“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 ...
This time, we stayed at the Courtyard by Marriott Los Angeles L.A. LIVE. Two members of our group, in their 60s and 70s, stayed here and experienced the hotel firsthand. In this review, we share what we liked, what we found inconvenient, and what the surrounding area felt like in terms of safety. If you are considering staying in Downtown Los Angeles, we hope this guide helps you plan your trip. A Convenient Location Next to L.A. LIVE The Courtyard by Marriott Los Angeles L.A. LIVE is located in Downtown Los Angeles, right next to the L.A. LIVE entertainment complex. It is about a 30-minute drive from Los Angeles International Airport, and the location is convenient for visiting Dodger Stadium and Little Tokyo. When we entered the lobby, we found a spacious, open area with high ceilings. A large floral artwork immediately caught our attention. The lobby also has a convenience shop and café-bar area that is open 24 hours. There is also a television, and according to the staff, Dodgers games are sometimes shown there. Room Review: Spacious and Comfortable, But Check What Is Missing We stayed in a corner room with two queen beds. The room felt spacious, and the beds had comfortable cushioning that made it easy to sleep. The gray, artistic wallpaper also gave the room a stylish atmosphere. However, there were several differences from what we are used to at hotels in Japan, so it is worth checking the room amenities before your trip. No Electric Kettle in the ...
During our autumn trip to Ikaho Onsen in Gunma Prefecture, we explored several interesting places outside the main hot spring town. After staying at our hotel and walking along Ikaho’s famous Stone Step Street, we visited Housuiji Temple, a nostalgic traditional sweets shop called Kabiya, and the Gunma Maitake Center. These stops added a completely different side to our Ikaho trip, with mountain views, traditional Japanese atmosphere and local Gunma food. ▶ Find hotels in Ikaho Onsen on Rakuten Travel Housuiji Temple: Panoramic Views Near Ikaho Onsen One of the most impressive places we visited near Ikaho was Fo Guang Shan Housuiji Temple. The temple is connected to Fo Guang Shan in Taiwan and is known for its large-scale architecture and elevated location overlooking the surrounding area. It has also attracted attention among Japanese visitors as a filming location associated with the movie Kingdom. The temple sits high above the surrounding landscape, and reaching the main buildings involves climbing a long staircase. If stairs are difficult for you, take your time and use the handrails where available. The view from the top was even better than we expected. From the grounds, you can look out over Shibukawa and the surrounding mountains. We stopped for a while simply to enjoy the scenery. Drinks, Temple Visit and Omikuji There was also a small cafe area during our visit. We bought tapioca milk tea and enjoyed it while looking out over the scenery. A sweet drink with a mountain view made a nice break between sightseeing stops. Visitors ...
During our autumn trip to Ikaho Onsen in Gunma Prefecture, we stayed at Hotel Kogure, one of the area’s long-established ryokan. For travelers who love Japanese hot springs, this hotel has a lot to offer. We especially enjoyed its spacious rooms, extensive onsen facilities, relaxing footbath, Japanese dinner and generous breakfast buffet. In this review, we share our actual stay at Hotel Kogure, including the room, hot springs, meals and the features we found comfortable for travelers in their 60s and beyond. About Hotel Kogure in Ikaho Onsen Hotel Kogure is one of Ikaho Onsen’s historic ryokan. According to the hotel, its history dates back to 1576, giving it more than 440 years of history. The hotel has long been associated with Ikaho’s famous hot spring source known as Kogane-no-Yu, or the Golden Hot Spring. Despite its long history, the hotel itself felt spacious and comfortable rather than old-fashioned. The lobby, hallways and bathing facilities all have plenty of room, which helped the property feel calm even when other guests were around. During our stay, this sense of space was one of the things we appreciated most. The hotel can also work well for a birthday, anniversary or special trip when you want something a little more luxurious than an ordinary hotel stay. There is a large parking area, and the hotel currently offers pick-up service from the local bus stop for guests using public transportation. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2} A Spacious Lobby and Welcome Drinks One of the first things that impressed us was how large and ...
We visited Ikaho Onsen in Gunma Prefecture to enjoy the autumn leaves and hot springs. Ikaho is a nostalgic Japanese onsen town famous for its 365 stone steps. In addition to hot springs, visitors can enjoy traditional streets, mountain scenery, local sweets and regional food while exploring at a relaxed pace. In this guide, we share our experience walking through the Stone Step Street, riding the Ikaho Ropeway and trying the famous Mizusawa Udon, along with practical tips we learned during our visit. ▶ Find hotels near the Ikaho Stone Steps on Rakuten Travel Walking Ikaho Onsen’s Famous 365 Stone Steps The Stone Step Street is the symbol of Ikaho Onsen. Even before reaching the main staircase, we could see steam rising nearby, immediately giving the area the atmosphere of a traditional Japanese hot spring town. The staircase has 365 steps, and numbers along the way show how far you have climbed. This photo was taken around step 124. Cafes, pudding shops and souvenir stores line both sides of the staircase, so there are plenty of reasons to stop along the way. Looking back from the steps, we could see the surrounding mountains. The scenery was especially beautiful during autumn. Along the way, we found an unusual spot filled with tiny yellow ducks. It was a fun and unexpected photo spot during our walk. Buying Pudding and Almond Jelly on Stone Step Street After climbing the steps, something sweet felt like the perfect reward. We stopped at Yunohana Pan and bought pudding and almond jelly. ...
We visited Ashikaga Flower Park in Tochigi Prefecture to enjoy roses and the spectacular winter illumination. Ashikaga Flower Park is famous throughout Japan for its seasonal flower displays and large-scale illumination event. The illuminated gardens feel almost like stepping into another world, and we have been impressed every time we visit. In this guide, we share what we learned from our visit, including why arriving in the late afternoon worked so well and our favorite illumination and photo spots. We also include updated information for the 2026–2027 illumination season. Ashikaga Flower Park Illumination 2026–2027: Dates, Hours and Admission For the 2026–2027 season, Ashikaga Flower Park’s winter illumination “The Garden of Illuminated Flowers” is scheduled to run from October 17, 2026 to February 14, 2027. The current planned night-session information is: Why We Recommend Arriving in the Late Afternoon When we visited, we entered at around 3:30 p.m. This turned out to be a great time to arrive. Many visitors come mainly for the nighttime illumination, so the park felt relatively quiet when we first entered on a weekday. Arriving before sunset gave us time to enjoy the flower gardens in daylight before the illumination began. It also made taking photos easier because there were fewer people around. Benefit 1: Enjoy Flowers Before the Lights Turn On The rose season was nearing its end during our visit, but there were still many different varieties in bloom. Because the park was quieter in the late afternoon, we could look around and take photos without feeling rushed. It ...
During our trip to Beppu in Oita, we stayed at Ooedo Onsen Monogatari Premium Fugetsu. As the name suggests, Premium Fugetsu is part of the higher-tier “Premium” line within the Ooedo Onsen Monogatari hotel group. Compared with the standard brand, the Premium line offers upgraded dining, facilities, and a more refined atmosphere. One of the biggest differences we noticed was the buffet. There were more freshly prepared dishes served hot, including live-kitchen items, tempura, grilled dishes and onsen-steamed food. The hotel also offers onsen baths, a spacious lounge, comfortable guest rooms, and both dinner and breakfast buffets. Based on our stay, we felt it offered very good value for the overall experience. In this article, we share our firsthand experience with plenty of photos. What Is Ooedo Onsen Monogatari Premium Fugetsu? Premium Fugetsu belongs to the higher-tier Premium line of Ooedo Onsen Monogatari hotels. The dining experience, facilities, and overall atmosphere are upgraded compared with the standard line. Highlights include: Convenient location for sightseeing around Beppu, including the Beppu Hells Large public baths with an open-air bath Upgraded dinner and breakfast buffets A spacious Premium Lounge It works well as a base for sightseeing and can suit couples, families, multigenerational groups, and older travelers. Choose Your Yukata After Check-In Next to the front desk, there is a yukata selection area where guests can choose what to wear inside the hotel. There were many different patterns and sizes, including options for both adults and children. Being able to choose your favorite design makes the stay feel ...
We visited Harmonyland, a Sanrio theme park located in Hiji, Oita Prefecture. It is a dreamlike place where you can meet Hello Kitty, My Melody, Cinnamoroll, and other popular Sanrio characters. During our visit, we enjoyed character photo opportunities, shows, rides, lunch, and souvenir shopping. Harmonyland is incredibly cute, but it is not just for children. Adults can enjoy it too, especially if you love Sanrio characters, photography, or relaxed theme parks. What Is Harmonyland in Oita? Harmonyland is a Sanrio theme park in Hiji, Oita Prefecture, where visitors can meet Hello Kitty and many other famous Sanrio characters. Unlike Sanrio Puroland in Tokyo, Harmonyland is an outdoor theme park surrounded by nature. That gives the park a more open and relaxed atmosphere. Flowers and seasonal events change throughout the year, so the atmosphere can be different each time you visit. We went during the Halloween season, and even the flower displays featured Sanrio characters in seasonal costumes. Meet My Melody, Cinnamoroll and Other Sanrio Characters One of the best things about Harmonyland is the chance to meet popular Sanrio characters and take photos with them. When we visited, we were able to take photos with My Melody and Cinnamoroll. The characters available may change depending on the date and time. My Melody was incredibly cute. The staff kindly took several photos for us. Next was Cinnamoroll. Even before we reached the room, Cinnamoroll was already waving to us. Too cute～～! We were able to take such a cute photo. Because the photo area has ...
