tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55457850637520562952024-03-13T03:37:38.568-07:00Japan-on-a-budgetLearn tips on how to travel Japan on a budget and about Japanese culture. Discover the Japanese countryside, mountains, sea, culture, wonderful people and food.CaroleAnnGoldsmithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06348739321839363894noreply@blogger.comBlogger80125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5545785063752056295.post-5148225719596340652018-11-24T21:42:00.001-08:002018-11-24T21:42:15.710-08:00See Japan on a budget <br />
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https://blog.weteachme.com/articles/470-experience-japan-on-a-budgetCaroleAnnGoldsmithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06348739321839363894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5545785063752056295.post-73787425155756598532018-11-24T21:38:00.001-08:002018-11-24T21:38:24.348-08:00Have you ever wanted to travel to Japan and thought that it’s too expensive?<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Have
you ever wanted to travel to Japan and thought that it’s too expensive?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">By Carole Goldsmith Copyright © 2018 – All rights reserved.
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Japan
is not expensive, in fact it’s about a third of the price of travelling
Australia for accommodation, travel, eating out and lots more. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I have been travelling in Japan for 25 plus years, over 35
trips to do research and write business / travel articles and give lectures. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Preparing
for the trip<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Before going to Japan, learn a little Japanese language and
read about Japanese culture from books and websites. You can also buy some
great phrase books for your travels. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This
is a great <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gWyI5g2MX4">video</a></span> on Japanese
culture done by a Japanese person </span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I love Japan’s national broadcaster’s NHK’s <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://www.nhk.or.jp/lesson/en/easyjapanese/">learn
Japanese</a></span> program. Check it out as you will find learning Japanese an
easy task. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">10
tips you need to go before flying off to Japan<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Here’s
some great tips on <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVFjA7Qy1as">10 things you need to know</a></span>
before going to Japan <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Getting
from Narita (Tokyo) and Kansai (Osaka) International Airports</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">There are many ways to travel from the airports and I can
tell you in my <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://carolegoldsmith.weteachme.com/classes/1021678-how-to-travel-japan-on-a-budget">How
to travel Japan on a budget course</a></span>, - the cheapest and fastest way
to get yourself to the city. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">25
Things to do in Tokyo. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Watch this before you go too, to find out <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDoLLhswOwY">25
Things to do in Tokyo</a></span>, as it is very entertaining and informative. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Accommodation<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">There is a wide range of accommodation for you from
hostels, budget to five-star hotels, capsule hotels, internet cafes, regulated Airbnb
places to rent, Ryokans, traditional Japanese Inns, some of which are run by
Japanese families, or are larger establishments. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Eating
out <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">You can find budget places to eat across Japan from
restaurants, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">mom and pop</i> eateries, to
food trucks, markets and convenience stores. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Japan’s
countryside<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I love Japan’s countryside and you will love it too, when
you venture out of the major cities – In my <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://carolegoldsmith.weteachme.com/classes/1021678-how-to-travel-japan-on-a-budget">Japan
budget travel</a></span> course, I can tell you all my favourite off the beaten
track places to go and how to get there. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Shiraishi
Island</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> is one of my favourite places to travel in Japan – so
peaceful and quiet away from the tourist crowded cities. I love this place and
here is a <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xd_3OTpIhfY">short view</a></span> of
Shiraishi Island for you<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Transport<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Travelling around Japan, you have a wide range of options
from buses, trains, planes, ferries, bicycles or even walking Pilgrim routes. I
like the highway buses as they are cheap, quiet and very easy to travel on with
frequent stops along the way. There are also great travel cards that you can
buy to use in most of Japan’s major cities. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Do
know how many islands are there in Japan?</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Surprise! There are more than <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://www.stat.go.jp/english/data/handbook/c0117.html">6,805 islands in
Japan</a></span> including the five main islands of Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku,
Kyushu and Okinawa. Its total surface area covers 378,000 kilometres. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Want
to learn more?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I will be providing lots of great tips on <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://carolegoldsmith.weteachme.com/classes/1021678-how-to-travel-japan-on-a-budget">how
to travel Japan on a budget</a></span> at my course on December 1 in
Elsternwick, near Melbourne, so book in soon and see you there. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Have a great day and keep smiling<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Carole Goldsmith <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">International journalist and Japan budget travel specialist
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />CaroleAnnGoldsmithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06348739321839363894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5545785063752056295.post-40604760567520122032017-02-06T17:30:00.002-08:002017-02-06T17:30:24.341-08:00Some interesting articles on Kyoto accommodation, Tokyo and Japan cycling business <span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hi All, </span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sometimes I share links to some great articles on Japan travel. </span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here they are: </span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How to stay at a Kyoko Ryokan </span></b><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">http://tg.tripadvisor.jp/news/graphic/kyototourism3/</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Tokyo Cheapo </b></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>A three day itinerary in Tokyo for those who don't like itineraries.</b> </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Bf4nn5AHalA/WJkh4MU4fnI/AAAAAAAACPw/LJryHc9SGeYPv3s834XuXtHbQTnv_IWCgCLcB/s1600/010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Bf4nn5AHalA/WJkh4MU4fnI/AAAAAAAACPw/LJryHc9SGeYPv3s834XuXtHbQTnv_IWCgCLcB/s320/010.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Tokyo Cheapo </b></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>A three day itinerary in Tokyo for those who don't like itineraries.</b> </span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">https://tokyocheapo.com/entertainment/tokyo-explorer-itinerary/</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Tokyo Cheapo You Tube video </b></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21SUrox-Hbo</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<b style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Terrie's Take </b><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Long time Japan resident, technology and business entrepreneur, Terrie Lloyd writes some interesting travel and business articles on his weekly Terrie's Take. </span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">https://www.terrielloyd.com/category/terries-take/</span></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue;">This week, he shares how his company is getting into the cycling business</span><span style="color: blue;">. </span></span></b><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">https://www.terrielloyd.com/terries-take/tt-882-tourism-edition-were-getting-into-the-cycling-business/</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0YogrQfryRA/WJkjE9-qrwI/AAAAAAAACP4/LC_Er13-LhsGch4Jv3dOgeYdk0feDRHKQCLcB/s1600/070.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0YogrQfryRA/WJkjE9-qrwI/AAAAAAAACP4/LC_Er13-LhsGch4Jv3dOgeYdk0feDRHKQCLcB/s320/070.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Skiing in Japan </b></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you are heading for skiing in Japan, check out JNTO's site on skiing in Japan. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<h3 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0.2rem 0px 0.5rem; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/attractions/rest/outdoor/Skiing_in_Japan.html</span></span></h3>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Enjoy and have a great day. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Carole Goldsmith </span></span></div>
CaroleAnnGoldsmithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06348739321839363894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5545785063752056295.post-4029611310732276132017-02-05T19:00:00.001-08:002017-02-05T19:03:44.568-08:00Working on an E book on Japan on a Budget for Business <div class="MsoNormal" style="background: whitesmoke; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="color: blue;"><b>By Carole Goldsmith ©Copyright 2017. All Rights Reserved </b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">A lot of business people ask me for tips on travelling Japan on a budget, so I am currently editing an ebook that I have written on Japan on a budget, with a range of tips for business. </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">As I have been doing research for business articles across Asia and especially in Japan, I have collected many tips for both travellers and business people. </span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mYvYap8dp6k/WJfmDDw4oXI/AAAAAAAACPI/MgpAEXa7gnE_8vil9_LV8BbF-OhHpaX-gCLcB/s1600/031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mYvYap8dp6k/WJfmDDw4oXI/AAAAAAAACPI/MgpAEXa7gnE_8vil9_LV8BbF-OhHpaX-gCLcB/s320/031.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">The e book will cover accommodation, transport, luggage transfer, eating out, free trade deals and lots of facts and figures on doing business in Japan, including cross cultural awareness. </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">I am aiming for the end of February 2017 as the completion date. </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">If you want me to contact you when the English version of the e book is ready, please let me know. </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">The book will also be translated into Korean and Chinese progressively so I will keep you posted on its progress. </span></div>
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CaroleAnnGoldsmithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06348739321839363894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5545785063752056295.post-30988530560696668112017-01-11T22:28:00.003-08:002017-01-11T22:28:48.958-08:00For Skiing and Snowboarding enthusiasts going to JapanJNTO has some great information on skiing in Japan.<br />
<br />
https://www.jnto.org.au/experience/ski/<br />
<br />
<br />
Here is an article on snowboarding in Japan on a budget<br />
<br />
<div class="entry-meta" style="box-sizing: inherit; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
<div style="box-sizing: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.75em;">
<time datetime="2017-01-11" style="box-sizing: inherit;">January 11, 2017</time> By <a href="http://snowboarding.transworld.net/author/justin-cafiero/?rel=author" rel="author" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #474747; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.1s linear;" title="Posts by Justin Cafiero">Justin Cafiero</a></div>
</div>
<br />
http://snowboarding.transworld.net/photos/how-to-plan-your-dream-trip-to-snowboard-in-japan-on-a-budget/#DiDgQXZDieXDzjp9.97CaroleAnnGoldsmithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06348739321839363894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5545785063752056295.post-31229436627168714202016-11-01T01:41:00.002-07:002016-11-01T01:41:55.470-07:00Which travel pass is best for your Japan travels. <br />
<b>By Carole
Goldsmith Copyright © 2016 All Rights Reserved</b><br />
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<b><br /><o:p></o:p></b></div>
My favourite and most convenient pass for traveling in most of Japan's major cities is the Suica Pass.<br />
<br />
Suica card<br />
<br />
http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/pass/suica.html<br />
<span style="color: blue;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="color: blue;"><b>Which major cities you can use your Suica card across Japan. It has different names in other cities - e.g. Pasco. </b></span><br />
<br />
Check on the list below in this link to see which major cities you can use across Japan.<br />
<br />
http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/pass/suica.html<br />
<br />
Here is a video on how to buy Suica card and how to top it up.<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;"><b>How to Buy and Use a Suica</b></span></span><br />
<br />
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSPISZ8X6kY<br />
<b><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="color: blue;">How to return your Suica and Pasco card</span></b><br />
<br />
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SzP014b8Fw<br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue;"><b>This article outlines the Japan Rail Pass and the Willer Bus Pass</b></span>.<br />
<br />
http://japan.stripes.com/travel/what-best-transport-pass-japan<br />
<br />
The biggest issue I have with the Japan Rail Pass if that it is a consecutive day pass and you may not want to travel every day to get your money's worth.<br />
<br />
<b style="color: blue;">Platt Kodoma </b><br />
<br />
If you only want to use the Shinkansen or bullet train occasionally as you may be staying in the one area for a few days, then the <span style="color: blue;"><b>Platt Kodoma </b></span>may suit you. It's pronounced Puratto Kodoma.<br />
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http://www.jrtours.co.jp/kodama/en/<br />
<br />
You need to buy this the day before you travel at the listed travel agencies on the website.<br />
<br />
You will pay around 2/3 the cost of a normal cost of a Shinkansen ticket but this includes your seat<br />
reservation.<br />
<span style="color: blue;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="color: blue;"><b>Planes</b></span><br />
<span style="color: white;"> The</span><br />
The two low cost carriers I have used across Japan are Peach and Jetstar Japan.<br />
<br />
Both are good low cost carriers.<br />
<br />
Best wishes<br />
<br />
<br />
Carole Goldsmith<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />CaroleAnnGoldsmithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06348739321839363894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5545785063752056295.post-75184087615829465042016-09-15T21:20:00.001-07:002016-09-15T21:20:28.900-07:00Some news on Japan from Business Travel<br />
<br />
http://www.ausbt.com.au/qantas-will-begin-direct-melbourne-tokyo-flights-in-december<br />
<br />
http://www.ausbt.com.au/travel-tip-the-jr-rail-pass-for-business-travellers<br />
<br />
http://www.ausbt.com.au/travelling-to-tokyo-grab-a-suica-or-pasmo-travel-cardCaroleAnnGoldsmithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06348739321839363894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5545785063752056295.post-68646871774309799762016-08-07T20:51:00.002-07:002016-08-07T20:51:53.359-07:00Cheap ways to travel JapanThis was a cheap travel Japan article written by Terrie Lloyd<br />
<br />
<a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://www.japaninc.com/tt857_cheap-ways-to-travel-japan&source=gmail&ust=1470714419606000&usg=AFQjCNGt1zK2SyffxN4zrkVYJ8NUnFGfZQ" href="http://www.japaninc.com/tt857_cheap-ways-to-travel-japan" style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;" target="_blank">http://www.japaninc.com/tt857_<wbr></wbr>cheap-ways-to-travel-japan</a>CaroleAnnGoldsmithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06348739321839363894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5545785063752056295.post-44415829404838526622016-07-26T20:04:00.002-07:002016-07-26T20:04:37.351-07:00Hostels in Japan recommended by Nick a traveler and my favorite budget business hotel chain Toyoko Inn. <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="background: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: blue;">By Carole
Goldsmith Copyright 2016 All Rights Reserved </span><span style="color: #7030a0;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="background: white; color: #7030a0; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="background: white; color: #7030a0; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">Nick a colleague of mine and a recent traveler in Japan has recommended the following hostels in Japan. I have not stayed there but he has. </span></b></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-size: 13.3333px;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Space Hostel Tokyo </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-size: 13.3333px;"><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>http://spacehosteltokyo.com/</b></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="background: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: blue;">J Hoppers, Osaka </span></span></b></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-size: 13.3333px;"><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>http://osaka.j-hoppers.com/</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-size: 13.3333px;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>K's House Kyoto </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-size: 13.3333px;"><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>http://kshouse.jp/kyoto-e/</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-size: 13.3333px;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Santiago Guest House Hiroshima</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-size: 13.3333px;"><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>https://www.facebook.com/santiagoguesthousehiroshima/?fref=nf</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-size: 13.3333px;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>I don't stay in hostels anymore and I like the Toyoko Inn Chain located across Japan.</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 13.3333px;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>https://www.toyoko-inn.com/eng/</b></span></span><span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"><b> </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.3333px;"><b>Toyoko Inn Benefits - </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.3333px;"><b> Your own room and bathroom. </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.3333px;"><b> Great free breakfast and country hotels best breakfasts</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.3333px;"><b> Close to railway stations and you can see top of hotel from station</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.3333px;"><b> Reasonably large room for Japan and every amenity you need. </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.3333px;"><b> Comfortable beds and pillow. </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.3333px;"><b> Free Wi Fi. </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.3333px;"><b> Discounts for members - stay 10 nights and one night free. </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.3333px;"><b> Early check in (3 PM) for members</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.3333px;"><b> Toyoko Inn Narita - rooms are larger than other Toyoko Inn Hotels</b></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.3333px;"><b></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w-5IP4aXe5k/V5gj6Ob8RgI/AAAAAAAAB94/zTwvpGNCxk4FR4IC4ol1CQ9VdaFNunIkQCLcB/s1600/Toyoko%2BInn%2BNarita.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w-5IP4aXe5k/V5gj6Ob8RgI/AAAAAAAAB94/zTwvpGNCxk4FR4IC4ol1CQ9VdaFNunIkQCLcB/s320/Toyoko%2BInn%2BNarita.JPG" width="320" /></a></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.3333px;"><b> </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.3333px;"><b> Excellent booking system and customer service </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.3333px;"><b> Smoke free lobby and rooms</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.3333px;"><b> Computers in lobby with printing service for guest</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.3333px;"><b> Budget prices for these great business hotels</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.3333px;"><b> Spotlessly clean and very well managed across Japan. </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.3333px;"><b> Luggage storage if you are returning.</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="font-size: 13.3333px;"> Sterilized night gowns and clean slippers plus extra </span></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.3333px;"><b> amenites at front desk. </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.3333px;"><b> You can also book Kuro Neko Yamato Transport at reception</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.3333px;"><b> and Kuro Neko will transport your luggage to your next </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.3333px;"><b> destination at a reasonable cost. </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.3333px;"><b>Book early as the rooms fill up quickly: </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.3333px;"><b> https://www.toyoko-inn.com/eng/hlist_with_address.html</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.3333px;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
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CaroleAnnGoldsmithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06348739321839363894noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5545785063752056295.post-37570605671281032502015-10-10T22:05:00.000-07:002015-10-10T22:05:02.488-07:00Understanding Japan - article <br />
<br />
http://en.rocketnews24.com/2015/04/14/japan-bucket-list-things-you-need-to-do-to-really-understand-japan/CaroleAnnGoldsmithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06348739321839363894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5545785063752056295.post-31544993941205805972015-10-10T22:04:00.002-07:002015-10-10T22:04:28.413-07:00Japan budget travel article Interesting Japan budget travel article which however lacks a few important budget travel tips - such as using the Suica / Pasco cards in cities across Japan and use CitiBank debit cards in CitiBank ATM's in Japan and globally - no fees.<br />
<br />
http://www.independent.co.uk/travel/asia/japan-on-a-budget-tokyo-kyoto-and-the-bullet-train-a6687556.htmlCaroleAnnGoldsmithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06348739321839363894noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5545785063752056295.post-27877825786167422432015-04-13T20:25:00.001-07:002015-04-13T20:25:22.499-07:00How to hire the next Steve Jobs for your business<a href="http://www.smartcompany.com.au/technology/46416-how-to-hire-the-next-steve-jobs-for-your-business.html#.VSyImsaw9eM.blogger">How to hire the next Steve Jobs for your business</a>: Nolan Bushnell co-founded Atari and was the co-creator of the GPS and touch screen, but Bushnell’s other claim to fame is that he was the first person to hire Steve Jobs.CaroleAnnGoldsmithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06348739321839363894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5545785063752056295.post-19392510377961270762015-03-21T16:58:00.001-07:002015-03-21T16:58:06.146-07:00Ohnoyama Koen Naha - a beautiful large park (near Mercure Naha) to run around exercise in and explore. <b><span style="color: blue;">Ohnoyama Koen Naha, Okinawa. </span></b><br />
<br />
By Carole Goldsmith Copyright ©2015 All Rights Reserved<br />
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Greetings from Naha Okinawa.<br />
<br />
I just went for a run around Ohnoyama Koen Naha which is three minutes walk across a small bridge from Mercure Naha where I am staying.<br />
<br />
How wonderful to be near such a large park and to see green trees / bushes / flowers and hear birds singing. I ran around the park and did yoga over a 3/4 hour period.<br />
<br />
Here is a link to the Park's Location . http://wiki.worldflicks.org/ohnoyama_park.html<br />
<br />
Trip Advisor pictures.<br />
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g298224-d7384780-Reviews-Onoyama_Park-Naha_Okinawa_Prefecture_Kyushu_Okinawa.html<br />
<br />
<b>The Mercure Naha</b> http://www.mercure.com/gb/hotel-8725-mercure-okinawa-naha/nearby.shtml is a good hotel with all the facilities one needs in the room. Rooms are small as is the case in most Japanese hotels, I always ask for a non smoking quiet room on a higher level.<br />
Floor 12 is all non smoking. There are two supermarkets nearby and a restaurant at the Mercure.<br />
<br />
I am paying Y49,000 for four nights and that does not include breakfast and it should.<br />
<br />
I pay around Y5300 per night a Toyoko Inn Narita and the rooms are huge and breakfast is included.<br />
See my comments on Trip Advisor - http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g298161-d302013-r260439834-Toyoko_Inn_Narita_Kuko-Narita_Chiba_Prefecture_Kanto.html#CHECK_RATES_CONT<br />
<br />
<b>The Mercure Naha</b> is to the right of Tsubogawa monorail station, so when you leave the railway ticket checker, turn right and you can see the Mercure ahead of you. Catch the lift down to ground level. There is a convenience store ahead of you and then the Mercure. Large lobby and very helpful staff who speak both English and Japanese.<br />
<br />
I will check out the town and port today to get my tickets to Kume Island.<br />
<br />
The Monorail company have an all day pass for Y700 so I will buy one of those.<br />
<br />
cheers<br />
<br />
Carole GoldsmithCaroleAnnGoldsmithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06348739321839363894noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5545785063752056295.post-77435128099635764302014-12-26T22:50:00.000-08:002014-12-26T22:50:24.759-08:00Transport your luggage with ease with Kuroneko - Yamato Transport. . <b><span style="color: #0000bf;">Transport your luggage with ease with Kuroneko - Yamato Transport. </span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #0000bf;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="color: #0000bf;">By Carole Goldsmith - Copyright </span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: blue;">©</span></span><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span><b><span style="color: #0000bf;">2014 / 2015 - All rights reserved </span></b><br />
<br />Having
your luggage transported from hotel to hotel or from the airport to
your hotel or home, makes traveling in Japan, so easy. No more
luggage to carry on transport, it is transported for you at a very
economical cost by one of Japan's leading transport providers - Kuroneko or Black cat - Yamato transport.<br />
<br />
You can see the Kuroneko or Black Cat symbol on yellow background at hotels and convenience stores throughout Japan in your travels. This excellent economical luggage transport service will assist you greatly in your travel.<br />
<br />
Ask your hotel or local convenience store to make the booking with Kuroneko or book it yourself if your Japanese is good enough. Arrange the booking and have your luggage ready the morning or the day before you are traveling to ensure its delivery in time to your next destination.<br /><br />I
have used this service many times in Japan to transport my luggage from
one hotel to the other or to the airport. This has been arranged by the
hotel staff. Also I have booked the service through my local
convenience store when I lived in the Tokyo suburbs and booked it
through to Narita airport in Tokyo. At airports ask airport staff for
directions to Kuroneko / Yamato Transport or TA-Q-BIN. See more below on
TA-Q-BIN. <br /><br />Kuroneko is economical, fast and oh so convenient.
My friends have used it to transport their ski equipment and luggage
from the Japanese ski fields to Narita airport. <br /><br /><span style="color: #0000bf;"><b>TA-Q-BIN or door to door next day delivery service. </b></span><br /><a class="" href="http://http//www.kuronekoyamato.co.jp/en/personal/ta_q_bin/">http://www.kuronekoyamato.co.jp/en/personal/ta_q_bin/</a><br />
TA-Q-BIN
is a next day delivery service (excluding certain areas) which sends
your parcel or luggage to anywhere in the country, 365 days a year. <br /><br /><span style="color: #0000bf;"><b>Rates </b></span><br />
The
delivery rates are here, but you will probably find it a lot easier to call and book or get your
local hotel or convenience store to arrange the booking. The price will depend on the size of the item,<br />
<br />
http://www.kuronekoyamato.co.jp/en/send/ta_q_bin/list/<br />
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http://www.kuronekoyamato.co.jp/en/send/ta_q_bin/list/CaroleAnnGoldsmithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06348739321839363894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5545785063752056295.post-77279801973285651002014-11-16T18:40:00.005-08:002014-11-16T18:40:44.557-08:00Kiko the Japanese Frog and Rogi Rogito Japanese Doggie and worm friends go to the moon<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Copyright by Carole Goldsmith </span></span>© 2014 - All Rights Reserved<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Kiko the Japanese Frog, Rogi Rogito Japanese Terrier Doggy and the two worms are headed for the moon. They are zooming northwards in a rocket made of recycled vegetables and fired with high energy dog faecal and worm droppings bio fuel. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Out of the sky comes a large flash of lightning with a purple light radiating out of the middle."The lightening bolts are getting closer and they seem to have hands reaching out for us, trying to grab our spaceship," screams Rogi. All of a sudden there was a strong wind blowing us away from the enemy lightning bolt. The wind is blowing us upwards towards the moon swirling forward in a tornado like action. We are now speeding towards the moon at 1,800 km per hour. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Rogi is feeling very giddy from all the swirling, but he is the captain of the spaceship so he takes control and calls out " Kiko and worms, Cilli and Milli, try to hold on to your seats and put your seat belts on." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">"We are all stuck to the roof so we can't get down," </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">says Kiko</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;"> and he tried to salute to Rogi while hopping around upside down. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">All around us we could see the stars shining brightly, so bright that they were almost blinding us. Kiko added excitedly. The moon is happy to see us, that is great news guys”!</span><br />
<br />
We all looked towards the moon with great anticipation of reaching our destiny very soon.<br />
<br />
'Let us look at our sky map and see whether we can see where we are, I suggested to the group.<br />
Look the moon is there on the map, it does not look very far away.<br />
The moon is ahead of us and we can see the light. I wonder what it is like on the moon".<br />
<br />
As we were getting nearer to the moon, we saw two new comets speeding through the sky. They had sparks blowing out of their tails - multi colored bright sparks.<br />
<br />
"Oh look Kiko, Cilli and Milli, at the pretty colours". I called out to the group excitedly.<br />
<br />
There seemed to be new colours emerging all the time and it looked like a firework display of huge dimensions. The stars from the comets danced across the sky making pictures of flowers as they exploded into the sky’s surface.<br />
<br />
“What a view we have” we all agreed together.<br />
Now it looks like a rainbow in the sky, all different colours.<br />
“Look those red sparks are turning into big red blobs all joining together, I wonder what they are going to do to us. The red blobs kept flashing and it appeared to get bigger and bigger as they spoke.<br />
That blob has a hole in the middle and it looks like we are going to pass through the middle as it is moving in our direction. All of a sudden, creeping around the corner, we noticed something strange. There was a smoky haze starting to appear – a bright blue smoky haze coming out of the sky. Silver stars were beaming through the haze.<br />
<br />
Out of the smoke came a little silver frog with a gold crown on its head.<br />
"Look Kiko and worms, a silver frog and a gold crown. Have you ever seen anything like that guys?" I enquired.<br />
The little frog seemed to be very happy through the haze, without a care in the world.<br />
<br />
“Let us get our spaceship closer, Roggi and we can see it better. Maybe it is one of my long lost relatives from Tokyo” Kiko announced.<br />
We moved our spaceship nearer to the silver frog and he seemed to be getting bigger and bigger the more we approached him. It had red eyes with a green light inside of them. As it grew larger, its red eyes were shining with a green light piercing out of them in our direction.<br />
<br />
It was still hopping around but its hop seemed to be much more aggressive than before. It suddenly diverted its attention from hopping to looking directly at our spaceship. It was looking very scary by now with an angry look on its face.<br />
<br />
“Maybe we should approach it and ask directions to the moon” Kiko said. I replied that we should be more careful and wait and see what happens in the next few minutes. As we moved closer to the silver frog, it seemed to have grown five times larger than when we first saw him. His eyes seemed to be glowing a bright emerald green.<br />
<br />
The silver frog that we had named Zongo was now staring in our direction. It was growing and then shrinking at the same time. Suddenly bright orange and silver threaded wings started emerging from its shoulders as if they were growing before our eyes. The eyes were also growing bigger and were now as large as saucers.<br />
<br />
We were getting mighty scared by now, after all we were just a little dog, a frog and two worms in a spaceship made of recycled fruit and vegetable material.<br />
<br />
The silver frog’s eyes were glaring at us with such intensity, that it felt like the eyes were piercing through our spaceship.<br />
“What will we do now” Kiko screamed out. “How are we going to escape”?<br />
<br />
"Let’s be brave guys, time to get all of our strength together. Maybe we can calm him down so that he becomes a friendly little frog again", I tried to assure them all<br />
<br />
“Hello Silver Frog” we called out of the spaceship’s loud speaker.<br />
The now giant frog looked in our direction and flapped its huge wings and let out an enormous croak that shook our moving spaceship. Its green pupils seemed to have increased to the size of a dinner plate.<br />
<br />
Pointed ears emitted from its head and it appeared to be trying to listen to what we were saying.<br />
“We want to be friends” Kiko called out. “ I am a frog too, maybe we are relatives. I am a frog from Japan." Kiko added.<br />
The giant frog seemed to be listening but not really understanding.<br />
“I had better talk to him in frog language, he may understand me better”.<br />
“Croak, croak, cro….ak, croak, cro….ak (I may be your long lost relative). The giant frog seemed to be understanding and its big red tongue licked our spaceship.<br />
<br />
“Croak, cro…….ak, croooooak, croewwck” the giant frog responded to Kiko.<br />
What did he say, I asked Kiko,<br />
He said that he has been lost here for a long time and an outer space alien put a spell on him and made him stay suspended in outer space. So when danger approaches, he becomes a monster.<br />
<br />
How did he know that we were not dangerous when we spoke to him, I inquired.<br />
The giant frog said suddenly in our language. “ I can tell by the tone of your voice. Some how I can sense danger when I am faced with it. By the way, where are you guys going to”?<br />
<br />
“We are going to the moon, we all called out together. Do you want to come with us, you could protect us along the way if we face any danger. But you cannot get into the spaceship looking like you do, you will have to shrink again to your normal size”.<br />
“Maybe I just will not get into the spaceship after all. I can guide you to the moon. After all I was living there for a while so I sort of know the way there. Also I can help protect you from danger along the way".<br />
<br />
"Would you agree Rogi, Kiko and worms.”<br />
"Yes we do, we all said in unison".<br />
To be continued......Join us again on our journey to the moon.<br />
Carole Goldsmith Copyright <span style="font-family: Symbol;">ã</span>CaroleAnnGoldsmithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06348739321839363894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5545785063752056295.post-81645805293342932372014-11-15T19:56:00.003-08:002014-11-15T19:56:53.793-08:00Answers to traveler's questions on Japan on a budget <div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
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<b><span style="color: blue;">These are some answers to a traveler's questions on </span></b></h2>
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<b><span style="color: blue;"> Japan on a budget </span></b></h2>
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<span style="color: blue;">By Carole Goldsmith </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">Copyright Carole Ann Goldsmith © 2014 All Rights Reserved</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">Japan Rail Pass is useful when travelling long distance and can only be used on JR trains, buses and ferries. </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">Flying with Jetstar/ Peach is generally much cheaper from major city to city than going by Shinkansen or Bullet Train. </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">Suica Pass is suitable in major cities across Japan. <a href="http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/pass/suica.html#suicaMap" target="_blank">http://www.jreast.co.<wbr></wbr>jp/e/pass/suica.html#suicaMap</a></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">Kansai Pass suitable for Kansai travel <a href="http://www.surutto.com/tickets/kansai_thru_english.html" target="_blank">http://www.surutto.com/<wbr></wbr>tickets/kansai_thru_english.<wbr></wbr>html</a></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">Driving is waste of time and can be difficult traveling long distance in Japan. </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">Use the Willer overnight buses if you want to go by road instead of air or Shinkansen <a href="https://willerexpress.com/en/" target="_blank">https://willerexpress.<wbr></wbr>com/en/</a> </span></div>
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<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<span style="color: blue;">Kyoto - stay in Osaka at Osaka Chuo Oasis <a href="http://www.chuogroup.jp/oasis/en/index.html" target="_blank">http://www.chuogroup.jp/<wbr></wbr>oasis/en/index.html</a> and use either Kansai Pass or Suica Pass to travel to Kyoto and surrounds. </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<span style="color: blue;">Remember to go to Shiraishi Island - catch Kazaoka bus from OCAT Namba station in Osaka. <a href="http://japan-on-a-budget.blogspot.com.au/2014/05/shiraishi-island-japans-island-paradise.html" target="_blank">http://japan-on-a-budget.<wbr></wbr>blogspot.com.au/2014/05/<wbr></wbr>shiraishi-island-japans-<wbr></wbr>island-paradise.html</a> </span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<span style="color: blue;">How to get to Kanazawa <a href="http://www.kanazawa-tourism.com/eng/info/info5.php" target="_blank">http://www.kanazawa-<wbr></wbr>tourism.com/eng/info/info5.php</a></span></div>
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<div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<span style="color: blue;">Enjoy for travels in Japan</span></div>
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CaroleAnnGoldsmithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06348739321839363894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5545785063752056295.post-35041275427714100652014-08-26T18:30:00.001-07:002014-08-26T18:30:17.007-07:00Tokyo on a budget <b><a href="http://www.google.com/">Tokyoo getting ready for battle </a></b> <br />
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CaroleAnnGoldsmithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06348739321839363894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5545785063752056295.post-24004828785953506682014-05-20T01:05:00.000-07:002017-02-07T22:09:12.667-08:00 Shiraishi Island – Japan’s Island Paradise<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue;">By Carole Goldsmith Copyright <b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">© </span></b>2017, All Rights Reserved. </span><br />
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Need
an escape from your hectic life in the big cities in Japan? Shiraishi Island is
the answer for complete relaxation and fresh sea air. Located a short
ferry ride from Kazaoka in Okayama Prefecture, Shiraishi Island is
Japan’s hidden paradise.</div>
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Every year when I
travel to Japan for a few weeks, I usually spend a week at Shiraishi. As
I board the ferry at Kazaoka, I exchange greetings with the ferry
captain, who knows me by now – this April was my fifth visit. </div>
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Traveling
on the ferry, you can slowly feel the accumulated city and work stress
leave your body. Within 35 minutes we arrive at the island and I collect
the key from the ferry office, for a pre booked room at the Island’s
international villas. The ferry office manager’s son calls out
‘konnichi wa and gives me some fresh fish to cook at the villa. I like room number 2, a western style room. There are two Japanese style rooms there as well.<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-26l-rYTDYA8/WJq0JfzKwvI/AAAAAAAACQY/Kl1F6GjSyMcuKATUHQ0Qy2COPqfHAsE4QCLcB/s1600/061.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-26l-rYTDYA8/WJq0JfzKwvI/AAAAAAAACQY/Kl1F6GjSyMcuKATUHQ0Qy2COPqfHAsE4QCLcB/s320/061.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
I
wander up the 15 minute walk to the villa, well signposted along the
way, A couple riding bicycles along the island’s narrow paths, stop to
say bonjour or good day. Fred and Sophie are from France and are
staying at the Villa for a couple of nights. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The
villa is a great place to stay with western and Japanese style rooms
overlooking the sea and the neighbour's vegetable gardens. Also the villa
has a full kitchen and after weeks of eating at restaurants while
traveling, cooking a meal adds to the island’s stay delight . </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
There
is a supermarket about five minutes walk from the villa to buy all of
your supplies. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Amy and Paul , the managers of the villa and locals who lives on the
island, comes to collect money for the villa stay, in the evening. The price per room, all with a view of the sea, is around Yen
4000 for the first night and Yen 3500 for subsequent nights for a single
supplement. For couples staying there, the price is Yen 500 less per
person.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
After a cup of tea and a chat with
Sophie and Fred who traveled in Nepal and India, I go for a cycle down
to the ferry and along the waterfront. Bicycles are available free of
charge while staying at the villa. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HPF1JKpaSZo/WJq0S8TzyNI/AAAAAAAACQc/kY-OoxVyBzMUITvlqr5R8ATLdr54jIbaQCLcB/s1600/063.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HPF1JKpaSZo/WJq0S8TzyNI/AAAAAAAACQc/kY-OoxVyBzMUITvlqr5R8ATLdr54jIbaQCLcB/s320/063.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
There are
many walks or bicycle rides to take around the island, a stroll down to
the beach will take about 5 minutes by foot. A cold beer, freshly made
miso soup and yakitori while chatting with Chieko and her family at
San-chan, the restaurant and accommodation on the beach, is a good way
to pass the afternoon. In May, the beach is a swimmer’s delight. As I
plunge in the water and do my 30 laps of the ocean, the locals keep
asking me “samui desu ka” – is it cold? They don’t tend to swim until
June when summer if official, but this Australian swims whenever she
sees water. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b><span style="color: blue;">My videos on Shiraishi Island - check them out...</span></b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Shiraishi Island - Walking to the Beach https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=La7yr7gAvuo</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Shiraishi Island - Inside the international villa https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2lZdjvepqQ</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Shiraishi island - How to relax and enjoy the beauty https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xd_3OTpIhfY</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Great walks on the island </div>
<div>
Close
to the villa, there is a walk up to the lookout, a steep climb to a 360
degrees view of this magnificent island. This is fantastic to do as the
sun sets on the horizon. There is also a walk along the waterfront
that leads to a picturesque walking path with cherry blossoms in full
spendor in April. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Another great walk is up
to the temples, passing houses with multi colored flower boxes on
display and many vegetable gardens, green and luxuriant in the very rich
island soil. The temple area is alive with cherry blossoms and azaleas
in April and rhododendrons in May. On this visit, </div>
<div>
I walked around the temple area with a friend Hiro, who had come to the island for a visit for the day. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
You
can also visit the neighboring islands by ferry. Mannabe is well worth
a visit, with a very well preserved temple, that serves as a community
centre for activities and art displays. There is also a picturesque walk
along the waters edge, to the left of the ferry port. Climb the hill to
the temple, turn left and climb some more steps to find exercise
stations, then the pretty flower garden that overlooks the sea and the
island. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: blue;">The very talented Shiraishi Island’s Mrs Shinohara </span></span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
In
the morning as Sophie, Fred and I are enjoying our breakfast on the
outside deck , we see the bonneted head of an elderly Japanese lady,
just below the veranda. She introduces herself as Mrs Shinohara and
gives us some beautiful paper umbrellas that she has made and we accept
gratefully. As she wanders back down to the road that leads down to the
beach, she points to her house and indicates that she would like us to
visit. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
After breakfast, I go to visit Mrs
Shinohara, and she tells me she is 75 years of age. She invites me for
tea and cake as I sit at her entrance and she shows me how she makes the
umbrellas out of newspapers and magazines. Then she points to the
characters in traditional dress that she has made for a play. The very
talented, Mrs Shinohara also proudly displays the ceramic bowls and
vases she has produced and the birds that she made out of paper.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JBT2n72hF1s/WJq0gUwkgSI/AAAAAAAACQg/zfJLyUQn-BcGsBDeMt6wI_pC-OWKWOQXQCLcB/s1600/059.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JBT2n72hF1s/WJq0gUwkgSI/AAAAAAAACQg/zfJLyUQn-BcGsBDeMt6wI_pC-OWKWOQXQCLcB/s320/059.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: blue;">Sailing around the island in style </span></span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
If
you feel adventurous and want to sail around the islands, Amy Chavez,
an American and long time resident of Shiraishi, and her Australian
partner Paul will take you on a sail. This takes place throughout the
year except for July and August when they are busy with the Moo bar on
the beach. Amy also takes bookings for accommodation on the Island. For
details of the accommodation reservations and the sailing schedule and
fee, see below. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: blue;">Getting to Shiraishi Island – </span></span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The
cheapest way to get there is to catch the Bus from Osaka directly to Okayama station, from OCAT, Osaka Central Bus Terminal, Namba, The fare is Yen
3000 one way, the bus departs from Osaka daily and the trip takes around three hours with two rest stops along the way. At Okayama Station, catch the train to Kazaoka Station and then a ferry nearby to Shiraishi Island.<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
<b><span style="color: blue;">For Japan Rail Pass
travellers, catch the Shinkansen to Fukuyama station and then the local
train to Kazaoka. </span></b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
To find the ferry terminal,
turn left at the station and on your right, walk though the underpass,
then turn left and right across the pedestrian crossing and walk
straight ahead for 30 seconds. Then turn left and you will see the ferry
terminal ahead. There are regular ferries to Shiraishi until around 6:00 PM. The daily
schedule for the Island’s ferries is provided when you book your
accommodation.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue;">Accommodation reservations for Shiraishi Island Villa contact the Okayama International Villa group </span></div>
<div>
<table style="background-color: white; width: 500px;"><tbody>
<tr><td align="left" height="32"><u>E-mail address: booking@international-villa.or.jp</u></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
http://www.international-villa.or.jp/ </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
CaroleAnnGoldsmithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06348739321839363894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5545785063752056295.post-65852682843467735812013-12-17T22:48:00.000-08:002013-12-17T22:48:02.729-08:00Some non smoking restaurants in Tokyo <h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: normal; margin: 0px; position: relative;">
More smoke free Japanese restaurants in Japan please</h3>
<div class="post-header" style="background-color: white; color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em;">
<div class="post-header-line-1">
</div>
</div>
<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-8855941301806035670" itemprop="description articleBody" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 578px;">
By Carole Goldsmith - Copyright - All Rights Reserved<br /><br />Just back from number 20 trip to Japan and I am astounded that the Japanese laws still allow smoking in restaurants. Every restaurant I went to in Osaka and Kyoto in the evening, had smokers puffing away in part of the restaurant. Half of the restaurant in some of them was smoke free so the staff told me.....yes - I saw the smoke drifting across the restaurant. So to avoid the poisons of second hand smoke and a coughing fit, I did not dine at any of these restaurants.. they were not smoke free. Also at Takayama and Koyasan, the two restaurants that I ate lunch at, you guessed it, someone lit up near me, so I departed pretty quickly.<br /><br /><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-8855941301806035670" itemprop="description articleBody" style="line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 578px;">
Here are some non smoking restaurants in Tokyo </div>
<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-8855941301806035670" itemprop="description articleBody" style="line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 578px;">
<a href="http://www.bento.com/r-nosm.html" style="background-color: transparent;">http://www.bento.com/r-nosm.html</a>.</div>
<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-8855941301806035670" itemprop="description articleBody" style="line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 578px;">
<br /></div>
There was one restaurant at Kyoto station that had no smoking over lunchtime, that was delightful. Apart from all the Western restaurants that surround Kyoto station, I could nor find one Japanese restaurant that was smoke free for the evening meal. Seven Eleven meals come in handy when you can't go to restaurants because of the tobacco smoke pollution.<br /><br />Why don't some innovative Japanese set up smoke free Japanese restaurants in Japan. .<br /><br />The Japanese Ministry of health is promoting no smoking habits as smoking related cancer and stroke is rising rapidly in Japan.<br /><br />But how can they compete with the cigarette promotion and vending machines on every corner and the Japanese government's ownership of 50 percent of Japan Tobacco, the world's third largest tobacco company. <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/08/17/japan-tobacco-tci-idUSL3E7JH2L220110817" style="color: #6699cc; text-decoration: none;">http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/08/17/japan-tobacco-tci-idUSL3E7JH2L220110817</a><br /><br />At least young people have to now prove they are 18, before they can buy cigarettes from vending machines.<br />This was not the case a couple of years ago, there were no restrictions on buying cigarettes from vending machines.<br /><br />Maybe when the restaurant employees start suing the owners for smoking related illness and the smoking related health bill climb higher, the laws allowing smoking in restaurants may be changed.<br /><br />I and the many other visitors to Japan who are used to smoke free work and dining environments in our own countries, we would love smoke free Japanese restaurants to go to in Japan</div>
<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-8855941301806035670" itemprop="description articleBody" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 578px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-8855941301806035670" itemprop="description articleBody" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 578px;">
Here are some non smoking restaurants in Tokyo </div>
<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-8855941301806035670" itemprop="description articleBody" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 578px;">
<a href="http://www.bento.com/r-nosm.html" style="background-color: transparent;">http://www.bento.com/r-nosm.html</a>.<div style="clear: both;">
</div>
</div>
<div class="post-footer" style="background-color: white; color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px;">
<div class="post-footer-line post-footer-line-1">
<span class="post-author vcard" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 1em;">Posted by <span class="fn" itemprop="author" itemscope="itemscope" itemtype="http://schema.org/Person"><a class="g-profile" data-gapiattached="true" data-gapiscan="true" data-onload="true" href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/06348739321839363894" rel="author" style="color: #6699cc; text-decoration: none;" title="author profile"><span itemprop="name">CaroleAnnGoldsmith</span> </a></span></span><span class="post-timestamp" style="margin-left: -1em; margin-right: 1em;">at <a class="timestamp-link" href="http://japan-on-a-budget.blogspot.com.au/2011/12/more-smoke-free-japanese-restaurants-in.html" rel="bookmark" style="color: #6699cc; text-decoration: none;" title="permanent link"><abbr class="published" itemprop="datePublished" style="border: none;" title="2011-12-05T00:03:00-08:00">12:03 </abbr></a></span></div>
</div>
CaroleAnnGoldsmithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06348739321839363894noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5545785063752056295.post-48792226787545674322013-11-24T22:06:00.004-08:002013-11-24T22:06:58.883-08:00JOIN THE NEWLY UPGRADED BUZZ KOREA WEBSITE AND WIN A TRIP TO KOREA!<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">JOIN THE NEWLY UPGRADED BUZZ KOREA
WEBSITE AND WIN A TRIP TO KOREA!</span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Dated:
18 November, 2013</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Written by Jennifer Doherty, PR/Marketing Manager, Korea Tourism
Organization </span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Join the
newly upgraded Buzz Korea website before the end of this month and you could
win an air ticket to Korea or other great prizes like the mini iPad, MCM
Backpack, Cosmetics or passport wallet. The Buzz Korea website has
recently undergone a major upgrade with more fun and informative features for
all to share and enjoy.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The upgraded
website has stronger community functions where you can meet with other Buzz
Korea members. If you are planning to visit Korea, then BuzzKorea is a
very useful website, especially the K-Place and K-Tour which will help those
planning travels in Korea to plan an exciting and interesting tour of the
country.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">There are
fun games on the site, virtual tours of Korea where you can experience
first-hand all the fun experiences you can enjoy while travelling in
Korea. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">To have a
chance to win a return air ticket to Korea or one of the prizes you must first
register on the Buzz Korea website: </span><a href="http://www.ibuzzkorea.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">www.ibuzzkorea.com</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The Buzz
Korea event runs until the 30<sup>th</sup> November and winners will be
announced on the <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_748234729" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">4th December, 2013</span></span>.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Whilst at
the Buzz Korea site you should also download the Buzz Korea app which will be a
great help if you are planning to travel in Korea. The app will assist
you to find a place to sleep, where to eat, catch local transport and find your
way around the top sights in Korea as well as find out all the fun things to
enjoy whilst travelling in Korea.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Dated:
18 November, 2013</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Further
information: Jennifer Doherty, PR/Marketing Manager, Korea Tourism
Organization </span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Email:
</span><a href="mailto:jenny@knto.org.au" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span class="il">jenny@knto.org.au</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Ph: <a href="tel:02%299252-4147" target="_blank" value="+61292524147">02)9252-4147</a>/8</span>CaroleAnnGoldsmithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06348739321839363894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5545785063752056295.post-12692641683884222672013-11-24T22:05:00.001-08:002013-11-24T22:05:08.087-08:00ENJOY FUN KOREAN LANGUAGE TRIP & NEW STUDENT TRAVEL GUIDE RELEASED<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></b>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">ENJOY FUN KOREAN LANGUAGE TRIP &
NEW STUDENT TRAVEL GUIDE RELEASED</span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Jennifer Doherty, PR/Marketing Manager, Korea Tourism Org. Sydney
</span></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">If
you’ve ever wanted to learn the Korean language and have some fun at the
same time there could be no better way than immersing yourself in Korean
cultural life by staying with a Korean family and experiencing student life at
Kyung Hee University in Seoul, Korea. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The<b> Fun
Korean Language Trip</b> is a 7D/6N tour package organised by the Korea Tourism
Organization (KTO) and Kyunghee University’s Institute of International
Education. The package combines a language training program which teaches
Korean through popular culture like dramas and K-pop and provides accommodation
with Korean families through the Koreastay program. This provides students
with the best chance to learn and communicate in the Korean language as fast as
possible.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The program
provides twenty hours of Korean language tuition and six nights accommodation
with a Korean family including breakfast. You can choose from a free Korean
cooking class or a Korea Pass Card ($US20 pre-paid tourist card). After
morning class you have the opportunity then to tour the city and enjoy many of
the attractions of Seoul. Optional tours include Korean Cultural Experience,
K-pop Dance Experience, Seoul City Tour or Beauty Tour as well as a Gangnam
Experience tour where you might even run in to PSY. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The Fun Korean
Language Trip is a great way to learn some of the Korean language and enjoy the
many attractions of Seoul city at the same time. It also is a great chance to
become friends with Korean University students and share your experience.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The 7D/6N
package is available during January & February, 2014 and again during
July/August, 2014. The tour package fee is 600,000 Korean Won (appox. A$600)
Further information and bookings of the tour can be made through Plus Planner
Agency in Korea. <wbr></wbr> <wbr></wbr>Email:
</span><a href="mailto:alex@familytourfriend.com" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">alex@familytourfriend.com</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">If you are a
student and looking to travel to Korea then the newly published <b>Student
Travel Guide to Korea </b>would be a helpful tool. This 90-page handy pocket
guide has detailed information about the sights and attractions to be enjoyed
in Seoul city as well as day trips outside Seoul and to other regional areas of
Korea. It includes all the exciting options for students who may wish to
travel and experience Korea’s wide and varied landscapes, festivals and
events, UNESCO World Heritage sights and cities and villages whilst visiting
Korea.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The booklet
is available free on request from the Sydney office of Korea Tourism
Organization Email: </span><a href="mailto:visitkorea@knto.org.au" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">visitkorea@knto.org.au</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Ph; <a href="tel:02%299252-4147" target="_blank" value="+61292524147">02)9252-4147</a>/8</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Dated: 25
November, 2013</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Further
information: Jennifer Doherty, PR/Marketing Manager, Korea Tourism Org. Sydney
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Email: </span><a href="mailto:jenny@knto.org.au" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">jenny@knto.org.au</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Ph; <a href="tel:02%299252-4147" target="_blank" value="+61292524147">02)9252-4147</a>/8</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
CaroleAnnGoldsmithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06348739321839363894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5545785063752056295.post-32635001819605101852013-11-24T22:03:00.000-08:002014-09-01T19:23:37.520-07:00Everything you need to know about internet and WiFi in Japan<div>
<b><span style="color: blue;">Everything you need to know about internet and WiFi in Japan</span></b><br />
<br />
See this site :B<b>est site on WiFi and internet</b><br />
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2279.html <br />
<br /></div>
<b>Android App “Japan Connected-free Wi-Fi” is newly-launched</b><br />
<a href="http://www.linkedin.com/redirect?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Entt-bp%2Enet%2Fcompany%2Fnews%2F2013%2Fpdf%2F1108%2Fenglish%2Epdf&urlhash=L31C&_t=tracking_anet" rel="nofollow" style="border: 0px; color: #006699; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">http://www.ntt-bp.net/company/<wbr></wbr>news/2013/pdf/1108/english.pdf</a><br />
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November 8, 2013 </div>
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NTT Broadband Platform, Inc. </div>
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Android App “Japan Connected-free Wi-Fi” is newly-launched </div>
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NTT Broadband Platform, Inc. (hereinafter referred to as “NTTBP”) has started offering an </div>
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Android application “Japan Connected-free Wi-Fi” from today with the cooperation of the </div>
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following providers (hereinafter referred to as “Service Providers”) providing Free Wi-Fi </div>
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services to foreign tourists visiting Japan. The application allows searching Wi-Fi service areas </div>
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immediately, where about 2,000 APs are available in total, and users can now easily connect to </div>
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Wi-Fi within the service areas. The new service is available in 5 languages: English, Traditional </div>
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Chinese, Simplified Chinese, Korean, and Japanese. </div>
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Wi Fi available </div>
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NARITA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT CORPORATION </div>
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Japan Airport Terminal Co., Ltd. </div>
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Tokyo International Air Terminal Corporation </div>
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FUKUOKA CITY </div>
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(including Fukuoka International Airport, Fukuoka Municipal Subway, etc.) </div>
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MITSUBISHI ESTATE Co., Ltd. </div>
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East Japan Railway Company </div>
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OKINAWA CITY </div>
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Central Japan Railway Company </div>
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※Prospective Service Providers </div>
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Osaka International Airport (the expected launching date is December 2013) </div>
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Mori Building Co., Ltd. (the expected launching date is December 2013) </div>
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Tokyo Metro Co., Ltd. (TBD) </div>
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Updates on service areas will be provided on NTTBP’s website as well as via the app </div>
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<a href="http://www.ntt-bp.net/index.php" target="_blank">http://www.ntt-bp.net/index.<wbr></wbr>php</a></div>
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CaroleAnnGoldsmithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06348739321839363894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5545785063752056295.post-37298895011924961852013-03-14T22:22:00.001-07:002013-03-14T22:22:23.235-07:00INTERNATIONAL GARDEN EXPO 2013 IN SUNCHEON BAY KOREA<br />
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<span style="font-size: 19px;"><b>So close to Japan - Korea . </b></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">GARDEN LOVERS INVITED TO VISIT THE INTERNATIONAL GARDEN EXPO 2013 IN SUNCHEON BAY KOREA<u></u><u></u></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px;">by Jennifer Doherty, PR/Marketing Manager, KTO Sydney office</span><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><u></u> <u></u></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Garden lovers from around the world are being invited to visit the Suncheon Bay International Garden Expo 2013 in Korea which begins on April 20 and runs until October20, 2013. The International Garden Expo has been held around the world for 150 years and it will be Korea’s first time to host the event.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Under the theme ‘Garden of the Earth’ the Expo will be divided into three sections. The main Expo site (564,000 sq. mtrs.) will feature ten country gardens and sixty themed gardens. The International Wetland Centre (100,500 sq. mtrs.) will feature an animal/plant exhibition hall, a theatre, an ecology education hall and a wetland experience hall. The site also includes an arboretum (253,000 sq. mtrs.)<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">There will be various garden zones including a World Zone, Wetlands Zone, Family Zone, Future Zone, Tree Zone and Flower Road Zone. Connecting the main expo site and the wetland centre will be a bridge constructed using freight containers decorated with 160,000 artworks created by children from all over the world. <u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Suncheon Bay is known as one of the world’s top five coastal wetlands and the huge benefit for Korea and the world is that it will be conserved forever as a result of the preparations and hosting of the International Garden Expo 2013. <u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">For visitors wishing to attend the Expo there will be four different types of admission tickets including a day pass (16,000 KRW approx. A$15) a night pass (8,000 KRW approx. A$7) , 2day pass (24,000 KRW approx. A$21) and group passes/children tickets are available at discount rates. <u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Ticket holders will also receive the benefits of visiting many local tourist attractions free of charge such as Suncheon Bay Ecological Park, Suncheon Forest Lodge, the historic village Naganeupseong and the Suncheon Bay Drama film village.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Full details of ticketing information and all the events taking place at the Suncheon Bay Intl. Garden Expo 2013 can be found on the official Expo 2013 website: </span><a href="http://eng.2013expo.or.kr/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">http://eng.2013expo.or.kr/</span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Dated: 12 March, 2013<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Further information/photos: Jennifer Doherty, PR/Marketing Manager, KTO Sydney office<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Email: </span><a href="mailto:jenny@knto.org.au" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span class="il" style="background-color: #ffffcc; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #222222;">jenny@knto.org.au</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> Phone: 02)92452-4147/8</span></div>
CaroleAnnGoldsmithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06348739321839363894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5545785063752056295.post-10889135020070404742013-03-06T17:45:00.000-08:002013-03-06T17:45:01.032-08:00EXPLORE JEONJU ON A FREE SHUTTLE BUS FROM SEOUL<br />
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<b><span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;">Korea is just a short ferry or plane trip from Japan <u></u></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;">EXPLORE JEONJU ON A FREE SHUTTLE BUS FROM SEOUL<u></u><u></u></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><u></u> By <u></u></span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">Jennifer Doherty, PR/Marketing Manager, KTO Sydney office</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Most people would agree there’s nothing better than discovering a freebie on your travels. In Korea you can find many free experiences like free walking tours etc but the latest offer allows tourists to travel to one of Korea’s most popular tourist cities absolutely free.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">An exclusive free shuttle bus for foreign passport holders is operating between Seoul and Jeonju from this March until the 25<sup>th</sup> August, 2013. The Seoul-Jeonju shuttle bus that operated last year to promote ‘Visit Jeonbuk Year’ contributed significantly to an increase of visitors to the region so authorities have decided to offer the free shuttle bus service again to encourage more foreign visitors to visit Jeonju city and the surrounding region.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">The free shuttle bus service runs both ways three times a week on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The shuttle bus is entirely free of charge and reservations can only be made online, One person can reserve a maximum of two seats only. Bookings can be made via the following website: <u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<a href="http://jeonju.chesstours.co.kr/en/index.php" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">http://jeonju.chesstours.co.<wbr></wbr>kr/en/index.php</span></a><span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Of all the cultural gems of Jeonju, perhaps the most celebrated is the Jeonju Hanok Village. Designated as one of the top places to visit in 2011, the Jeonju Hanok Village encompasses about 700 homes and represents the largest cluster of hanok (Korean traditional houses) in Korea.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Jeonju also has several important cultural assets and facilities like the Gyeonggijeon Shrine, Omokdae Pavilion, and Hyanggyo (Confucian school). Jeonju is one of Korea’s ‘slow cities’ and is a great place for tourists to immerse themselves in the history and traditions of Korea.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Jeonju city is well known for the best quality food in the country and even Koreans travel there for the high standard of its cuisine. It’s a great place to try the Jeonju Bibimbap (mixed rice & vegetable dish) or perhaps enjoy a feast with Jeonju Hanjeongsik, the thirty or more dish special banquet.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Besides food Jeonju offers a wealth of small museums including the Hanji (Korean traditional paper) Museum, Traditional Wine Museum, Calligraphy Museum and more. It also hosts the annual Jeonju Bibimbap Festival, the Hanji Culture Festival and an International Sori (music) festival annually.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">So, if you are planning a visit to Korea this year, make sure you take advantage of the free shuttle bus to Jeonju city. After a few days in Seoul, Jeonju will offer a peaceful respite from the busy capital city and give you the opportunity to learn more about Korea’s history and culture in the Jeonju Hanok Village.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">Further details of the Jeonju Hanok Village: </span><a href="http://tour-eng.jeonju.go.kr/index.sko" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">http://tour-eng.jeonju.go.kr/<wbr></wbr>index.sko</a><u></u><u></u></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Dated: 7 March, 2013<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Further information: Jennifer Doherty, PR/Marketing Manager, KTO Sydney office<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Email: </span><a href="mailto:jenny@knto.org.au" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">jenny@knto.org.au</span></a><span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> Ph: 02)9252-4147/8</span></div>
CaroleAnnGoldsmithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06348739321839363894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5545785063752056295.post-77941307751198103852012-12-26T18:12:00.001-08:002012-12-26T18:12:32.331-08:00It could only happen in Japan<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><b><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><b><span style="color: blue;">It could only happen in Japan </span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><b><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><b>Carole Goldsmith Copyright </b></span>© 2012 - 2013<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><b><span style="color: blue;">Absolute
extremes abound in Japan wherever you look</span>.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><b><span style="color: blue;">Dumplings for sale </span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Long
queues wait in line for the freshly made dumplings at an Osaka Department
store. Only one very speedy sales assistant serves the masses while ten people
are at the back preparing the dumplings. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Two other sales assistants seem to be
setting up boxes and the one speedy rather stressed sales assistant continues
serving the queues. I wondered at the time why the sole sales assistant serving
was not helped by the others. She was working non-stop and quite flustered
while the dumpling makers were preparing their dumplings in a
relaxed manner.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><b><span style="color: blue;">The boutique cake shop queues</span></b>. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Customers line up for
over an hour waiting for 5 PM to enter an exclusive Osaka cake shop that looks
like a boutique jewellery shop inside. Some people drive up in their black
limousine and they seem to have priority over those waiting in the
queue.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">The people in the queue tell me that they must wait until 5 PM.
They continue to wait in the queue and do not complain that others are going in
before them. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"> <span style="color: blue;"><b>Buying a post card at the post office.</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"> I had
been trying to email someone and the email did not go through so I bought a plain
post card at the post office, I asked the postal staff where I should write the address
of the person I was writing to. She showed where
the address should go, just under the postcode boxes and where the postcode numbers
need to go. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">So I proceeded to write the address and my message underneath the
address. Then I asked her if that was OK and both the post master
and post mistress spent a lot of time inspecting my postcard. Then she kept
checking books and typing numbers in the computer. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">My 60-yen post card had
caused quite a stir, because I really had not written on the post card how I
was supposed to do with the address on one side and the text on the
other side. I also wondered why she did not tell me that in the first place. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Silly me, for years I have been writing the address and the message on the one side of the post card, because of course it had a picture on
the other side. No you definately do not do the wrong thing in Japanese post offices. So be warned, don't throw the postal staff into a nervous state because a silly </span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Gauguin</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> has written the post card the wrong way. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><b>So this is how it should be done - if you use a Japan Post -post card to post a message, write the address
on one side and the message on the back side and if you have a senders address
put that somewhere on the side that you are writing your message. </b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Needless to
say, I rewrote the post card the correct way, as they gave me a new one to use - and I bet the postal staff were happy to see me leaving. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><b>Using the abacus or counting frame to check the computer </b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">I was in a country post office in Japan buying some stamps. The postal staff calculated the total cost on her computerised calculator. Then would you believe it, she checked the amount on her abacus or counting frame. Amazing eh! In this age of high tech, in a high tech country like Japan, an abacus is still used. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><b> <span style="color: blue;">Bike Riders nearly knock you over on the pavement </span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;">With no
helmets on, as helmets must not be required by law in Japan (like they are in Australia), bike riders speed along
the foot path like they have the right of way, rather than the pedestrians.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;">Passengers
stand on the back of the bike, without a care in the world, this looks very
dangerous to me.They ring their bell and expect us passengers to get
out of the way. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;">Don't pedestrians we have the right of way on the footpath. With rules everywhere in Japan there does not seem to be any rules
for bike riders. Although I did see a sign in Fukuoka - <i>no cycling on the footpath. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: blue;"><b><br /></b></span></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: blue;"><b>Garbage not collected
automatically</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;">Here I was thinking that Japan was just so
advanced in everything but maybe not so advanced in garbage (trash) collection. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;">Near
my hotel located in the Tennoji region in Osaka, the garbage truck arrived to
collect the trash and a man ran along beside the truck and collected the
plastic bags of rubbish and piled them into the garbage bin by
hand. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;">In my city in Glen Eira in Melbourne Australia, the garbage
trucks arrive, our garbage is in green tall bin. The garbage trucks
mechanically pick up the bins and pile the rubbish into the truck's receptacle. Being all done mechanically by the truck there are no occupational
health and safety issues. Handling the garbage manually raises a whole lot of
health and safety hazards. Japan is very advanced in workplace health and safety, but certainly not in the garbage collection I saw at Tennoji, Osaka. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><b><span style="color: blue;">Ten men in line sweeping the streets in Osaka</span></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Again I was in Tennoji and saw a procession of men, all in uniform armed with brooms and shovel, sweeping the streets. Surely if the many up the front swept and collected the dirt, there would not be any dirt left of the other nine men. I wondered at the time and am still wondering - Why did they need ten men in procession to clean the street? </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><b><span style="color: blue;">The extremes in Japan
continue to surprise me.</span></b></span>CaroleAnnGoldsmithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06348739321839363894noreply@blogger.com0