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Went to Hokkaido recently and would like to share some photos here. Famous for its flower flied and winter sports during winter, August is end of the summer season I think. Weather wise still cooling average around 22 C with morning and evening dropping to below 18C. This trip I rented a 8 seater and total distance covered is approx 1400 Km. While the speed limit for city is 50 km/hr and highway 80 km/hr, to maintain at 80 km/hr on highway is not so easy. Took Scoot from Singapore and transit at Taiwan (1 hour transit time) Good break but just enough time to get on the plane. Landed in Sapporo early morning. This is a short of their air port. nowhere near Changi T1 but there are buses you can catch to town. I booked Unizo Inn next to Sapporo Grand Hotel. Checked in and walk to collect my car which I booked with Budget car rental. It is within walking distance. Photos of a street shot in Sapporo and their underground train station (MRT). Beside flower and snow, Japan is also about food. 1st stop is their famous Furano Cheese factory. But, it is more like a cafe and their cakes.

Please hold tight to your chair before you scroll down for the images. ... Are you ready? ... Ok, be prepared, OK? Sadly, this is how the new Japanese Rojak will look like... Patent images obtained by Japanese magazines from the local trademark bureau show a new take on the Crown. It doesn’t seem to be wearing its distinctive badge, but we're being told this high-riding fastback will indeed be sold as a Crown. The somewhat odd shape should be familiar as the Citroën C5 X and China's Ford Evos have a similar body. Going back in time, we're getting hints of the defunct Honda Crosstour. The car featured here will reportedly go by the name of Crown Cross and should have the following dimensions: 4,930 mm long, 1,840 mm wide, and 1,540 mm tall, with a wheelbase measuring 2,850 mm. That would make it bigger in every dimension compared to the outgoing sedan, but with a slightly shorter wheelbase. Sources from the Land of the Rising Sun claim Toyota wants to sell the reinvented Crown with a four-cylinder 2.5-liter hybrid engine hooked out to a CVT. There also might be a turbocharged 2.4-liter with an electric motor and a six-speed automatic. It will sit on the TNGA-K platform and come with a choice between front- and all-wheel drive, with a plug-in hybrid option in the works. The official premiere is allegedly locked in for July 15. And I forgot to add, when I first saw its face, it is >90% like the Civic.

New EVs from Honda, targeted to hit the market next year. The look of the 0 SUV look less radical than the sedan. Production versions of the 0 Saloon and 0 SUV will be made at Honda's Ohio-based EV hub, starting in 2026. These cars will use an all-new centralized e/e architecture (electrical/electronic) running a new SoC done by Renesas Electronics Corporation. Honda also claims that these cars will also be able to do Level 3 autonomous driving. Honda’s back at CES with another iteration of the 0-series Saloon concept, and a new follow-up – called the 0 SUV. It’s not entirely clear how close either car is to its final production body, but we shouldn’t discount how outlandish modern manufacturers can be, especially since they’ve got to compete with increasingly wild Chinese EV designs. Honda 0 Saloon Honda 0 SUV

Patent images from Brazil registry. The front bonnet is exceptionally and unnecessarily long. Total waste of space (and material) in my opinion since the engine option is unlikely to be anything larger than an IL4 2.0 sump which will be transversely mount as usual. These spy shots give us a glimpse of how the actual car sis going to look like.

Will be available in Japan from June 2024. Honda Freed Air Honda Freed Crosstar Quick Spec Dimensions: 4,310 mm (L) x 1,695 mm (W) x 1,755 mm (H) Wheelbase: 2,740 mm Engine: 1.5L Petrol and Hybrid (e:HEV) Transmission: CVT Drivetrain: 2WD and 4WD

https://www.asiaone.com/lifestyle/human-washing-machine-world-expo-osaka?utm_source=a1home&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=a1trendingc&utm_content=x20 Aiyah, I saw the picture got high hope. Then read the text.

Admittedly, I’ve been putting this on the back burner for a while. With plenty of work to get through, tonnes of stories to clear, and multiple Cars & Kopi(Coffee) meets ongoing, I never felt I could give this piece the attention it truly deserved. And that hesitation mattered, because this was one of the most memorable drives I’ve ever had. Believe me, I’ve been on quite a few. This drive, though never really intending to be so, came to represent a series of personal milestones. Having already covered the Hakone Turnpike and its surrounding mountain roads on previous outings with both the M2 and the M3 Touring, it was time to look further afield and discover more of what Japan’s beautiful roads have to offer. And I had just the right material to reference: the little-known series Initial D. Jokes aside, while many like-minded enthusiasts were drawn into the world of automotive otaku culture through the adventures of Takumi Fujiwara and his panda AE86, it never truly appealed to me, until now. While the antics of Takumi and his friends existed in the imagination of Shuichi Shigeno, the locations where rivalries in the series were settled are very much real. With that in mind, I settled in and binge-watched the first two seasons of the anime, otherwise known as “stages” in Initial D speak. It may have taken me decades, but I’m happy to report that it is thoroughly enjoyable and brought back vivid memories of visiting Japan in the late ’90s, when Japanese sports car culture was arguably at its absolute peak. Enjoying the anime was, of course, just part of the research process. With the mountain roads based on real-life locations, it was also time to plan my drive to visit the now-legendary roads of Initial D. Keys in hand, I left the bustle of Tokyo behind and headed north. My first stop: Mt. Haruna, better known to fans as Mt. Akina, Takumi Fujiwara’s legendary stomping grounds. A short drive later, I found myself at Mt. Akagi, the domain of the Akagi RedSuns. To close out the day, I carved my way toward Nikko and the twisting turns of the Irohazaka, the proving ground of Team Emperor and the stage for Kai Kogashiwa’s infamous MR2 jump. Google Maps might have plotted the journey at just under eight hours, but my experience told a different story. With lunch breaks, refreshments, repeated runs for photos and videos, and the occasional pause to drink in the scenery, the drive stretched closer to 10 or 11 hours. Every stop was part of the adventure, each turn steeped in the history of the roads that had inspired generations of enthusiasts. The car for the job? A gorgeous San Remo matt green G29 Z4 M40i, courtesy of BMW Japan's press fleet. Having had the privilege of driving and sampling almost all of the latest machines from Munich over the years as a hobbyist writer, the Z4 was, for me, the car that first kick-started my journey into automotive journalism with the marque. While it might have taken place almost 18 years ago, I still remember that car with fond and vivid memories. No less memorable was the fact that it was an M Roadster variant, with its S54 engine snarling and screaming right behind your ears with the roof down. It was, and still is, one of the most exhilarating drives I’ve ever had. A drive so enjoyable I emptied two full tanks of fuel over a weekend. Interestingly, having sampled multiple variants of the Z4’s second generation over the years, the final iteration of BMW’s roadster had eluded me, due to both scheduling and availability issues. Seven years after its launch, and sadly a year before the model’s decommissioning, it was finally time for me to have a go. With some beautiful ribbons of tarmac ahead, I truly couldn’t think of a better way to fall in love with driving all over again. With a full day of driving ahead, it made plenty of sense to set off bright and early; this is Tokyo, after all. After a relatively mundane and uneventful series of highways and byways, my next stop beckoned, Mt Haruna. Nestled in Gunma Prefecture, Mt. Haruna rises to 1,449 meters and is crowned by the serene Haruna Lake, a crater lake formed within the caldera of an ancient volcano. The area has long been a destination for nature lovers and hikers, offering well-marked trails that range from gentle strolls to challenging ascents, each framed by lush forests and seasonal blooms. At the summit sits Haruna Shrine, a centuries-old Shinto site offering panoramic views of the mountains and Kanto plains. On this crisp morning, though, none of that was the focus. What mattered were the mountain’s twisting roads. Tight hairpins, flowing sweepers, and steep gradients. The legendary roads upon which the iconic panda AE86 danced with perfect finesse. The only difference today was the mighty bellow of the B58's 382 horses over the Toyota's screaming 4AGE. As the beautiful Z4 powered up the steep inclines and sharp corners, it showed little hesitation, slightly pushing its tail out while remaining steadfastly poised, its perfectly specced Michelins gripping tightly as it charged through each directional change with the B58 howling away, joyfully soaking up the roads and daring you to bury the throttle even deeper. Haruna’s roads are tight, narrow, and intensely technical, defined by relentless hairpins and rapid elevation changes, but such a joy it was to drive that at the end of the hill climb, I turned around, went back down and did it all over again. That said, the view across Haruna Lake at the summit was reason enough to slow things down for a moment. A little further down was a lay-by that I'm sure fans of the show would most certainly recognise. Where everything began. There were Initial D references throughout the area for fans to spot. While I would have loved to hang around to spot more Initial D references and take in the sights around Haruna Lake, it was time to charge toward Mt. Akagi. But not without stopping for a spot of lunch at a random, yet rather fantastic udon restaurant. It was seriously good. With lunch settled, it was time to continue towards Mt Akagi, a short 40 kilometres away from Mt Haruna. While Mt. Haruna and Mt. Akagi sit relatively close to one another, their roads could not feel more different, each shaped by the character of the mountain it climbs. Mt. Haruna is tight and technical, its roads sometimes closing in around you, demanding focus at every turn. Mt. Akagi, by contrast, opens itself up. The road feels broader and more expansive, with longer sweepers, wider lanes, and higher average speeds, offering fewer back-to-back hairpins and far more room to breathe. Rising almost 400 metres higher than Haruna at its peak, Mt. Akagi’s more gradual elevation changes encourage a smoother, flowing rhythm, one that feels perfectly suited to big turbocharged power. This time, not from an FC or FD, but a BMW Z4. And if the view of Haruna Lake was lovely, Lake Onuma at the summit of Mt. Akagi is simply breathtaking. Framed by dense forest and open sky, its still waters feel worlds away from the pace of the drive leading up, a place that invites you to pause, step out of the car, and take it all in. Steeped in local folklore and closely associated with Akagi Shrine, I'm sure it is also familiar ground to fans of Initial D as the backdrop to the Akagi RedSuns’ territory. The calm, mirror-like water at the summit feels worlds away from the intensity of the racing battles that made these roads legendary in pop culture, yet seeing it in person makes the anime’s reverence for the mountain suddenly tangible. With more than half the day behind me, it was time to leave my reflections behind and head toward the final 峠 of the drive: Irohazaka. Little did I know just how epic the roads ahead would turn out to be. Nikko awaits.

So you like Japan and the yen is at an all time low? Plus the fact that the winds of politics have blown away all the Chinese tourists ? Timing could not be better for my trip and I didn’t even plan it for the above scenario. But Kyoto is known to be packed with tourists at this time of the year with the autumn leaves beckoning. Apart from squeezing with the tourists are there any other places to go and see those gorgeous leaves ? I got a taste of autumn recently and I wanted to let my family enjoy some too, so here we go! So I went with my lil un about two years ago and we did the usual places : bamboo forest, clear water temple, geisha district, tori gates and also the aquarium. You can choose to brace the crowds or try out next places. So this time we planned Bamboo forest but take the sagano romantic train Kyoto train museum Nara deer park And the prize - Amanohishidate We will try some nice food places and do a bit of shopping too We got into a nice Denza for the ride to the airport, only 3 weeks old! It takes a little more than six hours, so we have meals in the airport at Sukiya As for Amanohashidate, I first heard this from a friend and decided to look into it in detail and found out it’s one of the top three scenic places in Japan How to get there I like to stay in Kyoto train station because it’s a hub. Most places can be accessed from here including Amanohishidate where a Kintetsu limited express will get you here in about two hours or so. Along the way you’ll see plenty of autumn colors and bamboo forests too. In fact the train passes through Arashiyama. Let's get to the prize first, a simple train ride on a limited express train and you're in Amanohishidate. Walk a few steps and you're at the foot of the Viewland Amusement Park for the cable car ride to the top. Amanohishidate is good enough to occupy your little one for more than a day and tire them out. And if you see the number of parents with little kids, you wouldn’t think Japan has a birth rate issue. The view from the top is something else and this place deserves its spot as one of the top three sights in Japan. This is how you are supposed to see the dragon in the water - by bending over If you look around, you won't think Japan has a birth rate problem with so many kids.. And now for the vital question, how's the crowd? Well, like I said, this is a little out of the way, two hours from Kyoto, so it's not busy at all, and the crowd is largely Japanese.

Tokyo Big Sight was buzzing with energy as the 2025 Japan Mobility Show opened its doors, and this year’s edition was more than just a concept car playground - it was a declaration of intent from Japan’s top 15 passenger car brands. With Chinese carmaker BYD gaining ground globally with its Kei car concept, Japan’s automotive giants responded with a unified front, unveiling production-ready models and near-production prototypes that blend heritage, innovation, and electrification. Daihatsu: Kei revival The beloved Copen (or K-open at the JMS) is making a comeback, albeit Japan-only. Daihatsu’s focus remains on compact, fun-to-drive vehicles that cater to domestic tastes, but we’re hoping that its design language and engineering could inspire broader applications. Just as well since the theme for the brand is “DAIHATSUMEI for me. Invented for you. Small but capable. Do it all step by step.” Other compact cars that are present include the Kayoibako-K, the K-Vision and the Midget X. Honda: Global ambitions Honda’s booth was a masterclass in urban mobility. The Super-ONE, based on the N-One Kei car, is a compact EV that may never see the light of day in Singapore (very unfortunately). The Honda 0 Alpha, a futuristic SUV prototype, hints at a new EV series designed, with global rollout potential. Of course, as we previously reported, Honda also showcased a plane, a rocket and a sensible Honda Prelude. Out of this world… Lexus: Electrified elegance and strong statements Lexus turned heads with its wild six-wheeled van concept that redefines flagship luxury – a deserving vehicle that may well be a better option than the Toyota Vellfire and Lexus LM that have occupied our roads. The Lexus Sport Concept, a two-seater electric vehicle (EV), may well be put into production alongside the V8-powered Toyota GR GT, signalling a dual-path future of electrification and performance. Mazda: Different phases of cars to roll out Mazda showcased a couple of Vision concepts. The Vision X-Compact previewed the next-gen Mazda2, proving superminis are far from dead, and darn near cool. On the other hand, the Hiroshima-based carmaker also unveiled the Vision X-Coupe, a four-door flagship concept, showcasing Mazda’s design evolution. These concepts, according to Mazda, will be the next phase of cars it has planned to roll out. Sleek, stylish and substantial enough to compete with its current competitors and future ones from China. More notably, Mazda also introduced carbon-capture tech aimed at preserving the combustion engine’s future. Subaru: Rally DNA recharged Very surprisingly, Subaru unveiled two STI Concepts - one petrol-powered and one electric: Dubbed the Performance-B STI and Performance-E STI. The latter EV version, purely conceptual, pays homage to Subaru’s rally heritage, while the former internal combustion engine (ICE) variant is an almost production-ready hot hatch, keeping performance purists engaged. With performance car sales from Motor Image currently sluggish, these concepts could be exactly what Subaru needs right now. Suzuki: Compact car connoisseur Showcasing the Vision e-Sky proves that the brand fits perfectly into Japan’s Kei car philosophy, designed for narrow streets and urban convenience. Expected to have a range of over 270km on a full charge, the Suzuki concept car is an ideal vehicle for customers who rely on minicars for everyday life - showcasing, shopping, and short trips. Suzuki also showcased electric Kei cars such as the e-Every concept and even robot dogs, emphasising its playful yet purposeful approach to mobility. Toyota: Reinventing icons and expanding luxury Occupying an entire hall on its own, Toyota led the charge with a radical reimagining of the world’s best-selling car - the Corolla Concept – with over 50 million units. Presumably slated for release in 2027, the car should come in petrol, plug-in hybrid, hybrid and full electric variants. Alongside it, the Land Cruiser made waves as a rugged mid-sized off-roader built on TNGA-F body-on-frame platform. But the real surprise was the Century Coupe Concept, Toyota’s ultra-luxury sub-brand stepping into Rolls-Royce and Bentley territory. Thoughts… The 2025 Japan Mobility Show wasn’t just a spectacle. It was a strategic showcase of Japan’s readiness to evolve. From electrification and alternative fuels to luxury and performance, the production cars on display reflect a nation determined to lead the next chapter of global mobility. I reckon this is more than just a car show, it’s a roadmap to the future… - Julian Kho (posted on behalf of)

What do you think is this? It cost ¥17,600 ($153), not cheap woh! Honestly I have no clue what it is too until I see the next photo. Yes, it is a hair clip! A freaking $153 hair clip that left many with room for imagination (but it also depend on who wear it). Source: https://mikiosakabejennyfax.store/search?q=panty+ribbon&options[prefix]=last Japan is a weird country.

Lai lai, let guess what will be the new name after their merger. Honsan, Nissda, HN Motors, NH Motors, etc. Japan’s Honda and Nissan to reportedly begin merger talks Nissan and Honda plan to enter into negotiations for a merger to better compete in the rapidly changing automotive industry, the Nikkei newspaper reported Tuesday. Honda and Nissan are considering operating under a holding company, and soon will sign a memorandum of understanding, according to the report. The combined Nissan-Honda-Mitsubishi enterprise would equate to more than 8 million vehicle sales annually, according to Nikkei. That would place the company among the world’s largest automakers, but still below fellow Japanese automaker Toyota Motor, at 11.2 million in 2023, as well as German automaker Volkswagen, which last year reported sales of 9.2 million vehicles.

The current 10th generation Civic was officially unveiled on 17 September 2015, and after close to 5 years, the next gen is on the horizon. The spy shots below shown the 5 door Type R variant, which look more upright than the current gen even though it was wearing heavy cladding. More spy shots of the other variants can be expected to surface very soon. Stay tuned.

By all accounts, restaurants are a high-stress environment built around accuracy and precision. This impression is formed through a combination of stories from chef friends, watching too much restauranteur/food content on youtube, and The Bear. So of course, trust Japan to be like, yeah screw that. Introducing: The Restaurant of Mistaken Orders. The concept is centred around a pop-up restaurant where all the wait staff are people living with dementia. Basically, there's a good (maybe absolute) chance you are never going to get the food you actually ordered. A typical restaurant/customer's nightmare, but here it has been reframed in a positive light - to create "an air of easy-going acceptance". It's certainly a breath of fresh air. I'm sure all of us who have spent time in restaurants can detect the underlying tension in the space - the understandable need to get things right. And in most cases, the fancier the place, the more perilous that high-wire act. And yet here, with chaos and disorder baked into the very fabric of the restaurant, guests seem more relaxed, more at ease, more patient, more joyful. Happier. What an idea, eh? Of course, the intent behind this project is a noble and commendable one - not just painting a positive light on dementia patients, but also perhaps casting that light back at society as a whole and questioning the way we negotiate with these parts of society that can often be left behind. This concept has found its way to pop-up events in other countries already, and interestingly enough it actually took place in Singapore in 2023 at the World Ageing Festival held here. Singaporeans aren't exactly known to be a patient, easy-going bunch, so I would be fascinated to see how locals would take to this in a more public setting.

To be unveiled in Japan in September 2022. Although it is sized between the HR-V and CR-V, but this new SUV will be replacing the CR-V in the Japanese Market, as they just announced the cease of CR-V production days before introducing this latest ZR-V. A strange move to me. For those of you who are follow motoring news closely, you may find that it look very familiar and that you have seen it somewhere. Well, the same model is available in the USA recently, but using the HR-V nameplate. Another head scratching decisions by Honda...

CGI

2022 Mazda CX-5 Revealed With Updated Design, Standard All-Wheel Drive There are more changes than meets the eye as the 2022 CX-5 benefits from a more responsive six-speed automatic transmission delivering smoother acceleration. Not only that, but the compact SUV now features a different suspension to better iron out vibrations and diminish road noise courtesy of a new dampening control structure and higher frame rigidity. Another important update is all-wheel drive being made standard across the range. As a matter of fact, Mazda is offering AWD as standard equipment on all CX models going forward. From the subcompact CX-30 to the midsize CX-9, every single SUV sold by the company will have an all-paw system even in the entry-level trim.

Aloha! When you think of some words, there is no doubt as to the what the word is associated with. And “Aloha” conjures up beaches, surf and of course, Hawaii Five O… Hawaii is a tourist destination that sits between mainland USA, and Japan as well as the rest of Asia, with a population that is as varied as it is in Asia, and a significant Japanese population of almost 30%. You will find fifth generation Japs who no longer speak Japanese and plenty of restaurants, signboards in Japanese and there is certainly a vibe that feels Asian, and yet distinct. It is blended from Asian influx, with Pilipino, Korean and of course Japanese influence as well as the Polynesian background and of course American immersion. Let’s not forget the British aspect too, in fact the flag of Hawaii features the Union Jack in the canton (upper left corner) due to historical ties between the Hawaiian Kingdom and Great Britain. King Kamehameha I, who unified the Hawaiian Islands, received a British flag from Captain George Vancouver in 1793 and initially adopted it. The eight horizontal stripes on the flag represent the eight major Hawaiian Islands. So last year, I realised that there was a conference in Hawaii, and if I booked my flights early, I could scrounge together enough money to go, and bring some of my students along too, so I got my hotel and flights sorted out last year, and got a decent price. I couldn’t get SQ, because it was twice the price of ANA and I had to take two red eye flights, but because I had done my maths, I could get lie flat seats. The other option was Zip Air but the incremental cost to ANA was not that much so I took the leap. I had heard good things about their service and good food, so I was keen to give it a shot. Now I enjoy the colours at dawn and dusk and this trip, I got to experience some of the best views in all my years of flying.. Now there are no direct flights to Hawaii, you can go via Japan, which is the most popular, or even Taiwan and Philippines. ANA offers route via Haneda and Narita, so take note of the layover timing, and whether you will want to plan a stopover in Japan, but you’ll need to get your bags if you get out for longer than a stopover. At the time of my trip, there were demos for transit passengers, eg on the way there, you can see a demo of wooden block painting, and you can try on a samurai suit on the way back. Also, the pharmacies in the Narita Airport sell a lot of stuff, and good meds for kids too Narita is a wonderful place to stopover with nice showers and made to order ramen / udon. You can customise by asking them to add more ingredients. Friendly efficient service. I booked Wyndham by Ramada, a tourist class hotel, centrally located in Waikiki and walking distance to the convention. Bear in mind, everything is in miles, but it was ok, about 10 minutes walk away. The weather is pretty much sunny all the time with sporadic showers. No one stops what they are doing because of these small rains, and they end as soon as they begin, but make the heat more bearable. In fact the weather is a lot like ours, so put away your coats and jeans, tees, Hawaiian shirts as well as bermudas are standard here, unless you’re here on business. Essentials for Hawaii include hats, sunblock and plenty of water. It’s the equator, so like us, their days get bright early but around 7 plus, it also gets dark. In between the heat is on, and it is usually blazing hot. The walk from the hotel to the convention is not too far but the heat is a killer. However the views are nice though, with a little vignette of Waikiki, the Hawaiian tourist town. The cost of living and holidays in Hawaii has gone up significantly over the years and that has pushed away some travellers, but it is still pretty crowded. You will need to budget USD 20 per meal unless you cook, eat sandwiches and Macs throughout. I went to this posh steak place called Prime Signature Steakhouse, twice actually because there were two different groups and they all used this place. It’s the go to place for nice meals with a view. Food is $$ in this restaurant, but very nice. as you expect from the name the steaks / beef is the thing, but seafood is awesome.

Hi Guys, Am going to Osaka, Japan for a short trip(1week). Planned to take train to tokyo from Osaka as well. Might stop over at Hakone on the way to Tokyo if time permit us. All feedback and advise are welcome.... Thanks in advance

You know when you go to a mamak shop or Good Price and see those brightly coloured plastic toy 'instruments' that you would buy for kids to bang away on? Well, someone (Japanese, of course) had the idea to basically turn that into an actual musical instrument. I present you: The Otamatone. The Otamatone originated in Japan in 1998, thanks to the creative minds at CUBE Works and Maywa Denki. This playful music instrument boasts a quirky, note-inspired design that has captured the imagination of many. But it wasn't until its official release in 2009 that it became one of Japan's best-selling musical toys. The instrument's popularity skyrocketed due to its simplicity and unique sound, making it a favourite among both musicians and enthusiasts worldwide. What perhaps most stands out is the way it blends ingenuity and playfulness. The instrument looks like a whimsical eighth note with a face that "sings" through a silicone mouth. Its invention aimed to democratise music-making, turning aesthetics into sound. It combines the absurdity of a cartoonish tadpole with the ability to produce delightful electronic tones. When else can you say that a musical instrument has two eyes on it. But perhaps the best thing about the otamatone is watching people play covers on it - covering iconic songs with remarkably absurd and hilarious results: If that didn't make you chuckle a little, I would be slightly worried about your joyless existence. And as always, stay weird, Japan.

The spec for the PHEV look mouth watering. Dimensions 4,745 mm (L) 1,890 mm (W) 1,680 mm (H) 2,870 mm (WB) Engine 2.5L e-SkyActiv-G IL4 PHEV (323HP, 500Nm, 5.8 sec, 200Kmh) 3.0L e-SkyActiv-X IL6 mild hybrid 3.3L e-SkyActiv-D IL6 mild hybrid

Anyone visited there for holiday recently? Any recommended place for food and visit?

Ahh Japan. The destination that many travellers desire. The perennial trending subject on social media. Japanese cuisine, culture, quirks, technology, and everything kawaii have inspired endless posts, stories, reels, YouTube videos, and TikToks. If one didn't know better, you'd think it was the dream destination on this planet. While I love the food, the service and the shopping, the sheer number of tourists (me included) has become a turn-off. I'm not talking about those who inconvenience locals by blocking the road to take photos (that's another story) or about badly behaved tourists (also another topic for another day). Tokyo is crowded even if you avoid the obvious tourist destinations. (Image: Benjamin Wong, Unsplash) What is annoying is seeing tourists everywhere, even in previously quiet spots. It seems like there's no place in Japan that goes unvisited (an exaggeration but it feels like it nonetheless). If I seem like I'm only realising this now, it's because I only travel to Japan once a year. Where to find peace and quiet? Omotesando, located just behind Harajuku, used to be quiet, because it was away from the main road. But thanks to social media, that's no longer the case. Tourists also throng its narrow streets, filling its boutiques; jostling with them is not my idea of a holiday. I can do that anytime in Singapore. When will Meiji Shrine feel this quiet again? Perhaps when the yen appreciates and makes travel to Japan expensive. (Image: Alex Rainer, Unsplash) Meiji Shrine, which felt like it was previously only visited by locals, is now filled with tourists filming videos. The last time I visited the shrine was to enjoy the walk through the canopy of trees outside and hear the crunching of gravel underfoot. During my last trip in January this year, I still heard the gravel. But sadly, it was accompanied by the incessant chatter from groups of tourists. So, next year, I'm giving Japan a miss. There are other cities in East Asia that are just as worth a visit, and probably not as crowded, too. – Jeremy (Main image: David Edelstein, Unsplash)