April 2017 - Vikingess Voyages

Monday, April 24, 2017

[Hotel Review] Niigata Iwamuro Onsen - Hotel Ohashi Yakatanoyu

9:57:00 AM

Iwamuro Onsen is an area situated in the Nishikanbara District of Niigata Prefecture, and is most known for its hot spring water said to have healing abilities. With the proximity to the power spot Yahiko Shrine this area became popular among visitors going to pray in Yahiko back around 300 years to the days of Edo. In Iwamuro Onsen you can find a number of traditional ryokan hotels ready to show you the best of Japanese omotenashi hospitality. 

Saturday, April 22, 2017

Sightseeing in Niigata: A Visit to the Ponshukan Sake Vending Machines

5:35:00 PM
With the largest number of sake breweries in Japan the Niigata prefecture is known as the ”sake prefecture”. The taste of sake can vary a lot so finding your favorite sake is not an easy job. But do not despair: Inside the Ponshukan (魚沼釜蔵 ぽんしゅ館) situated inside the building of Niigata station you can taste over hundred types of sake from a selection of 92 different local sake producers for only 500 yen.

Wednesday, April 19, 2017

[Hotel Review] Hotel Edit Yokohama - A Western-style Boutique Hotel

10:34:00 PM
Just outside of Tokyo lies Yokohama, Japan’s second largest city and a popular destination as a day trip from Tokyo. Recently the Yokohama area has also become popular among visitors as a base for exploring the east part of Japan too; with easy access to the bullet train (Shinkansen) from Shin-Yokohama, generally bigger rooms and lower prices than in Tokyo the city is an attractive alternative for those who are familiar with the area.
One of the hotels that recently is gaining popularity in the area is Hotel Edit Yokohama, a 3-star Western-style boutique hotel that opened up its doors to customers in 2015. Hotel Edit Yokohama can be reached in 6 min by foot from both Sakuragicho Station and Bashamichi Station, from which you can get to Haneda International Airport  in approximately 40 min and to Narita International Airport in around 105 min. 

Monday, April 17, 2017

Fun in Tokyo: Flying high at Trampoline Park TrAmpoland

10:23:00 PM

There are many activities one can try out while staying in Japan's capital Tokyo in order to have fun. If you're tired of the regular big city life one of the things you might want to try for some variation is a visit to a trampoline park.
A couple of weeks ago some friends and I visited Trampoline Park TrAmpoland in Itabashi, where both big and small kids can have a go at the trampolines. The trampoline park can be reached in 11 minutes by foot from Itabashi Station, which is just two stops away from Ikebukuro on the Saikyo Line. Note that the trampoline park in Itabashi is the easiest to reach from the center Tokyo, but there is an even bigger Trampoland in Saitama for those who prefer to go for the largest place available.

Sunday, April 9, 2017

[Hotel Review] Yokohama Royal Park - The Landmark of Yokohama

10:48:00 PM

Just outside of Tokyo lies Yokohama, Japan’s second largest city and a popular destination as a day trip from Tokyo. Recently the Yokohama area has also become popular among visitors as a base for exploring the east part of Japan too; with easy access to the bullet train (Shinkansen) from Shin-Yokohama, relatively bigger rooms and lower prices than in Tokyo the city is an attractive alternative for those who are familiar with the area.
One of the most renowned hotels in Yokohama is the 5-star Yokohama Royal Park. This hotel is situated in the iconic Yokohama Landmark Tower, which was Japan's tallest building from 1993 when it was built until 2012.  With its convenient location it is easy to spot the building from afar, and with its 70 floors, it also has one of the best views you can get in Yokohama. A while back I had the chance to stay a night at the hotel, and I have summarized the experience below.

Tuesday, April 4, 2017

[Hotel Review] Futakotamagawa Excel Hotel Tokyu - A Suburban Choice

11:43:00 PM
Just an 11-minute train ride from Shibuya you find Futakotamagawa (二子玉川), a modern and trendy area that often is referred to as Nikotama by the locals. Nikotama has been gaining an increasing amount of recognition during the last ten years, and now you can even find offices of large companies situated in the area. Within 5 minutes' walk from the station, you can find Futakotamagawa Excel Hotel Tokyu, an elegant hotel that opened its doors to visitors in July 2015. A couple of weeks ago I had the opportunity to visit the hotel on a business trip, and below I've gathered some photos from the visit.

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About Me

Adventures ofAnette


A modern day shield-maiden who loves to explore the unbeaten paths of the world. From her base in Tokyo, Anette takes on both rural and urban challenges, and goes by the motto "No challenge too big, no adventure too small"!
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