Visit temples and shrines in Tokyo, Japan

The shrines and temples of Tokyo attract thousands of visitors each year. While many have been rebuilt since their founding due to fire, earthquakes or war, they still retain their splendor. Here are five of the best.

Zōjō-ji

San’en-zan Zōjō-ji is an important temple to Jōdo Buddhists. During the Tokugawa Shogunate, it was the burial site of six former shoguns, and today you can find those graves in the Taitoku-in Mausoleum or the cemetery out back, with two designated as Important Cultural Properties of Japan. Parents also come here to choose a statue in the garden to decorate in order to say goodbye and ease their child’s transition to the afterlife. While businesses and surrounding enterprises have reclaimed much of the temple’s original property, it still retains much of its former glory and is worth a visit when in Tokyo.

Kanda Shrine

The iconic red Kanda Shrine, also known as Kanda Myojin, has played an important role in Tokyo Shinto worship since the Edo Period. The shrine is situated in downtown Chiyoda-ku, and the kami (spirits) enshrined here include two of the Seven Gods of Fortune, making this an ideal place to pray for wealth and success in business. Interestingly, due to its proximity to Akihabara, Kanda Shrine has also become popular with the tech crowd, who purchase charms to ward off damages to their electronics.

Read more: Places to visit in Meguro, Tokyo

Sensō-ji

Located in the historic Asakusa neighborhood, directly beside the famous Asakusa Shrine, Sensō-ji is the oldest and most visited temple in the city with visitors coming from both Japan and abroad. The path to the temple is lined with stalls, small shops and vendors selling traditional wares and snacks and is an area popular among tourists looking to dress up in kimono. The grounds of the Buddhist temple are also home to Chingo-dō, the Tanuki Temple. Tanukis are Japanese raccoon dogs thought to bring good luck and protect homes and businesses from fire and theft. You can access the Tanuki Temple via a separate entrance on Dembō-in-dōri.

Nogi Shrine, Shinto Shrine

In 1912, General Nogi Maresuke and his wife Shizuko committed ritual suicide in this spot after learning about the death of Emperor Meiji. The two are now enshrined here, and the general is worshipped for his honor and nobility. Having been designed in the 20th century and rebuilt after World War II, Nogi Shrine reminds us that not all shrines and not all kami must be centuries old in order to be worthy of worship.

Yasukuni Shrine

The Imperial Shrine of Yasukuni honors the souls of those who lost their lives in war while fighting for Japan. Unfortunately, the shrine-war memorial has become a source of controversy, especially among neighboring Asian countries, since many of those enshrined and honored here are listed as Class-A war criminals. Despite this, Yasukuni Shrine plays host to multiple religious and festival occasions throughout the year, including an annual spring festival and Mitama Festival, where visitors come to pray to their lost relatives and friends.

Source The Culture Trip

Tips to save money when travelling to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur may not be the most budget-friendly destination in the country but it’s not impossible to get by on less than $20 a day. Whether you’re a budget-conscious traveller or an experienced backpacker, these ways to save money on your trip to KL can come in handy.

Eat like a local

The key to really making your cash last in this city can lie in finding the right places to eat. Food can present a tricky situation for those who don’t know where to look. The answer to finding cheap grub is simple: do as the locals do.

Make your way to a kopitiam (a Chinese coffee shop that is common in and out of the city). Such hangouts can be found offering menu selections that are both scrumptious and affordable with a number of local favorites to choose from. Similarly, 24-hour mamak stalls are plentiful and provide fresh coffee as well as South Indian delicacies like roti canai to customers who are looking for good, cheap food.

If you’re travelling in big groups, look for food courts in the shopping malls; they can accommodate to different tastes and are incredibly cheap if you pay attention to the bill.

Take the train or the bus

If it’s a tight budget you’re worried about, why not forget about renting a standard vehicle? Kuala Lumpur’s public transportation networks can get the job done just fine. With a series of interconnected systems that lead from one destination to another, you can explore the city without breaking the bank. KL’s numerous trains and buses can get you right where you need to go without the hassles of rush hour road traffic. Prominent landmarks, hotels, shopping districts and malls are often within walking distance of most stations with one-way fares that start at RM1.20 (less than $0.50).

If trains aren’t really your thing, you may want to consider the GO KL City Bus. This option lets you visit popular districts, shopping spots, train stations and notable attractions. The best part? It’s completely free of charge! Look out for a bright lilac-colored bus that makes its way around town, fully equipped with free WiFi and wheelchair ramps for disabled passengers.

Purchase a tourist pass

If affordability and convenience are at the top of your list, the KL Pass helps encourage budget-friendly tourism in the country with special privileges that allow visitors to enter prominent attractions or skip queues with fast-track lanes for free. The pass can be purchased at validities of one (RM165), three (RM395) and six (RM675) days. Apart from getting access to various destinations, the KL Pass also grants you exclusive discounts and offers found in selected retail outlets, shopping plazas or dining spots. A complimentary guidebook with useful information about the many activities and locations in Kuala Lumpur is also available.

Look out for flight deals or choose a flight with a stop

There are plenty of budget airlines connecting Kuala Lumpur to Southeast Asia and beyond. Scoot, Jetstar Asia and AirAsia are just some of them. If their usual fares aren’t appealing enough, follow such airlines on their social media pages to be in the know whenever they have special promotions and limited-time offers.

If you’re travelling from another continent, try hacking the conventional process and stop over at Dubai, Singapore, or even Bangkok on the way to Malaysia. You may just find that it makes the flight a lot cheaper, plus it gives you a chance to stretch your legs and do a little exploring before reaching your final destination.

Save money on early hotel booking

Worried about daunting hotel costs while staying in the city? Why not book your hotel early and cut those rates in half? You could make things easier on yourself if you decide quickly on where you intend to stay in KL, even before you set off. Once you’ve confirmed the area, start looking for the best deals on hotels online, using comparison sites to check on which prices are lower. Waiting until the very last minute to confirm your accommodation can leave you with higher costs on hotels, especially high-quality ones.

See more: The famous landmarks in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Source: Internet

Visit the famous filming locations in Jeju, Korea

Jeju Island’s volcanic shores are well loved in Korea for their sweeping ocean views and natural beauty. So it’s no surprise that the island frequently appears in K-dramas of all types. Here are some of the best K-drama filming locations you can visit on Jeju.

Hallasan Park

The volcanic peak of Hallasan Mountain is one of Jeju’s most instantly recognisable geographic features. Trails around the park range in length from 1.5 kilometres to over nine kilometres long, and hiking to the top of the crater is a popular activity for visitors to the island. Hallasan is the tallest mountain in South Korea, and its peak can be seen in the background of many K-dramas set on Jeju. It also appears as a location, most notably in My Lovely Sam Soon, when Kim Sun Ah scales the path in the pouring rain to show that she doesn’t want anything to do with love any more.

Seopjikoji Lighthouse

Seopjikoji Lighthouse is set at the top of a hill, and has sweeping views out over the ocean. It’s also known as the ‘Wishing Lighthouse’, as locals believe it has the power to grant wishes. The elegant white building has been featured in a number of dramas, including All In and Boys Over Flowers, and Yeo Jin Goo and Kim Seolhyun shared their first kiss here in romantic drama Orange Marmalade.

Jeju Folk Village

Go back in time to the 1890s at Jeju Folk Village. Over 40 acres of land contain carefully researched reconstructions of various types of buildings, including fishing huts, shaman’s houses, agricultural buildings, and family homes. There are 117 buildings and facilities in the village, and a range of artefacts on display. Visitors can dress up in traditional hanboks, take part in workshops, and see events such as cultural performances. The village was used as a key location in the hit historical drama Dae Jang Geum (‘Jewel in the Palace’), as the place where Jang Geum learns medicine as a maid.

Teddy Bear Museum

Jeju’s Teddy Bear Museum features historical moments, famous people and art masterpieces — all represented in teddy-bear form. Teddies range from over six foot tall (you can cuddle some in the museum’s outdoor garden) to just 4.55 millimetres high. It’s an entertaining way to spend an afternoon, and gives an insight into the toy’s history and Korean culture; look out for the hanbok-clad animatronic bears. Alfred, the teddy bear from Goong(‘Princess Hours’), is displayed here; the museum was used as a filming location for episode 12 of the drama.

The All In House

Located just a few minutes’ walk from Seopjikoji Lighthouse is the All In House, built specially as a location for the drama mini-series All In. It’s waned in popularity as a tourist attraction (the drama aired in 2003), but you can still visit the interesting church building, recreate your own scenes from the drama, and take lots of photos along the dramatic coastline.

Bomnal Cafe 

Bomnal Cafe has breathtaking views out over Jeju’s ocean and a bright, welcoming atmosphere. It was a key filming location in the 2015 drama Warm and Cosy, as the cafe where Lee Jung Joo and Baek Gun Woo worked and (spoiler alert!) fell in love. It’s popular in its own right, however — the café is beautifully decorated, making every corner a perfect photo-op, drinks are good, and there are two café corgis who make sure all the visitors are happy.

See more: 5 most romatic destinations for couples in Jeju, South Korea

Source: Internet