Kanreki Travel | Japan & International Travel After 60

Just two train stops from Atami is a quiet seaside town called Izu-Taga. Unlike the busy area around Atami Station, Izu-Taga felt much calmer, with fewer tourists and a relaxed coastal atmosphere. This time, we travelled from Tokyo Station to Atami by Shinkansen, then spent the day in Izu-Taga enjoying a soba lunch and a peaceful walk by the sea. Along the way, we were also lucky enough to unexpectedly board the adorable sightseeing train known as the Kinme Train. We enjoyed a leisurely meal at a traditional soba restaurant, drank freshly brewed coffee by the sea and simply slowed down for a while. For adults who want to escape the crowds and enjoy a more relaxed side of Japan, Izu-Taga is a lovely place to visit. In this article, I’ll also share practical tips on how to get there, Shinkansen crowds and what to know if you are travelling with large luggage. From Tokyo Station to Atami by Kodama Shinkansen Our trip to Izu-Taga began at Tokyo Station, where we boarded a Kodama service on the Tokaido Shinkansen. We travelled on the morning of the first day of a three-day holiday weekend. As expected, Tokyo Station was extremely crowded. There are also many international visitors travelling around Japan now, and Shinkansen services can become especially busy on weekends and public holidays, so buying your ticket in advance is a good idea. SmartEX Made Boarding Easy Even at Busy Tokyo Station We bought our tickets the day before using SmartEX, the online reservation service for ...

With the cooperation of Conrad Tokyo, our editorial team experienced its autumn afternoon tea. This time, we enjoyed the Art of Autumn Afternoon Tea, available from October 1 to November 30, 2026. The theme is “Autumn of Art.” The moment the plate arrived at our table, the first thing that caught our attention was the beauty of the purple-themed sweets. Inspired by antique jewellery, cameos and wax seals, the delicate designs really did look like tiny works of art. They almost looked too beautiful to eat, but of course, we enjoyed all those autumn flavours anyway. In this article, I’ll introduce the sweets that left the biggest impression on us, an unusual way to enjoy Mont Blanc, and even the limited-edition Conrad Bear available in October. This article was produced with the cooperation of Conrad Tokyo, which provided the afternoon tea experience complimentary. All opinions and impressions are based on our editorial team’s actual experience. Conrad Tokyo “Art of Autumn Afternoon Tea” The afternoon tea is served at TwentyEight Bar & Lounge on the 28th floor of Conrad Tokyo. The standard plan we experienced included five sweets and three savouries arranged on a flat glass plate, plus a separate Mont Blanc cone, scones and drinks. The first thing that drew our eyes was the collection of sweets on the glass plate. The autumnal purple colours were so beautiful that I wanted to stop and look at each piece individually. We have enjoyed afternoon tea at Conrad Tokyo several times before, and once again, the presentation ...

The Westin Yokohama is celebrating Halloween with a special Halloween Dessert Buffet, available for a limited time from September 17 to October 30, 2026. After enjoying their popular strawberry dessert buffet earlier this year, I was excited to see how the restaurant would transform for Halloween. And this time, the atmosphere is completely different 🎃 Ghosts, witches, Frankenstein, vampires... Halloween is supposed to be a little spooky, but the desserts here are actually incredibly cute. Some of the ghost-shaped sweets were so adorable that I almost felt guilty eating them! Seasonal ingredients such as pumpkin, purple sweet potato, chestnut, apple, and hazelnut are also used throughout the buffet. I visited the buffet myself, so in this article I’ll share the sweets that made me think, “That's so cute!” “This is delicious!” and sometimes, “This is hilarious!” 😆 with plenty of photos. Halloween at Pacific Table, Westin Yokohama The buffet is held at Pacific Table, the restaurant located on the third floor of the Westin Yokohama in the Minato Mirai area. The restaurant has high ceilings and plenty of space between tables, so it feels calm and comfortable rather than crowded. During the Halloween season, orange decorations are added throughout the restaurant, giving the elegant dining space a playful seasonal atmosphere. The Pink Dessert Buffet Area Is So Cute! The first thing that caught my eye was the pink dessert buffet area. When you think of Halloween, black and orange probably come to mind. But at the Westin Yokohama, the buffet area is based around soft ...

We were invited to experience The Fragrant Chestnut Afternoon Tea at The Kitano Hotel Tokyo, available for a limited time from September 1 to November 30, 2026. The entire afternoon tea is gluten-free and celebrates one of autumn’s most popular flavors in Japan: chestnuts. The menu combines Japanese and Western sweets, warm and chilled desserts, and a variety of textures. Highlights include Mont Blanc, chestnut yokan, a warm fondant chocolate dessert, and a soufflé cheesecake served with a dramatic smoky aroma. Even the scones are made with rice flour. They were so moist and satisfying that it was easy to forget they were gluten-free.   It was a lovely autumn experience for mothers and daughters, couples, or friends looking for a slightly luxurious afternoon in Tokyo. Here is our detailed firsthand review. What Is The Kitano Hotel Tokyo’s Fragrant Chestnut Afternoon Tea? The Kitano Hotel Tokyo is a luxury hotel in Hirakawacho, Tokyo, and a member of Relais & Châteaux. Once you enter the hotel, you are welcomed by an airy lobby and a calm, refined interior. The afternoon tea is served at Tea Lounge Kafu on the second floor. The lounge includes a Japanese-style tea space, and outside the windows you can see bamboo, creating a quiet atmosphere that almost makes you forget you are in central Tokyo. The Fragrant Chestnut Afternoon Tea features several desserts made with chestnuts, including Mont Blanc, chestnut yokan, a warm fondant-style choux dessert, and a cheesecake served with smoky aromas. Seasonal fruits such as grapes and pears are ...

A gorgeous afternoon tea featuring Bacha Coffee, the traditional coffee brand originating in Marrakech, Morocco, is coming to InterContinental Tokyo Bay from September 15 to November 16, 2026. This time, the Kanreki Travel editorial team was invited to experience the Autumn Palace Afternoon Tea with Bacha Coffee at the New York Lounge on the first floor of the hotel. Our editor-in-chief, Mamarin, who is in her 60s, was especially impressed. “This may be the most beautiful afternoon tea I’ve ever experienced!” It is a wonderful option for birthdays, anniversaries, a special mother-daughter outing, or simply a day when you want to give someone an experience rather than a physical gift. In this article, I’ll share our firsthand experience, the full menu, drinks, prices and the special plans we found most appealing. What Is the Autumn Palace Afternoon Tea with Bacha Coffee? The theme of the Autumn Palace Afternoon Tea with Bacha Coffee is “an elegant autumn moment in a Marrakech palace.” Bacha Coffee, which first arrived in Japan in 2025, is a coffee brand originating in Marrakech, Morocco. This limited-time afternoon tea combines the fragrance of Bacha Coffee with seasonal autumn flavors such as chestnut, pear and Shine Muscat grapes. Bacha Coffee specializes in 100% Arabica coffee sourced from renowned coffee-growing regions around the world. Four different coffees are featured throughout the afternoon tea: Sidamo Mountain Coffee, 1910 Coffee, Seville Orange Coffee and Autumn Holiday Coffee. A Luxurious Escape at InterContinental Tokyo Bay InterContinental Tokyo Bay is a luxury hotel in Takeshiba, Tokyo, where you ...

We experienced the weekday-only Mini Afternoon Tea with Champagne at Peter, the bar located on the top floor of The Peninsula Tokyo in Marunouchi. With beautiful views toward Ginza and Shiodome, you can enjoy savory bites and sweets together with champagne in a refined setting designed for adults. It is an elegant and relaxing way to spend an afternoon in Tokyo. In this article, we share our firsthand experience, including the menu, drinks, price, portion size, and reservation details. Compared with a traditional afternoon tea served on a large three-tier stand, this version is more compact. So if you are wondering, “How much food is there?” “Is it enough for lunch?” or “What do you get for ¥7,500?” this review should help. Our Review of the Mini Afternoon Tea at Peter, The Peninsula Tokyo This is the view from Peter, located on the top floor of The Peninsula Tokyo. The skyline toward Ginza and Shiodome stretches out in front of you, and the open, beautiful city view is one of the biggest attractions. The modern interior features an illuminated art installation that looks almost holographic, giving the space a sophisticated feel. At the same time, the atmosphere is quiet and calm. My first impression was that this is a place where adults can truly slow down and relax. It feels very different from a lively or crowded afternoon tea venue. This is the full Mini Afternoon Tea with Champagne. Instead of a traditional large three-tier stand, each item is carefully presented in elegant black lacquer-style ...

After checking out of Courtyard Los Angeles L.A. LIVE, we headed to LAX for the next part of our trip: Hawaii! This time, we flew from Los Angeles to Honolulu on an American Airlines domestic flight. From finding an Uber at 4:30 a.m. and exploring LAX before departure to discovering that our flight did not include a complimentary meal, this article shares our entire travel experience. We also cover what we ate onboard, how we used Wi-Fi during the flight, and how we traveled from Daniel K. Inouye International Airport to Waikiki after landing. If you are planning to fly from Los Angeles to Honolulu, especially as part of a longer international trip, we hope our experience helps you prepare. Read our Courtyard Los Angeles L.A. LIVE hotel review Getting an Uber at 4:30 a.m. from Downtown Los Angeles to LAX We left the hotel at around 4:30 a.m. We were slightly worried about whether we would be able to find an Uber so early, but during our trip, a driver was available almost immediately. We requested a ride through the app, met the driver at the hotel entrance, and headed straight to LAX. With almost no traffic at that hour, the journey from Courtyard Los Angeles L.A. LIVE to the airport took only about 20 minutes. The fare was a little higher than we expected for such an early journey, but the ride itself was very smooth. Our experience reminded us that travel conditions can vary greatly depending on the day and time, so ...

Hollywood is one of those places you do not want to miss on a trip to Los Angeles. But you may be wondering, “Can I visit Hollywood without renting a car?” We decided to find out for ourselves. Our group of three travelers in their 60s, 70s, and 30s explored Hollywood entirely by public transportation. We visited the Hollywood Walk of Fame, TCL Chinese Theatre, In-N-Out Burger, which is especially popular with Japanese fans of Shohei Ohtani, and even the GRAMMY Museum. Here is our firsthand half-day Hollywood itinerary without a rental car. Getting to Hollywood by Metro from 7th St/Metro Center Los Angeles is often thought of as a city where you need a car, but Hollywood is actually easy to reach by LA Metro. We used 7th St/Metro Center Station. We were staying at Courtyard by Marriott Los Angeles L.A. LIVE, and the station was about a 10-minute walk from our hotel. The route was simple. We took the B Line toward North Hollywood and got off at Hollywood/Highland Station. The journey took approximately 20 to 25 minutes. At the time of our trip, the fare was $1.75 per person. LA Metro uses a TAP card system. If you use an iPhone, you can add a TAP card to Apple Wallet and simply tap your phone at the gate. As soon as we exited the station, we were right in the middle of Hollywood. We were able to enjoy sightseeing comfortably without renting a car. Hollywood Walk of Fame: Search for Your Favorite ...

Day two of our Dodgers experience was one of the highlights of our Los Angeles trip! This time, we traveled to Dodger Stadium in a Waymo self-driving car and tried Early Entry, which allowed us to enter the stadium about 90 minutes earlier than general admission. We also received a Yoshinobu Yamamoto bobblehead and had the incredible experience of seeing Shohei Ohtani as both a pitcher and hitter — plus a home run! It turned into an unforgettable day. Here is our firsthand Dodgers game-day experience from the perspective of a traveler in her 60s. Taking a Waymo Self-Driving Car to Dodger Stadium One of the most interesting transportation experiences in Los Angeles is Waymo, a fully autonomous ride service. Since we were already in LA, we thought, “We have to try it at least once!” So we decided to use Waymo on our way to Dodger Stadium. How Waymo Works and What It Was Like Using Waymo was very easy. Like Uber, you request a ride through an app. Our vehicle was a Jaguar, and the seats were comfortable. Relaxing background music was playing inside, which made the driverless experience feel even more unusual. One thing we learned was that the pickup point may not be directly in front of where you are standing. After requesting the ride, the app told us to board within two minutes, so we hurried toward the designated pickup point. It is a good idea to request your ride with enough time to reach the pickup location comfortably. Starting ...

“How do you get to Dodger Stadium?” “Is the shuttle bus really free?” If you are wondering what a Dodgers game day is actually like, this firsthand report may help. On May 26, 2026, I attended a Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Colorado Rockies game at Dodger Stadium. I was traveling in my 60s, and in this article I will take you through the entire day: from Little Tokyo to Union Station, how we used the free shuttle, what we ate at the stadium, and even an unexpected moment involving Shohei Ohtani. From Little Tokyo to Union Station by Metro Our day started in Little Tokyo. After spending some time sightseeing in Downtown Los Angeles, we took the Metro to Union Station. The ride only took a few minutes and did not require any transfers, so it was very easy. We also saw several Japanese travelers wearing Dodgers T-shirts and heading toward Union Station. Union Station is the main departure point for the free shuttle to Dodger Stadium, so taking the Metro is a convenient option. During our short ride from Little Tokyo to Union Station, we did not feel particularly unsafe. Free Shuttle from Union Station to Dodger Stadium Once you arrive at Union Station, head toward the west side of the station. There are signs throughout the station marked “DODGER STADIUM EXPRESS.” Simply follow the signs and they will lead you toward the shuttle pickup area. Even if you are not confident in English, the signs were easy for us to follow. This is ...

Before heading to a Dodgers game, we highly recommend stopping by Little Tokyo in Los Angeles. There are several shops where you can buy Dodgers merchandise, along with Japanese restaurants and Japanese grocery stores. For travelers from Japan, the area can feel especially comforting because Japanese language, food, and culture are all around you. If you want to pick up a Dodgers jersey or souvenirs before the game, Little Tokyo is a great place to start. You may also find plenty of ideas here to make your Dodgers experience even more enjoyable. How to Get to Little Tokyo: Is the LA Metro Really Unsafe? To visit Little Tokyo during our Los Angeles trip, we traveled from Courtyard by Marriott Los Angeles L.A. LIVE and used the Metro. You need a TAP card to ride public transportation in Los Angeles. It works like a reloadable transit card. You can buy one from a ticket machine, but if you use an iPhone, we found it very convenient to add TAP to Apple Wallet and load money in advance. At the station, you simply tap your phone or TAP card at the gate when entering. During our trip, we did not need to tap again when exiting. The fare was $1.75 per ride at the time, so we loaded small amounts as needed. We had often heard that “the LA Metro can feel unsafe,” but during our ride in the morning, we did not experience anything particularly frightening. We also saw a few Japanese tourists, which made us ...

During our Los Angeles trip, we visited Citadel Outlets hoping to find good deals on outlet shopping and Dodgers merchandise. A free shuttle bus to Citadel Outlets was available from a bus stop about a three-minute walk from our hotel, Courtyard by Marriott Los Angeles L.A. LIVE, so we thought getting there would be easy. We had no idea that it would turn into such an eventful day! Here is our firsthand experience traveling as a group of three, with travelers in their 60s, 70s, and 30s. Getting from Courtyard L.A. LIVE to Citadel Outlets by Free Shuttle A free shuttle bus operates to Citadel Outlets from several major hotels in Downtown Los Angeles. Courtyard by Marriott Los Angeles L.A. LIVE was one of the hotels on the route during our visit. Before leaving, we were excited because we thought, “It’s free and easy!” Unfortunately, we waited at the wrong bus stop for an entire hour. It was also a holiday schedule, and buses were running only about once per hour. Coming from Japan, we were used to expecting buses to arrive according to the published timetable. But in this case, we later realized that we had been waiting in the wrong place. We also learned that some buses in the United States may leave before the scheduled departure time once passengers have boarded. So it is safer to arrive at the bus stop early. An Uncomfortable Experience While Waiting for the Bus While we were waiting, someone approached us while shouting loudly, which made ...

After our morning activity,we returned to our hotel to change clothes　and then walked to　Patong Beach. It took us around eight minutes on foot　from the Royal Paradise Hotel. The sea looked beautiful, and plenty of people were relaxing under beach umbrellas. In this article, I’ll share our walk around Patong Beach and the lunch we had afterwards at Savoey Seafood, where we tried their popular crab curry. I’m also sharing the actual receipt for our lunch for three people. Patong Beach Was Full of People Relaxing by the Sea Spending a lazy day doing absolutely nothing at Patong Beach looked pretty tempting. Next time, I would like to come back without planning anything at all. Before our trip, I had read comments saying that Patong Beach was not especially beautiful, but when we visited, the sand looked white and the beach looked quite pretty to us. The sun was very strong, so sunglasses, a UV-protection cardigan or a rash guard can be useful.   It became far too hot to keep walking around comfortably and the sun was intense. At that point, we decided we needed to escape somewhere. We were hungry too, so we headed to the nearby Savoey Seafood. Savoey Seafood and Its Popular Thai Crab Curry Savoey Seafood is a long-established seafood restaurant in Patong. One of its popular dishes is Pu Pad Pong Curry, Thai-style crab stir-fried with yellow curry sauce and egg. We had gone inside partly to escape the heat, but... the restaurant was open-air and did not have air ...

While staying at The Royal Paradise Hotel & Spa, we skipped the hotel breakfast one morning and ate at the nearby Number 6 Restaurant instead. This popular little place can have a queue in the evening. We tried to go at night, but the line was too long to get in quickly, so we came back for breakfast. That turned out to be a great choice! Breakfast at Number 6: Tasty Thai Food in Patong Number 6 is not a large restaurant. We were shown to seats by the road. Customers were arriving throughout the morning, but it was much less crowded than when we had tried to visit at night. Based on our visit, breakfast was a good time to go! Wide, Wobbly Sen Yai Noodles—So Good! I chose a dish made with sen yai, wide, chewy rice noodles. You could choose the noodle width. I forgot to photograph the menu, so I can no longer tell you the exact name of my dish—oops! These noodles were much wider than the ones I usually see in Japan. One bite and I was delighted by their wonderfully soft, wobbly texture and savoury flavour! There were plenty of vegetables and prawns. The broth was a little thick, with just the right amount of saltiness for breakfast. I want to eat this again in Japan!! A Lighter Rice Noodle Soup with Vegetables We also ordered another rice noodle soup, with noodles a little like those in pho. It had plenty of vegetables and chicken, and the lightly ...

For the second and third days of our Phuket trip, we stayed at The Royal Paradise Hotel & Spa, a four-star hotel in the heart of Patong. With 350 rooms, a pool, a spa and dining with views over Patong and the Andaman Sea, this is a large hotel in a wonderfully convenient location. The shops, restaurants and lively streets of Patong are within walking distance. It felt like we could enjoy both a holiday atmosphere and the convenience of being right in town! We also met staff who spoke Japanese during our stay, which was reassuring for our group. Staff and available languages can change, so check with the hotel in advance if Japanese-language assistance is important to you. Here is our honest account of two nights in Patong, travelling with someone in her 60s. Our Triple Room and What We Paid We booked The Royal Paradise Hotel & Spa through Expedia. Room: Premier Triple Room with three single beds Price we paid: ¥49,868 per night for three people That was the price for our stay, not a current quote. Rates and room names may vary by date and booking site. When three people travel together, someone often ends up with an extra bed. Here, we each had a proper single bed! That was a big reason we chose this room. Our Room: Details We Appreciated When Travelling in Our 60s This is the approach to the hotel. The busy part of town was only about a three-minute walk away for us, making it ...

On the second day of our Phuket trip with a traveller in her 60s, we headed to the Phi Phi Islands! We visited famous spots including Maya Bay, and what a beautiful day it was! We booked our day tour through VELTRA. The tour included the Phi Phi Islands and Khai Island, with a speedboat ride, lunch, snorkelling and a choice of Japanese or English guide. Our driver picked us up from The Tint at Phuket Town at 7 a.m. The vehicle was clean and comfortable. The drive to the marina took about 40 minutes, with some morning traffic and rather long waits at traffic lights! Before You Book: What Travellers in Their 60s and 70s Should Check If you are considering a Phi Phi Islands speedboat tour, take a close look at the age, insurance and participation conditions before booking. Tour insurance and the age limit One line on the booking page caught my attention: travellers aged 71 and over are not covered by the insurance included with this tour. These islands are some distance from a hospital, and a speedboat can bounce quite hard over the waves. Reading the conditions made me realise that this is an outing worth planning carefully. This is an insurance condition for the tour we looked at, rather than a rule saying that everyone over 70 must stay away. If you are unsure whether the trip is suitable for you, check the current participation rules, insurance coverage and sea conditions with the operator before you book. Why I ...

On our first night in Phuket, we went to Raya Restaurant, a restaurant we had seen recommended in a YouTube video. It was also only about a four-minute walk from The Tint at Phuket Town, where we were staying, so the location was perfect. But of course, the important question was: How was the food? Here is everything we ate, how much it cost, and what we thought of one of Phuket Old Town’s well-known restaurants. What Is Raya Restaurant? A Historic Restaurant in Phuket Old Town Raya Restaurant is a long-established restaurant in Phuket Old Town. It opened in 1994 and is housed in a historic Sino-Portuguese-style building. The retro atmosphere gives the restaurant plenty of character. This is a place where you can try traditional Phuket cuisine (^^)/ Raya Restaurant has also been recognized by the Michelin Guide as a Bib Gourmand restaurant, a distinction given to restaurants offering good food at a reasonable price. Inside Raya Restaurant and How We Booked The interior was colorful and stylish too♪ I did not want to arrive and find the restaurant completely full, so we made a reservation in advance. You can make a reservation through the official Raya Restaurant website. If you are worried about getting a table, I recommend booking ahead. Lots of Menu Choices — Including Phuket Specialties Raya Restaurant has a large menu. There are also dishes that are especially associated with Phuket! You can check the menu on the official website before visiting too. What We Ate #1: Crab Curry ...

This is the next part of our walk around Phuket Town after having lunch at Mee Ton Poe. Read our Mee Ton Poe Phuket review Phuket may be best known for its beaches and resorts, but Phuket Old Town has a completely different charm. Colorful historic buildings, photogenic shops, fashion boutiques and stylish cafés line the streets, making it a fun area to explore on foot. In this article, we share our walk through Phuket Old Town, the colorful resort fashion and accessories we found, and our visit to the beautiful flower-filled Aungku Cafe. We stayed nearby at The Tint at Phuket Town, which made it easy to explore the area. Read our review of The Tint at Phuket Town Walking Through the Colorful Streets of Phuket Old Town Phuket Old Town is a historic district known for its distinctive architecture and colorful streets. Rows of pastel-colored buildings make the area feel almost like a storybook. The charming Sino-Portuguese-style architecture is one of the main reasons simply walking around the neighborhood is so enjoyable. This is the well-known clock tower in Phuket Town. There are plenty of photogenic spots around the area, so we found ourselves stopping again and again to take pictures. If you enjoy taking travel photos together, a selfie stick can be useful here. Colorful Fashion and Unique Shopping in Phuket Old Town One thing that really stood out to us was the amount of bright, colorful resort fashion. We found vivid dresses, beaded bags, sparkling accessories and plenty of fun tropical ...

Travelling to Cairns, Australia in our 60s♪ In our previous article,we shared the things we were glad to bring with us. What to Pack for Cairns: What We Were Glad to Bring in Our 60s This time,I’m sharing the things we brought to Cairns but did not really need. I hope this helps you pack a little lighter☆ Cash (Australian Dollars) A few days before leaving Japan, I exchanged just ¥5,000 worth of Japanese yen into Australian dollars. Since credit cards are accepted in many places, I thought ¥5,000 would be enough to start with, and if we needed more cash, we could exchange more in Cairns. But during our trip, we never actually had a situation where we needed to use cash. In the end, we spent the remaining Australian dollars at the duty-free shop at Cairns International Airport. Depending on the transport you use or the shops you visit, cash may still be useful, but on our trip, we barely needed it. I exchanged my money at C-Market at Ikebukuro Tobu Hope Centerin Tokyo. There were several currency exchange options in Ikebukuro, but at the time,this shop offered a better ratethan the other places I checked. These areAustralian dollar banknotes. They are made from polymer, so they can handle getting wet much better than ordinary paper notes. They are colourful, and some even have birds on them — very cute! You could even keep one as a souvenir. But if we're talking purely about what we actually needed for the trip, we did ...

Shopping was one of the fun parts of our trip to Cairns, Australia. This time, I’m sharing the souvenirs we actually bought in Cairns, where we found them, and a few things we learned along the way. Myer: Floral Mugs and Plates We bought a mug and plate at Myer at Cairns Central. Australia has so many colourful, decorative tableware designs. If you love pretty things, it is a very dangerous country for your wallet!! There were especially lots of floral designs, so if you love flowers, Myer is definitely worth looking around. If your timing is good, you may also find sale items at much lower prices. I bought this mug too♪ Compared with the mugs we normally use in Japan, it is quite large. It almost feels like a tumbler, so you can pour in a generous amount of tea or coffee. Maybe Australians simply like their mugs bigger too. Read our Myer Cairns shopping guide: Shopping at Cairns Central & Myer: Fashion, Homewares and Sale Finds This galah mug was too cute to leave behind, so we bought that too♪ We found it at the duty-free shop at Cairns International Airport before flying home. There are lots of bird-themed designs in Australia, so bird lovers may have a difficult time resisting them. We Used the Plate for Christmas Dinner When we used the plate for Christmas dinner, it looked so pretty. I was really glad we bought it. In fact, I wished we had bought more. These kinds of designs are harder ...

It was our first trip to Cairns, Australia, and with the weak Japanese yen, we were a little worried about costs too, so we brought quite a few things with us. This time, I’m sharing the things we were glad to bring to Cairns in our 60s. I hope this helps if you're planning your own trip. Budget-Friendly Items That Helped Us Save on Food If you want to keep costs down in Cairns, even replacing just one restaurant meal with food from a supermarket can help. Eating out can add up quickly, so having a simple meal in your hotel room worked well for us. This was the salad we bought♪ It felt much larger than the salads we normally see in Japan. This was half a roast chicken. At the time of our visit, it was around ¥1,500. Compared with the prepared chicken we often buy at supermarkets in Japan, the flavour felt simple and natural, and the meat was really juicy. We thought it was delicious! We have also tried roast chicken from a certain large warehouse-style supermarket in Japan, but personally, I preferred the Coles chicken by quite a long way. This amount was just right for two people. We were not especially hungry that evening, so it made a nice light dinner. When we visited, drinks were also cheaper at the supermarket than at convenience stores. Buying several drinks at once and keeping them in the hotel refrigerator was useful. A hotel with a kitchen is ideal, but if your ...

One of the liveliest places we visited in central Cairns was Cairns Night Markets. We bought souvenirs, had dinner in the food court and spent an easy evening looking around. When you hear “night market,” you might wonder: “Will it be tiring if it gets too late?” or “Will I feel comfortable walking around at night?” We only stayed for a relatively short time from late afternoon into the evening, and we found it easy to enjoy even in our 60s. In this article, I'll share what the Cairns Night Markets were really like when we visited, including food court options, souvenirs, nearby convenience stores and practical tips for older travellers. Cairns Night Markets: Basic Information Here is the basic information for Cairns Night Markets. Opening hours: Daily, 4:30 PM–11:00 PM Address: 54–60 Abbott St, Cairns City QLD, near the Esplanade Indoor market: Convenient even on rainy days Credit cards: Accepted at many shops, although this may vary Restrooms: Available Opening hours may change, so check the latest information before visiting. Prices shown in this article include prices from our own visit and may have changed. How Long Do You Need at Cairns Night Markets? One nice thing about the food court is that you do not usually have to wait as long as you might at a sit-down restaurant. So even if you do not have much time, you can still enjoy the market. If you want to browse souvenirs properly, I would allow a little longer. General visit: Around 1–2 hours Food court ...

During our trip to Cairns, Australia in our 60s, we also visited Green Island! Cairns is famous for the Great Barrier Reef, and Green Island is one of the most popular places to visit because it is easy to reach by ferry. We stayed at Shangri-La The Marina, Cairns, which is right beside the Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal. That meant we could enjoy breakfast and then walk to the ferry terminal in just a few minutes. If you're visiting Green Island by ferry for the first time, here is our very real experience. Great Adventures Gets to Green Island in About 45 Minutes When planning our trip, we compared two ferry operators: Great Adventures and Big Cat Green Island Reef Cruises. Great Adventures currently departs Cairns at 8:30 AM and 10:30 AM, with the trip taking about 45 minutes depending on weather conditions. Big Cat also offers multiple departure options. Its larger 9 AM vessel takes around 1 hour 15 minutes, while some services using the faster Reef Rocket take around 45 minutes. For us, Great Adventures worked best because of the departure time and the short ferry journey. We booked a package that included a choice of snorkelling equipment or a glass-bottom boat tour. Great Adventures still includes this choice in its Green Island Eco Adventure. Our Ferry Was VERY Rough — Motion Sickness Medication Helped Passengers who boarded early were offered coffee, tea and biscuits. But on this particular day, I was very glad I didn't drink coffee. Why? Because the weather was ...

During our trip to Cairns, Australia in our 60s, we ate steak at two different restaurants. Both were relatively affordable by Cairns standards! So in this article, I'll compare the two and share what we liked about each one.   The first was a time-limited $10 steak special at the pub on the ground floor of the Grand Hotel when we visited in 2024. The second was HOG'S BREATH CAFE, famous for its slow-cooked Prime Rib. We had read reviews saying people wanted to come back for the steak, so we decided to try it too! If you're looking for an affordable steak in Cairns or want to save a little on food while travelling, I hope our experience helps. We stayed at Shangri-La The Marina, Cairns during this trip. Read our Shangri-La Cairns review here. Grand Hotel Cairns｜We Tried the Time-Limited $10 Steak Special in 2024 We went to the pub on the ground floor of the Grand Hotel on our first day in Cairns. We didn't make a reservation. When we visited in 2024, there was a time-limited $10 steak special. The current regular menu lists a 300g rump steak at AUD 32, but the Grand Hotel still runs Daily Specials. There have also been reviews in 2025 and 2026 mentioning AUD 12 steak specials. The price, menu and available times can change, so I recommend checking the latest specials before visiting. When we visited, we had to order in English. But these days, even if you don't speak much English, translation apps ...

Shopping in Waikiki is part of the fun. Supermarkets, snacks, souvenirs... and of course the eternal question: “Where should I actually buy this?” We visited three places during our Hawaii trip: Waikiki Market, Target and HAWAIIAN CASUALS. And surprisingly, each one was good for completely different things. Some had better food. Some had cheaper souvenirs. And one sold a bottle of water for $2.39 that we had seen for $10 at a hotel in Los Angeles. Yes. The same kind of travel moment that makes you question every bottle of water you have ever bought（笑） Here is our firsthand comparison of what we found, what we bought and which store we would choose for different types of Waikiki shopping. Moana Surfrider is conveniently located for exploring central Waikiki on foot. Waikiki Market: Prepared Food, Sushi and Good-Priced Lion Coffee Waikiki Market is located upstairs from Piko Kitchen + Bar, where we enjoyed the $6 happy hour featured in another article. One of the things we liked most about Waikiki Market was the selection of ready-to-eat food. We found bread, inari sushi, California rolls, yaki udon and yakisoba. We actually tried the yaki udon and sushi, and both were good. The inari sushi tasted almost exactly like the kind we buy in Japan! After several days of traveling, sometimes something familiar suddenly tastes extra comforting. If you start missing Japanese food in Hawaii, this is a useful place to remember. The bread also seemed reasonably priced compared with many other things we saw around Waikiki. Lion ...

Waikiki is beautiful. Waikiki prices? Sometimes a little less beautiful. With food prices in Hawaii feeling expensive, it is always nice to find somewhere in the middle of Waikiki where you can eat without immediately worrying about the bill. That is exactly why we were happy to find Piko Kitchen + Bar. During happy hour, we found burgers and beer for just $6 each. Mamarin and I went to try it ourselves, so here is our firsthand look at the food, portion sizes and how quickly the restaurant filled up. And because dinner is obviously not enough（笑）, we also stopped by ALOHA GREEK for self-serve Greek yogurt ice cream afterward. If you are looking for reasonably priced food and dessert in Waikiki, this combination is worth knowing about. Both places featured in this article are conveniently located near Moana Surfrider in central Waikiki. Piko Kitchen Happy Hour: $6 Food and Drinks in Waikiki When we visited, Piko Kitchen offered happy hour every day from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. with selected beers, burgers and bao available for $6 each. French fries could be added for $5. Apparently, the happy hour items had previously been $5 and were later increased to $6. Still... $6 in the middle of Waikiki? Considering the prices we were seeing elsewhere, we were not complaining（笑） Please note that happy hour prices, hours and menu items can change, so check the latest menu before visiting. The Slightly Spicy Korean-Style Burger Was Perfect with Beer We ordered a Kalbi Burger and a Hot ...

Today we are sharing our experience riding the Waikiki Trolley Blue Line, one of the easiest ways to enjoy scenic views along the eastern side of Oahu without renting a car. We bought a one-day Blue Line ticket in advance and spent the day enjoying dramatic coastal scenery, a stop at Halona Blowhole, and a relaxing meal back in Waikiki at Island Vintage Coffee. For travelers who want to see more of Oahu while keeping walking and transportation relatively simple, this route can be a very convenient option. Check current Waikiki Trolley ticket options and prices below. Waikiki Trolley Blue Line: A Scenic Route Along East Oahu The Blue Line, now also described as the Ocean View Line, is one of Waikiki Trolley's scenic routes. During our trip, we boarded near the Duke Kahanamoku statue area and headed toward the eastern coastline. Check the latest Waikiki Trolley Ocean View Line information The route passes some of Oahu's best-known scenery, including views around Diamond Head and the dramatic coastline along Kalanianaole Highway. Depending on the current route and stops, it is also useful for travelers interested in areas such as Koko Marina, Kahala and the neighborhoods east of Waikiki. The trolley had wooden bench-style seats that felt more substantial than we expected. Because the vehicle is open-air, the wind can be surprisingly strong once it starts moving. On our day, our hair was flying everywhere, but that was part of the fun! We passed beautiful palm trees and lush green scenery. And then there was the ...

We stayed at Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa, Waikiki Beach, one of the most historic hotels in Hawaii. The hotel celebrated its 125th anniversary in 2026, making our stay feel especially memorable. We booked our room using Marriott Bonvoy points and spent several days enjoying the hotel, Waikiki Beach and its resort activities. This review shares our actual experience, including the room, beautiful photo spots, lei-making activity, pool, beach and practical facilities. What Is Moana Surfrider? Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa, Waikiki Beach opened in 1901 and is known as the “First Lady of Waikiki.” It was the first hotel built on Waikiki Beach and celebrated its 125th anniversary in 2026. The white historic exterior and classic architecture give the hotel a completely different atmosphere from many modern Waikiki resorts. Its location is another major advantage. The hotel sits directly on Waikiki Beach, putting the ocean, restaurants, shops and many of Waikiki’s attractions within easy reach. The hotel has also completed a major renovation of its three wings and historic lobby in connection with its 125th anniversary. Beautiful Photo Spots Around the Hotel One of the things we loved most about Moana Surfrider was how photogenic the entire property was. The hotel has many beautiful locations that reflect its long history, and it is also popular as a setting for wedding photography. One of the best places for photos is the white historic exterior and courtyard. Against Hawaii’s blue sky, the elegant colonial-style building looks beautiful in photos. It really made ...

After checking out of Courtyard Los Angeles L.A. LIVE, we headed to LAX for the next part of our trip: Hawaii! This time, we flew from Los Angeles to Honolulu on an American Airlines domestic flight. From finding an Uber at 4:30 a.m. and exploring LAX before departure to discovering that our flight did not include a complimentary meal, this article shares our entire travel experience. We also cover what we ate onboard, how we used Wi-Fi during the flight, and how we traveled from Daniel K. Inouye International Airport to Waikiki after landing. If you are planning to fly from Los Angeles to Honolulu, especially as part of a longer international trip, we hope our experience helps you prepare. Read our Courtyard Los Angeles L.A. LIVE hotel review Getting an Uber at 4:30 a.m. from Downtown Los Angeles to LAX We left the hotel at around 4:30 a.m. We were slightly worried about whether we would be able to find an Uber so early, but during our trip, a driver was available almost immediately. We requested a ride through the app, met the driver at the hotel entrance, and headed straight to LAX. With almost no traffic at that hour, the journey from Courtyard Los Angeles L.A. LIVE to the airport took only about 20 minutes. The fare was a little higher than we expected for such an early journey, but the ride itself was very smooth. Our experience reminded us that travel conditions can vary greatly depending on the day and time, so ...

This time, I want to introduce a foot massage place in Taipei that we were really happy with. It is called Thousand Miles Foot Massage Therapeutic Spa. This article is based on our actual visit in 2018, but the spa is still operating today and online reservations are currently available. Please note: Current prices and service information below have been updated using the spa’s official website. Our Foot Massage at Thousand Miles in Taipei The first thing we noticed was how clean and spacious the spa felt. The reception area was large, and there were plenty of staff members working. The whole place was much bigger than I expected. The official website currently describes the facility as approximately 1,255 square meters, with several massage areas and VIP rooms. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1} We had walked a lot during our Taiwan trip, and the massage we tried the previous day had honestly been disappointing. So by this point, Mamarin in her 60s was completely exhausted. When we visited at around 7 p.m., the spa was busy and we waited for about 30 minutes. There were also quite a few Japanese travelers waiting. Today, online reservations are available, so if your schedule is already fixed, booking ahead may be more convenient. A Large Spa with Private and VIP Rooms Then it was finally time for our massage. We went upstairs to the treatment area. The upper floor was also spacious and clean. Honestly, this may have been one of the largest massage spas I had ever seen. And even with ...

This is the next part of our Finemakers Hsinchu tour. This was the streetscape around Beipu. The roads felt quite wide, with plenty of shops along the way. For lunch, we tried traditional Hakka cuisine. And honestly, the Hakka food was delicious! The flavors felt surprisingly familiar to us as Japanese travelers. This article is based on our visit in 2018, so individual restaurants and services may have changed since then. A Different Side of Taiwan: Hakka Food and Culture in Beipu One of the things I enjoyed about our Hsinchu tour was that we could experience food and culture that felt very different from central Taipei. Beipu is still known today as one of Hsinchu County’s important Hakka areas, with historic streets, traditional Hakka food and lei cha experiences. It made Hsinchu feel like a completely different side of Taiwan. Lunch at Beipu Shitang: A Table Full of Hakka Food For lunch during our Hsinchu tour, we ate Hakka cuisine at a restaurant called Beipu Shitang. Everything we tried here was really good. I thought the flavors would also be easy for many Japanese travelers to enjoy. And then the food arrived... Ta-da! The whole table was covered with food! This was when I realized that Hakka cuisine felt quite different from the Chinese food I was more familiar with. The seasoning let the ingredients themselves stand out. This dish reminded me a little of Japanese kishimen noodles. It was so good! This was a soup with bamboo shoots and seaweed. It had a ...

On the fourth day of our Taiwan trip, we joined a tour of Hsinchu with Finemakers. This was my first proper visit to Hsinchu, and I really enjoyed it. In fact, I ended up liking Hsinchu much more than I expected! It felt different from Taipei, with a more local atmosphere and plenty of food, history and culture to discover. This article is based on our visit in 2018, so prices and individual shops may have changed since then. Our First Stop: Hsinchu City God Temple Our first stop was Hsinchu City God Temple. I found this place really interesting. We only had a short time here, but honestly, I wished we could have stayed longer. Around the temple, there were lots of small shops and food stalls. This was a shop selling dried foods and local products. Our guide recommended the peanut butter, so of course we bought some! We tried it after returning home. It was not very sweet, so rather than spreading it on bread, I thought it might actually work better in savory dishes or dressings. Once we went farther inside, there were food stalls everywhere. It was still morning, but plenty of local people were already eating. The atmosphere felt quite different from a night market. You could really get a glimpse of everyday local life. That was part of what made it so much fun! Learning How to Pray at a Taiwanese Temple And right beside all those food stalls was this impressive temple. A temple and so many ...

This was part of our Finemakers tour exploring eastern Taiwan, Taroko and the historic streets of Hualien. After enjoying Hualien’s beautiful natural scenery, we headed to Pine Garden, a historic site dating back to the Japanese colonial period. The area was once connected with military activities, and buildings and an air-raid shelter from that era have been preserved. After that, we also visited other historic buildings and explored the railway heritage around the former Hualien Station area. Please note: This article is based on our visit in 2018 and has been updated with more recent historical and visitor information. Visiting Pine Garden and Its Japanese-Era History This is the historic exterior of Pine Garden. Located near the foot of Meilun Mountain in Hualien, the site was used for military purposes during the Japanese colonial period. It was associated with the former Hualien Harbor Army Military Affairs Department, and Japanese naval personnel were also stationed in the area. Today, the historic buildings have been preserved as part of Hualien’s cultural heritage. I was surprised that buildings from the Japanese colonial period had been preserved so well. I really didn’t expect them to be in such good condition! The buildings continued to be used for different purposes after the war before eventually being preserved as a historic site. Going Inside the Air-Raid Shelter at Pine Garden Pine Garden also has an air-raid shelter dating from the Japanese colonial period. Of course, Mamarin wanted to go inside. The stairs were narrow! Even in her 60s, she had to ...

This is another story from our Finemakers tour through eastern Taiwan, Taroko and Hualien. During our 2018 trip, after visiting Swallow Grotto and the Eternal Spring Shrine in Taroko, we headed to Qingshui Cliffs. Qingshui Cliffs remains one of Hualien’s most spectacular scenic spots. Please note: This article is based on our firsthand visit in 2018 and has been updated with current information. Some areas around Taroko are still affected by restoration work and changing traffic restrictions, so check the latest access information before visiting. Qingshui Cliffs in Our 60s — Beautiful Even on a Cloudy Day! Qingshui Cliffs is one of the most dramatic landscapes on Taiwan’s east coast, with steep green mountains dropping almost directly into the sea. Looking out over the lush mountains and the ocean below felt soooo good. Ta-da! It was cloudy that day, and it was still this beautiful. The color of the sea changes depending on the weather and light, so I would love to come back and see it on a bright sunny day too. I can only imagine how beautiful the water must look then! Mountains and ocean almost crashing together in front of us. The scenery felt enormous. We were blown away. Mamarin in her 60s approved too. The Chongde Recreation Area overlooking Qingshui Cliffs has reopened after restoration work following the earthquake. However, road restrictions and closures around the wider Taroko area can still change, so it is worth checking the latest information before your visit. Trying Indigenous Taiwanese Food — What Would It ...

After leaving our hotel, we headed to two of Taroko’s famous sights: Swallow Grotto and the Eternal Spring Shrine. The scenery was dramatic, with huge rock walls rising around the gorge. Seeing it in person had far more impact than I expected. Please note: Swallow Grotto Trail and the Eternal Spring Shrine area are currently closed while restoration work continues after earthquake and typhoon damage. This article is based on our firsthand visit in 2018, with current access information added. Always check the latest Taroko National Park information before visiting. Walking Swallow Grotto in Our 60s — Helmets, Cliffs and Huge Views! Swallow Grotto runs through a dramatic marble gorge carved by the Liwu River. The rock walls rise steeply on both sides, and you can see holes and patterns formed by erosion in the cliffs. When we visited, we wore helmets while walking through the area because of the risk of falling rocks. So yes, I was a little nervous. But then I noticed something important. My cardigan was light blue... and my helmet was light blue too. Perfect coordination（笑） At least if I was going to walk through a gorge in a helmet, I was going to match. Then I looked down. Okay... that was pretty scary! The walkway was high above the gorge, and the river looked very far below. When I took photos with my phone, I found myself holding it much tighter than usual. All I could think was: “If I drop this phone, I won’t be able to write ...