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An Encounter with Elegance at The Westin Miyako Kyoto

Yudi Pratama, June 21, 2023

Wit a variety of sacred sights drawing in millions of visitors each year, Japan’s former capital has several luxury accommodation options, although few could ever claim to encapsulate the area’s history quite like The Westin Miyako Kyoto. Situated on a hillside in Keage, where Lake Biwa flows into Kyoto, the hotel offers a one-of-a-kind stay for anyone looking to experience the best of Kyoto, both past and present.

Ties with Nature

Setting foot in the lobby, guests will be met with smooth marble, lush greenery and sparkling ceiling art pieces that reflect an astonishing level of design. This attentive nature is further displayed through the hotel’s staff members, who welcome guests with warm enthusiasm. While these aspects alone are enough to warrant a stay, it’s the traditional Japanese annex Kasui-en that sets The Westin Miyako Kyoto apart.

Set on the site of a villa previously belonging to Taisho-era Prime

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Peek Inside the TW May-June 2023 Issue Party

Yudi Pratama, June 15, 2023

Cheers to another party that brought together the people who make up the TW community, whether it’s the editors, writers, photographers, interviewees, or readers and supporters of our magazine. On June 9 we all gathered in Or, Miyashita Park, to chat, flip through the TW May-June 2023 issue and have the best time.

Among the many lovely people who could come this time, we welcome the drag performer Endigo of Ru Paul Drag Race Sweden fame, one of the interviewees in this issue, as well as Kat Joplin who interviewed them. We mingled with the chefs from Park Hyatt, actor Luna Fujimoto, fellow event masters from Artedly, Roses and Castles, Ragtag Socials and more.

There were five DJs on the decks throughout the night, taking us on a musical rollercoaster. The master of funky vibes, Harro started things off with a dose of funkadelic bliss. Up next were Or’s

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Travel tips for flying with your pet

Yudi Pratama, June 11, 2023

Wen-Ling Lin moved from Vancouver to Toronto for work, and often flies home to see her friends and family.

“We love taking Kygo on trips. He is obviously the best travel companion and we want to show him the world. He is my fur baby,” Lin told CTV News Toronto.

Lin said she had taken her two-year-old French bulldog Kygo to Vancouver six times and each time the experience went very well.

“The carrier sits right below my feet. He just sits in it and he goes to sleep usually. We zip it up and he goes right underneath the seat,” said Lin.

Since Kygo is a smaller dog, he is allowed to be in the cabin with Lin. However, larger dogs may have to stay in a pet crate that will go in checked luggage or cargo.

Kygo on board the plane’s cabin. (Supplied)

No matter where your pet

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Second flight carrying migrants lands in Sacramento; California officials say Florida set up travel | NanaimoNewsNOW

Yudi Pratama, June 9, 2023

Spokespeople for the Florida Division of Emergency Management and Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis has not confirmed Florida’s involvement.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Florida appears to have arranged for a group of South American migrants to be transported from Texas to California and dropped off in Sacramento, California’s attorney general said, noting that he’s looking into whether any crimes may have been committed.

If true, the 16 Colombian and Venezuelan migrants who turned up at the Roman Catholic Church diocese’s headquarters in Sacramento on Friday would be the latest to have been moved from a Republican-led state to one led by Democrats.

The migrants had documents that appeared to be issued by the state of Florida, although the circumstances surrounding their arrival were still under investigation, Attorney General Rob Bonta said Saturday.

He also said he’s evaluating whether violations of

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Experiencing Tokyo Through ChatGPT | Tokyo Weekends

Yudi Pratama, June 9, 2023

What with all the hoo-ha about the growing influence and danger of AI, for the sake of some acts of journalism, I decided to ask ChatGPT where I should visit in Tokyo.

Here are the top three places it is recommended and what it says about them:

1. Senso-ji Temple and Asakusa

Located in the Asakusa district, Senso-ji is Tokyo’s oldest and most famous Buddhist temple. The temple is known for its striking architecture, colorful gates, and the bustling Nakamise shopping street. Take a stroll through the vibrant streets, try traditional snacks, and soak in the historical atmosphere of this culturally rich area.

2. Shibuya Crossing and Hachiko Statue

Shibuya Crossing is one of the busiest intersections in the world and has become an iconic symbol of Tokyo. Experience the organized chaos as pedestrians from all directions cross the street simultaneously when the lights turn red. While in Shibuya, don’t

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10 Timelines That Will Change Your Perception of Japanese History

Yudi Pratama, June 4, 2023

The popular view of Japanese history is that it went Samurai-Guns-Nintendo. There were a few notable things that happened before, after, or in between those things, but that’s the gist of it. The truth, however, is much more complicated and a little mind-bending.

10.
Japan’s Imperial Family Was Founded Around the Same Time as the Death of King Arthur

Other countries have royal dynasties, like the Windsors or the Habsburgs. But in Japan, the Imperial Family has no surname because there’s only ever been one, unbroken line sitting on the Chrysanthemum Throne. The first historically-verified Japanese monarch was Emperor Kinmei, who ascended back in 539. According to the 10th-century Annales Cambriae, that’s around the same time King Arthur perished during the Battle of Camlann.

Samurai in battle in the 16th century (Source: Wikicommons)

9.
The First Samurai Death by Gunfire Occurred Before Helsinki Existed

Although the samurai are synonymous

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Largest LGBTQ group in US warns about travel to Florida

Yudi Pratama, May 28, 2023

The largest LGBTQ rights organization in the US joined other civil rights organizations Tuesday in issuing a travel advisory for Florida, warning that newly passed laws and policies may pose risks to minorities, immigrants and gay travelers.

The Human Rights Campaign joined the NAACP, the League of United Latin American Citizens, the Florida Immigrant Coalition and Equality Florida in issuing travel or relocation warnings for the Sunshine State, one of the most popular states for tourists to visit in the US

While the advocacy group said it wasn’t calling for a boycott or making a blanket recommendation against visiting Florida, it said it wanted to highlight new laws passed by the Republican-controlled Florida Legislature that it said were hostile to the LGBTQ community, restrict abortion access and allow Floridians to carry concealed weapons without a permit.

“Those who visit must join us in their vocal opposition to these dangerous policies,”

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Travel advisories | NAACP, Equality Florida issue travel advisory urging people to avoid Florida over Gov. Desantis Woke policies

Yudi Pratama, May 21, 2023

Sunday, May 21, 2023 5:31AM

NAACP issues travel advisory urging people to avoid Florida

The NAACP Board of Directors issued a travel advisory Saturday for the state of Florida, urging people to avoid the state.

The advisory comes as a direct response to what the Board says is an “aggressive attempt to erase Black history and to restrict diversity, equity, and inclusion programs in Florida schools” by Governor DeSantis.

The formal notice from the group states, “Florida is openly hostile toward African Americans, people of color, and LGBTQ+ individuals. Before traveling to Florida, please understand that the state of Florida devalues and marginalizes the contributions of and the challenges faced by African Americans and other communities of color.”

“Under the leadership of Governor Desantis, the state of Florida has become hostile to Black Americans and in direct conflict with the democratic ideals that our union was founded upon. He should know that democracy will prevail because its defenders are

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The World’s Best Road Trip Destinations, According To New Report

Yudi Pratama, May 20, 2023

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Last Updated 4 days ago

There’s no better feeling than getting behind the wheels of your car and taking to the open road. Traveling on vacation via car gives you the freedom to go and see whatever you want, whenever you want.

What’s more, road-tripping is popular. 81% of summer travel in the United States is undertaken by car. You can road trip on your own or travel with family and friends. But where are the best places to visit for a road trip?

A new report from car experts DiscoverCars has surveyed more than 140,000 tourists from across the world to discover the best scenic routes you can explore with the freedom of your own vehicle.

The five best road trips are spread across continents and will lead you through a diverse range of landscapes. In most cases, you would need to hire a vehicle on

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Discover Nagasaki: In the Footsteps of Japanese Christians

Yudi Pratama, May 20, 2023

Ccurrently, only about 1.9 million Japanese people (1.5% of the population) identify as members of the Christian church. Many choose to keep quiet about it. Taro Aso, the former Prime Minister of Japan, is — to the surprise of many — a practicing Roman Catholic. However, there was a time when Christianity in Japan was big, loud and bloody. Today, visitors to the country can travel back in time to those turbulent years by visiting sites throughout Nagasaki Prefecture connected to some of the most important Christian figures in Japanese history.

Hirado Bridge

St. Francis Xavier and Hirado Island

Francis Xavier was the first missionary to visit Japan in 1549, with a wanted murderer named Anjiro acting as his guide and translator. He operated out of Kagoshima but also traveled up north to Nagasaki where he introduced Christianity on Hirado Island in 1550. The religion quickly spread there after

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