, can be translated to “road through the central mountains”. Located in Tsumago, surrounded by Japanese style gardens. The inn’s restaurant serves famous local cuisine that has been enjoyed since […]

06:13

Nara • Japan

Nara was an ancient capital of Japan between 710-784 AD. Nara has a collection of temples in a giant landscaped park. The city celebrated its 1300th anniversary in 2010. Less than an hour’s journey by train on the JR Nara line from Kyoto station, located in the central part of Nara City, this vast green area, […]

Osaka • Japan

Once the capital of Japan, Osaka is a city in the Kansai region of Japan‘s main island of Honshu, located at the mouth of the Yodo River on Osaka Bay, Osaka is the third-largest city by population after Tokyo and Yokohama. Historically the commercial centre of Japan, Osaka functions as one of the command centres […]

05:28

Edinburgh • Scotland

Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland watched over by a castle, the symbol of the city. Edinburgh combines medieval relics, Georgian grandeur and a powerful layer of modern life with contemporary avant-garde. Medieval palaces rub shoulders with modern architecture, Gothic churches with amazing museums and galleries. Edinburgh, “the Athens of the North”, has great restaurants, […]

15:14

Kyoto • Japan

Kyoto was the capital of Japan for over a millennium and carries a reputation as its most beautiful city. Kyoto was among the few Japanese cities that escaped the allied bombings of World War II and as a result, Kyoto still has an abundance of prewar buildings. Visitors may be surprised by how much work […]

11:21

Tokyo • Japan

All roads, rails, shipping lanes and planes lead to Tokyo, the capital of Japan, is the most populated urban area in the world, at over 12 million people in the official metropolitan area alone, a population of 35 million people if you include Greater Tokyo. The size of Tokyo can intimidate the first-time visitor. Much […]

Daiwa Roynet Hotel Kyoto-Hachijoguchi

Just a 5-minute walk on the south side of Kyoto Station in a residential area, Daiwa Roynet Hotel Kyoto-Hachijoguchi, is modern and excellent value, and well located for taking advantage of the easy transport links nearby for exploring Kyoto and beyond. Though not in the centre of the city, it is within access of transport links including […]

Hotel Sunroute Plaza Shinjuku

A very nice hotel near Shinjuku Station, making this a great base for staying and getting around Tokyo. The hotel is modern and well maintained, but like most hotels in Japan and Asia, space is never wasted, a standard double room is typically 15.8 square metres (171 square feet), enough for one person to stay […]

Hachikō the Dog – Tale of Love and Loyalty

Hachikō was present at its unveiling of a bronze statue in his likeness, erected at Shibuya Station in Tokyo in April 1934. The Hachikō statue attracts thousands of dog lovers locally and from around the world who come to pay homage to the canine who has become a symbol of loyalty and friendship. Adopted by Professor Eisaburo Ueno, an […]

Club World on British Airways

One of the best things that could happen to anyone is getting an upgrade on a long haul flight, such was the case when I flew from London to Tokyo on British Airways when I was upgraded to Club World. With a better seat that fully reclines and delivers a fully rested arrival, big screen […]

01:31

Francesca & Rudy Wedding 2012 – Trailer

Francesca & Rudy Wedding 2012, a short trailer. A short fast video of the event as I tried out iMovie Trailers and got this result, which is rather impressive for the functionality that it has. It is sweet to see something so lovely and honoured to have been there for their big day.

06:36

Francesca & Rudy Wedding 2012

Francesca and Rudy big day I am so honoured to have been invited to attend the wedding of Francesca and Rudy in Florence Italy on September 8, 2012. For those that couldn’t make it, this is a short video that records that day. Watch the short trailer video of the wedding.

04:18

Florence 2012

A return to Florence Italy in September 2012, this is a short video of the best of Firenze. I’ve been here several times now, but still learning camera techniques, but each new video seems to get better all the time as my skills improve. I’m sure this won’t be the only video of Florence I […]

Best and Worst Cities to Live in the World

Which locations around the world provide the best or the worst living conditions? A report has been published by the Economist Intelligence Unit, EIU Report 2012 (by the Economist). The rating is calculated by a liveability score of 140 cities, reached through category weights. The categories are stability, healthcare, culture and environment, education and infrastructure. […]