Famous Attractions in Baguio City

Baguio is known as the City of Pines and the Summer Capital of the Philippines. Baguio City is the highest city in Benguet.

What to see in Baguio? Here are the famous attractions in Baguio City.

Lion’s Head

It is one of the most famous attractions in Baguio City if you try the Kennon Road going to the city.

The Mansion

The Mansion is the official summer residence of the President of the Philippines. Inside the mansions is a mini-museum for the memorabilia and works of art collected over its year of occupancy of the former presidents.

Burnham Park

A 32.84-hectare urban park located at the heart of Baguio City. What other things to see in the park – a skating rink, Burnham lake, children playground, rose garden, Igorot garden, orchidarium, Melvin Jones Grandstand, athletic bowl, picnic grove, Japanese peace tower, Pine Trees of the World and Sunshine Park.

Mines View Park

If you want to see the breathtaking panoramic view of the mountains of Benguet and the mining town of Itogon, you should go to Mines View Park. There are stalls for pasalubong like Baguio’s native handicrafts and delicacies. You would also have the chance to have a picture with the ethnic Igorot tribes.

Session Road

It is the center of Baguio’s commercial establishment. There are hotels, restaurants, bookstores, boutiques, cafes, bazaars and bars along the stretch of the road.

Wright Park


It is located in front of The Mansion and one of the scenic parks in Baguio City. Tall pine trees and garden in the elongated body of water called “Pool of Pines” is the most famous feature of the park.

Camp John Hay

Camp John Hay used to be the recreational facility of the military of the United States until it was turnover to the Philippine Government. The complex has beautiful gardens, picnic areas, parks, amphitheater and hiking trails. A golf course is situated inside, which is said to be one of the best in the country.

Lourdes Grotto


The favorite pilgrimage site during Holy week is located on a high hill in the western part of Baguio City where you will find the image of the Lady of Lourdes. There are 252 steps going to the top.

Tam-awan Village


The village houses a number of Igorot huts and experiences the Igorot’s way of living. There’s also a Café where you can enjoy drinking coffee after checking the whole village.

Fort Del Pilar

It is one of the most visited places in Baguio City. It is open to visitors during daylight where the Philippines Military Academy is located.

And one of my favorite places in Baguio is the Our Lady of Atonement Cathedral. From the side, you can also view the city of Baguio.

Namsan Seoul Tower

Namsan Seoul Tower or N Seoul Tower or Namsan Tower is a communication and observation tower located on Namsam Mountain in the heart of Seoul.

It has an elevation of about 236 meters and marks as the second-highest point in Seoul.

The best time to go to Namsam Tower is before the sunset. You can enjoy the park, shopping and food just before the sun sets in. Then enjoy the view of the sunset and when the horizon changes to colorful and sparkling lights.

What to see in Namsan Tower

You can check on the Ssentoy museum and showroom for those who love Marvel, DC or Disney Fan. There’s the Hello Kity Island and the Bear Museum.

Love Padlock Area which actually has two sides. The one is in N Terrace and the other one is near the stairs.

Viewing in the N Terrace to enjoy the sunset and the city. This is the perfect place if you don’t want to go to the observatory.

Namsam Octagonal Pavillion is where the events take place. You can enjoy the view of the park trees and stay at the benches and enjoy the view of the N Seoul Tower.

There are also restaurants in the N Seoul Tower.

How to get to Namsam Tower

The closest subway is the Chungmuro Station. You can also try the Namsan Cable Car located near Myeongdong Station. You can also try the bus and taxi.

You can also try to walk from Namsan Public Library.

For other posts about South Korea, please check: Autumn in South Korea Nami IslandPetite France, South Korea,

Changdeokgong PalaceGyeongbokgung Palace, Dongdaemun Design Plaza

Dongdaemun Design Plaza

Dongdaemun Design Plaza or DDP is a modern iconic landmark of the Korean design industry. The architectural design was made by late Zaha Hadid, a world-renowned architect and SAMOO.

The Dongdaemun Design Plaza consists of five halls: Design Lab, Design Market, Art Hall, Museum and Dongdaemun History and Culture Park.

The DDP is located in Euljiro, Jung-gu Seoul, South Korea.

It was also the filming location of different Korean Drama – You Who Came from the Stars, Producer and She was Pretty.

How to get there

Go to Dongdaemun History and Culture Park Station using Line 2, 4 or 5.

For other posts about South Korea, please check: Autumn in South Korea Nami IslandPetite France, South Korea,

Changdeokgong Palace, Gyeongbokgung Palace

Gyeongbokgung Palace

Gyeongbokgung Palace was built in 1395, three years after the foundation of the Joseon Dynasty.

It was the main royal palace located at Jungno District in Seoul. The palace was the largest of the “Five Great Palaces.”


Mount Bukhan is seen as the backdrop of Gyeongbokgung Palace with Gwanghwamum Gate as the main entrance of the palace upfront.


There are 5 more different gates in the palace, different Ojeon or Outer courts, Naejeon or Inner Courts, Donggung of the palace of the Crown Prince, Pavillions and bridges.
Geuojeongjeon is the throne hall of the King where visitors and audiences come to the hall during the Joseon Dynasty.


One of the events that people would love to see is the changing of the guards in Gyeongbokgung Palace. It is done twice daily when the Sumunjang or royal guard watches over the Gwanghwamun Gate.

How to get to Gyeongbokgung Palace

From the Jongno-3-ga Station, use the Line 3. Tickets are available outside the palace gate.

For other posts about South Korea, please check: Autumn in South Korea Nami IslandPetite France, South Korea

Changdeokgong Palace

Changdeokgong Palace

Changdeokgong Palace and Huwon are located in Jongno-gu, Seoul It is listed as UNESCO World Heritage it is one of the “Five Great Palaces” built by the kings of the Joseon Dynasty.

It is also known as the East Palace. The palace was built between River Geumcheon in the front and Peak Maebong of Mount Bukhan at the back.


There are different places to see in the palace. The famous ones are the following:


Changdeokjong Injeongjeon or Changdeokjong Palace Complex is the main palace hall where the kings and officials would gather. In front of the hall are stone markers inscribed with the ranks of each court officials were.

Seonjeongjeon or King’s Council Hall was where the king and the high officials also use Seonjeongjeon to discuss state affairs.

Other places are Huijeongdang: King’s Residence and Daejeojon or Queen’s residence.

How to get to Changdeokgung Place and Huwon


Our hotel is in Hoehyeon using Line 4. We transferred to Seoul Station in Line 1 going to Jongno-3-ga Station and went to exit 6. Tickets are available outside the palace in Donhwamun or the Main Gate. There’s a separate ticket going to the Huwon or Secret Garden.

For other posts about South Korea, please check: Autumn in South Korea Nami IslandPetite France, South Korea

Tokyo Disneyland

Tokyo Disney Resort is located in Maihama, Urayusu, Chiba. There are two theme parks in Tokyo Disney Resort; Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo Disney Sea. They have different tickets for entering both theme parks.

Tokyo Disney Resort has so many hotels.  You can use the JR Keiyo Line and alight at the Maihama Station.

World Bazaar

World Bazaar is located at the main entrance of the park and where the park’s main shopping centers stop on their way out of the park.

Tomorrowland

This park includes the Space Mountain, Star Tours and Buzz Lightyear’s Astro Blaster. We definitely enjoy the Starwars attraction and ride.

Toontown

Toontown is famous because it is the neighborhood of the different Disney character’s houses like Mickey and Minne’s house.

Fantasyland

Fantasyland is based on classic fairytale films like Cinderella, Snow White and It’s A Small World.

Critter Country

This is the home of the Disney characters from the film “Song of the South.”

Westernland

You can see here the Rivers of America with the popular roller coaster from Big Thunder Mountain and the Tom Sawyer Island.

Adventure Island

This is where you can ride the Western River Railroad and sail with the Pirates of the Caribbean.

Parades

There are two parades in Tokyo Disneyland, one in the afternoon and one at night. There’s also a firework at night.

For other posts about Japan please check: Famous Places in Tokyo, JapanA view of Mount FujiAttractions in Osaka, JapanOsaka Castle, Osaka, JapanUniversal Studios JapanSakura in Japan

For Tokyo Disneyland click here

For Nara Cycle Tour click here

Famous Places in Tokyo, Japan

Tokyo is one of the expensive cities in the world. Tokyo is the capital of Japan and is also known as Tokyo Metropolis with special wards. Below are the different wards we went to.

Chuo City

Lost in Tokyo Station

The last stop of the Shinkansen Tokaido Line is Tokyo Station. Tokyo station is the busiest intercity rail station in Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan.  Aside from the three train lines, it is also the major intercity bus terminal.

APA Hotels

There are so many hotels in Tokyo with the APA line. We chose the APA Hotel Hatchabori Eki Minami in Chuo City. Chuo City is the main commercial center. From Tokyo Station, we went to the Hatchbori Station using the JR Keiyo Line.

You can use the JR Keiyo Line is the subway going to Disneyland in Maihama.

The famous district in Chuo City is the Ginza. It is also known for the different malls around the Ginza Station.

Shibuya City

Shibuya Crossing

Shibuya city is famous for the Shibuya crossing. It is one of the busiest intersection and also known as the iconic scramble intersection with the view of the different malls and commercial centers. To get here we used the Metro Tokyo Yamanote Line.

Hachiko Statue

Another notable attraction in Shibuya is the statue of the famous dog named Hachiko. Hachiko’s statue is located near Shibuya station after you get off the Hachiko exit. Hachiko is a purebred Akita. Hachiko is a loyal dog who waited for his owner Hidesaburo Ueno even after he died.

Taito City

Ueno Park

Tatio City is famous for Ueno Park. To get here we rode the Tokyo Metro Ueno-Tokyo Line. The Ueno Park consists of Ueno Zoo, Ueno Toshogu Shrine, The Ueno Royal Museum, Tokyo Metropolitan Museum, National Museum of Western Art, National Museum of Nature and Science, Saigo Takamori Statue and Shinobazu Pond.

You can also see Cherry Blossoms and Bamboo Garden in Ueno Park.

Around the Park are different shopping malls, commercial centers and restaurants.

Keisei Skyliner

The best way to go to Narita Airport is the Keisei Skyliner. It is a highspeed train from Ueno to Narita and travel time is only 45 minutes.

Minato City

Tokyo Tower

Tokyo Tower is located in Minato City. It is a famous landmark in Tokyo. The FootTown is a four-story building under the tower with museums, restaurants and shops. The Tokyo Tower has an observation deck.

For other posts about Japan, please check: Sakura in JapanOsaka Castle, Osaka, JapanUniversal Studios JapanAttractions in Osaka, JapanA view of Mount Fuji

For Mt. Fuji tour click here

For Nara Cycle Tour click here

A view of Mount Fuji

There are so many places to go to Japan, I made the itinerary going to Osaka to Tokyo. The midnight bus was 8 hours, and because we were with my mother, we opted to try the Shinkansen Train.

Shinkansen from Osaka to Tokyo


From Nippombashi, we went to Namba Station and went to the line to go to Shin-Osaka Station. From there we bought a ticker amounting to Php 6,150 per person to ride the bullet train.


The Shin-Osaka Station is the only station in Osaka that is connected to the shinkansen network. We rode the Nozomi train in the Tokaido line going to Kyoto, Nagoya and Tokyo. The bullet train ride was only 2 hours and 30 minutes.


We didn’t avail of the Japan Rail Pass in Osaka as we used the Metro Osaka Pass. It is also economical to buy a one-way bullet train ticker for a single Osaka to Tokyo trip.


It will also stop in Kyoto after 15 minutes, and in Nagoya after 50 minutes.
From Osaka to Tokyo, different places like Hammamitsu City, Fuji City and Yokohama are seen in the train ride.


View of Mount Fuji

From the train, Mount Fuji can be seen from the Tokaido Shinkansen on the left side of the train from Osaka. It is best viewed around the Shin-Fuji station.
On the clearest day, the mountain is visible with its white-capped peak from hundreds of kilometers away. The mountain’s visible snow cap is usually around November to May.


The famous view of Mount Fuji can be enjoyed from the farmland east of central Fuji City.

For other posts about Japan, please check: Universal Studios JapanOsaka Castle, Osaka, Japan

For Mt. Fuji tour click here

For Nara Cycle Tour click here

Attractions in Osaka, Japan

What are the different tourist attractions of Osaka aside from Universal Studios Japan and the Osaka Castle? After the sightseeing in Osaka Castle, we went to the next subway station which was Moronimaya Station.  We alighted at Shintennoji-mae Yuhigaoko Subway Station.

Shitennoji Shrine


Shitennoji shrine is one of the Buddhist temples in Osaka. It is also one of the oldest temples built in 593 by Prince Shotoku. The temple was founded as a support for the introduction of Buddhism in Japan. There’s a pagoda and a garden inside the grounds surrounding the temple.

The temple was named after the shintenno: Four heavenly kings of Buddhist traditions who guard the world of evil.
The Gokurakumon or Paradise Gate of Shitennoji Temple is the entrance to the temple.

Tenoji Mio Mall

We went to the Tenoji Mio Mall and have our lunch.

Tempozan Giant Ferris Wheel


After visiting the mall and eating lunch, we went to Osakako Station. We walked for ten minutes and found the Tempozan Giant Ferris Wheel. It is located in Tempozan Passenger Terminal, Mount Tenpo, Tempozan Park and Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan.


We rode the giant Ferris Wheel and had a view of the Universal Studios Japan and 360 degrees of the whole Osaka and nearby ward.

Namba and Dotonbori


Dotonbori is one of the famous places to visit in Osaka. The apartment we rented in Nippombashi was near the stretch of Namba and Dohtonbori. From our apartment, we also walked until we reached the Dotonbor Bridge which is a popular district for dining and theater.Namba Station is the center of the subway station in which different railways and subway train lines are interconnected. It is one of the busiest stations in Osaka.


From Namba Station, you can also enjoy the different surroundings of the district. Namba is known for the city’s most popular bars, restaurants, night clubs, shopping centers and arcades. We also went to the popular Namba Walk and ate at a ramen restaurant.

For Mt. Fuji tour click here

For Nara Cycle Tour click here

Osaka Castle, Osaka, Japan

Osaka Castle is one of the famous attractions in Osaka, Japan.

We took the Metro Train going to Tanimachi 4-chrome Subway Station. From the station, you need to walk across the Osaka Museum of History.

From the Museum you will also be directed to the South Outer Most Moat.


We went to the left side going to the Sangan-Yagura Turret and entered the Otemon Gate. The Otemon Gate is the gateway going to Nishinomaru Garden and the Former Osaka Guest House.


From the Garden, we walked to the Sakuramon Gate.


The Osaka Castle was built in 1583 but was destroyed 13 years later. Under Toyotomi rule, the castle was one of the largest castles and under Toyotomi Hideyoshi, it was intended to unified Japan.

It was rebuilt again in the 1620s under Tokugawa Hidetada after they eliminated the lineage of Toyotomi. The main castle was struck by a lightning and was burnt down in 1665.
There was a reconstruction in 1931. And the castle was modernized in 1997. The castle house a museum about the castle’s history during the Toyotomi Hideyoshi rule.


Above the castle, you can also see a 360 degrees view of the different moats of the castle and the gardens.

You can also view the modern Osaka skyline and buildings.


We went to the side of the castle and found the Gokurakabashi Bridge.


There’s also a boat tour around the castle.


We then spent our time in the Plum Garden to enjoy the cherry blossoms.

You can also check posts about Osaka: Sakura in JapanUniversal Studios Japan

For Mt. Fuji tour click here

Where to stay in Osaka, click here