Hokkaido [1]

When someone said “Japan”, most people automatically think of places such as Tokyo and Osaka. If you enjoy nature rather than the trendy Shibuya district or the bright city lights, I suggest you make a trip to Hokkaido, Japan. Hokkaido is located Northernmost of Japan. This island’s attraction is its distinctive seasons. In the spring, you can find delicate cherry blossoms bloom on mountains. In the summer, you will find a sea of lavender flowers across Furano flower farms. As for autumn, you will see people enjoying food and sake as the leaves turn red. Expect to soak into the hot springs when the snow falls in the winter. “Everywhere you see, it is just like a painting.”

Mascot of Noburibetsu

I find Hokkaido’s summer particularly beautiful. The weather is dry, sunny, and breezy during the day but temperature drops a little at night. The weather is still comfortable enough to dip into the hot spring or “onsen” in Japanese. I highly recommend that you pay a visit to the town of Noboribetsu to enjoy two nights of hot spring therapy. Noboribetsu houses some of the most famous hot spring resorts in Japan because Hokkaido is known as the “hot spring kingdom”.  The mineral-rich hot spring water can help you relax your muscles and it also helps rejuvenate skin. The sulfur in the spring water is reported to help relieve the pain and lessen the fatigue of fibromyalgia as stated in an article published in the Rheumatology International journal. There are two hot spring facilities, one for men and the other for women. You are not allowed to wear any clothes or underwear into the hot spring water and you must shower before entering the hot spring pools. If you find this uncomfortable, I suggest that you bring a small towel into the hot spring with you. To prevent from hydration, only soak in the water for fifteen minutes then drink a lot of water.   

Jigokudani or "Hell Valley"

Besides the hot spring, many Japanese travelers love to hike in the mountains above the resort town of Noboribetsu.  There is a famous attraction called the Jigokudani or “Hell Valley”. The Hell Valley displaces volcanic activities. Before you can spot any hot steam vents, you will smell a strong scent that will remind you of boiled eggs. This smell of sulfur created an image like that of hell. The sulfurous water of Hell Valley is the main source of Noboribetsu’s hot spring. If you hike up the trails above the Hell Valley, you will find a hot, sulfurous river called Oyunumagawa. You can hike along this river, sit down on a rock for a free foot bath, and enjoy the nature.

Hokkaido is stunningly scenic and it also has amazing food. My next post will take you through a mouthwatering journal. Get ready!

Explore the world with me

2013 Summer at Jimbaran Beach, Bali, Indonesia

I remember writing an essay titled “I want to be… when I grow up” when I was in elementary school. My second grade fantasy was to become an air hostess because they looked so beautiful and elegant. Most importantly, air hostesses get to travel the world for free. Whether it’s international or domestic, I’ve always loved traveling. I’ve been to China, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Italy, France, Switzerland, Austria and many cities within America. I enjoy spending time in a foreign country and exploring their cultures. I had the privilege to travel to these countries over the past years because I believe that traveling can open my eyes to the world. I am lucky that my parents agree with me too. Indeed, I’ve learned so much from traveling. I am more open-minded to a different culture and custom than my own. I’ve learn that one’s ethnic background and experiences shape one’s characteristics.

Over the past few years, I fell in love with the Travel Channel show called “Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern”.  The host of the show, Andrew Zimmern, travels around the world to eat things that most American would not dare to touch. Some of the “bizarre” foods that he had included bats, worms, all types of fermented fish, and the list go on. His motto is “If it looks good, eat it.” Zimmern inspired me because he was willing to step out of comfort zone to try foods that he would not eat normally. I’ve learn that eating is a “universal language” and it is a great way to learn about other cultures. For example, Indonesians use their hands to eat but Chinese people use chopsticks to eat. After watching this show, I’ve become more adventurous when it comes to eating. When I went to Korea with the mindset of “Eat everything and no regrets,” I sampled some moving octopus tentacles. Surprisingly, it was so bad after all. I don’t want to “judge the book by its cover” anymore because I want to try eating something that I would never eat in America. My stomach has become nearly invincible from traveling. I rarely get sick from unsanitary food now. I can practically eat anything and everything anywhere I want. 

I’ve always shared photos of my trips via social media but I’ve never thought about starting a blog. I never knew that I can start writing my own blog until I was assigned with blog writing in my second year English class at San Francisco State University. Finally, I have a place to share my thoughts and experiences. I plan to share traveling tips, shopping guides, sight-seeing guides, food adventures, and airline reviews.  I have made so many wonderful memories traveling with friends and/or family. I am super excited to share these memories with the world.

As French novelist Marcel Proust once said “the real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.” Are you ready to embark on this journey with me?