Looking Around in Japan

Every year I have training in Japan. I usually go wherever I wanted to go every weekend. Japan is such a wonderful place having over three thousand islands extending along the Pacific coast of Asia of about 70% to 80% of the country is forested and mountainous, which makes it unsuitable for agricultural, industrial, or residential use. Japan is generally steep elevations, climate and risk of landslides caused by earthquakes, soft ground and heavy rain.

What I really want in Japan is in the fields of scientific research, technology, machinery and medical research. Japan's more important technological contributions are found in the fields of electronics, automobiles, machinery, industrial robotics, optics, chemicals, semiconductors and metals.

Walking Around in Gunma Prefecture

My company is in Gunma prefecture, a landlocked prefecture in the Kanto Region that is famous for its many high quality hot springs and beautiful mountains. When I was in Japan I enjoy walking from my apartment to my company. It is also a form of my exercise. And is effective in burning my fats.

Kusatsu Onsen is Gunma's most famous hot spring resort which is blessed with large volumes of high quality hot spring water that is said to cure every illness. The spring is situated at an altitude of 1200 meters above sea level in the mountains of Gunma Prefecture and offers skiing in winter and hiking during the rest of the year to be enjoyed in combination with hot spring bathing.

My Memorable AOTS

One of my most memorable stay in Japan is when I joined the Association for Overseas Technical Scholarship (AOTS). AOTS is the first technical cooperation organization on a private basis in Japan which aims to promote international economic cooperation and enhance mutual economic development and friendly relations between any countries and Japan.

We have stayed at one of the Kenshu Centers, specifically at Yokohama Kenshu Center, during our period of the general orientation course. I have enjoyed my stay at the center and feels like home because each center is designed for the trainees as a home-away-from-home as well as a place of study. It is furnished with facilities like rooms with bathrooms, dining hall, seminar rooms and lounge. We usually have video conference system when we have lectures. The center is quipped with a video library and automated video information system. And to make the stay more enjoyable and memorable, there are lots of cultural and social activities such as sports meets, dance parties and bus picnic tours.

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Minakami-onsen Hot Spring and Mt. Tanigawa

During my On- the job training in Japan, I have been to this hot spring resort where I have enjoyed numerous outdoor sports. Minakami-onsen (hot spring resort) is located in the northern part of Gunma. It is said to have been found in around 16th century and is a generic term for Minakami, Yubiso, Tanigawa, Unose, Takaragawa, and Yunokoya Spas.

In getting there, take a bus from Jyomo Heights to Minakami Onsen, which takes about 10 minutes. In order to get to Mt. Tanigawa, take another bus from Jyomo Heights to Tanigawa Ropeway, which takes about 55 minutes. Tokyo Station is about 2 hours 30 minutes from Shin-Osaka Station by the JR Tokaido Shinkansen Line.

We can have the chance to view fine views of Mt. Tanigawa, Mt. Hotaka, Mt. Shibutsu. The town has several scenic spots such as Lake Fujiwara-ko, Lake Togen-ko, and Lake Okutone-ko. The town is also known for its skiing grounds such as Tenjindaira slopes. You can also enjoy outdoor sports like rafting. But I never tried. Maybe I will on my next visit.

Mt. Tanigawa is a mountain located in the northwestern part of Gumma, on the border with Niigata. The mountain belongs to Jyoshinetsu Heights National Park. It consists of two peaks, Tomano-mimi and Okino-mini, also called the two mimis (two ears). It is also known as the lowest mountain in Honshuu that keeps perpetual snow. It takes about 10 minutes to cover the 2.3 kilometers between Tanigawa-Doaiguchi and Tenjindaira, 1,321 meters above sea level, by the Tanigawadake Ropeway. The grandeur of the Tanigawa Mountains enjoyed from the window of the ropeway car never fails to fascinate.

Rugby in Japan

I love watching rugby.For me rugby is not a game, it is a life style because it is not drawn simply from the physical competition on the pitch, but also from camaraderie that develops from sharing such an uncommon to common bond. I have watched rugby in Japan many times and found out that rugby just starts on the field but is reinforced during the post game gatherings, I mean the party, when opponents break bread and toast each other with drink and song. To them winning is not everything, they value the test of competition and the spirit of the game even more.

Moscow's Khodynka Arena

A large open space in the north-west of Moscow, Moscow's Khodynka Arena takes its name from the small Khodynka River which used to cross the neighborhood. Prior to becoming an airfield, Khodynka field was the site of the ill-fated coronation of Tsar Nicholas II. A stampede caused by a rumoured shortage in souvenir coronation mugs resulted in more than 1000 people being trampled to death.

Khodynka was the site of the first Russian powered flight, and became a regular airfield, in use through the late 1980s. Also, the Russian National Air & Space Museum is at Khodynka.

On October 13, 2007 the four time heavyweight champion of the world, Evander Holyfield will take on the current WBO Heavyweight Champion, Sultan Ibragimov in a 12 round showdown for the WBO World Heavyweight Championship Live from Moscow's Khodynka Arena.

Mandalay Bay Events Center

Mandalay Bay Events Center is a 12,000 seat indoor arena. It is part of the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, a 39-story hotel casino on the famed Las Vegas Strip in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA and has 3,309 hotel rooms and a casino of 135,000 ft² (13,000 m²).

The Mandalay Bay Events Center hosts events including boxing, the UFC's MMA pay-per-views and concerts. Usually has hosted in the past top-rank boxing and UFC events, as well as concerts with artists like Destiny's Child and Shakira. It also was host to the NBA All-Star Celebrity Basketball Game, featuring Desperate Housewives' James Denton, Wayne Newton as one of the team's Assistant coaches and many other celebrities.

Recently, the WBC International super featherweight boxing event took place on October 6. Once again the Filipino Fighter Manny Pacquiao proves he is the King of Ring by winning a 12 rounds unanimous decision Against the Mexican legend Marco Antonio Barrera. Barrera did not make his revenge to Manny Pacquiao, one of the sports most exciting fighters Pilipino sensation!

Pacquiao "The Will To Win" >

Round 1

Round 2

Round 3

Round 4

Round 5

Round 6

Round 7

Round 8

Round 9

Round 10

Round 11

Round 12

Tarlac City Video

Tarlac City, Philippines

Hello guys! I wanna share something about me hoping I may able to get your attention even just a minute of your precious time.

I was born in Pangasinan but I am now living in Tarlac City, Philippines for 5 years now. There are a lot of beautiful places where we could spend during our free time.

Luisita Industrial Park
Luisita Industrial Park provides all types of businesses, especially Manila based manufacturers who like to set regional offices and of course, Tarlac based businesses and entrepreneurs. Components are office lots, office buildings and even showrooms.
There is a good road and drainage systems, water and power supply, wide parking space, and the like.

Plaza Luisita Mall
Plaza Luisita Center is a 2-storey structured shopping complex. It was the first shopping complex in Central Luzon. It has a multi- cinema complex, selected boutiques, fast food outlets, grocery stores, appliance center, and other shops.

Luisita Golf & Country Club
Luisita Golf & Country Club is an 18-hole championship course, which assures excellent playing conditions and a most enjoyable golf course! It is an exclusive golf club, which has one of the most challenging and exciting golf courses in the country. The 11 holes have water hazards. Facilities include lunch, dinner, bar snacks, tea and coffee, club bar, hotel, changing rooms, shops, function room, and driving range.

The Homesite
The Homesite provides basic amenities like school, church, basketball court, and playgrounds. It provides a good drainage, water, power and communication systems, where many families enjoy living.

The Great Wall

With its great history, unique architectural style, construction size and world’s longest human-made structure The Great Wall of China became one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
The wall extends approximately 6,700 kilometers (4,163 miles) from east to west of China. The Great Wall was build as a defensive strategy for the enemy of the north. It was build independent walls for different state until the Qin Dynasty Emperor Qin Shiquang had successfully joined the walls and became the Great Wall.
The walls was rebuild and restored several times due to ruins, the part of the Wall that is still in its original state is in Simatai, 110km north-east of Beijing.
The first time I visited the Great Wall, I can imagine how many labor force had worked to build this gigantic wall. It’s a great experienced to learn the history behind the Great Wall of China. Tourist visiting China must not miss this history of more than 2000 years.

Tagaytay City Philippines

Tagaytay City is about 60 km / 37 miles south of Manila in the mountains of Cavite Province. With its cool climate, fresh air, serene surroundings and astonishing views Tagaytay was considered as the 2nd summer capital of the Philippines. This is a perfect place for relaxation and leisure activities like picnics, horseback riding, camping, and golfing, plus breath taking sightseeing.

Tagaytay is the home of Taal Volcano which is the world’s smallest active volcano. It is a complex volcanic system composed of a small volcanic island one of the great volcano-tectonic depressions of the world. The magnificent view of Taal Lake and Taal Volcano is a must seen for everyone.

It is one of my greatest experience to be part of Tagaytay City.

The Island of BORACAY

With its pristine shores, fine white sand, wonderful night life, cool blue waters and thousand of visitors. BORACAY had made it again to be one of the TOP 10 Best Beaches in the World.
BORACAY had been also known for its great activities such as Recreational Sports a perfect place for playing beach volleyball, tennis, golf and bowling. Day and Night Party’s where the island turns into a dance floor. Diving; dive around the island and experience the beauty of the underwater world, and many more. All of these can be experience in Boracay.
BOARCAY is the perfect place for you, your family and friends.

Taipei 101

The Taipei 101 Tower was constructed and was completed in 2004. It was officially became the world’s talles in October, 2003, when the final section of the spire was put into place. It holds three of the world’s tallest building titles. They are, tallest to structural top, tallest to roof, and highest occupied floor.

Why the tower is called Taipei 101? It is named Taipei 101 since the tower has 101 stories above ground and has five underground.

The building is the most technologically advanced skyscraper constructed to date. The building features fiber-optic and satellite Internet connections allowing speeds up to 1 gigabit per second. The tower includes a six-floor retail mall with shops, restaurants, and other attractions. The indoor observation deck is located on the 89th floor while the outdoor observation deck is located on the 91st floor. They are all open to public.

Taipei 101’s architecture is inspired by traditional Chinese buildings. Ancient coins were firmly attached to the exterior of the 26th floor and a Feng Shui master was consulted as part of the design process. Both the building’s interior and exterior incorporate the Chinese pagoda form and the shape of bamboo flowers.

Chiang Kai-shek Memorial, Taipei

The memorial was built to commemorate the life of fomer president of R.O.C., Chiang Kai-Shek (1887-1975). Chiang Kai-shek, Chinese statesman and military leader, who was a pivotal figure in the history of modern China, was born in Fenghua, Zhejiang Province.

The park covers 62 acres with nicely landscaped gardens, ponds, walkways and exercise areas, with a wide open plaza. The Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall is located in Taipei City's Chungshan South Road.

Memorial Hall

The Memorial Hall, in bright white marble is topped by an octagonal roof of brilliant blue-glass covered tiles that reaches a height of 250 feet. The memorial statue and hall is on the upper level while the lower level of the structure contains an exhibition center and a library. The architecture of the memorial itself is modeled after the pyramid-like top of Tiantan in Peking.

National Concert Hall and National Theater
The National Chiang Kai-shek Cultural Center consists of two buildings: The National Concert Hall and the National Theater. Both halls are important centers for the performing arts in Taiwan.
The National Concert Hall capacity crowd of 2,070 people can gather here.
The National Theater is extremely well suited for musical shows, opera, ballet and modern dance.

The Plaza
The plaza in front of the memorial is often used for large scale shows, fairs, public activities and folk performances. International groups also frequently perform here.

This photo was taken during my stay here in Taiwan. It was Chinese New Year in Taiwan when I go to this place!

Yokohama Sea Paradise

Yokohama is an integral part of the greater Tokyo area and a major urban center, has its own personality stemming from its role as one of the greatest international seaports of Asia. Located at the tip of Yokohama Bay, the Hakkeijima Sea Paradise is a leisure land home of one of the top aquariums in Japan with 500 different varieties of fish with more than 100,000 sea creatures in all. It is leisure land surrounded by nature and is a new generation style amusement park.

The island is approximately 24ha, is 18 times bigger than the grounds of the Tokyo Dome. The island itself is free to enter and walk around as it is maintained by the City. There are a variety of beautiful flower gardens which you can stroll around at leisure, taking in the sights and smells of the ocean, making this an ideal picnic spot.

It has a variety of attractions that make up the Sea Paradise amusement park. The island has 14 amusement rides, the popular Museum Aquarium and marine life show, a selection of restaurants and hotels.

Rides
At 107 meters high, you can enjoy an exhilarating vertical fall amusement, the blue fall. There is Japan's first surf or roller coaster that swings out over the water as well as some rides suited for the younger visitor to the park. The amusement rides are all priced individually.

Aquarium Museum
The Aquarium Museum is probably the most famous of the park's attractions. The large glass exhibits give you a rare opportunity to glimpse at life under the waves. The names of the fish are written in English as well as in Japanese.

Fishing Pier
A fishing pier attracts thousands of eager fishermen and women each year. The professional, the amateur, the young and the old, can all be seen trying their best to catch their dinner. You can take home anything that you catch, although you are advised to throw back undersized or young fish in line with environmental and conservation concerns. The lodge has fishing equipment for rent as well as providing life jackets for children.

Marine Show
The show is conducted entirely in Japanese. However, show is mostly visual and the talking generally consists of introductions of the marine life and their trainers.

How to Access
Take the Yokohama- Yokosuka Rd., Exit. Continue on National Route 357 about four kilometers to Hakkeijima, and use the Sea Paradise parking facility. Automobiles are not allowed on the island.

Asakusa, Japan

Asakusa is a temple town, which have preserved a certain atmosphere of the old Tokyo. This atmosphere of old Japan attracts many tourists throughout the year. Usually, many people visit Asakusa during New Year's holidays and festivals. History said that during the Edo period, it marked the Northern limit of the city. It was where the out-classed such as the prostitutes, yakusas and priests lived. In the Meiji era, it was in Asakusa where the first public cinema opened, where the first Western operas were shown and the like.

The Kaminari-mon Gate near Asakusa station leads the way to the temple. It cannot be missed with its huge red lantern and two evil-looking protectors: Fuujin, God of Wind and Raijin, God of Thunder.

Asakusa's main attraction is Sensoji, a very popular Buddhist temple, built in the 7th century.

Most tourists visiting Asakusa will probably see the small souvenirs shops along the Nakamise-dori, between Kaminari-mon and Senso-ji. It is the ideal place to look for traditional Japanese goods such as yukata, red lanterns, lacquer boxes or Buddhist statues.

Asakusa remains a place of entertainment. It was the site of kabuki theaters and a large red light district. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, modern types of entertainment, including movies, set foot in Asakusa.

Tarlac City Video

AKIHABARA

Akihabara is Tokyo's famed Electric Town and one of the most animated places in the universe to shop! It is where you can find Japan's big-name consumer electronic and computer makers. And these makers compete each other to be the first to market with the season's latest products. Akiba, as its shortened name, is located less than five minutes by rail from Tokyo Station.

It was 2003 when I first see this place and I was amazed what I have seen. I saw computers, computer peripherals and latest gadgets all around the corner. Manga, anime, videodiscs, and game software are the million sellers. Hand parts for the do-it-yourself PC builder are readily available. Tools, electrical parts, wires, microsized cameras and more are to be found. Foreign tourists tend to visit the big name shops like Laox, where I bought some watches for my family and friends. Akiba is really famous as an electronics wholesale district.

After tough days' shopping, even you are tired, can be certain of one thing: you'll be back!

Nikko National Park, Japan

Japan is a mountainous country where 90% of its land is covered by mountains. This is why the country has many and great scenes like Nikko National Park.

Nikko National Park is one of Japan's best tourist destinations, which offers scenic, mountainous landscapes, waterfalls, hot springs, lakes, wild monkeys and hiking trails. It was autumn when I went to Nikko. And it’s the best time to view the leaves. Truly, Nikko and the area around are well known for their beautiful autumn season.

Nikko is easily accessible from Tokyo. Take the Tobu-Nikko line from Tobu Asakusa Station. And it takes about 2 hours.

The Nikko National Park also includes attractions like Lake Chuzenji, the Kegon Waterfall, Mount Nantai, the marshlands around Lake Ozenuma, Chuzenji Onsen, Yumoto Onsen and Kinugawa Onsen. Also, Nikko has been a center of Shinto and Buddhist mountain worship for many centuries.