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 ...
“Oita is famous for hot springs, but isn’t summer too hot for onsen?” That question from our editor-in-chief Mamarin inspired us to look for cool and refreshing places to enjoy in Oita Prefecture. Oita is known as one of Japan’s most famous hot spring destinations, but not every hot spring is hot. You can also find refreshingly cool hot springs, including a 32°C naturally carbonated outdoor bath. And there is much more than onsen. From limestone caves and mountain scenery to dolphin experiences and ropeways, Oita has plenty of places where you can enjoy a cooler side of Japan. Here are five refreshing places in Oita that are also easy to enjoy for travelers in their 60s. Tsukumi Dolphin Island｜Meet and Swim with Dolphins in Tsukumi If swimming with dolphins has always been on your wish list, Tsukumi Dolphin Island is a fun place to visit. Located in Tsukumi City, this ocean-side attraction offers dolphin performances, trainer experiences, feeding programs, and even “Swim with Dolphins” experiences. Compared with similar attractions near Tokyo, the prices also feel relatively accessible. If you do not want to start with a more active experience, you can simply watch the dolphins or try feeding them first. Then, depending on your energy level and comfort, you can gradually try more interactive programs. The dolphin feeding experience is ¥500 per cup. One of the most memorable experiences here is taking a boat ride while dolphins swim right beside you. It feels very different from watching them from a platform. You can see ...
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 ...
Does a trip to Hawaii always have to be expensive? Actually, Waikiki has quite a few free things to do and useful free services if you know where to look. On this day, we rode the Pink Line trolley, took anniversary photos at a beautiful beach, watched the Hilton fireworks, enjoyed a real hula show, and finished with drinks and a massage chair at the Rakuten Card Lounge. We enjoyed all of them for free. If you have been thinking, “Hawaii is too expensive for me right now,” this article may change your mind a little. PR: We booked our Hawaii trip through Expedia. Ride the Waikiki Trolley Pink Line for Free with a JCB Card The Waikiki Trolley has several routes, including the Blue Line and other sightseeing lines. For getting around Waikiki, the Pink Line is especially convenient. It connects areas such as Ala Moana Center and Waikiki, making it useful for both sightseeing and shopping. If you have an eligible JCB card, show it when boarding and you can ride the Pink Line for free under the current JCB campaign. Without the JCB benefit, the Pink Line one-day pass costs $6. You do not need an expensive premium card for this benefit. JCB also offers various Hawaii discounts and benefits, so having one can be useful when travelling in Waikiki. The trolley is a double-decker bus, and I recommend sitting upstairs if the weather is good. The view is much better and the open-air ride feels wonderful. One small warning: 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 ...
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 ...
