24 hours in Akihabara Station, Tokyo

Akihabara Station is located in the Chiyoda ward of Tokyo. The place is known as a busy shopping district with many electronics stores and otaku, the diehard anime and manga fandom in Japan.

Visiting Akihabara Electric Town

Located to the north and west of the station is the Akihabara Electric Town, a shopping district famous for its many electronics shops. Shops range in size from tiny stalls selling specific computer components to large global retailers. Popular stores include Yodobashi Camera, Sofmap, Laox, and the Akihabara Crossfield business complex. Some stores offer international tourists a tax-free shopping experience. The district’s main street, the Chuo Dori, is closed to vehicles on Sundays to allow for increased pedestrian traffic.

Buying Otaku Goods

Akihabara is also known as the center of otaku culture, and as such, many manga and anime-themed shops can be found within the shopping district. Video game and card game shops are also popular. Internet manga cafes and maid cafes – restaurants in which the waitresses dress and act as anime characters – attract many diehard fans. The purpose of such shops is to “create an atmosphere as close as possible to the game and anime worlds.” Cosplayers – fans in costume – can be seen on the streets, often advertising businesses or handing out flyers.

Some Otaku related stores: @Home Cafe, Radio Kaikan, Gamers, Mandarake, Gundam Cafe, etc.

Watch a AKB48 show

The area is also home to a theater run by the musical group AKB48, whose name is derived from that of the district. In fact, the trains of the Metropolitan Intercity Railway play a song by the group upon the train’s departure. Special events, such as anime conventions, are frequently held in Akihabara.

AKB48 related destinations: Don Quijote (store chain where AKB48 perform daily shows at their theater on the 8th floor of the store), AKB48 Cafe and Shop, etc.

Visiting Kanda Myojin Shrine

Finally, you can also visit Kanda Myojin Shrine, which dates back to the year 730, although it has been rebuilt several times due to earthquakes and fires. A funny fact is that this shrine sells talismans to protect the electronic devices of the Akihabara regulars. Kanda Matsuri, one of the major Shinto festivals in Tokyo, is also held around May 15th of every odd year.

Shopping at Manseibashi

Manseibashi Station is a station in Chiyoda ward, Tokyo which closed in 1943. The station took its name from the nearby bridge “Manseibashi” which connect Akihabara and Kanda and after 100 years, this red brick bridge building has renewed as a commercial facility called “mAAch ecute”.

mAAch ecute is located under the railway bridge between Akihabara and Kanda area. Numbers of shops and restaurants are located inside yet remaining its historical look with red brick interior. At those selected unique and cultural shops, visitors can enjoy shopping very original products and craft works. Temporary pop-up shops take places, too. There are several cafe and bars serving organic coffee, craft beer and fresh bakery. mAAch ecute is a true hidden gem for those seeking for peaceful and relax time in a heart of Tokyo by the canal.

See more: Top Studio Ghibli movie locations in Tokyo

Source: Internet

Things to do in Ha Noi during Tet Holiday

Here are the top things to do during Tet Holiday in Ha Noi. Lunar New Year is probably the most-awaited eve of the year when people in the country finally get to lay down their back after a full year of hard working.

If summer is “the time for holiday” to most people, Tet in Vietnam is just like another “party time” when people eventually find themselves good places to make a getaway. Now follow us to discover your own Tet in the capital.

Explore Ngoc Son Temple

At Hoan Kiem Lake, you can find Ha Noi’s most visited temple Ngoc Son temple, meaning “Temple of the Jade Mountain”. Ngoc Son Temple was built in the 18th century in commemoration for General Tran Hung Dao, scholar Van Xuong and Confucian master Nguyen Van Sieu. It is located on a small island on the lake, and is connected to the shore by the iconic Rising Sun Bridge. The bridge is often lit at night. Also, the pagoda has two towering posts decorated with Chinese writing.

Walk around Hoan Kiem Lake

Hoan Kiem Lake is a popular place for a weekend hang out, especially at Tet. Annually, there will be big flower festival around the lake at Lunar New Year. There is also Tet Flower Market in Hang Luoc Street if you want to enjoy the beauty of peach blossoms or buy some to bring to your hometown. Tet in Ha Noi always bring home to mind, especially to Hanoians, this is the time when they can truly return to their childhood. Hoan Kiem Lake’s Flower Festival will not be a bad choice if you want to find the breath of Tet around the capital.

Visit Tran Quoc Pagoda

The Tran Quoc Pagoda is a Buddhist center located on the East side of the West Lake. It has a history of more than 1500 years. Although it is definitely worth a visit, it is crowded there during Tet. It was busier at Tran Quoc Pagoda than at Ngoc Son Temple. A lot of local people went to say their prayers, which creates a walking line to get in. If you are interested in seeing the praying, it is definitely worth a visit. However, if you are a bit claustrophobic, go early and avoid the crowds.

Visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

Started in 1973, the construction of the mausoleum was modeled on Lenin's mausoleum in Russia and was first open to the public in 1975. The granite building meant a great deal for many locals as it ensures that their beloved leader ‘lives on forever’.

Security is tight and visitors should dress with respect (no shorts, sleeveless shirts and miniskirts) and everyone has to deposit their bags and cameras before getting in. Visitors are not allowed to stop and hold the constant queue up as the place is constantly busy. Uncle Ho’s remains are sent yearly to Russia for maintenance therefore the mausoleum is closed usually from October onwards. It’s best to recheck with your hotel tour desk before visiting. Admission is free but donations are accepted.

Enjoy street food

It is one of the things Ha Noi is known for awesome street food. A good way to spot a good street food restaurant is if you see a lot of (local) people eating there. Simple as that. Also, if a lot of people are sitting there, you can also sneak peak how the food looks like.

During Tet there are still enough street food vendors open, although less than normally. However, this really was not a problem, because there were enough options.

See more: Discover Ha Noi through its famous structures

Source Chaptertravel

48 hour trip to Malacca, Malaysia

Malacca is a wonderful mix of modern living and centuries’ old heritage, with the tagline ‘Visiting Malacca is visiting Malaysia’. It is a small state but has plenty to offer. The city can be deemed sleepy compared to the bustling Kuala Lumpur. See all sides of Malacca with those things to do when in this UNESCO World Heritage city, and while public transportation is a little scarce, most hotspots are within walking distance from each other, so invest in a pair of good walking shoes and start exploring!

Admire the Sultanate Palace

The Sultanate Palace is actually a model of the original wooden palace that belonged to Sultan Mansur Shah who would have been the ruler of Malacca from 1456 to 1477. The home has now been transformed into a cultural museum which is flanked by pretty gardens and what makes the building even more impressive is that it was made without using any nails to hold it together.

Instead the structure stands as a result of some clever engineering and a series of wooden grooves and slots and the reconstruction was done after taking detailed notes of how the original palace would have looked according to the Malay Annals.

Walk around Jonker Street

Jonker Street is the soul of Malacca. The former residential centre of the old city bursts with life and activity. Colourful and decorated shop houses, each different from its neighbour, line the winding and branching streets. Stop by the vibrant cafés to rest your feet or hunt for bargains and relics in the antique shops.

In the evening, Jonker transforms into the city’s beating heart with energetic travellers, riverside bars and unlimited street food. Weekend travellers can hit the nationwide-famous Jonker Street Night Market on Friday and Saturday nights.

Enjoy Street Art

The street art is what makes Malacca so colourful and will give you lots of photo opportunities on your Malacca trip. Lots of street art can be found around the River and it is all in perfect condition too! Visit Melaka must be taking care of it as they know the street art is now one of the top places of interest in Malacca and it is becoming so famous for it!

As well as looking along the river be sure to head off into some side streets around Jonker Street to find the best street art in Malacca.

Explore the Botanical Garden

Escape from the hustle and bustle of the city and immerse yourself with lush greenery with a visit to the Botanical Garden in Ayer Keroh. Home to over 300 species of flora and fauna, enjoy a scenic morning walk, a healthy jog or a bike ride through its pathways, and when you are done, pay a visit to the Book Village located right in the heart of the park. With over 15,000 books on its shelves, the Book Village makes a great place for a relaxing afternoon with a great read.

Visit Cheng Hoon Temple

Photo Yann Pinczin du Sel

Cheng Hoon Temple is just off of Jonker Street and worth a quick visit. There are a few Buddhist Temples in Melaka but this is famous and on my list of Malacca things to do as it is the oldest working Buddhist temple in Malaysia. It is very pretty from the outside and inside.

Visit Stadthuys

Stadthuys is one of the most famous landmarks in Malacca and you will recognize it immediately thanks to the crimson façade.

The building dates from 1650 which makes it the oldest of its kind that was built during the Dutch colonial period and is modeled on the Stadhuis or town hall in Hoorn in the Netherlands. This used to be the local town hall and residence of the governor but nowadays it houses the History and Ethnography Museum.

Shop local food products

Some claim that Malacca is home to some of the finest food in Malaysia. People from all over Malaysia flock to Malacca to get some of only-in-Malacca food products, so grab the opportunity while you are in town. Head to two of the biggest food manufacturers in Malacca; Tan Kim Hock for delicious dodol and coconut candy, and San Shu Gong for durian chocolate and bean biscuits. When you are done, hop over to LW Pineapple Tarts for some fresh out-of-the-oven nyonya pineapple tarts.

See more: Malaysia and spectacular places to visit

Source Internet