How to experience Japanese culture while you are in Singapore

Are you curious about Japan or love the Japanese culture, but lack the time or money for a trip to Japan? Don’t fret, here are 5 things you can experience Japan without having to hop onto a flight.

Experience Anime and J-pop at C3AFA (Anime Festival Asia)

Experience the best of Japanese pop culture in C3AFA (Anime Festival Asia), which will be taking place at Suntec Singapore Convention and Exhibition Centre. The event will feature anime showcases, industry guests, professional cosplayers, and the grand I Love Anisong concert, hosting popular Japanese rock bands such as SPYAIR.

Boasting over 100,000 attendees last year, C3AFA has grown into the most iconic J-pop festival in Singapore today. With their trendy and hot content in store for you, this is something you just cannot miss if you are an avid fan of Japanese pop culture.

Hunt for Japanese snacks and delicacies

There are more Japanese food stores here in Singapore than you might think. First off, the more well-known places to shop for Japanese treats include the food halls of Takashimaya and Jurong Point, where you can go on a walking food tour of Japanese cuisine. That aside, you can head to Sakuraya Fish Mart for fresh Japanese seafood, including live king crabs that are specially air-flown from Hokkaido. You can also try out the takoyaki, ramen, and sushi while you are there.

Another stop for Japanese food is Emporium Shokuhin, with Singapore’s first live and chilled seafood market, which is probably the closest you can get to a real Japanese market experience. They also have a gourmet section where you can explore aisles of Japanese seafood, fruits, sauces, condiments and more. And for Japanese snacks and other goodies, Meidi-Ya has got you covered with pretty much every Japanese treat you could want.

Go on a shopping spree in Daiso

Shopping in Daiso is quite a unique experience as you get to take a look at some Japanese products. Japanese products are known for being quite intriguing sometimes and the products at Daiso are no exception to this rule. For example, you can get things like banana cutters in Daiso, right here in Singapore. How cool is that?

Take a stroll at the Japanese Garden

Last but not least, the Japanese Garden would certainly come to mind when you are thinking of a place in Singapore that gives you a taste of Japan. One half of the Jurong Gardens, the Japanese Garden is connected to the Chinese Garden with the photo-worthy Bridge of Double Beauty.
The picturesque garden is home to a variety of flora and fauna, and most of all, a distinctly Japanese design that was inspired by Japan’s Muromachi and Azuchi–Momoyama period. Traditional bridges and rest houses dot the area, and there is also a Turtle & Tortoise Museum within the grounds of this garden as well.

Visit Cat Cafe Neko No Niwa

Japan and cats. It is the best of both worlds in one cafe, folks. Owning the title of being Singapore’s first cat cafe, the concept of having these lovely animals in a dining setting was inspired by Japan, which has countless cafes that feature pedigree cats. However, with a little tweak, the owners of Neko No Niwa only adopt their cats instead of buying them. A good cause isn’t it?

Read more: First time in Singapore? Here are 8 of the top things to do

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Northern Vietnam and the most amazing destinations

Although Northern Vietnam gets fewer visitors than other popular destinations like Ha Noi or Ho Chi Minh city, this is a region of the country that you should visit once when traveling to Vietnam. It is home of many breathtaking bays, stunning rice terraces and unlimited scenery.

Mai Chau

Mai Chau is a wonderful place to explore if you’re looking to get an authentic view of the many cultures that have found a home in Northern Vietnam. In the heart of the Hoa Binh Province, Mai Chau is a district with lush greenery, beautiful mountains and vibrant culture. In addition to the verdant valleys, Mai Chau is noteworthy for its stilt houses. These houses are constructed 3 meters off the ground, and they often provide shelter to animals escaping inclement weather.

Ha Long Bay

The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ha Long Bay is the most visited destination in all of Vietnam. Hundreds of tiny islands - many of them inhabited only by monkeys - feature dozens of caves and innumerable deserted beaches. Magnificent limestone towers rise above the waters of the bay like brooding primeval sentinels. Ha Long Bay stretches out along the Tonkin Gulf, just a three-and-a-half-hour drive north of Ha Noi. For an unforgettable experience, 

Cat Ba Island

Known as the largest mainland island of Ha Long Bay, Cat Ba Island is a great option for sightseeing. The central hub of Cat Ba Town is now framed by a chain of low-rise concrete hotels along its once-lovely bay, but the rest of the island is largely untouched and as wild as ever.

Sapa

The mountainous town of Sapa is known for its culturally diverse population as well as its proximity to incredible scenery. Sapa itself is home to the members of many hill tribes, including the Hmong, the Dao, the Muong and the Tay. The town also overlooks the magnificent Muong Hoa Valley and its terraced rice fields, which are staggering to behold. If you want to get an inside look at the local residents and their cultures, then head to Sapa for an overnight trek or a homestay. You can hike out to the more remote villages and then spend the night, dining and learning from the hill tribe residents.

Ninh Binh

Several tranquil rivers meander near the city of Ninh Binh, just 58 miles south of Ha Noi. Take a ride on an aluminum rowboat paddled by local village women and marvel at the rugged karst terrain, mountain goats, and lush foliage as you glide along peaceful river waterways through a series of dark grottoes. In addition, you can easily visit Ninh Binh as a day trip from Hanoi, though if you want to stay longer, check out Cuc Phuong National Park, Vietnam’s oldest national park.

Dong Van Plateau

Dong Van Plateau starts just north of the city of Ha Giang, about a six-hour drive from Ha Noi. It is a spectacular part of the remote, mountainous region of Vietnam’s far northeast. Spectacularly terraced rice paddies climb to the summits of the surrounding mountains, extending beyond the horizon. Further exploration uncovers more gems: Southeast Asia’s deepest canyon, 22 ethnic minority tribes, pristine lakes, pine forests, stone forests, caves bristling with undisturbed formations, and incredible waterfalls are just a few of the many treats that await the intrepid explorer.

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Gunung Kawi, a must-visit temple in Bali

Gunung Kawi is one of the oldest temples in Bali. In fact, it is not just one temple, but a series of temples set in a deep river valley next to towering cliffs. The site is most famous for the five main funeral shrines that are carved into a tall cliff at the centre of the complex. The shrines are each over eight meters high.

The origin of Gunung Kawi

The original complex was built to honour a long dead Balinese king named Udayana. According to one theory the site is dedicated to his wife and three sons, though some historians disagree and say it is dedicated to his four wives. Whatever the case, the funeral monuments for King Udayana and his family are just a part of a sprawling complex of temples.

How to get there

The temple complex is easily accessed, only a few hundred meters east from Jalan Raya Tampaksiring main route, from where you continue down on foot to a paved walkway that is lined with art shops and small local warungs. Along a further 300 steps towards the river, lush paddy terraces and gorgeously green valley blend to transport you back in time away from modernity. Where the stairs end, proceed through a stone archway with small pillars each holding an earthen vase filled with holy water, which you sprinkle on yourself before entering the complex.

What to expect

It is divided into three separate areas. Four of them can be found on one side of the river and then the largest cluster of five on the other side. But what is often overlooked by visitors is the tenth candi, set about one kilometer back from the other two clusters. So be sure to explore every inch of this incredible place as you will probably find a lot of interesting things to look at that you would not notice at first glance.

The candis are believed to be constructed early in the 11th century by King Anak Wungsu in honor of his father, King Udayana. But the candis are not tombs, like many believe, as they have never contained human remains or ashes. Today they are considered to be symbolic accommodations to house the members of the royal family whenever they visit during temple festivals. However, there is still some mystery surrounding their actual intentional purpose.

As you wander through the stunning temple grounds, between shrines, ponds, palm trees and offerings, you cannot help but get a regal, almost magical feeling.

Gunung Kawi is actually made up of 15 separate temples. If you have the time you can spend half a day exploring the site. The main highlight, and what most tourists come for, is the funeral carvings in the cliff. It is a shame that there is such a focus on the cliff carvings, because Gunung Kawi has a lot to offer tourists.

Read more: 10 must-try activities in Bali

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