https://minandliang.com/Travel stories and guides from Min and Liang.en https://minandliang.com/zunda-shake-and-rilakkuma-store-sendai/https://minandliang.com/zunda-shake-and-rilakkuma-store-sendai/Sun, 01 Nov 2026 14:00:00 GMTBack in Sendai for the evening: a bright green zunda shake at Zunda Saryo in Sendai Station, then our holiday tradition, finding the local Rilakkuma store. https://minandliang.com/shiroishi-castle/https://minandliang.com/shiroishi-castle/Sun, 01 Nov 2026 13:00:00 GMTAn afternoon at Shiroishi Castle in Miyagi, the Katakura family's castle, rebuilt in wood in 1995: samurai armour inside and the whole town below from the top floor. https://minandliang.com/zao-fox-village/https://minandliang.com/zao-fox-village/Sun, 01 Nov 2026 12:00:00 GMTA morning at Zao Fox Village in the hills above Shiroishi: over a hundred foxes roaming free, sleeping on tree stumps and in logs, plus the rules you really should follow. https://minandliang.com/hirosaki-castle-in-the-snow/https://minandliang.com/hirosaki-castle-in-the-snow/Sun, 01 Nov 2026 10:00:00 GMTAn afternoon at Hirosaki Castle in the snow: a frozen moat, red bridges, the keep in golden light and then lit up after dark, and the pink winter cherry blossom light-up along the moat. https://minandliang.com/resort-shirakami-aomori-to-hirosaki/https://minandliang.com/resort-shirakami-aomori-to-hirosaki/Sun, 01 Nov 2026 04:00:00 GMTWe didn't plan on it, but we hopped on JR East's Resort Shirakami from Aomori to Hirosaki: patchwork seats, booths with lamps, a shop counter on board and 35 minutes of snow, all on our JR Pass. https://minandliang.com/horoka-authentic-japanese-buckwheat-soba-restaurant-in-aomori/https://minandliang.com/horoka-authentic-japanese-buckwheat-soba-restaurant-in-aomori/Wed, 08 May 2024 15:04:22 GMTIndulge in authentic Japanese cuisine at Horoka Japanese Buckwheat Soba in Aomori. Experience tradition and quality in every dish. https://minandliang.com/aomori-nebuta-museum-wa-rasse/https://minandliang.com/aomori-nebuta-museum-wa-rasse/Sun, 05 May 2024 13:54:14 GMTExplore Nebuta Museum WA RASSE in Aomori, Japan. Discover vibrant festivals and intricate floats, celebrating rich cultural heritage. https://minandliang.com/a-spectacular-sight-goryokaku-tower-at-night/https://minandliang.com/a-spectacular-sight-goryokaku-tower-at-night/Wed, 01 May 2024 13:38:05 GMTThe iconic landmark in Hakodate, Japan: Goryokaku Tower offers panoramic views of Goryokaku Park at night. Explore history and beauty with us! https://minandliang.com/lucky-pierrot-hakodate-best-local-burger-store-in-japan/https://minandliang.com/lucky-pierrot-hakodate-best-local-burger-store-in-japan/Tue, 30 Apr 2024 15:56:53 GMTLucky Pierrot in Hakodate, serving affordable, flavorful options since 1987. Taste Hokkaido heritage across 17 stores! https://minandliang.com/winter-wonderland-a-trip-to-onuma-quasi-national-park/https://minandliang.com/winter-wonderland-a-trip-to-onuma-quasi-national-park/Tue, 30 Apr 2024 14:55:27 GMTWinter adventure awaits at Onuma Quasi-National Park in Hokkaido. Join us for smelt ice fishing and explore snow-covered landscapes. https://minandliang.com/kanemori-red-brick-warehouse/https://minandliang.com/kanemori-red-brick-warehouse/Sun, 28 Apr 2024 14:37:10 GMTDiscover Hakodate's Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse: a nostalgic historical landmark with shops, eateries, and galleries! https://minandliang.com/hakodate-seikan-ferry-memorial-ship/https://minandliang.com/hakodate-seikan-ferry-memorial-ship/Sat, 27 Apr 2024 07:49:23 GMTJourney through time as we explore the Hakodate Seikan Ferry Memorial Ship. One of the must-visit spots if you are a history buff! https://minandliang.com/japan-rail-pass-your-one-stop-guide/https://minandliang.com/japan-rail-pass-your-one-stop-guide/Thu, 01 Feb 2024 16:42:23 GMTDiscover the ultimate travel solution with the Japan Rail Pass. Enjoy unlimited rail travel and explore Japan's wonders hassle-free. https://minandliang.com/an-awesome-wedding-at-red-house-seafood-restaurant/https://minandliang.com/an-awesome-wedding-at-red-house-seafood-restaurant/Mon, 27 Nov 2023 08:27:09 GMTJoin us for our wedding at Red House Seafood Restaurant. From enchanting gatecrashing to sweet tang yuan treats, relive our moments with us! https://minandliang.com/the-day-of-the-chinese-betrothal-guo-da-li/https://minandliang.com/the-day-of-the-chinese-betrothal-guo-da-li/Sun, 18 Dec 2022 15:46:00 GMTJoin us as we celebrate the Chinese betrothal ceremony, Guo Da Li. Read on to find out where you can easily find the items needed. https://minandliang.com/pre-wedding-photoshoot-with-digio-bridal/https://minandliang.com/pre-wedding-photoshoot-with-digio-bridal/Thu, 01 Sep 2022 15:04:00 GMTGet inspired and document your love with a pre-wedding photoshoot. Read more as we create the perfect pre-wedding photoshoot. https://minandliang.com/registry-of-marriages-our-first-step-to-mr-mrs/https://minandliang.com/registry-of-marriages-our-first-step-to-mr-mrs/Thu, 24 Mar 2022 08:00:00 GMTFollow us through our journey at the Registry of Marriages (ROM) and obtain a marriage certificate. Read about our wedding journey here. https://minandliang.com/kintsugi-proposal-by-gold-behold/https://minandliang.com/kintsugi-proposal-by-gold-behold/Sun, 02 Jan 2022 09:59:00 GMTJoin us as we recount the tale of our kintsugi proposal and the lead up to the big moment. Special thanks to my buddies! And she said yes! https://minandliang.com/ebi-kani-gassen/https://minandliang.com/ebi-kani-gassen/Mon, 30 Dec 2019 12:00:55 GMTThe one thing you need to eat in Hokkaido is fresh king crab. At Ebi Kani Gassen, you can eat to your hearts content at an affordable price! https://minandliang.com/okurayama-ski-jump-stadium/https://minandliang.com/okurayama-ski-jump-stadium/Mon, 30 Dec 2019 04:45:47 GMTOkurayama Ski Jump Stadium and Observatory Standing at 90 meters high, the Okurayama Ski Jump Stadium was the glory of Japan during the 1972 Winter Olympics. We didn’t know what to expect because we didn’t plan to come here on… https://minandliang.com/hokkaido-shrine/https://minandliang.com/hokkaido-shrine/Mon, 30 Dec 2019 03:00:13 GMTThis is the first time we're visiting a temple in winter. Hokkaido Shrine and Maruyama Park is a beautiful place to explore when it is covered in snow! https://minandliang.com/sapporo-jyogai-ichiba/https://minandliang.com/sapporo-jyogai-ichiba/Mon, 30 Dec 2019 01:00:40 GMTThe Sapporo Central Wholesale Seafood market is also known as Sapporo Jyogai Ichiba. You'll find a variety of crabs here, perfect for seafood lovers! https://minandliang.com/odori-park-sapporo-tv-tower/https://minandliang.com/odori-park-sapporo-tv-tower/Sun, 29 Dec 2019 10:00:35 GMTThe iconic Sapporo TV Tower is situated in Odori Park, a lush greenery area in downtown Sapporo. Visit this place for the Sapporo Snow Festival! https://minandliang.com/otaru-shukutsu-panorama-observation-deck/https://minandliang.com/otaru-shukutsu-panorama-observation-deck/Sun, 29 Dec 2019 07:00:39 GMTAt 70.9 meters above sea level, you'll be able to catch a fantastic view of the Sea of Japan up at the Otaru Shukutsu Panorama Observation Deck! https://minandliang.com/otaru-herring-mansions/https://minandliang.com/otaru-herring-mansions/Sun, 29 Dec 2019 06:30:14 GMTThe Otaru Herring Mansions would be a perfect viewing spot and cultural trip, if it wasn't closed for winter. The area was pretty nevertheless! https://minandliang.com/otaru-music-box-museum/https://minandliang.com/otaru-music-box-museum/Sun, 29 Dec 2019 04:00:00 GMTRight at the end of Sakaimachi Street in Otaru lies a series of Music Box Museum buildings. Each had its unique flair, and interesting to explore! https://minandliang.com/otaru-canal-and-sakaimachi-street/https://minandliang.com/otaru-canal-and-sakaimachi-street/Sun, 29 Dec 2019 00:30:34 GMTMost people know Otaru for its beautiful canal walkway and would shop the nearby Sakaimachi Street. Join our jouney to explore the food in this area! https://minandliang.com/barbecue-mokumokutei/https://minandliang.com/barbecue-mokumokutei/Sat, 28 Dec 2019 09:00:21 GMTCraving for BBQ food tonight, after our skiing session. Visited the nearby Barbecue Mokumokutei, for a buffet dinner. Delicious and value for money! https://minandliang.com/niseko-ramen-kazahana/https://minandliang.com/niseko-ramen-kazahana/Sat, 28 Dec 2019 03:30:49 GMTNothing beats the a piping hot bowl of ramen in the cold snowy weather. Niseko Ramen Kazahana is home to its unique potato broth ramen! Must try! https://minandliang.com/takahashi-farm-milk-kobo/https://minandliang.com/takahashi-farm-milk-kobo/Sat, 28 Dec 2019 02:30:04 GMTRight at the porch of Takahashi Farm Milk Kobo, you'd see the magnificent view of Mount Yōtei. What's better than having ice cream in the snow?