Simple Living

Quick Review: IASS Lounge at Narita Terminal 1 Worth It If It's Free If you have complimentary access, the IASS Lounge at Narita Airport’s Terminal 1 is a decent place to relax for a couple of hours. It’s nothing fancy, but it does the job—especially when you're just looking for a quiet space to recharge before your flight. What’s Included One standout perk: they offer a free can of Asahi beer, which is a nice touch. The drink machines are surprisingly good, with a variety of options, and the lounge has its own dedicated Wi-Fi network, which worked well during my stay. Comfort and Atmosphere The chairs are on the firm side, so don’t expect to catch a nap here. Still, it feels like a more secure and calm environment compared to the general terminal seating, making it a good spot to relax, scroll your phone, or catch up on some reading. Surprisingly Good Tomato Juice The biggest surprise? The tomato juice. I wasn’t expecting much, but it ended up being my favorite drink t...

Comparing Zipair to ANA and JAL: Is It Worth the Savings? Why I Chose Zipair This Time For my return trip, I booked a flight on Zipair to see how it stacks up against ANA. Whether it's the right choice really depends on your travel style and priorities. Fares and Value Zipair’s fares are typically cheaper, which is appealing—especially for budget-conscious travelers. But if you're flying solo like I was, basic economy on ANA or JAL can also be quite affordable. Personally, unless the savings are more than $150, I’d still choose ANA or JAL over Zipair in basic economy. What to Expect on Zipair That’s not to say there’s anything wrong with Zipair. The experience is clean, simple, and efficient—but it’s also very no-frills. Nearly everything is à la carte—from water and coffee to meals—so you’ll need to pre-purchase food or bring your own onboard. That’s easy enough if you're departing from Japan, but much less practical from LAX, where buying food can be pricey. One An...

Japan’s Canned Highballs: A Surprisingly Delicious Upgrade Why Highballs in Japan Just Hit Different I’ve always enjoyed a classic Scotch & Soda, but Japan elevates this simple cocktail into something much more refined—and readily accessible. Whether picked up at a konbini (convenience store) or ordered at an izakaya, canned highballs are a staple of Japanese drinking culture. They’re crisp, refreshing, and often better than what you'd expect from a cocktail bar back home. Canned Highballs I Tried During my trip, I made it a mission to try a variety of canned highballs. Here are my top picks and thoughts: Suntory Kaku Best value. Clean, crisp, and well-balanced—this was the clear standout. It’s a major step up from my old college go-to, Jack & Coke. Black Nikka A great option if you prefer something with a touch of smokiness. Still smooth and easy-drinking, especially over ice. Suntory Strong Zero Lemon A bit more like a soda than a traditional highball, but r...

Planning My Next Adventure: Hawaii & Japan I’m gearing up for another exciting trip to Hawaii and Japan , this time for two weeks of relaxation, exploration, and re-discovery. Having visited both destinations multiple times, this trip will be more about unwinding and exploring new places, rather than the usual tourist checklist. What makes this year even better is that the prices are surprisingly affordable, and the exchange rates are favorable—meaning it’s actually more budget-friendly than my 2023 trip. Here’s my itinerary for the next two weeks:   Planned Itinerary: Honolulu (4 days) Osaka (4.5 days) Tokyo (6.5 days) Total: 15 days   Honolulu – 4 Days I’ll be flying into Honolulu (HNL) on a Delta Boeing 767-300 . I’ve been to Hawaii several times, but there’s something about the islands that always feels like home. I’m staying at the Hilton Hawaiian Village , my go-to spot for its relaxed atmosphere and great discount rates. It’s the perfect place to ease i...