The Cat Dish

Tag Archives: travel

Great Debate: Hawaii vs. Japan

by Catherine Toth on May 2, 2012 in Adventures, Musings

It’s easy to come back from a trip and think everything on your vacation was better than what you return to at home.

Like ramen. I don’t think I can eat ramen here for awhile without comparing it to the bowls I’ve had in Fukuoka and Tokyo on my recent trip to Japan.

But sometimes we don’t stay long enough in a place to really get to know it — and some things may seem better on the surface.

Take, for example, traffic.

It’s easy to think that other cities don’t have the kind of gridlock morning traffic we have here on Oahu. But we also don’t travel during peak commuting times when on vacation, so what we experience — the lonely backroads, the unclogged interstates — aren’t really an accurate picture of the city’s traffic woes.

So I’m going to make a list of things that we can compare between Hawaii and Japan, and for those of you who have been to both, I’d love to get your input:

Hawaii vs. Japan: which is better? (My answer is in parentheses.)

• Public transportation (Japan)
• Ramen (Japan)
• Pastries and desserts (Hawaii. I have a sweeter palette. Sorry!)
• Convenience stores (Japan, hands down)
• Fashion (I prefer Hawaii’s laid-back vibe.)
• Beaches (Hawaii)
• Friendliness (Hawaii)
• Crowds (Hawaii)
• Tourist areas (Japan. I think Hawaii is too kitschy.)
• Music (Hawaii)
• Weather (Hawaii)
• Public restrooms (Split. I think Japanese bathrooms are cleaner, but you have to like squatters.)
• Birds (Tough one. I’m not sure if I prefer huge crows or dirty pigeons.)

Hmm. Looks like I’m torn.

What about you?

Comments { 10 }

#CatTravels: Top 30 Moments in Japan

by Catherine Toth on May 1, 2012 in Adventures

It was a whirlwind 15 days in Japan — one that took me from Fukuoka in Kyushu to the bright lights of Tokyo to the temples in Kyoto to the sandy beaches of Chigasaki.

I did a lot — but there’s still so much more to discover.

I guess that means I’ll be heading back to Japan.

But for now, here are my favorite memories of this trip:

1. Fresh strawberries

◄ Back

Next ►

Picture 1 of 30

Strawberries were in season in Japan, and these sweet treats were sold in grocery stores, in cafes and in street markets like this one in Fukuoka. I couldn't get enough.

Big props to Hawaiian Airlines for sending us to Fukuoka and allowing us to have these awesome memories.

Comments { 8 }

#CatTravels: Last day in Japan

by Catherine Toth on May 1, 2012 in Adventures

Fifteen days.

That’s a long time to be away from home. And, more importantly, my dogs. But it wasn’t really enough time to explore everything Japan has to offer.

There were bakeries and shops I didn’t have time to seek out. There were parks and museums we couldn’t visit. And there were tons more food — fugu, for example — I didn’t get to eat.

But in 15 days, we sure did a lot, from eating tonkotsu ramen in a yatai in Nagahama to walking around Hase Temple in Kamakura.

I had a full range of experiences in just two weeks, and it was time to head home.

I was missing my dogs, the surf, the fairly predictable weather, the mac salad and Diet Coke.

But it was a lot of fun traveling through the country — and sharing those adventures with you. Thanks for following, reading, commenting, sending me suggestions, correcting my Japanese and just being along for the ride. You all made this experience memorable and meaningful for me.

So here’s how I spent my last day in Japan:

Heading back to Tokyo

◄ Back

Next ►

Picture 1 of 38

It was my final day in Japan and we were going to spend it closer to Haneda Airport, from which we were departing. So we hopped on a train from Chigasaki and headed back to Tokyo.

Follow my adventures in Japan on Twitter @thedailydish.

Comments { 10 }

#CatTravels: Daytripping in Odawara, Hakone

by Catherine Toth on April 28, 2012 in Adventures

One of the things I love about Japan — and no, not the tonkatsu ramen or strange Kit Kat flavors — is how easy and convenient it is to take daytrips to other parts of the country. Just jump on a subway or train and, within less than an hour, you’re somewhere completely different.

If you live in Tokyo, you can walk through temples in Kamakura, surf in Chigasaki, shop in Harajuku or eat a fancy meal in Roppongi — all less than an hour train ride away.

That’s pretty awesome.

So we took a daytrip from Chigasaki — to Odawara and Hakone — just to change it up.

Here’s what those 12 hours looked like: