KOKO HOTEL Premier Tokyo Bay Makuhari opened on June 18, 2026, adding a new hotel option to the Makuhari Bay area in Chiba. We were invited to the hotel’s opening preview and had the opportunity to stay overnight, so this review is based on our actual experience. With convenient access from Kaihin-Makuhari Station, modern guest rooms, a large public bath, sauna and Hawaiian-style breakfast, the hotel works well for travelers visiting Makuhari for events, sightseeing or business. In this review, we take a closer look at the rooms, public bath, breakfast and the details that stood out during our stay. Only 3 Minutes from Kaihin-Makuhari Station KOKO HOTEL Premier Tokyo Bay Makuhari is conveniently located near JR Kaihin-Makuhari Station. It is about a three-minute walk from the station’s South Exit and around one minute from the South Exit of the Park Gate. The location is particularly useful for travelers visiting Makuhari Messe, nearby shopping facilities or other attractions around the Makuhari Bay area. Being close to the station also means less walking with luggage, which we appreciated after a long day. Guest Rooms: Compact, Modern and Functional The guest rooms have a simple, sophisticated design. Our room was relatively compact, but everything was arranged efficiently and it felt comfortable for an overnight stay. One feature we especially liked was that the bathroom and toilet were completely separate. This is much more convenient than a typical unit bathroom, particularly when sharing a room with another person. The bathroom had both a shower and a bathtub, with ...
This time, three of us traveled to Los Angeles to see the Dodgers: Mamarin in her 60s, MASAHIRO in his 70s, and Megumi in her 30s. We flew American Airlines from Tokyo Haneda Airport to Los Angeles. If you are wondering, “What is American Airlines really like?”, this article shares our honest experience from the perspective of older travelers. We cover the Premium Economy seats, inflight meals and onboard service, as well as immigration tips at LAX and how we took an Uber from the airport to our hotel. Departing from Tokyo Haneda Airport Terminal 2 Our journey began at Haneda Airport Terminal 2. Boarding for our American Airlines flight began about 45 minutes before departure. Through the large windows near the gate, we could see the American Airlines aircraft waiting outside. It was the moment when the excitement really began to build. Mamarin was full of energy and ready to go. Our flight departed at 11:55 a.m. The flight was American Airlines Flight 170, and the scheduled flight time was approximately 10 hours and 5 minutes. American Airlines Premium Economy Seats For this trip, we decided to spend a little extra and upgrade to Premium Economy. We originally booked Economy through Expedia, then later changed our seats to Premium Economy through the American Airlines seat-selection page. The additional cost was ¥19,510 per seat, approximately US$125–130 at the exchange rate at the time. My conclusion: the extra legroom was absolutely worth it. Because the seat was more comfortable, the 10-hour flight felt surprisingly manageable. MASAHIRO, ...
After spending time with the deer at Nara Park, we headed to a traditional Japanese sweets shop that I had wanted to visit for a long time: Kashiya (樫舎). The shop is located not far from Nara Park, in a quiet area of Naramachi lined with traditional Japanese townhouses. Its simple white noren curtain and beautifully restored machiya-style building immediately caught our attention. When we visited, the shop was very popular and there was a line outside. A Highly Regarded Wagashi Shop in Nara Kashiya is a well-known wagashi shop in Nara and has been selected for Tabelog's prestigious Hyakumeiten list. The shop is also known for producing traditional sweets connected with important Nara temples and shrines, including Kasuga Taisha and Yakushiji. Japanese singer-songwriter Masashi Sada has also publicly spoken about his fondness for the shop. Despite its reputation, the atmosphere inside was relaxed and welcoming. The traditional wooden interior had the warmth of an old Japanese townhouse, and the staff were very kind. Both eat-in and takeaway were available during our visit. The Popular Wagashi Course Was Not Available During Our Visit One of the special experiences at Kashiya is its seasonal wagashi tasting course. Unfortunately, the owner was away in Tokyo for an event at Takashimaya when we visited, so the wagashi course was not being served that day. It was a little disappointing, but we had come all this way, so we decided to buy some sweets to take away instead. Beautiful Cherry Blossom Nerikiri We chose this seasonal cherry blossom-colored nerikiri. ...
We traveled from Osaka to Nara by train and finally got to do something we had wanted to try for a long time: feeding the deer at Nara Park. Nara Park is a sightseeing destination that can be enjoyed by visitors of all ages. It is also easy to combine with an Osaka trip, with the journey taking around an hour by train. In this guide, we share what we learned about traveling from Osaka to Nara, feeding the deer safely, toilets, places to take a break, and visiting Todaiji Temple and the Great Buddha. Getting from Shin-Osaka to Nara by Train From Shin-Osaka, the journey to Nara takes around one hour by train. That makes it easy to enjoy both Osaka and Nara during the same trip. We traveled on a public holiday, but the train was not especially crowded and we were able to sit down. The scenery gradually became quieter and more rural as we approached Nara. It was very relaxing. We arrived at JR Nara Station. Coin lockers are available at the station. At the time of our visit, large lockers cost around ¥1,300 and smaller lockers around ¥1,000. Locker prices may change. Women’s Restrooms at JR Nara Station Can Get Busy One practical thing we noticed was that the women’s restroom at JR Nara Station was very crowded. We waited around 15 minutes before getting in. Weekends and public holidays can be busy in Nara, so it is worth allowing extra time. There are restrooms inside Nara Park, but the ...
During our trip to Osaka, we stayed at Courtyard by Marriott Shin-Osaka Station. We chose this hotel mainly because of its convenient location for traveling by Shinkansen, and after staying here, our conclusion was simple: it is an extremely convenient and comfortable hotel for travelers using Shin-Osaka Station. Being so close to the station made traveling much easier, especially when carrying luggage. For travelers in their 60s and beyond, reducing the amount of walking between trains and the hotel can make a big difference. Here is our detailed review of the room, bathroom, breakfast buffet and access. Just 1 Minute from Shin-Osaka Station Courtyard by Marriott Shin-Osaka Station is located approximately one minute on foot from JR Shin-Osaka Station. After getting off the Shinkansen, you can reach the hotel almost immediately. That is especially convenient when you have large suitcases, when it is raining, or when you are simply tired after a long journey. For travelers in their 60s and beyond, staying close to the station can make the trip much easier. During our stay, we also noticed many international guests. A Comfortable Marriott Hotel in Shin-Osaka Courtyard by Marriott is part of the Marriott hotel group. The brand is not positioned as ultra-luxury, but it offers comfortable rooms, reliable service and a polished atmosphere. That makes this hotel easy to use for first-time visitors to Osaka, business travelers and tourists who prioritize convenience. Our High-Floor Twin Room We booked a twin room on a higher floor. The room had a calm, simple design with ...
The official Dodgers website is entirely in English. Prices are shown in U.S. dollars, taxes are added later, and tickets generally cannot be canceled after purchase. “Am I really choosing the right ticket?” “Once I click this button, is that it?” My hands were shaking before I finally completed the purchase. In this article, based on my actual experience purchasing tickets through the official Los Angeles Dodgers website, I will explain the entire process in detail, including how to navigate the ticket pages, recommended seating areas, actual ticket prices, and tips for avoiding mistakes. If you are planning to see Shohei Ohtani and the Dodgers in person, especially if you are an older traveler or purchasing MLB tickets for the first time, I recommend reading this guide before you begin. You can also read about the mistakes I made when buying Dodgers tickets here. ▼If you plan to buy Dodgers tickets yourself, you can also compare flights and hotels to Los Angeles on Expedia. Our editor has used Expedia as well. How to Buy Dodgers Tickets on the Official Website Here is how to purchase tickets through the official Los Angeles Dodgers website. For older travelers, or anyone who finds small smartphone screens difficult to navigate, I recommend using a computer because the seating chart and ticket information are much easier to see. It is also a good idea to create your free account before tickets go on sale. First, go to the Single Game Tickets page from the menu. When you reach the ...
This year, I finally decided to travel to Los Angeles to watch a Dodgers game in person! Now that I am in my 60s, I do not want to keep putting off the things I truly want to do. I thought, “If I am ever going to see Shohei Ohtani play at Dodger Stadium, now is the time!” and decided to make the trip happen. Although the actual trip was still several months away, I purchased tickets for two Dodgers games on the first day tickets went on sale. I bought both tickets through the official Dodgers website, but purchasing tickets on an English-language website was definitely nerve-racking. In this article, I will share what I learned from actually buying the tickets, including the mistakes I made and some useful tips that may help you avoid the same problems. If you are planning to watch a Dodgers game in Los Angeles, this article includes several important things I wish I had known beforehand, so I hope you will read through to the end. I Panicked When Dodgers Tickets Suddenly Went on Sale I purchased my tickets through the official Los Angeles Dodgers website. The whole experience was much more rushed than I expected, so I want to share what happened to help other travelers avoid the same situation. The Actual Ticket Sale Schedule Was Earlier Than I Expected Beforehand, I had found information suggesting that Dodgers tickets would usually go on sale around two to three months before the game. Because of that, ...
We stayed at Atami Pearl Star Hotel, one of the luxury hotels in Atami, Shizuoka. In this review, we share our firsthand experience of the guest room, hotel facilities, dinner and breakfast, with plenty of photos. The hotel enjoys an open location directly facing the sea, while the interior has an elegant and relaxing atmosphere. We also enjoyed summer activities such as Japanese shaved ice and stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) in the sea of Atami. Atami Pearl Star Hotel combines beautiful ocean views with refined hospitality, making it a wonderful choice for adult travelers, multigenerational trips, and those traveling with parents. It is especially recommended if you are looking for a relaxing and sophisticated stay in Atami. If you are considering staying at Atami Pearl Star Hotel, we hope this review helps you plan your trip. Japanese Shaved Ice Made with Local Shizuoka Ingredients After checking in, we were welcomed in the lounge with Japanese sweets and Shizuoka green tea. It was such a lovely touch and immediately helped us settle into the relaxing atmosphere of the hotel. Afterward, we stayed in the lounge to enjoy the hotel's seasonal summer shaved ice. The luxurious shaved ice desserts use ingredients from Shizuoka and were available in four flavors: Benihoppe strawberry, Shizuoka matcha, Meyer lemon, and Mishima mango. Each flavor highlights local ingredients from Shizuoka. I chose the Shizuoka matcha shaved ice (¥2,200 including tax, excluding service charge). Homemade ice cream was hidden inside the shaved ice, and it came with kuromitsu brown sugar syrup ...
This is another stop from our trip to Togura Kamiyamada Onsen in Chikuma, Nagano Prefecture. This time, we are introducing two places we visited during the trip: Tokura-juku Kitty Park, located near Club Wyndham Chikumakan, and Raiden Kurumi no Sato, a Japanese roadside station we stopped at on the drive back toward Tokyo. Both offered a different side of Nagano beyond hot springs and traditional inns. Walking Around Tokura-juku Kitty Park Tokura-juku Kitty Park is a large park located about a 10-minute drive from Club Wyndham Chikumakan. We were told that the park becomes especially beautiful during cherry blossom season, when the area is filled with blooming sakura. We visited in autumn, so there were no cherry blossoms. The weather had also remained relatively warm, and the autumn leaves had not yet changed much in color. Even so, the enormous tengu statue was quite impressive. It is not every day that you find a park with such a large tengu, so it immediately caught our attention. We visited on a weekday and there was almost nobody around, which made the huge park feel surprisingly peaceful. Feeding Goats and Rabbits During our visit, visitors could give cabbage to the goats and rabbits. The goat took a small bite at first... ...and then walked away. A staff member told us that the goat preferred bananas, which apparently made cabbage much less exciting! It was a funny little moment during our visit. Next, we fed cabbage to the rabbits. The rabbits were separated into male and female areas. ...
During our trip to Chikuma City and Togura Kamiyamada Onsen in Nagano Prefecture, we stayed at Club Wyndham Chikumakan. In our previous articles, we introduced the guest rooms, hot spring baths and meals at the ryokan. Read our Club Wyndham Chikumakan room review Read our Club Wyndham Chikumakan onsen and dining review This time, we are sharing one of our favorite lunches from the trip: Shinshu soba. The soba was delicious, the set meal was generous, and we especially loved the rich walnut dipping sauce. If you are visiting Chikuma or Togura Kamiyamada Onsen, this is a local food experience worth considering. Shinshu Soba at Kaya: Delicious Walnut Soba in Chikuma We visited Soba Ryori-dokoro Kaya, a soba restaurant located about a 10-minute drive from Club Wyndham Chikumakan. The restaurant serves Shinshu soba, including soba with a distinctive walnut dipping sauce. We arrived at around noon, and the restaurant was already busy, so we had to wait a little before being seated. We ordered a weekday limited set that was also limited in quantity during our visit. Along with Shinshu soba, the set included several small dishes such as: Tempura Walnut tofu Japanese rolled omelet Simmered dishes Sushi Dessert The highlight for us was definitely the walnut soba. The dipping sauce was thick, rich and full of walnut flavor, and it paired beautifully with the soba. This was one of the most delicious soba meals we had on the trip. The restaurant also explained that it pays attention to the ingredients used in its dishes. ...
