Tag: Tokyo

Lost In Japan
And we are back, to Japan that is! Spending at least one or two weeks there for the past 11 years as most of you know Japan has become somewhat of a second home to me. So this year I headed over there with two friends of mine (as this is typically my annual Boys Trip) one of which had never been. So we experienced many of the places we have already visited as well as some that we hadn’t. We began our trip in Toronto to Osaka going up to Kyoto and finally Tokyo where we spent the end of our trip before heading back home.

Osaka has quickly become one of my favourite cities besides Tokyo, mostly because it’s like Tokyo without some of the pretentiousness that comes with it. The feeling in Osaka is real! The city has a bit of that Tokyo vibe but all its own, a bit grungier, a bit more soul. It’s really quite refreshing if you’ve ever spent any time in Tokyo you will understand a bit better. Your first time in Osaka? You will be spending most of your time in Dotonburi, its the major hub for shopping, eating, and partying! If you are in the market for anything, you can basically find it there. it’s most lively at night, but like Shibuya in Tokyo, it’s busy any given time of day. The biggest attraction being the Glico Man who has been shining in all its neon greatness for the past 84 years….yes 84 YEARS! It was originally set up in 1935 and has since become the mascot of Osaka pretty much! I recommend to literally go into Dotonburi and just get lost, go up and down each street systematically and explore everything it has to offer. Osaka is very well known for it’s fried foods so be sure to stop in literally anywhere and pick something up to eat!

Notable places to get those tasty Instagram shots:
- Osaka T-Site
- Umeda Sky Building
- America Mura
- Shitennoji Temple
- Glico Man
- Dotonburi
- Osaka Station
- Shinsekai
- Osaka Castle
This is THE SPOT! If you want “Japan” in all its glory, Kyoto is the place to be. from it’s countless temples and shrines to Kinkakiju and Arashiyama, I could easily spend 2 months shooting Kyoto itself and it’s surrounding areas. where else can you find a walk through a bamboo forest, hike up a mountain through hundreds of Tori gates, visit a palace completely covered in gold leaf? Kyoto is my FAVOURITE city out of the big 3 to enjoy the culture and sightsee without all the hustle and bustle that goes on in Tokyo or Osaka.

Notable places to get those tasty Instagram shots:
- Kinkaku-ji
- Katsuoji Temple
- Shimogamo Jinja Shrine
- Fushimi Inari Taisha
- Gion District
- Philosophers Path
- Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
- Arashiyama Kimono Forest
- Yoshida Shrine
- Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple
- Kifune Shrine
- Yasaka Pagoda
- Kiyomizu-dera
What can I say about Tokyo I haven’t already said in other posts? Tokyo is and will probably always be like my second home. The only thing that seems to change is that I keep getting older and there are more tourists every year I visit. Some places shut down, new ones pop up in their place. but the vibe of Tokyo really hasn’t changed that much over the past 11 years. More and more Tokyo is catering to tourists now with English menus and signage.

Notable places to get those tasty Instagram shots:
- Teamlab Planets
- Teamlab Borderless
- Tokyo Tower
- Sensoji Temple
- Meiji Jinumae Shrine
- Kabukicho
- Shibuya Scramble
- Piss Alley (Shinjuku)
- Drunkards Alley (Shibuya)
- Anata No Warehouse (Kawasaki) [NOW CLOSED!!]
- Harajuku/Omotesando
For me Footwear is always a hot topic when discussing travel and Japan is no different. For me it’s absolutely essential to take a good pair of walking shoes, as I spend most of my time exploring and discovering new places. I’ve been on board with Merrell for some time now, from solid hiking shoes for more tropical destinations to water shoes they’ve got you covered. I’ve been rocking my Merrell Primer Leather shoes. I spent a good majority of my walking days with them and they held up, were comfortable and didn’t tire out my feet even after 20km+ walking days!

With all the travel I do, trying to save a buck wherever I can goes a long way in the long run. For those of you that don’t know, you can get Cash back every month on the purchases you make online using Rakuten.ca! Everything from my Amazon purchases, clothes, and electronics, getting cash back on my purchases has never been easier! Like this outfit I was rocking from H&M, and of course my workout gear I always pack when i travel!

Speaking of outfits, you can bet I always tend to pack one suit when I travel, mostly because I tend to take one night and go to either a find dining joint or a higher end party places that requires one. Plus it never hurts to look good fresh! I have a plethora of choices in my closet but opted to go with a nice lightweight cream coloured suit from Le Chateau, pretty happy with it, their styles have been evolving and the colours available are quite nice. Not to mention I’ve been buying dress shirts from Le Chateau for the last 15 years, maybe I’m a little biased but I do like the quality of their stuff!

For those that have Japan on your bucket list, it is still my top destination after visiting 20+ times I always find myself going back. It has literally something for everyone and 100000000% lives up to the hype! Let me know your experiences and how you feel after visiting!
November 12, 2019
AirBNB In Tokyo: What You Need To Know
So you’ve decided to take your two week vacation from work and booked a trip to Tokyo, Japan. Next step, is booking accommodation to enjoy your trip. For the longest time I always just booked a hotel and called it a day. Theeeeeeeeeen I discovered AirBNB and I will say, there is no better bang for your buck. So I’ve just convinced you to get an AirBNB instead of a hotel…. Hold up there are a few things you should know. Especially as of June 15th, 2018 the rules have changed! As of said date, Japan has lost roughly 80% of their AirBNB listings.

Japan has passed a new law that makes it much more difficult to be a host on AirBNB:
- Hosts limited to home-sharing to 180 days a year.
- Local Governments can regulate services in their own area.
- Home-renting is now only allowed in certain zones.
- All home-sharing hosts must have valid licenses.
So due to these new rules it will be a bit more difficult to get yourself that AirBNB. How do you get around it, BOOK EARLY as possible. There are limited amounts of AirBNB available at the time of writing this, most due to the fact that, Many owners still have not been able to acquire a valid license yet, I do expect this to slowly increase and hopefully the Japan AirBNB market begins to rebuild to where it once was. So book those AirBNB as early as possible.

What’s it like?

Well, anytime you stay anywhere you should do your research beforehand. Like many large asian cities Tokyo is limited for space so they build up! That being said, it all comes down to your bankbook. If money isn’t an issue, you can find some really amazing spreads that are modern, spacious, with all the amenities you could want. However most fo us aren’t balling out of control, so I’ll use myself as an example. When I travel I always try to stretch a buck and the most for the least. AirBNB is no different, I usually book my digs a few months beforehand. If you have your dates set I would make a reservation as far ahead of time as possible to maximize the availability, and choices you have. I generally look at it this way, I personally don’t need amazing amenities as I spend 80% of my time out. I look for Location first and foremost, then I look at price, and comfort. I tend to stay in Shibuya [which has recently lost a lot of their listings] and try to pay in between $100-$130/night and thats generally for a place with at least 2 beds and 1 bedroom. Sounds big……but its really not, the Japanese have perfected making the the most of small spaces. But I don’t have any issues, be sure to read the reviews from past people who stayed there because sometimes photos don’t do the spaces justice at times. Also it’s super important that they come with pocket wifi, so I don’t have to use my phone on roaming, and I don’t need to get a sim card when I get there [Money saved]. As long as it has a decent bed a bit os space, and a clean bathroom, I’m good!

Where Should I Stay?

Next up, where should I in Tokyo? There isn’t one simple answer to this, so I’ll try to break it down by trip type:

Party People: So you are young [or old] and your main purpose is to experience the nightlife that Tokyo has to offer. I always recommend staying near a subway station if possible. That being said I would stay in Shibuya, Shinjuku, Ginza, or Roppongi. All of those areas offers up fantastic nightlife and you will spend all night/morning dancing and drinking until the sun comes up, literally…. because subways stop running between 12am-5am [this is why you have an AirBNB near what you want to do].

Culturalists: Yeah thats not a word, I just made it up, add it to your Davetionary! Basically you’re looking to explore shrines and culture. There are soo many places scattered around Tokyo that will fit your travel goals, but i would recommend staying near Asakusa, Yoyogi, Tokyo. Meji-Jingumai and Senso-ji being the largest shrines, and definite must visits. Yoyogi park is a wonderfull stroll especially on a Sunday afternoon. Alternatively you can stay near Tokyo station, which is within walking distance to Tokyo Imperial Palace.

Foodies: Honestly…..choose another thing other than just food. You can honestly stay anywhere and find amazing places to eat no matter what you’re into. Tokyo has the most Michelin Starred restaurants in the world. But if local authentic is what you’re looking for, just follow the crowds. I have yet to wander into any random eatery and be disappointed by the food. But do beware, many places may not have an english menu.

Connecting Out: if you are only in Tokyo for a few days and planning on heading over to another area of Japan. I would stay near Shinagawa or Tokyo station as those are the two hubs for the Shinkansen bullet trains.

So that’s pretty much the skinny on Tokyo and AirBNB at the moment. If you have any questions, concerns, or just want some help with anything Tokyo feel free to leave a comment below or shoot me a message.

Happy travels yall!
July 23, 2018
We Got Inspired In Tokyo

As you all know, Tokyo is essentially home away from home for me. Before meeting Mel [@melhwang] it was a yearly tradition, to get together with my boys and take a trip to the land of the rising sun. After meeting Mel…..well, nothings changed! Only difference is that she gets to come along from time to time. This being her second trip with me to my second home, We decided to do a bit more shooting and shopping instead of the typical sightseeing stuff as we’ve done that for the most part.

I also decided to suit up a few times, just to change it up a bit. Taking a break from the plethora of street style available there. Really fell in love with this Le Chateau blazer and complimenting trousers and button up.

Not to sound bourgeois, but normally I like to fly long flights in the comfort of Air Canadas business class section, but since Mel doesn’t get to come often i gave her my seat up front and sucked it up sitting in the back for 13 hours. Needless to say once you sit in business class you never want o go back to economy! One thing with long flights, is they are super taxing, you feel gross afterwards and just need something, a little pick me up to refresh yourself after that long flight. We partnered up with Glam Glow ( which is a new thing for me). I’m normally not one to have a skin care regimen, however after trying it out I was super happy with the cleanser Mel had me use!

That totally got me reset for the rest of the trip feeling FRESH! While I got that done Mel was rocking out with Shu Uemura and all the lovely lipsticks and such to get ready every night before we painted the town red,

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One of the spots you HAVE to hit up while in Tokyo hands down is Shibuya. Everything goes down there or is accessible from there. nightlife, great food, shopping, and generally anything you want to do is a hop skip and a jump. It’s also home to the busiest pedestrian intersection in the world, The Shibuya Scramble.

Travelling with that special person is always such a treat, so get out there explore the world and don’t forget to take those shots that will last a lifetime!

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October 20, 2017
Get That Japanese Streetwear Look

What’s up people people people, Japanese Streewear look…..what is it? Well the truth is, anything you want it to be. People in Tokyo express themselves through their clothes. Fro Hype Beasts flexing Supreme, Wtaps, Neighbourhood, Bape, to the people rocking Americana. Streetwear in Tokyo is a piece of identity more so than what your wearing. For me I enjoy the drapery style you typically find in Harajuku and Shibuya. It’s SUPER comfortable and I just find it pleasing to the eye, the way the clothes drape and the lines they make as well. Now the issue is that up until recently, I’ve only been able to find some cool pieces when I visit Tokyo. So I’ve started to do a little bit of digging and have actually come across some pretty dope pieces while browsing Amazon.ca.

Long tees with a cowell neckline. DOPE! This paired up with some harem pants, and you got yourself potentially the most comfortable outfit you can wear. I love the fact that the asymmetrical bottom. and the way it drapes. Feels like you’re being hugged by a bed linen.

Pair that up with this black shawl collar cardigan and your upper body is set! BLACK AND WHITE! That’s pretty much my wardrobe for the most part, I like to keep it simple. Nothing looks better than black or white or both together. Sometimes I’ll rock some colour, but for the most part when it comes to this particular style, I always prefer staying in the realm of monochrome.

Gonna need some pants to go with these, I would most likely pair these with a cool set of harem pants, or something a bit baggy. But you can make the style whatever you want. rock these with a pair of skinnies and you’d get a pretty dope fit too. All depends on what you’re feeling.

So go take a look around and let me know what you think! Do you like this style? It’s different and I know it’s not for everyone, but honestly at the end of the day, Just do you and own whatever it is you feel good in!

What are your favourite types of outfits?

September 29, 2017
That First Class Flight Experience

How many times have you had to walk enviously past those rich/business/lucky people sitting in first class on your flight on the walk to the economy section of the plane? Yeah me too! Having to sit in confined space with kids crying, knees being crushed by the seat in front of you, and of course wonderful strangers snoring on your shoulder. I had the opportunity to hang out with the other half on my way to Tokyo, Japan.

Yeah, sitting up front is basically everything you think it is. Leg room? Check! Good food? Check! Bigger TV? Check! Noise cancelling headphones? Check! All in all, it’s by far the best flying experience I’ve had on a long haul flight. Generally if you were to book this seat ahead of time, you would be paying somewhere in and around $10,000+ for a return airfare to Asia. But what many people don’t know is that if there is spaces open at checkin, generally airlines will allow you to upgrade for the leg of the flight for roughly $800. I know it still seems steep, but once you fly first class….well you don’t want to go back to economy EVER!

From the solitary pod, like something out of a movie. Where flight attendants wait on you hand and foot pretty much. If the reclining seat that becomes a bed isn’t enough, the food is actually better than some restaurants I’ve been to. Complimentary glass of champagne as you arrive to your seat, no one sharing your overhead compartment, no weight restrictions on your luggage. Ah the good life!

Now would I book first class every time I went somewhere? Absolutely not! Unless I won the lottery and money was no object [guess I better start hookin’ or something]. But for people who are over 6 feet tall and are en route to Asia or any flight 10+ hours, HELL YES it’s worth every damn penny! Your knees will thank you later.

September 16, 2016
My Love Affair With Tokyo

I think for those who know me personally, they know that I do in fact have a love affair with Japan [Tokyo in particular]. Many people have Tokyo or Japan list on their bucket list as a place to visit before they die.

I have been fortunate enough to have visited Tokyo every year at least once a year since 2008. From my first visit until now and most likely until i die, it will be a special place for me.
Now you may say, “but Dave there are so many places that are more beautiful, more exciting, less expensive!” and I would say you are right there, you really are! However, for me Tokyo is more than just a place to go see and visit, it’s my reset button each year.

Let me explain. Everyday I wake up and go to work for 8 hours, when I’m done work I help Mel work on her blog and take her photos and videos for her. When I’m not doing that I’m generally making content for Nextlevelgaming.ca [a recently launched gaming website I put together with some friends of mine].
On top of that I try to have a social life, see family, and find other ways to occupy my time.

For 7-14 days out of the year I go to Tokyo, and my day to day stuff disappears for that time. But something else happens while I’m there. I get motivated, seeing how hard people work there and how dedicated they are to the daily grind. I set new goals, come up with new ideas, and generally just defrag my brain in the time I’m there. Deadlines don’t matter, 100% of the time is free time, and i can just enjoy the city, people watch, eat, drink, and just enjoy myself.

How can I do that in tone of the busiest cities in the world you ask? By appreciating everything around me, filling my belly with amazing food, drinking delicious sake, and partying until today becomes tomorrow with the sunrise. Priorities change, and with it, new ideas begin to flow.

I hope that one day when I have children I can take them there and hopefully they will have a connection a kin to mine. But until then I will continue going back at least once a year! If you are interested in going to Tokyo hit me up and I will gladly give you tips and places to visit during your stay.

Stay tuned for my Favourite places to eat in Tokyo!

July 13, 2016