Reasons to visit Pai, Thailand

Pai is the city that travelers intend on visiting for a few days and end up staying for weeks. Maybe it is because of the cool weather or the enticingly chill vibe this city has going on that turned Pai from a stopover destination to a top one in Thailand. Whatever it is that brought you to Pai, Thailand, you will be happy when you visit this city and here is why.

The vibe

Pai, in short, is laid-back. Whether you choose to spend your days cruising around the twisting jungle-fringed lanes on a moped, tubing down Pai River or watching the world go by in one of the many quirky cafés, it is impossible to feel anything but relaxed.

Chilling out at Fluid Swimming Pool

Just want to chill out the whole day? Go to Fluid Swimming Pool, just outside Pai’s center, in the direction of the White Buddha. It is a small pool with nice music, a pleasant atmosphere, a little mat on a grassy field and good food. The swimming pool opening hours are from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, but can be closed during off-seasons.

Being great after dark

While not a party town, there is still enough to tempt you out after dark for a Chang beer or three. Whether you fancy watching live music from the comfort of your own hammock at Edible Jazz down by the river, or chilling by the fire pit and listening to reggae at Bob Marley-themed bar.

Varied activities

In addition to a plethora of outdoor activities, Pai also provides a wealth of other things to do. Brush up on your Thai cooking skills and learn how to make local dishes at a cooking class, rejuvenate your body and spirit at a meditation or yoga retreat, and learn more about local life with visits to ethnic hill tribe groups.

There are Muay Thai gyms, language workshops, and even a circus school to add even more diversity. You will also find many temples and cultural attractions for fun days of sightseeing.

Forage for your own fruit

Pai is quickly becoming a mecca for organic, integrated, and permaculture farming methods. The man behind this movement is Manop, the founder of the Life Development Center. However, he works with many farmers in Pai who are eager to welcome visitors to their farms and will allow guests to pick their own fruit according to the season.

Read more: Top things to explore in Pai, Thailand

Source Internet

The most unique museums to visit in Japan

Like most things, Japan does museums a little differently – some would say perhaps a little weirdly. From poop, to cats, to cup noodles, here’s a guide to some of the more unique museum experiences you can try when you’re in Japan.

Museum of Sewerage, Tokyo

Yep, Tokyo is home to a sewerage museum. Located by Tokyo bay, the museum is all about the disposal (and cleaning) of used water. If you’re brave enough to dig deep into Japan’s world of sewerage there are a number of exhibits ready for you to explore.

Apart from displays covering the mechanics behind the dirty sewerage, what’s most fascinating about this museum is located on the B5 Floor, hidden about 25 meters deep underground. Labeled the ‘Fureai Experience Room’ this exhibit is where visitors are able to stand on a bridge spanning an actual, working wastewater tunnel. It’s recommended you visit before you eat your lunch.

Ramen Museum, Yokohama

Given that Japan is a food-obsessed nation, it only makes sense that the country’s unofficial national dish, ramen, gets its own museum. As adored internationally as it is inside of Japan, what’s so great about ramen is its versatility. There are as many types of ramen as there are people who eat it, and at the Yokohama Ramen Museum you can explore as many variations as your stomach can handle.

Built to look like Shitamachi, the old town of Tokyo, the double storey building houses nine separate vendors each sharing their own unique recipes. Though it’s more of a fancy food court than a museum exactly, it’s definitely worth a visit if you’re in Yokohama and are interested in eating your way through Japan.

Tobacco and Salt Museum, Tokyo

‘Tobacco and salt? Why is there a museum about these two, and why together?’, is what most visitors ask themselves when they stumble upon this seemingly strange but actually very informative museum. Well what actually links these substances together is their shared history for once being goods controlled by the Japan Monopoly Corporation (now known as Japan Tobacco Inc.). Though it may not be your first choice for museum themes, it is worth a visit if you’re interested in exploring Japan’s economic and social history through a slightly different lens. It’s also home to permanent exhibitions like The World of Salt which is all about the variations between Japanese and foreign salt. It’s only 100 yen (US$0.92) admission so it’s worth going just to say you did.

The Cat Museum, Ito

Japan loves cats, cat cafes, cats in kimonos, Hello Kitty, Tashirojima aka ‘Cat Island’, Cat Street in Harajuku, so really it only makes complete sense that there’s a museum dedicated to cats. Located in Ito, in the sunny prefecture of Shizuoka just a few hours from Tokyo, the Cat Museum is feline fandom heaven. There are approximately 2,000 cat related items on display. From stuffed tigers and cat dolls to scientific displays. But the best part of the whole experience is the fact that visitors can also see and play with about 50 cats inside in the museum.

Trick Art Museum, Tokyo

If you were looking for the perfect place to get those goofy holiday snaps, this is the place to go. Filled with optical illusions and interactive artworks, the Trick Art Museum in Tokyo’s Odaiba island is a popular destination for both locals and international guests alike. The exhibit displays feature works of varying themes, from the spooky to the brain warping. They also have an “Edo Area” themed room for those wanting to get a little bit of Japan’s history in their hilarious pictures. Don’t forget to charge your camera!

Cup Noodles Museum, Yokohama

Another Yokohama stop off is the Nissin Cup Noodles museum. Situated near the popular tourist destination of the city’s bayside, this tastefully minimalist museum looks more like an ultra-contemporary art space than the home of cup noodles.

Inside the monolithic museum, there’s a mini-cinema, which screens a regular feature on the history of the cup noodle, a make-your-own cup noodle laboratory and art gallery dedicated to the popular convenience food. It sounds like a strange place to visit, but the museum is actually a fascinating look at the history of Japan’s ingenuity.

See more: Top unique things to do when visiting Japan

Source: Internet

Nakamise Dori - A guide to Asakusa's popular souvenir street

Walk down Nakamise Dori or Nakamise Shopping Street, a traditional Japanese shopping street in Asakusa that starts at Kaminarimon and leads to Sensoji Temple. Learn what shop for and how to find Japanese street food and sweets like ningyo yaki.

Image source: matcha-jp

Nakamise Dori - Asakusa's Iconic Shopping Street

Nakamise Street (Nakamise dori) is a lively traditional shopping street that runs from the iconic Kaminarimon gate right up to Tokyo's prestigious Sensoji Temple.

The street is thought to have been founded during either the Kyoho era (1716-1736) or the Genroku era (1688-1704). This makes it one of Japan's oldest shopping arcades. These days, around 89 stores are lined up along the 250-meter long strip, transforming this street into a shopping spot ideal for finding Japanese gifts and traditional souvenirs in Asakusa.

What You Can Buy at Nakamise Dori

One staple souvenir to look for is the highly sought after maneki neko (cat figurines that are said to bring good luck). They are placed inside or in front of commercial establishments in order to bring in customers. Their raised paws symbolize the act of calling customers into the store. As you can see, a multitude of this feline line the shelves of this doll shop.

Be the envy of your friends by putting on one of these reasonably-priced kimonos and wandering through the streets of the old district of Asakusa! You will also have fun perusing over these Japanese swords and other Japanese traditional items.

What to Eat at Nakamise Dori - Must-Taste Rice Crackers and Japanese Sweets

Feeling slightly peckish? There are many food stalls along Nakamise Dori to satisfy visitors' hunger. You will find plenty of freshly made traditional Japanese snacks, such as senbei (rice crackers), kibi-dango (sweet dumplings made of sticky soft rice flour), and age-manju (fried buns with a sweet bean paste filling) are on sale at various shops! With so many options to try, it may be hard to decide which to eat.

Another must-try food is ningyo yaki, a cooked pastry made into different shapes, such as dolls and birds. The inside is filled with sweet red bean paste. This is a famous confection in Asakusa. You can even see the pastries being made--look for workers filling cast iron-molds with the light batter.

Take Scenic Pictures of Tokyo Skytree and Tokyo's Nature

It is also good to mention that you will enjoy a wonderful view of Tokyo Skytree from this position, so don't forget to take a look! You can capture a stunning photo from this area.

Nakamise Street after sunset is also a must-see. Experience a quieter, calmer and alluring side, as opposed to the daytime hustle and bustle. Look out for the shop shutters, which are decorated with various seasonal depictions of Asakusa.

How to Get to Nakamise Dori

Nakamise Dori starts right behind Sensoji Temple's iconic Kaminarimon, making it easy to find. Therefore, if you follow directions to get to Sensoji Temple you will arrive at Nakamise Dori and be able to walk through it.

The way to get to Nakamise Dori depends on which station you exit from. There are four stations in Asakusa: the station for Tokyo Metro Ginza Line, the station for Toei Subway Asakusa Line, Tobu Asakusa Station, and Tsukuba Express Asakusa Station. In particular, the Ginza Line, Asakusa Line, and Tobu station are close to Nakamise Dori. At the station, use exits A3, A4, or A5 and look for signs for Sensoji Temple.

Take in the Best of Nakamise Dori

If it's your first time visiting the Asakusa area, then the Nakamise shopping street should definitely top your list of places to go. The number of things to do, souvenirs, food, and sightseeing opportunities here provide hours of fun. Come and experience hundreds of years of tradition in the middle of Tokyo.

Source matcha-jp