Discovering Kibune: A Tranquil Retreat in Kyoto, Japan

A Scenic Journey to Kibune Nestled in the mountains just north of Kyoto, Kibune offers a peaceful escape from the bustling city. To reach this charming village, we embarked on a scenic journey. From Kawaramachi Station, we took a train to Demachiyanagi Station. From there, a bus ride took us to Kibuneguchi Station, the gateway… Read more »

Glitch Coffee Osaka: A Specialty Coffee Connoisseur’s Dream

Love specialty coffee? This video takes you inside Glitch Coffee Osaka, a haven for serious coffee lovers in Osaka, Japan. Here’s what awaits: Prime Location: Easily accessible from Osaka Station via Dojima Chika Center (Exit C93), right next to the Conrad Osaka Hotel. Exquisite Coffee: Immerse yourself in a world of over 20 different varieties… Read more »

Earfun Air Pro 3: Budget-Friendly Wireless Earbuds with a Bass Boost

From Budget Buds to Immersive Audio: My Journey to the Earfun Air Pro 3 My journey began, like many others, with a pair of bargain-basement, $30 bud-style earphones. These little guys let all the ambient noise flood in, so while I could hear my music faintly, it disappeared entirely in loud situations. These earbuds simply… Read more »

coffee beans spilling out of white cup

Decaf Triumphs at US Brewers Cup: Is This the End of Caffeinated Coffee’s Reign?

In a seismic shift for the coffee world, the 2024 US Brewers Cup witnessed a decaf coffee take the crown. Weihong Zhang, wielding a decaffeinated Colombian Typica, brewed a cup that wowed the judges, shattering the perception of decaf as a flavorless afterthought. This isn’t a mere blip – it’s a tremor that could trigger… Read more »

Recycling Nespresso Pods Thumbnail

Recycling Nespresso Coffee Pods

Coffee pods are a simple and fast way to get consistent, quality coffee in an instant. However, there are common issues against coffee pod machines. To reuse coffee pods with my own fresh coffee beans, I need to pay attention to the grind size and dose. Grinding the coffee too coarse will result in water… Read more »

Yokohama Chinatown, Classic Neg Film Simulation

Street Photography with the Classic Neg Film Simulation in Yokohama Chinatown, Japan This is a street photography series using the Fujifilm Film Simulation “Classic Neg” shot in Yokohama Chinatown, Japan. Classic Neg Classic Neg is a film simulation mode developed by Fujifilm that aims to replicate the look of classic color negative film. Classic Neg… Read more »

KansaiGlicoman

Kansai in Kodachrome – Street Photography in Japan

New Japan Street Photography Series A new photo series inspired by Fujifilm Film Simulations. This time I’m capturing street photography in the Kansai region (around Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe) of Japan using the Kodachrome film simulation, so the theme is “Kansai in Kodachrome”. When I switched to a Fujifilm camera, I decided on a challenge to… Read more »

fujifilm X100V

Fujifilm X100V vs X-E4

Fujifilm X100V and X-E4 Head to Head The Fujifilm X100V and Fujifilm X-E4 are both digital cameras with similar features. They have identical image quality because they share the same 26.1MP X-Trans BSI CMOS 4 sensorX and X-Processor 4 Image Processor. However, there are some key differences between the two cameras. The X100V has a… Read more »

Filter/Immersion Coffee Method – with a Generic Drip Machine

This is my favourite coffee brew method. It gives me consistently better results than V60 Pour Over or French Press. It’s a mix of both of those brewing methods; Filter (Percolation) and Immersion. There are specific coffee brewers made for this, but you can achieve a similar brew with a generic drip coffee machine using… Read more »

fireworks

Naniwa Yodogawa Fireworks Festival 2022 Video

Introducing a Namtastic Video in Osaka, Japan – The Naniwa Yodogawa Fireworks Festival was held for the first time in 3 years on August 27, 2022.   The 20km Fireworks Video Challenge This is a video of the finale taken from 20km away in Hyogo Prefecture. From the viewing area I was at, people were… Read more »

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Latest

  • French Press Coffee – James Hoffmann Style

    New instructional video for my favourite French Press Coffee method; inspired by YouTube influencer and World Barista Champion James Hoffmann. French Press is an immersion method, different to percolating methods such as pour over coffee. It tastes similar to “cupping” which is reliably used to taste several coffees at the same time. I like to… Read more »

  • Why Not to Buy a Full Frame Mirrorless Camera

    Why Not to Buy a Full Frame Mirrorless Camera Are you an amateur photographer looking to buy a new “Full Frame” mirrorless digital camera? I was about to buy one too, but this is why I chose not to. Don’t get fooled by marketing or influencers on YouTube. If you’re like me, chances are you… Read more »

  • white bars

    Fujifilm: A New Love of Photography

    Switching to Fujifilm At the start of 2022, I decided to switch to a Fujifilm X Series interchangeable lens camera, the X-E4. This decision has made a profound effect on my photography. My love of photography is greater than ever. I find myself motivated to go out and take photos and video every day. Social… Read more »

  • no bloom pour over coffee method

    NO BLOOM Pour Over Coffee – HARIO V60

    Made an instructional video for my current daily pour over coffee method with a Hario V60 dripper. This method was inspired by Tales Coffee’s No Bloom Pour Over Method. https://youtu.be/EToMOWCIpdc The reason why I like this method is because it’s fast and effective in getting an even extraction with the Hario V60 dripper. I previously… Read more »

  • FormSwimGoggles

    Wearable Tech: FORM AR Smart Swim Goggles – Second Impressions!

    Wearable Tech: FORM AR Smart Swim Goggles – Second Impressions My decision to buy a pair of FORM AR Smart Swim Goggles was a great success. Read about my first review here. This is a follow up to my FORM AR Smart Swim Goggles review, 1 year after my purchase. Pros: Swim stats presented real… Read more »

  • Wearable Tech: FORM AR Smart Swim Goggles Review

    The latest in Wearable Tech is a pair of Swim Goggles with a Smart Augmented Reality (AR) Display. Vancouver based startup company FORM launched the goggles worldwide on August 7, 2019. As a swim enthusiast my first reaction was “Shut up and take my money!” I couldn’t resist ordering immediately and the goggles arrived promptly… Read more »

  • Cambodia HDR Photo Series

    Recently I’ve been posting a series of photos from Cambodia on social media. The design theme for this series is bright, High Dynamic Range images. I’m aiming for the colours to really pop. Some of the places featured include: Angkor Wat Angkor Thom Ta Phrom Beng Melea Ton lesap I visited Cambodia in 2016 and… Read more »

  • Japanese study: Slurping Ramen makes it taste 4 times better

    Do you slurp your Ramen noodles? If not, you might be missing out. Studies in Japan say that slurping your Ramen can make it taste 4 times better.

  • Namtastic Images, Video and Photography

    Namtastic Images, Video and Photography List of Posts: Digital Asset Management Google Photos (coming soon) Photography Gear SONY RX100 M3 Digital Camera Review SONY A6300 Review – The Improvements and Disappointments Photography Styles Travel Photography The 5th Kyoto Photowalk with Daijyoubu! Photography Street Photography Street Photography in Fukushima-ku, Osaka, Japan Nakanoshima Rose Garden, Osaka Japan… Read more »

  • Craft Coffee Stand Osaka Umeda

    Craft Coffee Stand E-MA Building, Osaka Umeda I noticed a new coffee stand opened in the E-MA building in Umeda, Osaka, so I had to check it out. My review is as follows: Not bad for a very small coffee stand. Only one variety of coffee beans available. Reasonable price. Seating available in the Loftman… Read more »