If you need a new hat in Japan, Bossio in Shibuya is the place to go!

I just love to walk around Shibuya in Tokyo and find small stores that sell things that you can not find in other places. This small store in 2 floors sell any kind of hat or cap any man can need. Bossio has it all and for very reasonable prices. You might just think that you need a new hat for this spring! I did!
More info on www.bossio-shibuya.com

Eat on a shoestring in Japan

People tend to think that Japan is an expensive country to travel to. That is not the case any longer as the Yen is now lower then in a long time. But if you are still on a budget you can always pick up some great street food at any noodle stall. For 3-5 dollars you can get a great meal. Just find a noodle shop with a machine outside. Put some yen into the machine and then walk to the counter with your ticket that you got from the machine. Wait for a while and then pick up your hot filling noodles! Enjoy!

Ryoanji Rock Garden - Kyoto, Japan

One of the highlights for many people is to visit the Rock Garden Ryoanji in Kyoto. It is a garden made in the late Muromachi Period around 1500 and it was made as a meditation garden. Today being one of the most visited places in Kyoto by both tourists and school trips for Japanese high school students it is a bit hard to find the calm for meditation. However it is a stunning place to visit and time of the year. This photo was taken in the springtime of course but if you are lucky to find the garden covered in snow in January it is even more beautiful. Come here early or late in the afternoon for more time alone. The garden consists of 15 rocks laid out in white gravel only and what they form is not to be known. They think that the garden was made by the master Zen munk Tokuho Zenketsu but we can not be sure.  Don't only look at the stones but the wall behind it that has gotten it's nice patina from the clay being boiled in oil before they made the wall of it. Sit down on the temples stairs and just enjoy looking at this masterpiece of Japanese gardening.
To get here you can take the bus from the Kyoto station and the trip will take you about 30 minutes.
When you go here you also have the Golden Pavilion within walking distance.

For more information about Japan use the search button up to the left.