Tokyo is the capital of Japan and is the second largest city proper in the OECD. The Greater Tokyo Area is the most populous metropolitan area in the world
Tokyo, as the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, is Japan's largest domestic and international hub for rail, ground, and air transportation. Public transportation within Tokyo is dominated by an extensive network of clean and efficient
Tokyo has many universities, junior colleges, and vocational schools. Many of Japan's most prestigious universities are in Tokyo, including University of Tokyo, Hitotsubashi University, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Waseda University, and Keio University. Some of the biggest national universities in Tokyo are:
Hitotsubashi University
National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies
Ochanomizu University
Tokyo Gakugei University
Tokyo Institute of Technology
Tokyo Medical and Dental University
Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology
Tokyo University of Foreign Studies
Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology
Tokyo University of the Arts
University of Electro-Communications
University of Tokyo
Wednesday, May 20, 2015
Milan // Italy
Milan is widely regarded as a global capital in industrial design, fashion and architecture. In the 1950s and 60s, as the main industrial centre of Italy and one of Europe's most dynamic cities, Milan became a world capital of design and architecture
Milan is a major national and international centre of the performing arts, most notably opera. Milan hosts La Scala operahouse, considered one of the most prestigious operahouses in the world.
Milan is home to many cultural institutions, museums and art galleries, that account for about a tenth of the national total of visitors and receipts.
Like most cities in Italy, Milan has developed his own local culinary tradition, which, as it is typical for North Italian cuisines, uses more frequently rice than pasta, butter than vegetable oil and features almost no tomato or fish.
Milan hosted the FIFA World Cup in 1934 and 1990, the UEFA European Football Championship in 1980 and most recently the 2003 World Rowing Championships, the 2009 World Boxing Championships, and some games of the FIVB World Championship in 2010 and the final games of the FIVB World Championship in 2014.
Milan is the only city in Europe that is home to two European Cup/Champions League winning teams - Serie A renewed football clubs A.C. Milan and F.C. Internazionale Milano.
Milan is home to some of Italy's most prominent educational institutions. Milan's higher education system includes 7 universities, 48 faculties and 142 departments, with 185,000 university students in 2011 (approximately 11 percent of the national total) and the largest number of university graduates and postgraduate students (34,000 and more than 5,000, respectively) in Italy.
Milan is one of southern Europe's key transport nodes and one of Italy's most important railway hubs. Its five major railway stations, among which the Milan Central station, are among Italy's busiest. Since the end of 2009, two high speed train lines link Milan to Rome, Naples and Turin, considerably shortening travel times with other major cities in Italy.
Milan is a major national and international centre of the performing arts, most notably opera. Milan hosts La Scala operahouse, considered one of the most prestigious operahouses in the world.
Milan is home to many cultural institutions, museums and art galleries, that account for about a tenth of the national total of visitors and receipts.
Like most cities in Italy, Milan has developed his own local culinary tradition, which, as it is typical for North Italian cuisines, uses more frequently rice than pasta, butter than vegetable oil and features almost no tomato or fish.
Milan hosted the FIFA World Cup in 1934 and 1990, the UEFA European Football Championship in 1980 and most recently the 2003 World Rowing Championships, the 2009 World Boxing Championships, and some games of the FIVB World Championship in 2010 and the final games of the FIVB World Championship in 2014.
Milan is the only city in Europe that is home to two European Cup/Champions League winning teams - Serie A renewed football clubs A.C. Milan and F.C. Internazionale Milano.
Milan is home to some of Italy's most prominent educational institutions. Milan's higher education system includes 7 universities, 48 faculties and 142 departments, with 185,000 university students in 2011 (approximately 11 percent of the national total) and the largest number of university graduates and postgraduate students (34,000 and more than 5,000, respectively) in Italy.
Milan is one of southern Europe's key transport nodes and one of Italy's most important railway hubs. Its five major railway stations, among which the Milan Central station, are among Italy's busiest. Since the end of 2009, two high speed train lines link Milan to Rome, Naples and Turin, considerably shortening travel times with other major cities in Italy.
Auckland // New Zealand
Attractions and buildings
Auckland Civic Theatre – a famous heritage atmospheric theatre built in 1929. It was renovated in 2000 to its original condition.
Harbour Bridge – connecting Central Auckland and the North Shore, an iconic symbol of Auckland.
Auckland Town Hall – with its concert hall considered to have some of the finest acoustics in the world, this 1911 building serves both council and entertainment functions.
Auckland War Memorial Museum – a large multi-exhibition museum in the Auckland Domain, known for its impressive neo-classicist style, built in 1929.
Aotea Square – the hub of downtown Auckland beside Queen Street, it is the site of rallies and arts festivals.
Aotea Centre - Auckland Civic Centre building completed in 1989.
St Patrick's Cathedral – the Catholic Cathedral of Auckland. A 19th century Gothic building which was renovated from 2003 to 2007 for refurbishment and structural support.
Britomart Transport Centre – the main downtown public transport centre in a historic Edwardian building.
Eden Park – the city's primary stadium and a frequent home for All Blacks rugby union and Black Caps cricket matches. It was the location of the 2011 Rugby World Cup final.[103]
Karangahape Road – known as "K' Road", a street in upper central Auckland famous for its bars, clubs, smaller shops and being a former red-light district.
Kelly Tarlton's Sea Life Aquarium – a well-known aquarium and Antarctic environment in the eastern suburb of Mission Bay, built in a set of former sewage storage tanks, showcasing penguins, turtles, sharks, tropical fish, sting rays and other marine creatures.
MOTAT – Auckland's Museum for Transport and Technology, at Western Springs.
Mt Smart Stadium – a stadium used mainly for rugby league and soccer matches. Also the site of many concerts.
New Zealand Maritime Museum – features exhibitions and collections relating to New Zealand maritime history at Hobson Wharf, adjacent to the Viaduct Basin.
Ponsonby – a suburb and main street immediately west of central Auckland known for arts, cafes, culture and historic villas.
Queen Street – the main street of the city, from Karangahape Road down to the harbour.
Sky Tower – the tallest free-standing structure in the Southern Hemisphere, it is 328 m (1,076 ft) tall and has excellent panoramic views.
Vector Arena – events centre in downtown Auckland completed in 2007. Holding 12,000 people, it is used for sports and concert events.
Viaduct Basin – a marina and residential development in downtown Auckland, the venue for the America's Cup regattas in 2000 and 2003.
Western Springs Stadium – a natural amphitheatre used mainly for speedway races, rock and pop concerts.
Landmarks
Auckland Domain – one of the largest parks of the city, close to the CBD and having a good view of the harbour and of Rangitoto Island.
Maungawhau / Mount Eden – a volcanic cone with a grassy crater. As the highest natural point in Auckland City, it offers 360-degree views of Auckland and is thus a favourite tourist outlook.
Takarunga / Mount Victoria – a volcanic cone on the North Shore offering a spectacular view of downtown Auckland. A brisk walk from the Devonport ferry terminal, the cone is steeped in history, as is nearby Maungauika (North Head).
Maungakiekie / One Tree Hill – a volcanic cone that dominates the skyline in the southern, inner suburbs. It no longer has a tree on the summit (after a politically motivated attack on the old tree) but is still crowned by an obelisk.
Rangitoto Island – guards the entrance to Waitemata Harbour, and forms a prominent feature on the eastern horizon.
Waiheke Island – the second largest island in the Hauraki Gulf and is well known for its beaches, forests, vineyards and olive groves.
Auckland Civic Theatre – a famous heritage atmospheric theatre built in 1929. It was renovated in 2000 to its original condition.
Harbour Bridge – connecting Central Auckland and the North Shore, an iconic symbol of Auckland.
Auckland Town Hall – with its concert hall considered to have some of the finest acoustics in the world, this 1911 building serves both council and entertainment functions.
Auckland War Memorial Museum – a large multi-exhibition museum in the Auckland Domain, known for its impressive neo-classicist style, built in 1929.
Aotea Square – the hub of downtown Auckland beside Queen Street, it is the site of rallies and arts festivals.
Aotea Centre - Auckland Civic Centre building completed in 1989.
St Patrick's Cathedral – the Catholic Cathedral of Auckland. A 19th century Gothic building which was renovated from 2003 to 2007 for refurbishment and structural support.
Britomart Transport Centre – the main downtown public transport centre in a historic Edwardian building.
Eden Park – the city's primary stadium and a frequent home for All Blacks rugby union and Black Caps cricket matches. It was the location of the 2011 Rugby World Cup final.[103]
Karangahape Road – known as "K' Road", a street in upper central Auckland famous for its bars, clubs, smaller shops and being a former red-light district.
Kelly Tarlton's Sea Life Aquarium – a well-known aquarium and Antarctic environment in the eastern suburb of Mission Bay, built in a set of former sewage storage tanks, showcasing penguins, turtles, sharks, tropical fish, sting rays and other marine creatures.
MOTAT – Auckland's Museum for Transport and Technology, at Western Springs.
Mt Smart Stadium – a stadium used mainly for rugby league and soccer matches. Also the site of many concerts.
New Zealand Maritime Museum – features exhibitions and collections relating to New Zealand maritime history at Hobson Wharf, adjacent to the Viaduct Basin.
Ponsonby – a suburb and main street immediately west of central Auckland known for arts, cafes, culture and historic villas.
Queen Street – the main street of the city, from Karangahape Road down to the harbour.
Sky Tower – the tallest free-standing structure in the Southern Hemisphere, it is 328 m (1,076 ft) tall and has excellent panoramic views.
Vector Arena – events centre in downtown Auckland completed in 2007. Holding 12,000 people, it is used for sports and concert events.
Viaduct Basin – a marina and residential development in downtown Auckland, the venue for the America's Cup regattas in 2000 and 2003.
Western Springs Stadium – a natural amphitheatre used mainly for speedway races, rock and pop concerts.
Landmarks
Auckland Domain – one of the largest parks of the city, close to the CBD and having a good view of the harbour and of Rangitoto Island.
Maungawhau / Mount Eden – a volcanic cone with a grassy crater. As the highest natural point in Auckland City, it offers 360-degree views of Auckland and is thus a favourite tourist outlook.
Takarunga / Mount Victoria – a volcanic cone on the North Shore offering a spectacular view of downtown Auckland. A brisk walk from the Devonport ferry terminal, the cone is steeped in history, as is nearby Maungauika (North Head).
Maungakiekie / One Tree Hill – a volcanic cone that dominates the skyline in the southern, inner suburbs. It no longer has a tree on the summit (after a politically motivated attack on the old tree) but is still crowned by an obelisk.
Rangitoto Island – guards the entrance to Waitemata Harbour, and forms a prominent feature on the eastern horizon.
Waiheke Island – the second largest island in the Hauraki Gulf and is well known for its beaches, forests, vineyards and olive groves.
A field of Orange Daylily: Liushishi Mountain
Liushishi Mountain(Sixty Stone Mountain) is located to the east of Zhutian Village, Fuli Township, in Hualien County. It is situated at an elevation of around 800 meters above sea level, in the Coastal Mountain Range. There is a daylily field of 300 hectares in size, and along with Chihke Mountain, this is regarded as one of Hualien County's two large daylily cultivation areas. So why is this area called Liushishi Mountain(Sixty Stone Mountain)?
According to locals, during the Japanese occupation era, the average paddy field could only yield around forty or fifty dan of millet. (A "dan" is a unit of dry measure for grain equal to 100 liters). However, in this area, the average paddy field could yield sixty dan of millet, thus it was called LiushishiMountain(Sixty dan Mountain). Because the Chinese character used for the word dan is the same as the one used for the word stone, this name became "Liushishi Mountain(Sixty Stone Mountain)".
Every August to September is the season of orange daylily in full bloom, which is the most crowded period in Liushishi Mountain, full of tourists for viewing this scene of the field of Orange daylily.
Hualien is famous for its scenes, unlike the capital city, Taipei. I grew up in Hualien and I love country side more than city. Taiwan is small and so kinda hard to find a place that full of natural scenes. So if you got 7-days trip to Taiwan, don't miss Hualien!
Tuesday, May 19, 2015
Toys, home appliance and maids: Akihabara
Akihabara (秋葉原), also called Akiba after a former local shrine, is a district in central Tokyo that is famous for its many electronics shops. In more recent years, Akihabara has gained recognition as the center of Japan's otaku (diehard fan) culture, and many shops and establishments devoted to anime and manga are now dispersed among the electronic stores in the district. On Sundays, Chuo Dori, the main street through the district, is closed to car traffic from 13:00 to 18:00 (until 17:00 from October through March).
Akihabara has been undergoing major redevelopment over the years, including the renovation and expansion of Akihabara Station and the construction of new buildings in its proximity. Among these newly opened buildings were a huge Yodobashi electronics store and the Akihabara Crossfield, a business complex with the aim of promoting Akihabara as a center for global electronics technology and trade.
Electronics
Hundreds of electronics shops, ranging from tiny one man stalls specializing in a particular electronic component to large electronics retailers, line the main Chuo Dori street and the crowded side streets around Akihabara. They offer everything from the newest computers, cameras, televisions, mobile phones, electronics parts and home appliances to second-hand goods and electronic junk.
A few chain stores such as Sofmap and Laox each operate multiple specialized branches along the main roads, while small independent shops can be found in the side streets. The only mega sized store is the Yodobashi Camera complex on the east side of the station.
Note that some of the electronics on sale are only intended for use in Japan due to voltage and other technical differences, Japanese language documentation and limited warranties. However, several stores also feature a selection of international models intended for overseas use, and most also offer tax free shopping to foreign tourists on purchases of over 10,000 yen (passport required).
Otaku Goods
The character of Akihabara has constantly changed over the decades and continues to do so. In the last decade Akihabara has emerged as a center of Japanese otaku and anime culture, and dozens of stores specializing in anime, manga, retro video games, figurines, card games and other collectibles have filled the spaces between the electronics retailers.
In addition to shops, various other animation related establishments have become popular in the area, particularly maid cafes where waitresses dress up and act like maids or anime characters, and manga cafes (manga kissa), a type of internet cafe where customers can read comics and watch DVDs in addition to having access to the internet.
The Fireworks Festival: Penghu
Penghu’s shores and waters are marvelous sights to catch during the day, but at night, life on the archipelago tends to slow down. However, each year there’s one show that truly lights up the night sky: the Penghu Fireworks Festival. Visitors pour into Penghu each summer to watch the biweekly fireworks that go off between April and June. The dazzling pyrotechnics are shot off the bridge at Guanyin Pavilion and sparkle over the sky for several minutes.
Although the festival livens up the night life on Penghu and brings smiles to the faces of visitors, it has a tragic origin. On May 25, 2002, China Airlines flight 611 was flying over Penghu en route to Hong Kong. Unfortunately, the plane malfunctioned in midair due to faulty repairs. The plane plunged into the Taiwan Strait, claiming all 225 lives on board.
Penghu suffered a huge decline in tourism after the crash and local authorities had to come up with a way to lure visitors back. They cooperated with China Airlines and held an event on Chinese New Year with flight attendants staging a Moulin Rouge-style dance. In addition, there was a 30-minute fireworks display. The event turned out to be a huge hit, so the locals decided to hold the gathering every year in order to boost tourism. The first Fireworks Festival took place in 2003. It’s now one of Penghu’s most renowned attractions and one more reason to make the trek to these enchanting islands.
The fireworks festival has opened now and will be ended in 25th of June. Don't miss this beautiful spot if you are traveling Taiwan!
Thursday, April 30, 2015
Shopping Paradise: Hong Kong!
Hong Kong is perhaps the best shopping place in the world with reasonable prices, various products, and best service. In Hong Kong, shopping is not only the act of buying things, but also a form of recreation, a way of life.
Most goods from all over the world, except wine and cigarettes, are tax free, and prices are relatively low.
The best three buys are clothes, cosmetics and electrical appliances. Shops in Hong Kong offer not only goods but also a comfortable shopping environment, as they combine shopping and recreation.
Many shopping malls have restaurants, book stores, and cinemas, some large ones even have skating rinks. Some book stores have a café, enabling customers to choose their favorite books in a relaxed atmosphere.
At Christmas:Unlike other places around the world there aren't any pre-Christmas sales, yet still people flood to the malls around Christmas.
In Hong Kong, the shops and shopping malls are everywhere in different districts. Some shopping districts are gathered in high-end stores, while others have more local markets. What to see, what to buy, the first selected shopping area and then starting from well able to pick goods.
- The Hong Kong Island - Central
As Hong Kong's financial and commercial center and heart, it is full of many world-class brands stores designer boutiques, restaurants, displaying a high-style shopping environment. Pedder Street is one of the busiest streets, lined with banks and its brand stores everywhere, and the modern design "LANDMARK （置地廣場）" is a famous shopping mall in this essence of the area, many international brands have opened a flagship store here including Louis Vuitton, Loewe, Dior, Gucci.
- Kowloon - Tsim Sha Tsui
There are numerous department stores, shopping malls and streets of trendy shops in Tsim Sha Tsui, making you a best shopping map. Harbour City, the Hong Kong's largest mall, has more than 400 stores, Lane Crawford, JOYCE and many international brands are opening stores here. Nearby Beijing Road and Canton Road is lined with boutiques such as Louic Vuitton, Gucci, Dior and so on. Across the road is "1881", a collection of historical monuments and fashion brand stores, that make you have the shopping experience passing through ancient and modern. And once you get tired of shopping, You can go to the near East Tsim Sha Tsui MTR Station Center and Empire Centre, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong's longest open-air cafe Alfresco Lane sit back and enjoy the stunning views of Victoria Harbour, while sampling international cuisine. Then keep shopping!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)