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Just recently Brittany and I had the pleasure of staying at The New Sanno hotel on our vacation to Tokyo, Japan. If you are unaware,  The New Sanno is a U.S. Naval Joint services hotel strategically located in downtown Tokyo that provides unbeatable prices and unmatched service.

Some of the services offered by the New Sanno include:

Restaurants

Kikuya – A Japanese style eatery.

Wellingtons – Elegant dining at its best.

Emporium – A family style, full service restaurant offering many great options.

Hero’s – A sandwich shop.

Sunrise Cafe – Coffee bar featuring Starbucks coffee and excellent baked goods.

Fair Winds – A place to grab a cocktail and lounge.

Shopping

Hashimoto gift shop – A place to buy a great souvenir of your trip to Tokyo.

Navy Exchange – Award winning Exchange store.

Amit Sanno – Jewelry Shop.

Sutter’s general Store – A general store carrying an assortment of items.

Facilities

Swimming Pool – Heated pool, sun deck, jacuzzi, children’s pool, and sauna.

Fitness Center – Various equipment to accommodate all your fitness needs.

We arrived on Easter Sunday and the place was packed due to their infamous Sunday brunch. However, I was still very impressed with the sophisticated design of the lobby and check-in area. Our rooms were not ready so a bellhop quickly came and stored our bags away safely until we were ready to check-in. We opted to head out for the town while we waited for our rooms to be ready, but the New Sanno offer a considerable amount of shops and restaurants to occupy your time while you wait.

This was our first time in Tokyo and we had some idea of how to get around, thanks to Google! Luckily for us the concierge service offered in the main lobby is by far the best I have ever experienced. They were able to give maps and directions to all the major sights in Tokyo. Also, because we do not speak Japanese they offered to write down everything in Japanese on a paper for us to show if we needed further help. Needless to say, we were impressed.

We checked in and they had a bellhop bring our bags to the room for us. The room was somewhat small but definitely a steal because it only cost forty-six dollars a night. The best part of the room was how comfortable the bed was, it was amazing! I would be willing to fly to Tokyo just to sleep in the bed again.

We ordered room service twice and it was delivered to our room in less than fifteen minutes both times. It was reasonably priced and great tasting.

Overall Brittany and I were both surprised by the great service and friendliness of the staff and also the high standards maintained throughout the entire hotel. I would highly recommend this hotel to any service member taking a trip to Tokyo.

Below I have listed other great information about The New Sanno hotel. Also, check out The New Sanno’s factsheet to determine price and eligibility requirements.

Location

4-12-20, Minami-Azabu, Minato-ku,
Tokyo 106-0047, Japan

Military Address:
U.S. Naval Joint Services Activity
The New Sanno
Unit 45003, APO AP 96337-5003

DSN:
229-7121-Lodging Reservations
229-7220 / 7231 Front Desk
229-8111 (Switchboard)

Known by many as the "bullet train", the Shinkansen is a network of high-speed railway lines operated throughout Japan. Brittany and I had a chance to ride on the Shinkansen on a trip to Tokyo recently and really enjoyed it.

The bullet train is known mainly for reaching speeds of over 200 mph . Shinkansen literally translates into "new trunk line", referring to the tracks. If you are worried about safety, then you will be suprised to hear that there has never been a single fatality caused by a derailment or collision.

It is really amazing to experience first hand the raw speed of the Shinkansen. It is hard to describe, so below is a quick video showing the Shinkansen passing by our terminal.

Here is a video of a Japanese bagpipe player playing the song "Amazing Grace" at Ueno Park in Tokyo, Japan.

This evening before the sun set I decided to take a trip with my buddy Chris and my wife to Katsuren castle. We have visited the castle numerous times in the past but could not miss the opportunity to check it out on such a beautiful day.

The weird fact about Katsuren castle is that many people are unaware of who or when Katsuren castle was built. However, it is thought the be one of the oldest castle ruins on Okinawa. Katsuren flourished in agriculture in the late 14 century under the rule of Lord Amawari. It is said that Lord Amawari reached he status of ruler by pushing the current ruler off one of the castle walls.

Like the majority of other castle ruins on Okinawa, Katsuren offers spectacular views and is free of charge.

Information:

Hours: Open 24 Hours

Entrance fee: Free

Tel: 098) 978-2201

How to get there

Exit the Okinawa Expressway at Okinawa Minami and make a left onto Highway 23. At the Ikento intersection turn right onto Route 16. Follow the road straight for several kilometers until you go uphill as the road gently curves left. Halfway up the hill, there is a sign pointing to the Katsuren Castle ruins on the right.

You can check out a map with directions below

Make sure you check out the Katsuren slideshow below and also my Okinawa photo section .

Living here in Okinawa has provided many opportunities to wander out and see some really amazing sights. This weekend my friend Chris and I took about a 10 minute drive from Kadena Air Base and found a really great castle ruins site. Zakimi castle ruins is located in Central Okinawa in Yomitan village and boast some spectacular views of Okinawa.

It is said that a warrior named Gosamaru united many kingdoms of Okinawa and was rewarded with Zakimi castle. More interesting is the legend that states that Zakimi castle was built by having the stones from Gosamaru’s former castle moved one by one by forming a human chain of workers. That is how you get things done!

Zakimi stands roughly 125 meters high, perfect for viewing the hills of the north, the Kerama islands and the East China sea to the west, and the central region of Okinawa to the south. During World War II it was used by the Japanese military as a missile base before being completley destroyed.

In 1972 Zakimi was recognized by the Japanese government as a National treasure; it has also been been named a UNESCO World Heritage site . It also offers great walking trails and a visitor center to stop by and have all your questions answered. So, it is definitely worth checking out.

Information

Hours: Open 24 Hours

Entrance fee: Free

Tel: (098) 958-3141

How to get there/ Directions

Take Highway 58 north towards Nago. Keep left and continue through Kadena Circle, about 4 kilometers. Turn left onto Route 12 for Zakimi. Follow the road for 1.7 kilometers, and then turn right up a steep hill. Turn right into the parking lot.

I personally enjoy Zakimi castle because it is a short drive from Kadena Air Base gate 1 and it offers some really great scenic views, not to mention it is free. Check out the Zakimi slideshow below and also my Okinawa photo section .

With the summer right around the corner, I am excited about several of the upcoming movies to debut later this year. I created a poll so everyone can vote for the movie they want to watch the most in 2008. You choose more than one option, however, you can only vote once. I guess we will find out what everyone is waiting to watch this year.

Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay

Release date: April 25, 2008

Description: Follows the cross-country adventures of the pot-smoking duo as they try to outrun authorities who suspect them of being terrorists when they try to sneak a bong on board their flight to Amsterdam. Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay.

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

Release date: May 22, 2008

Description: The film is set in 1957, making it nineteen years since Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, thus acknowledging the real-life passing of years between films. Indiana Jones is having a quiet life teaching before being thrust back into his old adventuring. He battles agents of the Soviet Union for the crystal skull.

The Dark Knight

Release date: July 18, 2008

Description: Batman raises the stakes in his war on crime. With the help of Lieutenant Jim Gordon and District Attorney Harvey Dent, Batman sets out to dismantle the remaining criminal organizations that plague the city streets. The partnership proves to be effective, but they soon find themselves prey to a reign of chaos unleashed by a rising criminal mastermind known to the terrified citizens of Gotham as The Joker.

Iron Man

Release date: May 2, 2008

Description: When Tony Stark is forced to create a life support suit to keep him alive after an accident he decides to use the technology in his suit to fight crime.

Wall-E

Release date: June 27, 2008

Description: The year is 2700. WALL-E, a robot, spends every day doing what he was made for. But soon, he will discover what he was meant for.

Rambo

Release date: May 24, 2008

Description: Following repeated pleas, Rambo helps ferry a group of Christian aid workers into war-torn Burma, where the local Karen villagers are regularly tortured and massacred by Major Tint’s sadistic soldiers. The humanitarian mission is going well, until the village is attacked and the missionaries are kidnapped, and Rambo is once again asked to transport – but this time a group of mercenaries, assembled by the missionaries’ minister on a deadly rescue mission. This time he doesn’t stay behind.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Release date: November 21, 2008

Description: As Harry Potter begins his 6th year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, he discovers an old book marked mysteriously "This book is the property of the Half-Blood Prince" and begins to learn more about Lord Voldemort’s dark past.

Trailer coming soon!

[poll=2]

Individuals invented the internet yet now corporations claim they own own it – they claim it’s their private property. If that’s true then you don’t have free speech online. I disagree – I think free speech in "free speech zones" isn’t free: it’s *dependent* on having a public place to be heard – meaning public property like the internet.

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High Dynamic Range Imaging has become very popular in the past few years. I can honestly say that I enjoy the majority of HDR images that I come across. However, I recently found some really great images of Okinawa, Japan at this website . Not only do they have HDR images of Okinawa, but they have pictures from all over Japan. I hope you enjoy!

slideshow | digg story