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  • Suzuki-en Bed & Breakfast in Katsunuma Wine Country that caters to wine tours - A young Japanese man raised in Katsunuma, Yamanashi was dispatched to France in 1870  to learn techniques in winemaking and from these beginnings many wineries were established in Katsunuma. Since the 1870s, wineries in Koshu and Katsunuma have continued to refine their product to cultivate some fairly impressive wines.  In just the Katsunuma area alone, one can find well over 200 winemakers. Many of the wineries, including Grace, Chateau Katsunuma and Kurambon among the finest in the region, have tasting rooms and tours of their vineyards.  This has started a “wine boom” in Japan not only with imported wines from France, California, Chile and Italy with the home-grown varieties. Wine tours have the effect of increasing tourism to Yamanashi and so twee hotels have opened in the area as well as European style restaurants and bakeries to compliment the wines.
    yamanashi-winery-28.jpg
  • Suzuki-en Bed & Breakfast in Katsunuma Wine Country that caters to wine tours - A young Japanese man raised in Katsunuma, Yamanashi was dispatched to France in 1870  to learn techniques in winemaking and from these beginnings many wineries were established in Katsunuma. Since the 1870s, wineries in Koshu and Katsunuma have continued to refine their product to cultivate some fairly impressive wines.  In just the Katsunuma area alone, one can find well over 200 winemakers. Many of the wineries, including Grace, Chateau Katsunuma and Kurambon among the finest in the region, have tasting rooms and tours of their vineyards.  This has started a “wine boom” in Japan not only with imported wines from France, California, Chile and Italy with the home-grown varieties. Wine tours have the effect of increasing tourism to Yamanashi and so twee hotels have opened in the area as well as European style restaurants and bakeries to compliment the wines.
    yamanashi-winery-9.jpg
  • Geihinkan Love Hotel - Love hotels in Japan are places for couples to meet up for some intimate time together in in cases where they may not have privacy.  Instead of being greeted by a receptionist, check in is machine automated for extra privacy.  Typically there is a board which shows which rooms are available.  With the competition intense, love hotels have come up with all sorts of innovative ways to compete with each other.  In addition to the usual competition strategy of offering more amenities like videos, rotating beds, costumes or sex toys some have entered the realm of theme parks.  Love hotel themes in Japan include the White House, UFOs, Christmas, underwater sea scenes, railway cars, cruise ships, doctors’ offices and even schoolrooms…. Part of the theme trend is to make the experience more lighthearted and fun which makes the situation less embarrassing by offering up exotic or funny settings.  This renders the visit into an experience rather than a sordid affair.  Couples can select a different theme for each tryst.  For better or worse, recent trends are moving away from the bizarre or comical and more towards luxury and exotic.
    love-hotel-interior.jpg
  • Geihinkan Love Hotel - Love hotels in Japan are places for couples to meet up for some intimate time together in in cases where they may not have privacy.  Instead of being greeted by a receptionist, check in is machine automated for extra privacy.  Typically there is a board which shows which rooms are available.  With the competition intense, love hotels have come up with all sorts of innovative ways to compete with each other.  In addition to the usual competition strategy of offering more amenities like videos, rotating beds, costumes or sex toys some have entered the realm of theme parks.  Love hotel themes in Japan include the White House, UFOs, Christmas, underwater sea scenes, railway cars, cruise ships, doctors’ offices and even schoolrooms…. Part of the theme trend is to make the experience more lighthearted and fun which makes the situation less embarrassing by offering up exotic or funny settings.  This renders the visit into an experience rather than a sordid affair.  Couples can select a different theme for each tryst.  For better or worse, recent trends are moving away from the bizarre or comical and more towards luxury and exotic.
    love-hotel-interior-3.jpg
  • Geihinkan Love Hotel - Love hotels in Japan are places for couples to meet up for some intimate time together in in cases where they may not have privacy.  Instead of being greeted by a receptionist, check in is machine automated for extra privacy.  Typically there is a board which shows which rooms are available.  With the competition intense, love hotels have come up with all sorts of innovative ways to compete with each other.  In addition to the usual competition strategy of offering more amenities like videos, rotating beds, costumes or sex toys some have entered the realm of theme parks.  Love hotel themes in Japan include the White House, UFOs, Christmas, underwater sea scenes, railway cars, cruise ships, doctors’ offices and even schoolrooms…. Part of the theme trend is to make the experience more lighthearted and fun which makes the situation less embarrassing by offering up exotic or funny settings.  This renders the visit into an experience rather than a sordid affair.  Couples can select a different theme for each tryst.  For better or worse, recent trends are moving away from the bizarre or comical and more towards luxury and exotic.
    love-hotel-interior-2.jpg
  • Geihinkan Love Hotel - Love hotels in Japan are places for couples to meet up for some intimate time together in in cases where they may not have privacy.  Instead of being greeted by a receptionist, check in is machine automated for extra privacy.  Typically there is a board which shows which rooms are available.  With the competition intense, love hotels have come up with all sorts of innovative ways to compete with each other.  In addition to the usual competition strategy of offering more amenities like videos, rotating beds, costumes or sex toys some have entered the realm of theme parks.  Love hotel themes in Japan include the White House, UFOs, Christmas, underwater sea scenes, railway cars, cruise ships, doctors’ offices and even schoolrooms…. Part of the theme trend is to make the experience more lighthearted and fun which makes the situation less embarrassing by offering up exotic or funny settings.  This renders the visit into an experience rather than a sordid affair.  Couples can select a different theme for each tryst.  For better or worse, recent trends are moving away from the bizarre or comical and more towards luxury and exotic.
    love-hotel-interior-4.jpg
  • The Jardin des Plantes is one of seven departments of the Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle.  Three hectares are devoted to horticultural displays of decorative plants.  Founded in 1626 it was originally a medicinal herb garden. and known as the Jardin du Roi. In 1640 it opened to the public.Today the facility is a public park with a zoo, museums, arboretums and cafes.
    jardin-des-plantes-25.jpg
  • The Jardin des Plantes is one of seven departments of the Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle.  Three hectares are devoted to horticultural displays of decorative plants.  Founded in 1626 it was originally a medicinal herb garden. and known as the Jardin du Roi. In 1640 it opened to the public.Today the facility is a public park with a zoo, museums, arboretums and cafes.
    jardin-des-plantes-22.jpg
  • The Jardin des Plantes is one of seven departments of the Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle.  Three hectares are devoted to horticultural displays of decorative plants.  Founded in 1626 it was originally a medicinal herb garden. and known as the Jardin du Roi. In 1640 it opened to the public.Today the facility is a public park with a zoo, museums, arboretums and cafes.
    jardin-des-plantes-27.jpg
  • The Jardin des Plantes is one of seven departments of the Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle.  Three hectares are devoted to horticultural displays of decorative plants.  Founded in 1626 it was originally a medicinal herb garden. and known as the Jardin du Roi. In 1640 it opened to the public.Today the facility is a public park with a zoo, museums, arboretums and cafes.
    jardin-des-plantes-26.jpg
  • The Jardin des Plantes is one of seven departments of the Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle.  Three hectares are devoted to horticultural displays of decorative plants.  Founded in 1626 it was originally a medicinal herb garden. and known as the Jardin du Roi. In 1640 it opened to the public.Today the facility is a public park with a zoo, museums, arboretums and cafes.
    jardin-des-plantes-23.jpg
  • The Jardin des Plantes is one of seven departments of the Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle.  Three hectares are devoted to horticultural displays of decorative plants.  Founded in 1626 it was originally a medicinal herb garden. and known as the Jardin du Roi. In 1640 it opened to the public.Today the facility is a public park with a zoo, museums, arboretums and cafes.
    jardin-des-plantes-20.jpg
  • Jozan-en Iris Pond Garden - Benhind the dry karesansui garden at Jozan-en lies a pond garden with a large iris bed in bloom during spring season. Jozan-en is a building modeled and a reproduction of Shisendo in Kyoto - the home of Jozan Ishikawa, a military commander and literary man in the early Edo period.  Jozan Ishikawa retired from samurai service at the age of 33 and after that, he studied Confucianism, tea ceremony and gained a reputation as a literary man and was involved in the creation of Shosei-en and Shuon-an Ikkyuji gardens in Kyoto. Although some garden aficionados claim that Shisendo can and should not be copied nor imitated, Jozan-en makes a good effort nonetheless.
    jozan-ji-iris-3.jpg
  • Jozan-en Iris Pond Garden - Benhind the dry karesansui garden at Jozan-en lies a pond garden with a large iris bed in bloom during spring season. Jozan-en is a building modeled and a reproduction of Shisendo in Kyoto - the home of Jozan Ishikawa, a military commander and literary man in the early Edo period.  Jozan Ishikawa retired from samurai service at the age of 33 and after that, he studied Confucianism, tea ceremony and gained a reputation as a literary man and was involved in the creation of Shosei-en and Shuon-an Ikkyuji gardens in Kyoto. Although some garden aficionados claim that Shisendo can and should not be copied nor imitated, Jozan-en makes a good effort nonetheless.
    jozan-ji-iris-2.jpg
  • Daishin-in Temple Garden - Daishin-in was founded by Masamoto Hosokawa in the Muromachi period and  was relocated to Myoshinji Temple by Hosokawa Fujitaka.  Its small dry garden is called Auniwa was created by Kinsaku Nakane in the Showa period. The moss, white sand and pruning make this detail  a little difficult to see but the stonework expresses a dragon ascending to heaven. Many crape myrtle have been planted here to give the garden some color and contrast.  In addition, the dry garden south  of the main hall, is called Kiriishi no Niwa and has a characteristic flower bed in the center.
    Daishin-in-4.jpg
  • Jorakuji Temple is temple No. 14. This temple has one of the most unusual courtyards of the entire pilgrimage. Its compound was built on an uneven rock bed with not one flat spot throughout. Jorakuji is also known as the Temple of Everlasting Peace. Kobo Daishi carved a statue of Maitreya in sacred wood, built the temple, and set up the statue as the main object of veneration in the temple. The legend here is that a woman carried her crippled husband five times around the entire pilgrimage, praying to Kobo Daishi to cure him. On the sixth circuit, they swore to commit suicide if he wasn't healed by the end of that trip. When they reached temple No. 14 the husband was healed and they walked the rest of the pilgrimage together.  It is also said that if a diabetic prays and drinks the boiled leaves of the yew tree beside the Main Hall, they will be cured.
    Jorakuji-2.jpg
  • Jozan-en Iris Pond Garden - Benhind the dry karesansui garden at Jozan-en lies a pond garden with a large iris bed in bloom during spring season. Jozan-en is a building modeled and a reproduction of Shisendo in Kyoto - the home of Jozan Ishikawa, a military commander and literary man in the early Edo period.  Jozan Ishikawa retired from samurai service at the age of 33 and after that, he studied Confucianism, tea ceremony and gained a reputation as a literary man and was involved in the creation of Shosei-en and Shuon-an Ikkyuji gardens in Kyoto. Although some garden aficionados claim that Shisendo can and should not be copied nor imitated, Jozan-en makes a good effort nonetheless.
    jozan-ji-iris-4.jpg
  • Jozan-en Iris Pond Garden - Benhind the dry karesansui garden at Jozan-en lies a pond garden with a large iris bed in bloom during spring season. Jozan-en is a building modeled and a reproduction of Shisendo in Kyoto - the home of Jozan Ishikawa, a military commander and literary man in the early Edo period.  Jozan Ishikawa retired from samurai service at the age of 33 and after that, he studied Confucianism, tea ceremony and gained a reputation as a literary man and was involved in the creation of Shosei-en and Shuon-an Ikkyuji gardens in Kyoto. Although some garden aficionados claim that Shisendo can and should not be copied nor imitated, Jozan-en makes a good effort nonetheless.
    jozan-en-iris-5.jpg
  • Jozan-en Iris Pond Garden - Benhind the dry karesansui garden at Jozan-en lies a pond garden with a large iris bed in bloom during spring season. Jozan-en is a building modeled and a reproduction of Shisendo in Kyoto - the home of Jozan Ishikawa, a military commander and literary man in the early Edo period.  Jozan Ishikawa retired from samurai service at the age of 33 and after that, he studied Confucianism, tea ceremony and gained a reputation as a literary man and was involved in the creation of Shosei-en and Shuon-an Ikkyuji gardens in Kyoto. Although some garden aficionados claim that Shisendo can and should not be copied nor imitated, Jozan-en makes a good effort nonetheless.
    jozan-ji-iris-1.jpg
  • Daishin-in Temple Garden - Daishin-in was founded by Masamoto Hosokawa in the Muromachi period and  was relocated to Myoshinji Temple by Hosokawa Fujitaka.  Its small dry garden is called Auniwa was created by Kinsaku Nakane in the Showa period. The moss, white sand and pruning make this detail  a little difficult to see but the stonework expresses a dragon ascending to heaven. Many crape myrtle have been planted here to give the garden some color and contrast.  In addition, the dry garden south  of the main hall, is called Kiriishi no Niwa and has a characteristic flower bed in the center.
    Daishin-in-5.jpg
  • Daishin-in Temple Garden - Daishin-in was founded by Masamoto Hosokawa in the Muromachi period and  was relocated to Myoshinji Temple by Hosokawa Fujitaka.  Its small dry garden is called Auniwa was created by Kinsaku Nakane in the Showa period. The moss, white sand and pruning make this detail  a little difficult to see but the stonework expresses a dragon ascending to heaven. Many crape myrtle have been planted here to give the garden some color and contrast.  In addition, the dry garden south  of the main hall, is called Kiriishi no Niwa and has a characteristic flower bed in the center.
    Daishin-in-6.jpg
  • Daishin-in Temple Garden - Daishin-in was founded by Masamoto Hosokawa in the Muromachi period and  was relocated to Myoshinji Temple by Hosokawa Fujitaka.  Its small dry garden is called Auniwa was created by Kinsaku Nakane in the Showa period. The moss, white sand and pruning make this detail  a little difficult to see but the stonework expresses a dragon ascending to heaven. Many crape myrtle have been planted here to give the garden some color and contrast.  In addition, the dry garden south  of the main hall, is called Kiriishi no Niwa and has a characteristic flower bed in the center.
    Daishin-in-3.jpg
  • Daishin-in Temple Garden - Daishin-in was founded by Masamoto Hosokawa in the Muromachi period and  was relocated to Myoshinji Temple by Hosokawa Fujitaka.  Its small dry garden is called Auniwa was created by Kinsaku Nakane in the Showa period. The moss, white sand and pruning make this detail  a little difficult to see but the stonework expresses a dragon ascending to heaven. Many crape myrtle have been planted here to give the garden some color and contrast.  In addition, the dry garden south  of the main hall, is called Kiriishi no Niwa and has a characteristic flower bed in the center.
    Daishin-in-1.jpg
  • Daishin-in Temple Garden - Daishin-in was founded by Masamoto Hosokawa in the Muromachi period and  was relocated to Myoshinji Temple by Hosokawa Fujitaka.  Its small dry garden is called Auniwa was created by Kinsaku Nakane in the Showa period. The moss, white sand and pruning make this detail  a little difficult to see but the stonework expresses a dragon ascending to heaven. Many crape myrtle have been planted here to give the garden some color and contrast.  In addition, the dry garden south  of the main hall, is called Kiriishi no Niwa and has a characteristic flower bed in the center.
    Daishin-in-2.jpg
  • Name slips are for giving to those have helped pilgrims along the trail, as well as to place at each temple visited.  It is also common to give out these name slips to Henro Houses, Shukubo and hosts who have shown hospitality or a bed for the night.   These name slips are called Osamefuda 納札. The standard form is white, though there are various forms, depending on how many times the henro has completed the pilgrimage.
    henro-cards-1.jpg
  • Name slips are for giving to those have helped pilgrims along the trail, as well as to place at each temple visited.  It is also common to give out these name slips to Henro Houses, Shukubo and hosts who have shown hospitality or a bed for the night.   These name slips are called Osamefuda 納札. The standard form is white, though there are various forms, depending on how many times the henro has completed the pilgrimage.
    henro-cards-2.jpg
  • Jorakuji Temple is temple No. 14. This temple has one of the most unusual courtyards of the entire pilgrimage. Its compound was built on an uneven rock bed with not one flat spot throughout. Jorakuji is also known as the Temple of Everlasting Peace. Kobo Daishi carved a statue of Maitreya in sacred wood, built the temple, and set up the statue as the main object of veneration in the temple. The legend here is that a woman carried her crippled husband five times around the entire pilgrimage, praying to Kobo Daishi to cure him. On the sixth circuit, they swore to commit suicide if he wasn't healed by the end of that trip. When they reached temple No. 14 the husband was healed and they walked the rest of the pilgrimage together.  It is also said that if a diabetic prays and drinks the boiled leaves of the yew tree beside the Main Hall, they will be cured.
    Jorakuji-4.jpg
  • Jorakuji Temple is temple No. 14. This temple has one of the most unusual courtyards of the entire pilgrimage. Its compound was built on an uneven rock bed with not one flat spot throughout. Jorakuji is also known as the Temple of Everlasting Peace. Kobo Daishi carved a statue of Maitreya in sacred wood, built the temple, and set up the statue as the main object of veneration in the temple. The legend here is that a woman carried her crippled husband five times around the entire pilgrimage, praying to Kobo Daishi to cure him. On the sixth circuit, they swore to commit suicide if he wasn't healed by the end of that trip. When they reached temple No. 14 the husband was healed and they walked the rest of the pilgrimage together.  It is also said that if a diabetic prays and drinks the boiled leaves of the yew tree beside the Main Hall, they will be cured.
    Jorakuji-5.jpg
  • Jorakuji Temple is temple No. 14. This temple has one of the most unusual courtyards of the entire pilgrimage. Its compound was built on an uneven rock bed with not one flat spot throughout. Jorakuji is also known as the Temple of Everlasting Peace. Kobo Daishi carved a statue of Maitreya in sacred wood, built the temple, and set up the statue as the main object of veneration in the temple. The legend here is that a woman carried her crippled husband five times around the entire pilgrimage, praying to Kobo Daishi to cure him. On the sixth circuit, they swore to commit suicide if he wasn't healed by the end of that trip. When they reached temple No. 14 the husband was healed and they walked the rest of the pilgrimage together.  It is also said that if a diabetic prays and drinks the boiled leaves of the yew tree beside the Main Hall, they will be cured.
    Jorakuji-3.jpg
  • Jorakuji Temple is temple No. 14. This temple has one of the most unusual courtyards of the entire pilgrimage. Its compound was built on an uneven rock bed with not one flat spot throughout. Jorakuji is also known as the Temple of Everlasting Peace. Kobo Daishi carved a statue of Maitreya in sacred wood, built the temple, and set up the statue as the main object of veneration in the temple. The legend here is that a woman carried her crippled husband five times around the entire pilgrimage, praying to Kobo Daishi to cure him. On the sixth circuit, they swore to commit suicide if he wasn't healed by the end of that trip. When they reached temple No. 14 the husband was healed and they walked the rest of the pilgrimage together.  It is also said that if a diabetic prays and drinks the boiled leaves of the yew tree beside the Main Hall, they will be cured.
    Jorakuji-1.jpg
  • Yoshimi Hyakuana is also called Hyakuketsu. The name, in either case, means 100 holes. The site is a large mound of tombs that were built into the rock during the about 1,400 years ago. There are actually 219 of these tombs that have been confirmed so far. Steps lead visitors up and around to many of the tombs where one can see the stone beds where the long-ago deceased were laid to rest.  Next door to Hyakuretsu is Iwamuro Kannondo which enshrines Kannon with stones and in caves. It is said to have a history of more than 1,200 years.  The gate and hall were rebuilt in the Edo period though the original was quite old.  It is popular to visit in combination with the nearby Yoshimi Hyakuana.
    yoshimi-hyakuana-08.jpg
  • Yoshimi Hyakuana is also called Hyakuketsu. The name, in either case, means 100 holes. The site is a large mound of tombs that were built into the rock during the about 1,400 years ago. There are actually 219 of these tombs that have been confirmed so far. Steps lead visitors up and around to many of the tombs where one can see the stone beds where the long-ago deceased were laid to rest.  Next door to Hyakuretsu is Iwamuro Kannondo which enshrines Kannon with stones and in caves. It is said to have a history of more than 1,200 years.  The gate and hall were rebuilt in the Edo period though the original was quite old.  It is popular to visit in combination with the nearby Yoshimi Hyakuana.
    yoshimi-hyakuana-04.jpg
  • Suzaku no Niwa Garden at Umekoji Park was built to commemorate the 1200th anniversary of the Heian Period (7984-1192).  The garden features landscape techniques and methods unique to Kyoto, developed over its long history.  The garden was created to achieve a blend of tradition and creativity.  The Mizukamami Pond and Nosuji Hills are <br />
interspersed with flower beds, waterfalls and artificial hills. The area was once a fruit train station, that has been repurposed into Umekoji Park and Japanese garden.
    umekoji-japanese-garden-03.jpg
  • Famy Love Hotel - Love hotels are places for couples to meet up for some intimate time together in in cases where they may not have privacy.  Sometimes family matters prevent the amorous from hosting visitors.  Simple solution: lovers turn up at a love hotel and instead of being greeted by a receptionist, check in is machine automated for extra privacy.  Typically there is a board which shows which rooms are available.  Those that you can select at that given moment are illuminated.  You can select a “rest” which is for a 90 minute quickie or a “stay” for longer overnight sessions.  With the competition intense, love hotels have come up with all sorts of innovative ways to compete with each other.  In addition to the usual competition strategy of offering more amenities like videos, rotating beds, costumes or sex toys some have entered the realm of theme parks.  Love hotel themes in Japan include the White House, UFOs, Christmas, underwater sea scenes, railway cars, cruise ships, doctors’ offices and even schoolrooms…. Part of the theme trend is to make the experience more lighthearted and fun which makes the situation less embarrassing by offering up exotic or funny settings.  This renders the visit into an experience rather than a sordid affair.  Couples can select a different theme for each tryst.  For better or worse, recent trends are moving away from the bizarre or comical and more towards luxury and exotic.  Bali anyone?
    famy-love-hotel-01.jpg
  • Love Hotel Interior -Originally love hotels were merely places for couples to meet up in crowded cities where they had no private space, or family matters prevented them from hosting visitors.  They have always been neutral ground, where intimacy can be risked without consequences.  Lovers turn up and instead of being greeted by a receptionist, check in is usually automated by machine for extra privacy.  You can select a “rest” which is a quickie, or a “stay” for longer overnight sessions.  With the competition intense, love hotels have come up with innovative ways to compete with each other.  Other than the more mundane methods of offering amenities like DVD players, videos, rotating beds or sex toys, many have entered the realm of theme parks.  Love hotels include such themes as the White House, UFOs, Christmas, underwater sea scenes, railway cars, retro, doctors office, schoolrooms…. Part of the theme trend is to make the experience more fun.  Couples can select a different theme for each tryst. This makes the situation less embarrassing or threatening by offering up exotic or funny settings, thus rendering the tryst into an experience rather than a mundane, sordid affair.  Genius!
    love-hotel-public-jam-1.jpg
  • Keio Plaza Princess Kitty Room<br />
Keio Plaza Hotel Hello Kitty Rooms - here guests will find that there are two Hello Kitty theme rooms,  The most outlandish of which is the Princess Kitty room, which has been deemed “adorable” is its own Hello Kitty resort for adults.  The decor is all pink, of course, including bedding, headboards, sofas and chairs.  Think Pink!  Rest your weary bones on the pink high heel chair and feel like a fairy tale princess.  Even the amenities are Kitty themed, all the way down to bathroom scales, pens, letter writing sets and even plastic bags.   They even offer special room service meals with kitty shaped burgers, omelet’s imprinted with kitty’s mug just in case you were to ever forget where you are staying…  There other room is the Kitty Town Room which is more tuned to kids, with more primary colors and less pink.
    keio-hello-kitty-15.jpg
  • Keio Plaza Princess Kitty Room<br />
Keio Plaza Hotel Hello Kitty Rooms - here guests will find that there are two Hello Kitty theme rooms,  The most outlandish of which is the Princess Kitty room, which has been deemed “adorable” is its own Hello Kitty resort for adults.  The decor is all pink, of course, including bedding, headboards, sofas and chairs.  Think Pink!  Rest your weary bones on the pink high heel chair and feel like a fairy tale princess.  Even the amenities are Kitty themed, all the way down to bathroom scales, pens, letter writing sets and even plastic bags.   They even offer special room service meals with kitty shaped burgers, omelet’s imprinted with kitty’s mug just in case you were to ever forget where you are staying…  There other room is the Kitty Town Room which is more tuned to kids, with more primary colors and less pink.
    keio-hello-kitty-11.jpg
  • Keio Plaza Princess Kitty Room<br />
Keio Plaza Hotel Hello Kitty Rooms - here guests will find that there are two Hello Kitty theme rooms,  The most outlandish of which is the Princess Kitty room, which has been deemed “adorable” is its own Hello Kitty resort for adults.  The decor is all pink, of course, including bedding, headboards, sofas and chairs.  Think Pink!  Rest your weary bones on the pink high heel chair and feel like a fairy tale princess.  Even the amenities are Kitty themed, all the way down to bathroom scales, pens, letter writing sets and even plastic bags.   They even offer special room service meals with kitty shaped burgers, omelet’s imprinted with kitty’s mug just in case you were to ever forget where you are staying…  There other room is the Kitty Town Room which is more tuned to kids, with more primary colors and less pink.
    keio-hello-kitty-7.jpg
  • Reversible Destiny at Yoro Park is an “experiential” place where you are supposed to encounter the unexpected. The park’s creation was a collaboration of two artists: Madeline Gins and Shusaku Arakawa.  Everything feels a bit off at Reversible Destiny because of all the angles so as to adjust your senses if not your destiny. The park is a combination of domes, steep hills, trails and holes with trees in them. Critical Resemblance House is part maze, part house - the roof is in the shape of a map of Gifu Prefecture.  Inside are desks, ovens, refrigerators, toilets, beds sticking out of walls and the ceiling.   Insect Mountain Range is a group of rocks - meaning humans don’t have to be confined to the natural world and can choose alternatives.  Exactitude Ridge is a bridge sticking out of the ground that stops and goes nowhere.
    reversible-destiny-16.jpg
  • Reversible Destiny at Yoro Park is an “experiential” place where you are supposed to encounter the unexpected. The park’s creation was a collaboration of two artists: Madeline Gins and Shusaku Arakawa.  Everything feels a bit off at Reversible Destiny because of all the angles so as to adjust your senses if not your destiny. The park is a combination of domes, steep hills, trails and holes with trees in them. Critical Resemblance House is part maze, part house - the roof is in the shape of a map of Gifu Prefecture.  Inside are desks, ovens, refrigerators, toilets, beds sticking out of walls and the ceiling.   Insect Mountain Range is a group of rocks - meaning humans don’t have to be confined to the natural world and can choose alternatives.  Exactitude Ridge is a bridge sticking out of the ground that stops and goes nowhere.
    reversible-destiny-15.jpg
  • Reversible Destiny at Yoro Park is an “experiential” place where you are supposed to encounter the unexpected. The park’s creation was a collaboration of two artists: Madeline Gins and Shusaku Arakawa.  Everything feels a bit off at Reversible Destiny because of all the angles so as to adjust your senses if not your destiny. The park is a combination of domes, steep hills, trails and holes with trees in them. Critical Resemblance House is part maze, part house - the roof is in the shape of a map of Gifu Prefecture.  Inside are desks, ovens, refrigerators, toilets, beds sticking out of walls and the ceiling.   Insect Mountain Range is a group of rocks - meaning humans don’t have to be confined to the natural world and can choose alternatives.  Exactitude Ridge is a bridge sticking out of the ground that stops and goes nowhere.
    reversible-destiny-10.jpg
  • Reversible Destiny at Yoro Park is an “experiential” place where you are supposed to encounter the unexpected. The park’s creation was a collaboration of two artists: Madeline Gins and Shusaku Arakawa.  Everything feels a bit off at Reversible Destiny because of all the angles so as to adjust your senses if not your destiny. The park is a combination of domes, steep hills, trails and holes with trees in them. Critical Resemblance House is part maze, part house - the roof is in the shape of a map of Gifu Prefecture.  Inside are desks, ovens, refrigerators, toilets, beds sticking out of walls and the ceiling.   Insect Mountain Range is a group of rocks - meaning humans don’t have to be confined to the natural world and can choose alternatives.  Exactitude Ridge is a bridge sticking out of the ground that stops and goes nowhere.
    reversible-destiny-11.jpg
  • Reversible Destiny at Yoro Park is an “experiential” place where you are supposed to encounter the unexpected. The park’s creation was a collaboration of two artists: Madeline Gins and Shusaku Arakawa.  Everything feels a bit off at Reversible Destiny because of all the angles so as to adjust your senses if not your destiny. The park is a combination of domes, steep hills, trails and holes with trees in them. Critical Resemblance House is part maze, part house - the roof is in the shape of a map of Gifu Prefecture.  Inside are desks, ovens, refrigerators, toilets, beds sticking out of walls and the ceiling.   Insect Mountain Range is a group of rocks - meaning humans don’t have to be confined to the natural world and can choose alternatives.  Exactitude Ridge is a bridge sticking out of the ground that stops and goes nowhere.
    reversible-destiny-9.jpg
  • Reversible Destiny at Yoro Park is an “experiential” place where you are supposed to encounter the unexpected. The park’s creation was a collaboration of two artists: Madeline Gins and Shusaku Arakawa.  Everything feels a bit off at Reversible Destiny because of all the angles so as to adjust your senses if not your destiny. The park is a combination of domes, steep hills, trails and holes with trees in them. Critical Resemblance House is part maze, part house - the roof is in the shape of a map of Gifu Prefecture.  Inside are desks, ovens, refrigerators, toilets, beds sticking out of walls and the ceiling.   Insect Mountain Range is a group of rocks - meaning humans don’t have to be confined to the natural world and can choose alternatives.  Exactitude Ridge is a bridge sticking out of the ground that stops and goes nowhere.
    reversible-destiny-5.jpg
  • The main mode of transportation in Kerala Backwaters has always been by kettuvallom which means "roof boat". They are usually made with wood joined  together with coconut ropes and painted with cashew oil outside. Many kettuvalloms have been converted to houseboats with  beds, kitchens and toilets.
    kerala-backwaters-8.jpg
  • The main mode of transportation in Kerala Backwaters has always been by kettuvallom which means "roof boat". They are usually made with wood joined  together with coconut ropes and painted with cashew oil outside. Many kettuvalloms have been converted to houseboats with  beds, kitchens and toilets.
    kerala-backwaters-4.jpg
  • The main mode of transportation in Kerala Backwaters has always been by kettuvalloms which means "roof boat". They are usually made of wood joined  together with coconut ropes and painted with cashew oil outside. Many kettuvalloms have been converted to houseboats with  beds, kitchens and toilets.
    alleppey-houseboat-1.jpg
  • The Imperial gardens at the Forbidden city -  Outside of the Gate of Terrestrial Tranquility is Yuhuayuan, the Imperial Garden. Constructed during the Ming dynasty the garden is rectangular in shape and covers 12,000 square meters. This was a private retreat for the imperial family and is typical of the Chinese garden design. There are  twenty structures, each of a different style, and the ways in which they harmonise with the trees, rockeries, flower beds and sculptural objects such as the bronze incense burners is  tribute to the art of the designers that so much can be achieved in so small a space.
    imperial-garden-yuyuan-1.jpg
  • The Imperial gardens at the Forbidden city -  Outside of the Gate of Terrestrial Tranquility is Yuhuayuan, the Imperial Garden. Constructed during the Ming dynasty the garden is rectangular in shape and covers 12,000 square meters. This was a private retreat for the imperial family and is typical of the Chinese garden design. There are  twenty structures, each of a different style, and the ways in which they harmonise with the trees, rockeries, flower beds and sculptural objects such as the bronze incense burners is  tribute to the art of the designers that so much can be achieved in so small a space.
    imperial-garden-yuyuan-2.jpg
  • The Imperial gardens at the Forbidden city -  Outside of the Gate of Terrestrial Tranquility is Yuhuayuan, the Imperial Garden. Constructed during the Ming dynasty the garden is rectangular in shape and covers 12,000 square meters. This was a private retreat for the imperial family and is typical of the Chinese garden design. There are  twenty structures, each of a different style, and the ways in which they harmonise with the trees, rockeries, flower beds and sculptural objects such as the bronze incense burners is  tribute to the art of the designers that so much can be achieved in so small a space.
    imperial-garden-yuyuan-5.jpg
  • Yoshimi Hyakuana is also called Hyakuketsu. The name, in either case, means 100 holes. The site is a large mound of tombs that were built into the rock during the about 1,400 years ago. There are actually 219 of these tombs that have been confirmed so far. Steps lead visitors up and around to many of the tombs where one can see the stone beds where the long-ago deceased were laid to rest.  Next door to Hyakuretsu is Iwamuro Kannondo which enshrines Kannon with stones and in caves. It is said to have a history of more than 1,200 years.  The gate and hall were rebuilt in the Edo period though the original was quite old.  It is popular to visit in combination with the nearby Yoshimi Hyakuana.
    yoshimi-hyakuana-13.jpg
  • Yoshimi Hyakuana is also called Hyakuketsu. The name, in either case, means 100 holes. The site is a large mound of tombs that were built into the rock during the about 1,400 years ago. There are actually 219 of these tombs that have been confirmed so far. Steps lead visitors up and around to many of the tombs where one can see the stone beds where the long-ago deceased were laid to rest.  Next door to Hyakuretsu is Iwamuro Kannondo which enshrines Kannon with stones and in caves. It is said to have a history of more than 1,200 years.  The gate and hall were rebuilt in the Edo period though the original was quite old.  It is popular to visit in combination with the nearby Yoshimi Hyakuana.
    yoshimi-hyakuana-10.jpg
  • Yoshimi Hyakuana is also called Hyakuketsu. The name, in either case, means 100 holes. The site is a large mound of tombs that were built into the rock during the about 1,400 years ago. There are actually 219 of these tombs that have been confirmed so far. Steps lead visitors up and around to many of the tombs where one can see the stone beds where the long-ago deceased were laid to rest.  Next door to Hyakuretsu is Iwamuro Kannondo which enshrines Kannon with stones and in caves. It is said to have a history of more than 1,200 years.  The gate and hall were rebuilt in the Edo period though the original was quite old.  It is popular to visit in combination with the nearby Yoshimi Hyakuana.
    yoshimi-hyakuana-09.jpg
  • Yoshimi Hyakuana is also called Hyakuketsu. The name, in either case, means 100 holes. The site is a large mound of tombs that were built into the rock during the about 1,400 years ago. There are actually 219 of these tombs that have been confirmed so far. Steps lead visitors up and around to many of the tombs where one can see the stone beds where the long-ago deceased were laid to rest.  Next door to Hyakuretsu is Iwamuro Kannondo which enshrines Kannon with stones and in caves. It is said to have a history of more than 1,200 years.  The gate and hall were rebuilt in the Edo period though the original was quite old.  It is popular to visit in combination with the nearby Yoshimi Hyakuana.
    yoshimi-hyakuana-07.jpg
  • Yoshimi Hyakuana is also called Hyakuketsu. The name, in either case, means 100 holes. The site is a large mound of tombs that were built into the rock during the about 1,400 years ago. There are actually 219 of these tombs that have been confirmed so far. Steps lead visitors up and around to many of the tombs where one can see the stone beds where the long-ago deceased were laid to rest.  Next door to Hyakuretsu is Iwamuro Kannondo which enshrines Kannon with stones and in caves. It is said to have a history of more than 1,200 years.  The gate and hall were rebuilt in the Edo period though the original was quite old.  It is popular to visit in combination with the nearby Yoshimi Hyakuana.
    yoshimi-hyakuana-05.jpg
  • Yoshimi Hyakuana is also called Hyakuketsu. The name, in either case, means 100 holes. The site is a large mound of tombs that were built into the rock during the about 1,400 years ago. There are actually 219 of these tombs that have been confirmed so far. Steps lead visitors up and around to many of the tombs where one can see the stone beds where the long-ago deceased were laid to rest.  Next door to Hyakuretsu is Iwamuro Kannondo which enshrines Kannon with stones and in caves. It is said to have a history of more than 1,200 years.  The gate and hall were rebuilt in the Edo period though the original was quite old.  It is popular to visit in combination with the nearby Yoshimi Hyakuana.
    yoshimi-hyakuana-06.jpg
  • Yoshimi Hyakuana is also called Hyakuketsu. The name, in either case, means 100 holes. The site is a large mound of tombs that were built into the rock during the about 1,400 years ago. There are actually 219 of these tombs that have been confirmed so far. Steps lead visitors up and around to many of the tombs where one can see the stone beds where the long-ago deceased were laid to rest.  Next door to Hyakuretsu is Iwamuro Kannondo which enshrines Kannon with stones and in caves. It is said to have a history of more than 1,200 years.  The gate and hall were rebuilt in the Edo period though the original was quite old.  It is popular to visit in combination with the nearby Yoshimi Hyakuana.
    yoshimi-hyakuana-03.jpg
  • Iwamuro Kannondo enshrines Kannon in caves with stones. It is said to have a history of more than 1,200 years.  The gate and hall were rebuilt in the Edo period though the original was quite old.  It is popular to visit in combination with the nearby Yoshimi Hyakuana. Yoshimi Hyakuana is also called Hyakuketsu. The name, in either case, means 100 holes. The site is a large mound of tombs that were built into the rock during the about 1,400 years ago. There are actually 219 of these tombs that have been confirmed so far. Steps lead visitors up and around to many of the tombs where one can see the stone beds where the long-ago deceased were laid to rest.
    Iwamuro-Kannondo-5.jpg
  • Iwamuro Kannondo enshrines Kannon in caves with stones. It is said to have a history of more than 1,200 years.  The gate and hall were rebuilt in the Edo period though the original was quite old.  It is popular to visit in combination with the nearby Yoshimi Hyakuana. Yoshimi Hyakuana is also called Hyakuketsu. The name, in either case, means 100 holes. The site is a large mound of tombs that were built into the rock during the about 1,400 years ago. There are actually 219 of these tombs that have been confirmed so far. Steps lead visitors up and around to many of the tombs where one can see the stone beds where the long-ago deceased were laid to rest.
    Iwamuro-Kannondo-4.jpg
  • Iwamuro Kannondo enshrines Kannon in caves with stones. It is said to have a history of more than 1,200 years.  The gate and hall were rebuilt in the Edo period though the original was quite old.  It is popular to visit in combination with the nearby Yoshimi Hyakuana. Yoshimi Hyakuana is also called Hyakuketsu. The name, in either case, means 100 holes. The site is a large mound of tombs that were built into the rock during the about 1,400 years ago. There are actually 219 of these tombs that have been confirmed so far. Steps lead visitors up and around to many of the tombs where one can see the stone beds where the long-ago deceased were laid to rest.
    Iwamuro-Kannondo-3.jpg
  • Iwamuro Kannondo enshrines Kannon in caves with stones. It is said to have a history of more than 1,200 years.  The gate and hall were rebuilt in the Edo period though the original was quite old.  It is popular to visit in combination with the nearby Yoshimi Hyakuana. Yoshimi Hyakuana is also called Hyakuketsu. The name, in either case, means 100 holes. The site is a large mound of tombs that were built into the rock during the about 1,400 years ago. There are actually 219 of these tombs that have been confirmed so far. Steps lead visitors up and around to many of the tombs where one can see the stone beds where the long-ago deceased were laid to rest.
    Iwamuro-Kannondo-2.jpg
  • Iwamuro Kannondo enshrines Kannon in caves with stones. It is said to have a history of more than 1,200 years.  The gate and hall were rebuilt in the Edo period though the original was quite old.  It is popular to visit in combination with the nearby Yoshimi Hyakuana. Yoshimi Hyakuana is also called Hyakuketsu. The name, in either case, means 100 holes. The site is a large mound of tombs that were built into the rock during the about 1,400 years ago. There are actually 219 of these tombs that have been confirmed so far. Steps lead visitors up and around to many of the tombs where one can see the stone beds where the long-ago deceased were laid to rest.
    Iwamuro-Kannondo-1.jpg
  • Suzaku no Niwa Garden at Umekoji Park was built to commemorate the 1200th anniversary of the Heian Period (7984-1192).  The garden features landscape techniques and methods unique to Kyoto, developed over its long history.  The garden was created to achieve a blend of tradition and creativity.  The Mizukamami Pond and Nosuji Hills are <br />
interspersed with flower beds, waterfalls and artificial hills. The area was once a fruit train station, that has been repurposed into Umekoji Park and Japanese garden.
    umekoji-japanese-garden-amber.jpg
  • Suzaku no Niwa Garden at Umekoji Park was built to commemorate the 1200th anniversary of the Heian Period (7984-1192).  The garden features landscape techniques and methods unique to Kyoto, developed over its long history.  The garden was created to achieve a blend of tradition and creativity.  The Mizukamami Pond and Nosuji Hills are <br />
interspersed with flower beds, waterfalls and artificial hills. The area was once a fruit train station, that has been repurposed into Umekoji Park and Japanese garden.
    umekoji-japanese-garden-05.jpg
  • Suzaku no Niwa Garden at Umekoji Park was built to commemorate the 1200th anniversary of the Heian Period (7984-1192).  The garden features landscape techniques and methods unique to Kyoto, developed over its long history.  The garden was created to achieve a blend of tradition and creativity.  The Mizukamami Pond and Nosuji Hills are <br />
interspersed with flower beds, waterfalls and artificial hills. The area was once a fruit train station, that has been repurposed into Umekoji Park and Japanese garden.
    umekoji-japanese-garden-04.jpg
  • Suzaku no Niwa Garden at Umekoji Park was built to commemorate the 1200th anniversary of the Heian Period (7984-1192).  The garden features landscape techniques and methods unique to Kyoto, developed over its long history.  The garden was created to achieve a blend of tradition and creativity.  The Mizukamami Pond and Nosuji Hills are <br />
interspersed with flower beds, waterfalls and artificial hills. The area was once a fruit train station, that has been repurposed into Umekoji Park and Japanese garden.
    umekoji-japanese-garden-01.jpg
  • Suzaku no Niwa Garden at Umekoji Park was built to commemorate the 1200th anniversary of the Heian Period (7984-1192).  The garden features landscape techniques and methods unique to Kyoto, developed over its long history.  The garden was created to achieve a blend of tradition and creativity.  The Mizukamami Pond and Nosuji Hills are <br />
interspersed with flower beds, waterfalls and artificial hills. The area was once a fruit train station, that has been repurposed into Umekoji Park and Japanese garden.
    umekoji-japanese-garden-02.jpg
  • UFO Love Hotel - Love hotels are places for couples to meet up for some intimate time together in in cases where they may not have privacy.  Sometimes family matters prevent the amorous from hosting visitors.  Simple solution: lovers turn up at a love hotel and instead of being greeted by a receptionist, check in is machine automated for extra privacy.  Typically there is a board which shows which rooms are available.  Those that you can select at that given moment are illuminated.  You can select a “rest” which is for a 90 minute quickie or a “stay” for longer overnight sessions.  With the competition intense, love hotels have come up with all sorts of innovative ways to compete with each other.  In addition to the usual competition strategy of offering more amenities like videos, rotating beds, costumes or sex toys some have entered the realm of theme parks.  Love hotel themes in Japan include the White House, UFOs, Christmas, underwater sea scenes, railway cars, cruise ships, doctors’ offices and even schoolrooms…. Part of the theme trend is to make the experience more lighthearted and fun which makes the situation less embarrassing by offering up exotic or funny settings.  This renders the visit into an experience rather than a sordid affair.  Couples can select a different theme for each tryst.  For better or worse, recent trends are moving away from the bizarre or comical and more towards luxury and exotic.  Bali anyone?
    UFO-love-hotel-03.jpg
  • UFO Love Hotel - Love hotels are places for couples to meet up for some intimate time together in in cases where they may not have privacy.  Sometimes family matters prevent the amorous from hosting visitors.  Simple solution: lovers turn up at a love hotel and instead of being greeted by a receptionist, check in is machine automated for extra privacy.  Typically there is a board which shows which rooms are available.  Those that you can select at that given moment are illuminated.  You can select a “rest” which is for a 90 minute quickie or a “stay” for longer overnight sessions.  With the competition intense, love hotels have come up with all sorts of innovative ways to compete with each other.  In addition to the usual competition strategy of offering more amenities like videos, rotating beds, costumes or sex toys some have entered the realm of theme parks.  Love hotel themes in Japan include the White House, UFOs, Christmas, underwater sea scenes, railway cars, cruise ships, doctors’ offices and even schoolrooms…. Part of the theme trend is to make the experience more lighthearted and fun which makes the situation less embarrassing by offering up exotic or funny settings.  This renders the visit into an experience rather than a sordid affair.  Couples can select a different theme for each tryst.  For better or worse, recent trends are moving away from the bizarre or comical and more towards luxury and exotic.  Bali anyone?
    UFO-love-hotel-02.jpg
  • Love Hotel Interior at Public Jam Hotel Osaka - Originally love hotels were merely places for couples to meet up in crowded cities where they had no private space, or family matters prevented them from hosting visitors.  They have always been neutral ground, where intimacy can be risked without consequences.  Lovers turn up and instead of being greeted by a receptionist, check in is usually automated by machine for extra privacy.  You can select a “rest” which is a quickie, or a “stay” for longer overnight sessions.  With the competition intense, love hotels have come up with innovative ways to compete with each other.  Other than the more mundane methods of offering amenities like DVD players, videos, rotating beds or sex toys, many have entered the realm of theme parks.  Love hotels include such themes as the White House, UFOs, Christmas, underwater sea scenes, railway cars, retro, doctors office, schoolrooms…. Part of the theme trend is to make the experience more fun.  Couples can select a different theme for each tryst. This makes the situation less embarrassing or threatening by offering up exotic or funny settings, thus rendering the tryst into an experience rather than a mundane, sordid affair.  Genius!
    love-hotel-public-jam-5.jpg
  • Love Hotel Interior at Public Jam Hotel Osaka - Originally love hotels were merely places for couples to meet up in crowded cities where they had no private space, or family matters prevented them from hosting visitors.  They have always been neutral ground, where intimacy can be risked without consequences.  Lovers turn up and instead of being greeted by a receptionist, check in is usually automated by machine for extra privacy.  You can select a “rest” which is a quickie, or a “stay” for longer overnight sessions.  With the competition intense, love hotels have come up with innovative ways to compete with each other.  Other than the more mundane methods of offering amenities like DVD players, videos, rotating beds or sex toys, many have entered the realm of theme parks.  Love hotels include such themes as the White House, UFOs, Christmas, underwater sea scenes, railway cars, retro, doctors office, schoolrooms…. Part of the theme trend is to make the experience more fun.  Couples can select a different theme for each tryst. This makes the situation less embarrassing or threatening by offering up exotic or funny settings, thus rendering the tryst into an experience rather than a mundane, sordid affair.  Genius!
    love-hotel-public-jam-2.jpg
  • Keio Plaza Princess Kitty Room<br />
Keio Plaza Hotel Hello Kitty Rooms - here guests will find that there are two Hello Kitty theme rooms,  The most outlandish of which is the Princess Kitty room, which has been deemed “adorable” is its own Hello Kitty resort for adults.  The decor is all pink, of course, including bedding, headboards, sofas and chairs.  Think Pink!  Rest your weary bones on the pink high heel chair and feel like a fairy tale princess.  Even the amenities are Kitty themed, all the way down to bathroom scales, pens, letter writing sets and even plastic bags.   They even offer special room service meals with kitty shaped burgers, omelet’s imprinted with kitty’s mug just in case you were to ever forget where you are staying…  There other room is the Kitty Town Room which is more tuned to kids, with more primary colors and less pink.
    keio-hello-kitty-14.jpg
  • Keio Plaza Princess Kitty Room<br />
Keio Plaza Hotel Hello Kitty Rooms - here guests will find that there are two Hello Kitty theme rooms,  The most outlandish of which is the Princess Kitty room, which has been deemed “adorable” is its own Hello Kitty resort for adults.  The decor is all pink, of course, including bedding, headboards, sofas and chairs.  Think Pink!  Rest your weary bones on the pink high heel chair and feel like a fairy tale princess.  Even the amenities are Kitty themed, all the way down to bathroom scales, pens, letter writing sets and even plastic bags.   They even offer special room service meals with kitty shaped burgers, omelet’s imprinted with kitty’s mug just in case you were to ever forget where you are staying…  There other room is the Kitty Town Room which is more tuned to kids, with more primary colors and less pink.
    keio-hello-kitty-13.jpg
  • Keio Plaza Princess Kitty Room<br />
Keio Plaza Hotel Hello Kitty Rooms - here guests will find that there are two Hello Kitty theme rooms,  The most outlandish of which is the Princess Kitty room, which has been deemed “adorable” is its own Hello Kitty resort for adults.  The decor is all pink, of course, including bedding, headboards, sofas and chairs.  Think Pink!  Rest your weary bones on the pink high heel chair and feel like a fairy tale princess.  Even the amenities are Kitty themed, all the way down to bathroom scales, pens, letter writing sets and even plastic bags.   They even offer special room service meals with kitty shaped burgers, omelet’s imprinted with kitty’s mug just in case you were to ever forget where you are staying…  There other room is the Kitty Town Room which is more tuned to kids, with more primary colors and less pink.
    keio-hello-kitty-10.jpg
  • Keio Plaza Princess Kitty Room<br />
Keio Plaza Hotel Hello Kitty Rooms - here guests will find that there are two Hello Kitty theme rooms,  The most outlandish of which is the Princess Kitty room, which has been deemed “adorable” is its own Hello Kitty resort for adults.  The decor is all pink, of course, including bedding, headboards, sofas and chairs.  Think Pink!  Rest your weary bones on the pink high heel chair and feel like a fairy tale princess.  Even the amenities are Kitty themed, all the way down to bathroom scales, pens, letter writing sets and even plastic bags.   They even offer special room service meals with kitty shaped burgers, omelet’s imprinted with kitty’s mug just in case you were to ever forget where you are staying…  There other room is the Kitty Town Room which is more tuned to kids, with more primary colors and less pink.
    keio-hello-kitty-9.jpg
  • Keio Plaza Princess Kitty Room<br />
Keio Plaza Hotel Hello Kitty Rooms - here guests will find that there are two Hello Kitty theme rooms,  The most outlandish of which is the Princess Kitty room, which has been deemed “adorable” is its own Hello Kitty resort for adults.  The decor is all pink, of course, including bedding, headboards, sofas and chairs.  Think Pink!  Rest your weary bones on the pink high heel chair and feel like a fairy tale princess.  Even the amenities are Kitty themed, all the way down to bathroom scales, pens, letter writing sets and even plastic bags.   They even offer special room service meals with kitty shaped burgers, omelet’s imprinted with kitty’s mug just in case you were to ever forget where you are staying…  There other room is the Kitty Town Room which is more tuned to kids, with more primary colors and less pink.
    keio-hello-kitty-8.jpg
  • Keio Plaza Princess Kitty Room<br />
Keio Plaza Hotel Hello Kitty Rooms - here guests will find that there are two Hello Kitty theme rooms,  The most outlandish of which is the Princess Kitty room, which has been deemed “adorable” is its own Hello Kitty resort for adults.  The decor is all pink, of course, including bedding, headboards, sofas and chairs.  Think Pink!  Rest your weary bones on the pink high heel chair and feel like a fairy tale princess.  Even the amenities are Kitty themed, all the way down to bathroom scales, pens, letter writing sets and even plastic bags.   They even offer special room service meals with kitty shaped burgers, omelet’s imprinted with kitty’s mug just in case you were to ever forget where you are staying…  There other room is the Kitty Town Room which is more tuned to kids, with more primary colors and less pink.
    keio-hello-kitty-5.jpg
  • Keio Plaza Princess Kitty Room<br />
Keio Plaza Hotel Hello Kitty Rooms - here guests will find that there are two Hello Kitty theme rooms,  The most outlandish of which is the Princess Kitty room, which has been deemed “adorable” is its own Hello Kitty resort for adults.  The decor is all pink, of course, including bedding, headboards, sofas and chairs.  Think Pink!  Rest your weary bones on the pink high heel chair and feel like a fairy tale princess.  Even the amenities are Kitty themed, all the way down to bathroom scales, pens, letter writing sets and even plastic bags.   They even offer special room service meals with kitty shaped burgers, omelet’s imprinted with kitty’s mug just in case you were to ever forget where you are staying…  There other room is the Kitty Town Room which is more tuned to kids, with more primary colors and less pink.
    keio-hello-kitty-2.jpg
  • Keio Plaza Princess Kitty Room<br />
Keio Plaza Hotel Hello Kitty Rooms - here guests will find that there are two Hello Kitty theme rooms,  The most outlandish of which is the Princess Kitty room, which has been deemed “adorable” is its own Hello Kitty resort for adults.  The decor is all pink, of course, including bedding, headboards, sofas and chairs.  Think Pink!  Rest your weary bones on the pink high heel chair and feel like a fairy tale princess.  Even the amenities are Kitty themed, all the way down to bathroom scales, pens, letter writing sets and even plastic bags.   They even offer special room service meals with kitty shaped burgers, omelet’s imprinted with kitty’s mug just in case you were to ever forget where you are staying…  There other room is the Kitty Town Room which is more tuned to kids, with more primary colors and less pink.
    keio-hello-kitty-1.jpg
  • Reversible Destiny at Yoro Park is an “experiential” place where you are supposed to encounter the unexpected. The park’s creation was a collaboration of two artists: Madeline Gins and Shusaku Arakawa.  Everything feels a bit off at Reversible Destiny because of all the angles so as to adjust your senses if not your destiny. The park is a combination of domes, steep hills, trails and holes with trees in them. Critical Resemblance House is part maze, part house - the roof is in the shape of a map of Gifu Prefecture.  Inside are desks, ovens, refrigerators, toilets, beds sticking out of walls and the ceiling.   Insect Mountain Range is a group of rocks - meaning humans don’t have to be confined to the natural world and can choose alternatives.  Exactitude Ridge is a bridge sticking out of the ground that stops and goes nowhere.
    reversible-destiny-14.jpg
  • Reversible Destiny at Yoro Park is an “experiential” place where you are supposed to encounter the unexpected. The park’s creation was a collaboration of two artists: Madeline Gins and Shusaku Arakawa.  Everything feels a bit off at Reversible Destiny because of all the angles so as to adjust your senses if not your destiny. The park is a combination of domes, steep hills, trails and holes with trees in them. Critical Resemblance House is part maze, part house - the roof is in the shape of a map of Gifu Prefecture.  Inside are desks, ovens, refrigerators, toilets, beds sticking out of walls and the ceiling.   Insect Mountain Range is a group of rocks - meaning humans don’t have to be confined to the natural world and can choose alternatives.  Exactitude Ridge is a bridge sticking out of the ground that stops and goes nowhere.
    reversible-destiny-6.jpg
  • Reversible Destiny at Yoro Park is an “experiential” place where you are supposed to encounter the unexpected. The park’s creation was a collaboration of two artists: Madeline Gins and Shusaku Arakawa.  Everything feels a bit off at Reversible Destiny because of all the angles so as to adjust your senses if not your destiny. The park is a combination of domes, steep hills, trails and holes with trees in them. Critical Resemblance House is part maze, part house - the roof is in the shape of a map of Gifu Prefecture.  Inside are desks, ovens, refrigerators, toilets, beds sticking out of walls and the ceiling.   Insect Mountain Range is a group of rocks - meaning humans don’t have to be confined to the natural world and can choose alternatives.  Exactitude Ridge is a bridge sticking out of the ground that stops and goes nowhere.
    reversible-destiny-4.jpg
  • Reversible Destiny at Yoro Park is an “experiential” place where you are supposed to encounter the unexpected. The park’s creation was a collaboration of two artists: Madeline Gins and Shusaku Arakawa.  Everything feels a bit off at Reversible Destiny because of all the angles so as to adjust your senses if not your destiny. The park is a combination of domes, steep hills, trails and holes with trees in them. Critical Resemblance House is part maze, part house - the roof is in the shape of a map of Gifu Prefecture.  Inside are desks, ovens, refrigerators, toilets, beds sticking out of walls and the ceiling.   Insect Mountain Range is a group of rocks - meaning humans don’t have to be confined to the natural world and can choose alternatives.  Exactitude Ridge is a bridge sticking out of the ground that stops and goes nowhere.
    reversible-destiny-3.jpg
  • Reversible Destiny at Yoro Park is an “experiential” place where you are supposed to encounter the unexpected. The park’s creation was a collaboration of two artists: Madeline Gins and Shusaku Arakawa.  Everything feels a bit off at Reversible Destiny because of all the angles so as to adjust your senses if not your destiny. The park is a combination of domes, steep hills, trails and holes with trees in them. Critical Resemblance House is part maze, part house - the roof is in the shape of a map of Gifu Prefecture.  Inside are desks, ovens, refrigerators, toilets, beds sticking out of walls and the ceiling.   Insect Mountain Range is a group of rocks - meaning humans don’t have to be confined to the natural world and can choose alternatives.  Exactitude Ridge is a bridge sticking out of the ground that stops and goes nowhere.
    reversible-destiny-2.jpg
  • Reversible Destiny at Yoro Park is an “experiential” place where you are supposed to encounter the unexpected. The park’s creation was a collaboration of two artists: Madeline Gins and Shusaku Arakawa.  Everything feels a bit off at Reversible Destiny because of all the angles so as to adjust your senses if not your destiny. The park is a combination of domes, steep hills, trails and holes with trees in them. Critical Resemblance House is part maze, part house - the roof is in the shape of a map of Gifu Prefecture.  Inside are desks, ovens, refrigerators, toilets, beds sticking out of walls and the ceiling.   Insect Mountain Range is a group of rocks - meaning humans don’t have to be confined to the natural world and can choose alternatives.  Exactitude Ridge is a bridge sticking out of the ground that stops and goes nowhere.
    reversible-destiny-1.jpg
  • The main mode of transportation in Kerala Backwaters has always been by kettuvallom which means "roof boat". They are usually made with wood joined  together with coconut ropes and painted with cashew oil outside. Many kettuvalloms have been converted to houseboats with  beds, kitchens and toilets.
    kerala-backwaters-6.jpg
  • The main mode of transportation in Kerala Backwaters has always been by kettuvallom which means "roof boat". They are usually made with wood joined  together with coconut ropes and painted with cashew oil outside. Many kettuvalloms have been converted to houseboats with  beds, kitchens and toilets.
    alleppey-houseboat-2.jpg
  • Haew Suwat Waterfall runs over a 20 meter cliff into a large pool below. The waterfall structure is made up mainly of multiple layers of sandstone conglomerates with large beds of basalt.
    khao-yai-waterfall-2.jpg
  • The Imperial gardens at the Forbidden city -  Outside of the Gate of Terrestrial Tranquility is Yuhuayuan, the Imperial Garden. Constructed during the Ming dynasty the garden is rectangular in shape and covers 12,000 square meters. This was a private retreat for the imperial family and is typical of the Chinese garden design. There are  twenty structures, each of a different style, and the ways in which they harmonise with the trees, rockeries, flower beds and sculptural objects such as the bronze incense burners is  tribute to the art of the designers that so much can be achieved in so small a space.
    imperial-garden-yuyuan-6.jpg
  • Yoshimi Hyakuana is also called Hyakuketsu. The name, in either case, means 100 holes. The site is a large mound of tombs that were built into the rock during the about 1,400 years ago. There are actually 219 of these tombs that have been confirmed so far. Steps lead visitors up and around to many of the tombs where one can see the stone beds where the long-ago deceased were laid to rest.  Next door to Hyakuretsu is Iwamuro Kannondo which enshrines Kannon with stones and in caves. It is said to have a history of more than 1,200 years.  The gate and hall were rebuilt in the Edo period though the original was quite old.  It is popular to visit in combination with the nearby Yoshimi Hyakuana.
    yoshimi-hyakuana-12.jpg
  • Yoshimi Hyakuana is also called Hyakuketsu. The name, in either case, means 100 holes. The site is a large mound of tombs that were built into the rock during the about 1,400 years ago. There are actually 219 of these tombs that have been confirmed so far. Steps lead visitors up and around to many of the tombs where one can see the stone beds where the long-ago deceased were laid to rest.  Next door to Hyakuretsu is Iwamuro Kannondo which enshrines Kannon with stones and in caves. It is said to have a history of more than 1,200 years.  The gate and hall were rebuilt in the Edo period though the original was quite old.  It is popular to visit in combination with the nearby Yoshimi Hyakuana.
    yoshimi-hyakuana-14.jpg
  • Yoshimi Hyakuana is also called Hyakuketsu. The name, in either case, means 100 holes. The site is a large mound of tombs that were built into the rock during the about 1,400 years ago. There are actually 219 of these tombs that have been confirmed so far. Steps lead visitors up and around to many of the tombs where one can see the stone beds where the long-ago deceased were laid to rest.  Next door to Hyakuretsu is Iwamuro Kannondo which enshrines Kannon with stones and in caves. It is said to have a history of more than 1,200 years.  The gate and hall were rebuilt in the Edo period though the original was quite old.  It is popular to visit in combination with the nearby Yoshimi Hyakuana.
    yoshimi-hyakuana-11.jpg
  • Yoshimi Hyakuana is also called Hyakuketsu. The name, in either case, means 100 holes. The site is a large mound of tombs that were built into the rock during the about 1,400 years ago. There are actually 219 of these tombs that have been confirmed so far. Steps lead visitors up and around to many of the tombs where one can see the stone beds where the long-ago deceased were laid to rest.  Next door to Hyakuretsu is Iwamuro Kannondo which enshrines Kannon with stones and in caves. It is said to have a history of more than 1,200 years.  The gate and hall were rebuilt in the Edo period though the original was quite old.  It is popular to visit in combination with the nearby Yoshimi Hyakuana.
    yoshimi-hyakuana-02.jpg
  • Yoshimi Hyakuana is also called Hyakuketsu. The name, in either case, means 100 holes. The site is a large mound of tombs that were built into the rock during the about 1,400 years ago. There are actually 219 of these tombs that have been confirmed so far. Steps lead visitors up and around to many of the tombs where one can see the stone beds where the long-ago deceased were laid to rest.  Next door to Hyakuretsu is Iwamuro Kannondo which enshrines Kannon with stones and in caves. It is said to have a history of more than 1,200 years.  The gate and hall were rebuilt in the Edo period though the original was quite old.  It is popular to visit in combination with the nearby Yoshimi Hyakuana.
    yoshimi-hyakuana-01.jpg
  • Suzaku no Niwa Garden at Umekoji Park was built to commemorate the 1200th anniversary of the Heian Period (7984-1192).  The garden features landscape techniques and methods unique to Kyoto, developed over its long history.  The garden was created to achieve a blend of tradition and creativity.  The Mizukamami Pond and Nosuji Hills are <br />
interspersed with flower beds, waterfalls and artificial hills. The area was once a fruit train station, that has been repurposed into Umekoji Park and Japanese garden.
    umekoji-japanese-garden-06.jpg
  • UFO Love Hotel - Love hotels are places for couples to meet up for some intimate time together in in cases where they may not have privacy.  Sometimes family matters prevent the amorous from hosting visitors.  Simple solution: lovers turn up at a love hotel and instead of being greeted by a receptionist, check in is machine automated for extra privacy.  Typically there is a board which shows which rooms are available.  Those that you can select at that given moment are illuminated.  You can select a “rest” which is for a 90 minute quickie or a “stay” for longer overnight sessions.  With the competition intense, love hotels have come up with all sorts of innovative ways to compete with each other.  In addition to the usual competition strategy of offering more amenities like videos, rotating beds, costumes or sex toys some have entered the realm of theme parks.  Love hotel themes in Japan include the White House, UFOs, Christmas, underwater sea scenes, railway cars, cruise ships, doctors’ offices and even schoolrooms…. Part of the theme trend is to make the experience more lighthearted and fun which makes the situation less embarrassing by offering up exotic or funny settings.  This renders the visit into an experience rather than a sordid affair.  Couples can select a different theme for each tryst.  For better or worse, recent trends are moving away from the bizarre or comical and more towards luxury and exotic.  Bali anyone?
    UFO-love-hotel-01.jpg
  • Love Hotel Zebra - Love hotels are simply places for couples to meet up for some intimate time together in crowded cities where they may not have private space.  Sometimes family matters prevent the amorous from hosting visitors.  Lovers turn up at a love hotel and instead of being greeted by a receptionist, check in is usually automated by machine for extra privacy.  Typically there is a board which shows which rooms are available.  Those that you can select at that given moment are illuminated.  You can select a “rest” which is for a 90 minute quickie, or a “stay” for longer overnight sessions.  With the competition intense, love hotels have come up with all sorts of innovative ways to compete with each other.  Other than the usual strategy of offering more amenities like videos, rotating beds, costumes or sex toys some have entered the realm of theme parks.  Love hotel themes include the White House, UFOs, Christmas, underwater sea scenes, railway cars, cruise ships, doctors offices and even schoolrooms…. Part of the theme trend is to make the experience more lighthearted and fun which makes the situation less embarrassing by offering up exotic or funny settings.  This renders the visit into an experience rather than a sordid affair.  Couples can select a different theme for each tryst.  For better or worse, recent trends are moving away from the bizarre and more towards luxury, fantasy or exotic.  Bali anyone?
    love-hotel-zebra-4.jpg
  • Love Hotel Zebra - Love hotels are simply places for couples to meet up for some intimate time together in crowded cities where they may not have private space.  Sometimes family matters prevent the amorous from hosting visitors.  Lovers turn up at a love hotel and instead of being greeted by a receptionist, check in is usually automated by machine for extra privacy.  Typically there is a board which shows which rooms are available.  Those that you can select at that given moment are illuminated.  You can select a “rest” which is for a 90 minute quickie, or a “stay” for longer overnight sessions.  With the competition intense, love hotels have come up with all sorts of innovative ways to compete with each other.  Other than the usual strategy of offering more amenities like videos, rotating beds, costumes or sex toys some have entered the realm of theme parks.  Love hotel themes include the White House, UFOs, Christmas, underwater sea scenes, railway cars, cruise ships, doctors offices and even schoolrooms…. Part of the theme trend is to make the experience more lighthearted and fun which makes the situation less embarrassing by offering up exotic or funny settings.  This renders the visit into an experience rather than a sordid affair.  Couples can select a different theme for each tryst.  For better or worse, recent trends are moving away from the bizarre and more towards luxury, fantasy or exotic.  Bali anyone?
    love-hotel-zebra-1.jpg
  • Keio Plaza Princess Kitty Room<br />
Keio Plaza Hotel Hello Kitty Rooms - here guests will find that there are two Hello Kitty theme rooms,  The most outlandish of which is the Princess Kitty room, which has been deemed “adorable” is its own Hello Kitty resort for adults.  The decor is all pink, of course, including bedding, headboards, sofas and chairs.  Think Pink!  Rest your weary bones on the pink high heel chair and feel like a fairy tale princess.  Even the amenities are Kitty themed, all the way down to bathroom scales, pens, letter writing sets and even plastic bags.   They even offer special room service meals with kitty shaped burgers, omelet’s imprinted with kitty’s mug just in case you were to ever forget where you are staying…  There other room is the Kitty Town Room which is more tuned to kids, with more primary colors and less pink.
    keio-hello-kitty-12.jpg
  • Keio Plaza Princess Kitty Room<br />
Keio Plaza Hotel Hello Kitty Rooms - here guests will find that there are two Hello Kitty theme rooms,  The most outlandish of which is the Princess Kitty room, which has been deemed “adorable” is its own Hello Kitty resort for adults.  The decor is all pink, of course, including bedding, headboards, sofas and chairs.  Think Pink!  Rest your weary bones on the pink high heel chair and feel like a fairy tale princess.  Even the amenities are Kitty themed, all the way down to bathroom scales, pens, letter writing sets and even plastic bags.   They even offer special room service meals with kitty shaped burgers, omelet’s imprinted with kitty’s mug just in case you were to ever forget where you are staying…  There other room is the Kitty Town Room which is more tuned to kids, with more primary colors and less pink.
    keio-hello-kitty-6.jpg
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