Design Thinking for Social Innovation

This spring break, instead of jetting across the world, I decided to stay and volunteer for one of Stanford’s ‘Alternative Spring Break’ programs. In collaboration with VIA, Volunteers in Asia, the Design Thinking for Social Innovation program worked with 14 exchange students from various Japanese Universities to tackle sustainability issues in the Bay Area. My… Continue reading Design Thinking for Social Innovation

Shigetsu

I wrote this poem a while back for a blog about food and travel. It’s about a restaurant called ‘Shigetsu,’ a restaurant located inside the temple areas of Tenryuji, Kyoto. Deemed ‘the best restaurant in Kyoto,’ I had a chance to dine there myself, and was blown away. location : 68 Susukinobaba-cho, Saga-Tenryuji, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto-shi,… Continue reading Shigetsu

Kyoto: Mostly Food With Some Coffee And Sights [Part 2]

Have you ever had such a powerful input to one of your senses, that your entire body physically reacted? We were briskly walking through JR Kyoto Station, trying to make one of the trains towards our next destination. Inside the station, there’s all sorts of shops and stands, selling various goods and treats… typical stuff.… Continue reading Kyoto: Mostly Food With Some Coffee And Sights [Part 2]

Kyoto: Mostly Food With Some Coffee And Sights [Part 1]

Kyoto! The cultural hub of Japan. A must-visit destination. Bonus, it’s a foodie’s paradise! Endless temples pepper the city, each with unique design and its own historical significance. I’ll mention a few spots in this post, but definitely pick up a guide if you’re going specifically for the sightseeing. If there was ever a place… Continue reading Kyoto: Mostly Food With Some Coffee And Sights [Part 1]

Tokyo: A One Day Itinerary

Do you have a long layover in the wonderful city of Tokyo, Japan? Or maybe you want to cram as much as possible into a trip? Here’s my list of things to do for one of the longest, fun-filled days you’ll have. This is an itinerary for the brave, ruthless, and over-achieving travelers. It includes… Continue reading Tokyo: A One Day Itinerary

Le Vagabond – Interview With The Creators

We see people through lenses. Their age, gender, even their occupation shapes the way we view them from the moment you meet. These boxes help us. They let us assume what we can expect from them, how to interact, what conversations to have and what topics to avoid. But sometimes, life does this beautiful thing… Continue reading Le Vagabond – Interview With The Creators

On Tour With Totem – Japan Leg

Living and touring Japan with Cirque Du Soleil’s, ‘Totem,’ I learned a lot, especially about myself. We traveled around 5 major cities: Tokyo – Osaka – Nagoya – Fukuoka – Sendai, with many vacations and excursions in between. The topics I wanted to touch on are plentiful, but this time I only wrote on a… Continue reading On Tour With Totem – Japan Leg