One of my goals for while I was staying in Tokyo was to visit as many themed restaurants as I could because they are so uniquely Japanese.

So after visiting Tokyo Skytree well into the night we made our way back towards our hotel in Shinjuku where we decided to eat our late dinner at the Christon Cafe. What constitutes a late dinner? We arrived at the Christon Cafe and after a small wait we began ordering our meal at 11:30 pm. The Christon Cafe is a Japanese Izakaya style restaurant and so it is open until 3:30 am!

Christon Cafe is close to Shinjuku Station. That's if you take the correct exit! Make sure to take the East Exit and it will be about a 5 minute walk to the restaurant. Shinjuku sees over 3 million people pass through daily and with more than 200 exits it's extremely easy to become lost. Accessible by the JR lines, Tokyo Metro, Keio Lines, Odakyu Line and Toei Subway.

The theme of Christon Cafe is based on the Gothic Lolita subculture that originated in Japan. And so it centres around religious imagery which creates a dark but charming vibe. The restaurant as a whole is absolutely breathtaking. I've purposely not included a picture showing you the two storey interior because it is a view that just needs to be experienced for yourself.

The room is filled with beautifully detailed decor that I just fell in love with! There are various styled seating arrangements from large, round wooden tables to intricate benches paired with velvet arm chairs for all the different sized parties that may turn up. Christon Cafe also has countless dimly lit chandeliers, candles and lights that contribute to the gothic atmosphere. Once again just like at LUXIS, or Harry Potter World I highly recommend checking out the restrooms. The hallways and the restrooms are just as incredibly detailed. It really does feel like you are dining in an ornate gothic church.

Christon Cafe is open from 5 pm - 3:30 am and is located on the 8th floor of the Oriental Wave Building. Because it is an izakaya style restaurant the best way to dine here is to share a few different plates and try out different dishes from the Japanese/ Western fushion menu. If you're interested they also serve unique cocktails and other drinks. Dinner at the Christon Cafe will cost around ¥5000 (about $50AUD).  There are 8 Christon Cafes across Japan so if you're visiting there may be one near you!

kirsten

After studying JFK's assassination for 6 months in modern history at high school it felt surreal to actually be in Dallas. 

Welcome to my 24 hours in Dallas. After flying directly from Sydney on the longest flight in the world (at the time) I arrived quite drained. 15 hours on a plane is an extremely long time, especially when you're travelling on your own! However for anyone who knows the hassle of LAX my arrival was super easy and even enjoyable. I bet you weren't expecting to read that? DFW was hassle free and will definitely be my airport of choice on my next trip to the USA. From the airport I made the trip into downtown where I stayed at the Sheraton Dallas Hotel. The staff were so welcoming and I was even upgraded for the length of my stay! My first night consisted of calling home, ordering room service and getting an early night because I only had one day in Dallas and I wanted to make it count!

 

The reason I was most excited to be in Dallas was because I had spent a very long time in history class learning all about JFK's assassination. I couldn't believe I was actually getting the chance to visit somewhere so rich in American history. It was a totally humbling experience. I spent the morning exploring Elm Street and Main Street wondering what it had been like on 22 November 1963. I walked all the way down to Dealey Plaza and it looked exactly like the pictures in my text books. I decided to take the JFK Trolley Tour because although I had learnt a lot I was really interested in gaining a local perspective. I had a wonderful guide and he made my solo trip feel not so lonely! An adult ticket was $20USD (roughly $25AUD) and was definitely one of the better priced tourist attractions I have been to. I was also amazed to learn that Lee Harvey Oswald's house was for sale with an asking price of 1 million US dollars and that was considered WAY over the top. I guess living in Sydney where your average house can sell for more than that had really skewed my perception. After hearing from friends and family how amazing it was I would've liked to have spent my afternoon looking around the Sixth Floor Museum but with limited time I decided to enjoy a little bit more of Dallas. 

So off to the West Village I went. On the walk back up Elm Street the summer heat was starting to hit me. I stopped off at 7/11 where I bought a 'medium' sized drink larger than my head for 79c. Everything sure is bigger in Texas! I continued on and took the M-Line Trolley nearby my hotel that lead me right into Uptown Dallas. It was a lovely place to visit with beautiful boutiques and lively bars and restaurants. I had a lot of fun wandering through the stores as soon as people picked up on my accent they struck up conversation. Texans are super friendly people and made me feel really welcome. 

Jet lag is a weird thing and I didn't start to feel hungry until the late afternoon. So I ate my dinner.. (Can it really be called dinner if it's your first meal of the day?) at Zushi Sushi. At first I was extremely overwhelmed by the amount of choices on their menu. And the lack of chicken sushi - something they had never heard of! But I spoke to my waiter (I wish I remembered his name to say thanks) for a really long time and I decided on the shrimp and crab roll with avocado and cream cheese. Yeah you read that right there was no Kewpie here just cream cheese! Apparently it's a common condiment in the USA. I was a bit hesitant to try it at first but my waiter convinced me it was delicious. He suggested that seeing it was my first time trying cream cheese sushi he would tell the cooks to go easy on it. After waiting for a while I saw my waiter come hurrying out of the kitchen and over towards me. He said that he wasn't happy with the amount of cream cheese the cooks had put on my sushi because he had told them specifically to only use a little bit. So they were remaking my order as we spoke. When my meal arrived I was so thankful for all the extra help my waiter had gone to -and he was right cream cheese sushi really was delicious!

I would have loved to have seen more and tried plenty more of the food Texas is so proud of but I guess that's what happens when you only have 24 hours in the one city. It was incredible to get a glimpse of Dallas and I guess that means there's still a lot left to uncover the next time I visit. 

kirsten

Tokyo Skytree is a broadcasting and observation tower located in Sumida, Tokyo. It is the tallest structure in Japan standing at an impressive 634 metres and is only second in the world to the Burj Khalifa.

Tokyo Skytree has a very recognisable shape and can be seen for many, many miles. My favourite places to look out for Tokyo Skytree in the distance are when you are on the ferris wheel at Odaiba, or the Tower of Terror at Disney Sea as well as when you're climbing Mount Takao.

Tokyo Skytree is one of the newest attractions in Japan seeing as it only opened in the summer of 2012. It is host to nearly 6 million visitors each year and has the most amazing views of the whole city.

Tokyo Skytree is easy to get to by train because Oshiage Station and Tokyo Skytree Station are right across the street. Skytree station is accessible by the Skytree Line after a quick change at Asakusa you'll be able to arrive here from anywhere in the city.

 

If you have never been or have a relaxed schedule I highly recommend exploring Asakusa in the same day. With temples, traditional markets and restaurants its a place not to be missed when visiting Tokyo.

From Asakusa you can return to take the train for the rest of the way or you can stroll across the Sumida River and make the journey on foot. This takes about 20 minutes and has some pretty 'Cool Japan' surprises on the way. If you decide to walk I recommend following the map on your smart phone because the streets of Japan are nameless. It can get kind of tricky otherwise!

As we made the walk towards Tokyo Skytree we found some unusual attractions that are uniquely Japanese. First was the beautiful Christmas tree pictured at the beginning of this post. Second we came across a mirror that was made for the perfect selfie with Tokyo Skytree! (Pictured below). Finally, we saw the cutest playground shaped as a boat. We followed the kids playing all the way to the top and I ended up on one of the fastest slides I've ever been on. The walk from Asakusa to Tokyo Skytree is truly worth these little discoveries.

Once you reach Tokyo Skytree there's so much to do apart from just the observation deck but before you get distracted by the amazing shops and restaurants I strongly recommend buying your tickets to the top because there will be a wait. Tokyo Skytree is open 8am - 10pm daily. The staff are more than helpful with making reservations in English. An adult ticket to the 350m deck is ¥2,060 (roughly $27AUD) if you would like to continue to the 450m deck tickets are an additional ¥1,030 (about $11AUD). 

While you're waiting to visit the observation decks there is plenty to see and do with over 300 shops and restaurants. My favourites include the Studio Ghibli's Donguri Garden (close to Oshiage Station) and the Hello Kitty store. If time permits you can even visit Sumida Aquarium or the Minolta Planetarium. There really is something for everyone! If you're looking for more information about what to do CNN have written an extremely detailed review.

If you're like me and manage to spend the whole day at Tokyo Skytree when night falls you will be able to see the tower's illumination. Inspired by the Edo Period the illumination alternates between blue and purple each day. According Tokyo Skytree's official website the colours "express the concept that 'today' is connected to 'tomorrow', and, beyond tomorrow expands the 'future'."

If you're looking for any further information you may be able to find it here on Tokyo Skytree's website.

kirsten

Tokyo is one of the oldest cities in the world but you will find most of the architecture is considered quite modern. This is because through natural disasters and war the city has been destroyed and rebuilt several times. However there are still aspects of traditional Japan scattered all across Tokyo. One of the most famous places where culture from the Edo Period (1603 - 1867) can still be recognised is Asakusa. Asakusa is extremely popular with visitors from across Japan and abroad. Asakusa Station is easy to get to accessible by the Tobu Skytree Line, the Toei Asakusa Line and the Tokyo Metro Giza Line.

Asakusa is a wonderful place to explore even if you are travelling alone. The last time I visited Asakusa I was waiting for a friend at the entrance to Senso-ji Temple and a Japanese couple around university aged asked if I would like a guided tour. Japanese people are extremely friendly and will go out of their way to make sure you are enjoying your time in their country. Oh and they are always eager to practice their English too!


The most famous landmark in Asakusa is Senso-ji Temple. Senso-ji Temple is Tokyo's oldest temple and was founded in 645. Every year around 30 million people from all across the world take the time to visit this ancient Buddhist Temple. Senso-ji Temple is also known as Asakusa Kannon Temple because it is dedicated to the God of Mercy and Compassion.

When you arrive at Senso-ji Temple you first pass through the Kaminarimon (Thunder Gate) these lanterns are very famous and distinctly recognisable in Japanese culture. After Kaminarimon you enter Nakamise where there are various stalls selling a wide range of tradition Japanese omiage (souvenirs). Along Nakamise you can expect to find a little bit of everything such as clothing, food, toys and trinkets. Once you've finished looking through all the stalls you reach the steps to the main hall. If you wish to enter please be respectful as this is a place of worship.


Surrounding Senso-ji Temple there are beautiful gardens, statues and a five story pagoda. But if you continue past the grounds of Senso-ji Temple you are greeted by the bustling streets of Asakusa. These streets are an amazing place to wander around with lively restaurants, bars, and small shops. You can even see or enjoy a ride at Japan's oldest amusement park - Asakusa Hanayashiki. This area has a mixed atmosphere of animated Tokyo and a more historic neighbourhood therefore it allows visitors to completely immerse themselves in Japanese culture.

Heading in the opposite direction is the Sumida River. After only a short distance you will begin to see the Asahi Beer Hall and Tokyo Skytree. It's the perfect place to take a photograph you will see people stop and take out their cameras all along the bridge. I highly recommend continuing the walk over the bridge and visiting Tokyo Skytree in the same day. It is a lovely 20 minute walk with a whole bunch of quirky features along the way. However if walking isn't an option a train will get you there in half the time leaving Asakusa station every 10 minutes.

Before you leave Asakusa I highly recommend choosing your fortune (Omikuji).  It's a wonderful Japanese custom where you can randomly select a fortune after donating one coin. At Senso-ji Temple you shake a small box until a bamboo stick falls out. Written on the stick will be a number and you match it against the drawers and take out your fortune. The best part about experiencing this at Senso-ji Temple is because of the large volume of tourists the fortune is also translated into English - just like pictured below. Whereas at smaller temples the fortunes will only be written in complicated Japanese. This is because they are often read as poems. Also at other temples it may be slightly different as to how you receive your fortune. You might find boxes where after contributing your small fee you draw out a folded strip of paper and unfold it for your fortune. Omikuji range from a great blessing (大吉) to a great curse (大凶). I've never been very lucky when choosing my fortune as you can see below I received a bad fortune. This means that I tied my paper onto the poles and left my bad luck behind. If you are happy with the fortune you draw take it with you for goodluck.

kirsten

Welcoming 2015 made me think back to how I have spent all of my New Years in the past. That's when I realised without a doubt one of the most memorable New Years (or perhaps even one of my most memorable nights) was spent at the Sydney Opera House forecourt. That's how I decided that my next blog post would be all about my hometown.

I absolutely love Sydney. No matter how far away I travel there's something irreplaceable about where I call home. This city just keeps becoming more beautiful and interesting on each return. I must admit whenever I'm asked about where I come from I can't help but recommend Sydney as a place to visit. I could easily end up talking about why I love it here so much and what there is to do for hours if you let me.


So why do I love Sydney and its stunning harbour? That's easy. I've lived here all my life and I haven't even scratched the surface on what there is to do here. For example you can take a ferry from Circular Quay to Manly or Taronga Zoo, hop on board a jet boat, take a dinner cruise, or even have a go at paddle boarding and that's all just on the water! Apart from hanging out on the water all day there's a few must do activities when you're visiting Sydney - climbing the Harbour Bridge, watching a show at the Opera House, walking through the markets at The Rocks, and choosing where to eat and drink out of the many wonderful restaurants and bars. One of my personal favourites is Opera Bar, how could you beat that view?

There's always something happening in Sydney which makes anytime of the year perfect for visiting. From Sydney Festival in January, Vivid Festival in June and of course Christmas and New Year's Eve in December. For more information on everything that Sydney has to offer head over to City of Sydney where you can read about all of the events, attractions and maps.

Flying over Sydney

NYE 2013

kirsten

Alcatraz E.R., is a theme restaurant in the heart of Tokyo. Located in Shibuya it is only a short 7 minute walk from the train station if you take the Hachiko Exit. Accessible by some JR lines, Keio Inokashira line, Tokyu Den-en-toshi Line and Tokyo Metro Subway. 

I've seen this restaurant turn up on many 'World's Weirdest Restaurants' lists on both TV and a variety of blogs. So you may have already heard of it!

If you are heading to Tokyo I highly recommend heading to as many theme restaurants as possible it's always one of my goals and you will never have a dining experience quite like this in any other city you visit. As you can probably guess from the name Alcatraz E.R. boasts a prison/ mental institution motif throughout the restaurant. Be prepared for one of the most memorable but totally different meals you'll ever have! 

From the minute you walk into the dark you are greeted with handcuffs and taken to your table which is located inside a prison cell. The food and drinks are just as interesting as your surroundings. And there will be surprises along the way. I really don't want to give too much away because the suspense of not knowing is what makes visiting Alcatraz E.R. so enjoyable!

Alcatraz E.R is open from 5.30pm - 3.30am and is located on the second floor. The best way to dine here is to grab a drink each and share a few plates with your friends. This means you could spend as  little as ¥2000 (about $20AUD). 

If you would like anymore information about this restaurant you can visit the official website: Alcatraz E.R. where you can find the address, a map and even take a look at the menu. (There's pictures!) HINT: If you would like to read the Japanese try using a web browser such as chrome to translate into English.

kirsten

Oahu has a lot more to offer than just Waikiki Beach and the surrounding areas which is full of bustling hotels and stores. When visiting this island in Hawaii I definitely recommend hiring a car and driving around. Oahu is only small so this could be done in just a day trip but hopefully you have a little more time to explore. If your goal is to visit the North Shore there are a lot of lovely little stops on the way. From famous fish taco food trucks, small towns and beaches there is plenty to look at as you drive north. But my favourite stop along the way has to be Byodo-In Temple. Byodo-In Temple is located in the Valley of the Temples Memorial Park, Kaneohe and it only takes about 30 minutes to drive from Waikiki.

Byodo-In Temple is actually a small scale replica of a temple with the same name that was established in Uji, Japan over 950 years ago. Byodo-In Temple was built in Kaneohe to commemorate the 100 year anniversary of the first Japanese immigrants arriving in Hawaii. Byodo-In Temple is a non practising Buddhist temple and is the most magnificent place for everyone to visit and gives you the opportunity to take some time out in such a peaceful environment. I must admit the surrounding scenery is just as breathtaking as the temple itself. The mountains create the perfect backdrop while the gardens and lake are home to beautiful wildlife such as peacocks, swans, turtles and of course koi fish. 

If you would like to feel like you are lost in Japan you are allowed to enter the grounds from 9am - 5pm daily and there is an admission fee of $3USD per adult, $2USD for senior citizens and $1USD per child. This must be paid in cash. 

To find out more information, look at videos or photos and to see a map you can visit the official website here: Byodo-In Temple

kirsten