30 April 2022 was supposed to be D-Day, marking the start of a tsunami of expiring Krisflyer miles. Surprisingly (and thankfully), Singapore Airlines decided to extend the expiry of our miles again, giving them a new lease of life. Here’s how I plan to redeem all of them before they expire.
Continue readingTag: Japan
Sometimes all you need is some deep-fried pork
My plate of negi miso rosu arrived with the pork drenched in thick black miso and topped with a big handful of roughly chopped leeks. It seems like a waste to drown the fried pork in sauce, but the meat was hearty enough to stand up to the miso, especially with the well-distributed pockets of fat that come with a good cut of rosu.
Continue readingRunning down our expiring Krisflyer miles
Our next few flights will be within the region, starting with Japan in 2023 Q1, followed by South Korea in 2023 Q4 and Taiwan in 2024 Q2. Based on current redemption rates for Business class tickets, this will be enough to wipe out our expiring Krisflyer miles.
Continue readingVisiting the Nikka Yoichi distillery in Hokkaido
The highlight of the visit was finding out that there was a small bar in the museum, where we could sample the Yoichi 15y and 20y. Yes, actually get to taste them.
It wasn’t cheap, but the fact that they were even available to drink was amazing. We sent a photo to some friends who are big whisky fans and they were suitably impressed, and I assume, also very envious.
Continue readingGodfather, Part 1
“Have you ever tried a Godfather?” asked Shimura-san.
No, I had not, and with a name like that, there was no way I was not having one.
Continue readingThey say that winters are beautiful in Tokyo
For every snowflake that Tokyo loses out on, she makes up for it in lightbulbs. Colourful and dazzling lights in the form of winter illuminations.
Continue readingDepachikas are tourist attractions too
I’ve been to Japan many times, for work and for holidays, and while there are many beautiful sights and delicious restaurants, you’d be missing out if you didn’t spend some time wandering around the amazing depachikas.
Continue readingWork travel is a necessary evil, but at least you get to eat well
I used to travel quite a fair bit for work and during a four-year period from 2015 to 2019, I had made 26 round-trip flights to Tokyo for an average of one trip every two months. Here are some of the memorable meals that I’ve had during the four years when I was commuting to Tokyo.
Continue readingEmbarking on a Studio Ghibli movie marathon
Pop quiz. How many anime movies has Studio Ghibli produced?
Continue readingEleven days in Osaka, Kobe and Kyoto
After you’ve been to Tokyo and Hokkaido, the next logical region to visit in Japan is Kansai, where the cities of Osaka, Kobe and Kyoto are all within a short train ride of each other.
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