Why visit Japan? Most say they go for the fabulous food

For my Boston Globe essay involving Japan, click here.

There are many reasons why Americans visit Japan, but according to a survey, food is ichi ban, or number one. The recently released on foreign visitors to Japan in 2009 ranks “culinary”  as  first  for  those who stayed  2-30 days in Japan.  The survey was conducted at their departure at major ports and airports by the Japan National Tourism Organization. Here is the food they like best:

* Sushi (the choice of 50%).

* Sashimi and tempura (17.8%).

* Ramen noodle soup (9.6%).

* And my own favorite, udon noodles (7.5%). 

The breakdown indicates that Americans are now embracing a wider variety of Japanese food, such as such as gyoza dumplings, onigiri (rice ball), noodles, yakitori (chicken skewers), and okonomiyaki (a grilled concoction). Food festivals are also of interest. In Shizuoka, the country’s top green tea manufacturing region, Japan’s tea culture will be presented along with teas from all over the world  the last weekend of October, at the World O-CHA Festival 2010. 

In November, the Peninsula Tokyo holds  “Cirque Culinaire.”  The event features fine wines and dishes of  chefs from different Peninsula Hotels and world’s renowned restaurants. Meanwhile, Niigata, one of the cold sake brewery regions, celebrates  sake collections from many breweries in early March.

As the first choice of 70.7% of those polled, "culinary" was way out in front. The runners-up were “visiting historic landmarks” (59.5%), “shopping” (49.6%), “local life, local experience” (47.2%), and “natural beauty, scenery” (45.3%).

Search Amazon.com for Japan travel 

Trivial question

What are the two continents through which the Equator passes? (Answer somewhere below.)

Taking a roadless 'road trip' in Canada 

Traveling by rail has been called a "roadless road trip." And VIA Rail’s 2010 Canrailpass includes seven trips in economy class anywhere in Canada within a 21-day period. Passes for adults during the peak season (June 1-Oct. 15) begin at  $ 910 U.S., while the off-peak period (Oct. 16-May 31) bring starting fares of $568.  Children, students and seniors can purchase off-peak passes beginning at $511, while peak season passes start at $819. For more information visit viarail.ca/canrailpass. 

Those looking for a shorter trip, or who want to hop between major cities in central Canada, can try VIA’s  Corridorpass, which allows seven trips in economy class within a 10 -day period in southern Québec and southern Ontario. Thus, for a single  price, passengers can plan up to seven segments of rail travel to Québec City, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto and Niagara Falls.  2010  prices start at $325 U.S.  for adults or $293 for children, seniors and students. For more information visit viarail.ca/corridorpass.

Fabulous fact

Alaska has the highest percentage of people who walk to work. 

Rescue a turtle and go kayaking in Baja

Sea Kayak Adventures is offering an all-inclusive eight-day package where participants can spend three days hands-on helping researchers monitor and tag endangered sea turtles at their nesting beach in Magdalena Bay, then three days paddling a sea kayak alongside dolphins and sea lions in  Loreto Bay in the Sea of Cortez. The itinerary offers opportunities for novices to paddle and explore uninhabited desert islands by stable sea kayak, snorkel with colorful fish along isolated coves and learn all about sea turtles. All activities are led by naturalist guides.

The tour is Oct. 24-31, including the air arrival and departure days. Forty percent of the price of $1,650  per adult ($1,485 for youth 12-17) goes to the local sea turtle conservation efforts. The price includes three hotel nights in Loreto (with pool); all meals at camp; all camping, sleeping and kayaking equipment; airport transfer, ground transportation, instruction and guides, and  taxes. Not included: air fare from Los Angeles, gratuities, $25 national park fee, meals in town, snorkeling gear, and personal items.  For more information or reservations, phone Sea Kayak Adventures at 800-616-1943 or go to www.seakayakadventures.com. 

N.E.'s largest film festival set for  Providence 
Providence will be the site for the largest public film festival in New England, the FLICKERS: Rhode Island International Film Festival, next month. The event  will run Aug. 10-15 and include premieres  of more than 175 films, industry seminars, educational programs and award ceremonies. 
A Weekender Hospitality Package is  available Aug. 13-14 at the Renaissance Providence Hotel, which provides overnight accommodations and festival passes for two, with those travelling from New York and Boston receiving complimentary Amtrak tickets.  Priced at $1,000, based on double occupancy, the  package represents a savings of $800 on the actual cost.  Package activities include select movie screenings, High Tea at Slocum Gardens, a historic walking tour and a Sweet Success/A Cinematic Salute special event screening and dessert party with filmmakers.  Official Flickers 2010 posters, T-shirts and mugs will also be distributed.  For more information or to book, visit www.renaissancehotels.com.

Trivial answer

The Equator passes through Africa and South America.

All aboard for the world's 10 best train rides!

Photo by Rocky Mountaineer

Some of the most widely traveled people on earth were recently polled about what they considered the world’s most exciting and scenic train rides. Here, in order,  are the top 10 rides chosen by members of the Society of American Travel Writers, along with the organization’s descriptions.

1. The Rocky Mountaineer (www.rockymountaineer.com), which offers spectacular two-day journeys through the Canadian Rocky Mountains from Vancouver to Banff or Jasper.

2. The Glacier Express (www.glacierexpress.ch), the famous Swiss mountain railway from St. Moritz to Zermatt. This 7 1/2-hour journey crosses 291 bridges and burrows through 91 tunnels.

3. The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad (www.durangotrain.com), which winds through rugged canyons in the remote wilderness of Colorado’s two-million-acre San Juan National Forest.

4. The Bernina Express (www.rhb.ch), which runs from Chur, Switzerland to Tirano, Italy, and makes the highest rail crossing of the Alps, passing from icy glaciers to palm-shaded piazzas in just a few hours.

5. Peru Rail Cusco to Machu Picchu (www.perurail.com), which carries passengers on a dramatic journey through the high Andes. There are three levels of service, from backpacker trains to Vistadome cars to the luxurious blue and gold Hiram Bingham train.

6. The Coastal Classic Train on the Alaska Railroad (www.akrr.com), which winds through the wilderness between Anchorage and Seward. Massive glaciers are visible from the track as the train climbs into the Kenai Mountains and travels to the shores of Resurrection Bay for connection to Kenai Fjords National Park, offering whale watching, sea kayaking, tidewater glacier viewing, fishing, and dog sled rides.

7. The Royal Scotsman (www.royalscotsman.com), which rolls through sweeping glens, towering peaks and mirror-calm lochs as the train weaves through wild countryside and along virgin stretches of coast on two- to seven- night journeys in the Scottish highlands.

8. The Whistler Mountaineer (www.whistlermountaineer.com) in Canada, a three-hour ride along the magnificent coast of British Columbia, from Vancouver to Whistler, famous for its views of cities, old-growth forests, deep valleys, snowcapped peaks and seascapes.

9. Mexico’s El Chepe (www.chepe.com.mx), which ventures into the imposing landscapes of the Sierra Tarahumara and into Mexico’s Copper Canyon, passing through 87 tunnels and crossing 37 bridges. The Copper Canyon is four times the size of the Grand Canyon – and deeper.

10. The Flam Railway (www.norwaynutshell.com) is regarded as one of the highlights of the “Norway in a Nutshell” tour. The 20-kilometer-long journey from the mountain station of Myrdal takes 55 minutes and presents views of some of the most magnificent mountain scenery in Norway.

For more about the Society of American Travel Writers, visit www.satw.org.

Worth quoting
“There isn't a train I wouldn't take, No matter where it's going.”
                                                                                      -- Edna St. Vincent Millay

In search of savings in Britain
Britain on the Cheap is a new website that seeks out bargains in B&Bs, hotels, restaurants, shops, theaters and attractions. Recent savings included 25 percent off Historic House Hotels stays; 20% off the Original Bus Open-Top Tour; and free upgrades on the Heathrow Express.
Visit www.britainonthecheap.com. For savings in other cities, check out www.citiesonthecheap.com.

How’s that again?
Sign spotted at a zoo in Japan: “Do Not Feed Your Hand.”


Cruisegoers can see an original Declaration 
A rare, original copy of the Declaration of Independence will be aboard Princess Cruises’ Alaska-based based ships the week of July 4. The Declaration will be on display aboard the vessels for about two hours while each ship is docked in Juneau. The document, valued at more than $8 million, will be shown aboard Diamond Princess and Star Princess on July 1; Coral Princess on July 2; Island Princess on July 3; Pacific Princess and Golden Princess on July 6, and Sapphire Princess and Sea Princess on July 8.

For full details, click here.

Got the pink slip? You may get a free getaway
In 1992, when Leslie and Brian Mulcahy came to the Rabbit Hill Inn in Lower Waterford, Vt., Brian’s middle management job was being eliminated. So they went from being guests to embarking on a new career as innkeepers at the inn two years later. And now they have launched the Pink Slip Getaway Giveaway Each month through April, 2010 (except September and October 2009), the Rabbit Hill Inn will give away at least one two-night getaway to a couple who has been unemployed for six months or more if their letter explaining their situation is chosen.
For complete details, visit www.rabbithillinn.com.

Answer to Wednesday’s trivia question
The International Bridge links Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., and Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. The bridge spans the St. Marys River. (The Michigan city, incidentally, is the birthplace of a notable journalist: Peter C. Hotton, the Boston Globe’s "Handyman on Call.")

The best food and the least rude

Singapore Airlines has the best food and the most polite flight attendants, according to a survey by SeatGuru.Com, which tells you all about your airline seat. Coming in second in the food category was British Airlines, followed by Continental and Air France. For the worst food, American Airlines came in first, followed by United, US Airways and Delta. As for the best flight attendants, Singapore was followed by British Airways and Southwest Airlines. United had the rudest, according to the 1,600 people who participated in the survey, followed closely by American and US Airways.