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a man sleeping with his eyes closed
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11 of the Wackiest Travel Gadgets You Don’t Need

This is a great way to keep people away. Even if they ask you if the seat next to yours is taken, you’ll never be able to get the Ostrich Pillow over your neck in time to see and answer. CNBC says, ““The more people hear about it and then see it on people, the more likely they are to buy it.” Is that a dare? You go first! No, you!

a couple sitting at a table with food in front of a window
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Magic in Japan: Hotel Review – Sheraton Hiroshima

She didn’t have an answer but kept repeating that we were in a Club level King room and that the Suites were unavailable. I asked if they were all occupied and she said no, but wasn’t able to provide a satisfactory answer as to why I couldn’t stay in one unless paying for that specific room type.

a room with a television and a table
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Magic in Japan: Park Hyatt Tokyo Revisited

After Kyoto I couldn’t resist sneaking in a night at the famed Park Hyatt Tokyo before heading to Hiroshima. I’ve stayed there many times before as I figure many readers have, but it is a favorite of mine. The outstanding staff, suite and breakfast all blend together for a fantastic stay. To me it is one of the top aspirational chain properties in the world that is absolutely worth the stay, if even for one visit or night.

a table with food on it
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Room Service Review: Ritz-Carlton Kyoto

After a quick nap that turned into a longer slumber, I called down to order some Tempura and Udon noodles for dinner. There was no separate button on the phone for room service, so I just called the operator who transferred me. Unfortunately, the Ritz-Carlton Kyoto’s highly-rated Mizun restaurant had closed at 9:30pm and it was 9:45. Drat, I had just missed it.

a stone pagoda in a garden
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Magic in Japan: Day 2 in Kyoto

A coffee shop is not always just a coffee shop in Japan. There’s Moomin cafe, where solo diners can sip a beverage seated next to a huge life-sized stuffed animal so they don’t feel lonely (either the stuffed animal or the patron). Then there are the super popular animal cafes. You pay a small cover charge, and once inside you can pet and play with the animals to your heart’s content.