Voxcali

Some believe Japan is an out of budget trip that will break the bank, but after spending more than a week traveling through the country, I discovered that many everyday expenses were cheaper than I expected.

Kelli (00:00)

So I spent about a week in Japan visiting Osaka, Kyoto, and Tokyo. And I tracked pretty much everything. I saved all the receipts. So if you're thinking about going to Japan and wondering how much money you should really budget, this episode is for you. Because I'm going to break down exactly what I spent on flights, hotels, transportation, food, shopping, attractions,

and honestly after adding everything up I realized that Japan wasn't nearly as expensive as I thought it was going to be compared to trips to Europe and other places Japan was very reasonable so let's start with flights and hotels

I went with my boyfriend, it was us two, and we booked a package through Expedia that included our round trip flight from Los Angeles to Kansai Airport, which was near Osaka, and we stayed seven nights at Hotel Trusty in Osaka.

The location of Hotel Trusty was beautiful. We were right by Dotonbori which was the nightlife of Osaka. The hotel is very walkable distance from many things. And overall we really liked our experience at Hotel Trusty

So the total for our flight and hotel package was $2,765. So now that's obviously a big number, but when you think about it,

That's covering international airfare and accommodations for an entire week. like I said, compared to other international destinations, I thought that that was a pretty nice number.

When booking your flight, I definitely recommend booking it in advance because you will find a little bit of the cheaper packages. Another thing was the fact that we did go during April, which is cherry blossom season. So tourism is very high during that time of year, during April and May, I believe.

We also took a domestic flight from Osaka to Tokyo, and that flight was from Osaka International Airport to Haneda Airport, and that cost $112 per ticket. So $224 total for two.

Now you can take the bullet train from Osaka to Tokyo, but the bullet train was around the same price for a ticket.

The bullet train cost about a hundred dollars for a train ticket and the flight was only $112. The bullet train also takes two hours while the flight was about an hour and a half.

We decided to fly because we felt like it was an easier option

And it was just more convenient for us.

We also stayed in Tokyo. It was a very last-minute decision.

We booked a hotel at the Prince in Shinjuku. We were right in the middle of all of the action. Walking across the street, there's so many stores, there's nightlife, there's bars, there was so much around the Prince Hotel. It was much more expensive though, because we did book it the day of very last minute.

We were walking down a strip of hotels and we were walking into each one asking if they had any spare rooms that night. All of them were telling us no. But the Prince Hotel was able to accommodate us and we did pay $462 for that hotel for two nights. Much pricier, but it was last minute and it was a higher end hotel.

Now for transportation, Japan has some of the best public transportation that I've seen in my life. And the MVP of this trip was definitely the Suica card. So if you have not been to Japan, a Suica card is basically a reloadable transit card that works on trains, buses, convenience stores, even vending machines, and some clothing stores except Suica as well.

So each time you load your Suica card, you can do a max of 20,000 yen. I did that twice, then added another 10,000 yen later on in the trip. So that comes out to around 50,000 yen total, which is 312 US dollars. The Suica card made traveling so easy. Instead of having to buy a train ticket every single time you want to get on a train, you just tap your card and go. I definitely recommend loading it.

it before you even get on your flight to Japan because you don't want to be scrambling around having to download the Suica app and then load your card up while you're in the airport or while you're trying to get around at the train station.

Depending on where you're traveling, the train rides ranged from about 270 yen to 1400 yen, which was roughly about $1.70 to $9 per trip. Every time you complete your trip, it does pop up in your phone notifications how much exactly the trip costs. If you're going from one city, it was only 270 yen. If you're going further out, about 40 minutes out, that's when it got to around 1400.

When you consider how clean, fast, and reliable the train system is, this was the best value for transportation. I would definitely recommend taking the bullet train. We did take the bullet train back from Tokyo to Osaka. Again, the train tickets are about $100 each for that.

And a bullet train ride is definitely a once in a lifetime experience as well so I would definitely recommend getting on one if you can.

Even though the train system is so amazing, we still used Uber quite a bit. So Uber was very helpful in more stressful situations. The train station can get a little bit difficult to navigate if you are running late and you are feeling that pressure.

Even though a lot of the signs are in English, they're written in Japanese and in English, but it still does get very overwhelming and very overstimulating in that train station. if you have to be somewhere at a certain time and you are running late and you can't find your train platform, that's stressful.

So in situations like that, we did order an Uber just to avoid all kinds of stress that we might have about being late.

So transportation definitely added up more than I expected. We spent a total of $606.35 on Ubers. We also did have a layover in Hong Kong. We had a nine hour layover. We spent another $71.20 on Uber rides from the airport to the Ritz Carlton, which was where we were having dinner at. I definitely recommend doing a longer layover because it was just very

worth it being able to spend that time in another country as well. Kind of made the trip feel a little bit more worth it because we got to go to two different countries instead of just one.

Our meal ended up being $132 US dollars. We were at the highest bar in all of China and the view overlooks Kowloon Bay and Victoria's Peak. The restaurant is beautiful. It's called Ozone, and it was just stunning.

So, another expense people forget about is phone service. We both purchased international eSIM plans through our carrier T-Mobile. This plan costed us $35 for five days. And because we were there for over five days, we did have to purchase it twice. Not a huge expense, but it's definitely something that people should budget when they're planning out their trip because you don't want to be stuck over there and not know what to do about your phone service.

Now let's talk about cash. One thing that I learned is that Japan is very much a cash friendly place. When we arrived, we went to a 7 Eleven ATM, which was the easiest way to get cash. We just insert our normal bank card and withdrew it. Very easy.

Throughout the trip, we withdrew $300 four different times, which was a total of twelve hundred dollars that we took out in cash. This cash was used for food vendors, smaller shopping things, convenience stores. We used it at the bars, at the temples when you're buying the souvenirs, just smaller purchases throughout the trip.

The food vendors was another favorite part of my trip. They were cash only. For example, I had tanghulu which is the strawberries covered in sugar. That was about $4.37. I think it was about 500 yen. I also did have an uni noodle bowl, which was $8.11, and I think that's about 1200 yen.

All the street food I had was absolutely delicious If you are foodie like me, you will definitely enjoy going to all the food markets.

Now, the category that did the most damage to my wallet, of course, was shopping.

One of my favorite stores was GU in Akihabara. I was able to score three pairs of shoes, two pairs of socks, two jackets for only $142. And as somebody who's been in the fashion industry, I was shocked by this value. The clothing is very high quality. It's not cheap. It's not polyester. GU is Uniqlos sister store, so they have all the basics, but they also have.

amazing unique pieces as well.

The most expensive clothing item that I purchased during the trip was a jacket from this boutique store called Urban Research in Kyoto. That cost me $265. It was this very different wool cropped blazer. It has a very unique cut, a very different neckline, and

I've worn it with so many outfits since I've had it.

Harjuku is where I found more of the deals. I was able to get two pairs of shoes for $37 each and some socks, which were only a few bucks. And they were also buy three, get one free.

I was able to get a mini skirt, I got some accessories, some cute tank tops, and there was this one store at the Nishiki market in Kyoto. My boyfriend and I loved that place. We were able to find a lot of t-shirts with some of our favorite anime characters on them. And we spent a total of $237 there, but we did buy four t-shirts and a denim jacket.

Then in Shibuya there

are so many shopping places. There are giant malls that have 10 floors with 20 stores on each floor, and it feels like endless clothing and endless accessories. It was a sensory overload, but everything was cute and trendy, and I genuinely wanted everything. I ended up only having time to really look at a couple of stores, and I ended up spending $212 at one store called Tokyo Bank. I got a crop blazer.

hoodie and a long sleeve t-shirt. Pieces that I would never be able to see here, which is the reason why I was comfortable spending that much money on a couple of pieces, but I love all of them and I've definitely been making good use out of them.

Of course, no shopping discussion is complete without the big mega store Don Quixote. And I will say I did go multiple times. My biggest trip was $278. I was able to get so much skincare. I got about two years worth of skincare. Don Quixote has everything that you could ever imagine. There's hundreds of face masks, there's different lotions, sunscreens. I could spend all day.

In Don Quixote. The second time I went, I spent $87, and then the third time I went, I spent $24. Most of that was skincare, hair products, souvenirs, and snacks.

The prices for everything are also significantly lower than what you would see here in the United States. So I definitely recommend stocking up at Don Quixote if you are looking for all of your hair care, all of your beauty products.

Outside of Don Quixote, I did spend another $142 on souvenirs, which would include all the gifts from the temples and all of the local stores that we went to. I got a pair of personalized chopsticks, some magnets, and all of those cute souvenirs and gifts that I was gonna bring back for my family and friends.

Next, we're going to talk about the attractions. So, for the entire trip, we booked $241 worth of attractions. We did book in advance about a month out. I definitely recommend booking in advance if you want to secure the proper time slots that you want. So we booked the Tokyo Sky Tree, Dotonbori Boat Ride, Team Labs, and go-karting in Shibuya.

We didn't make it to the Team Labs but I would still highly recommend booking all of your attractions through Klook It made everything easy because all you have to do is just show them your voucher and you'll be able to walk right in. They get booked up very fast, and you want to make sure that you do the Tokyo Sky Tree and the go-karting at nighttime. I recommend making sure that you get that six o'clock time slot.

both because you'll be able to see the sunset and be able to see the night skyline.

Finally, let's talk about food. This was the category that surprised me the most because Japan has some of the best food in the world, but so many meals were cheaper than anything I would pay back home in Los Angeles.

We had ramen four different times, and every single time we paid about $20 for the both of us. That was two bowls of ramen, an appetizer, and drinks. In Los Angeles, I could easily spend that on just one entree or appetizer.

Everything was so delicious.

The one exception was a private dining experience that we had. And this was probably the most expensive thing that we did on the trip. The dinner cost $467. This was a private dinner that we booked. We are the only ones in the restaurant. The chef comes out, explains all of his dishes. Definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I will remember forever.

If you're looking to splurge on this trip, this was a good activity to do, especially if you love food. The food was absolutely delicious.

So, was Japan expensive? My answer is both yes and no. The flight and hotel was the largest expense, obviously, but once you actually get to Japan, you'll be surprised at how affordable everything else is. Everything is very cheap, you'll be able to feel like you can just buy whatever you see that you want, the transportation is efficient, the street food's inexpensive, and all the shopping offers just incredible value.

You're gonna eat three meals a day and you're gonna pay less than what you would pay for one big meal in Los Angeles. So if you're considering a trip to Japan, my advice is budget more for shopping, for sure.

Carry cash, Make sure your Suica card is loaded. Use Klook to book all of your attractions, and also don't be afraid to eat at any of the local hole-in-the-wall spots because that was where some of the best food was and also some of the cheapest.

After adding everything up, I can confidently say that Japan was worth every single penny. It was one of the best experiences that I've ever had in my life.

Not just because of the attractions or the food, but genuinely because I felt like every single dollar that I spent on this trip was worth it. So if you're looking to book that trip to Japan, now. Start planning it out, and book that flight so that you can also experience the amazing culture of Japan.

Thanks so much for listening to the Gold Sea Podcast We'll see you in the next episode.

Joining forces with ILLIT and KATSEYE on “Iconic by Mistake,” LE SSERAFIM launches a major new era of global pop dominance.

LE SSERAFIM has carved out a unique space in the global music industry, recognized for their sophisticated, runway-inspired aesthetics and confident, dance-driven sound.

The five-member girl group launched a massive collaboration with the June 12th release of the single “Iconic by Mistake,” joining forces with HYBE labelmates ILLIT and KATSEYE for a major cross-cultural song.

This release followed the May 2026 launch of their second studio album, PUREFLOW pt. 1, which drew instant attention through its main track, “Boompala.”

In October 2025, the release of the crossover song “Spaghetti” featuring BTS member j-hope, drew immense industry interest.

The year prior marked one of LE SSERAFIM’s biggest hits, “Crazy,” highlighted by an EP of the same name.  The energetic music video spotlighted the New York voguing collective Iconic House of Juicy Couture, who performed intricate choreography with the group.  A few months prior, they delivered their third mini-album, Easy, led by its relaxed, trap-heavy title track.

Their debut studio album, Unforgiven, reached number 6 on the US Billboard 200 after its 2023 release.  The titular track featured the legendary Chic guitarist Nile Rodgers and was certified platinum.  This project also featured the reggaeton-inspired track, “Antifragile,” which has become their biggest hit with over 1 billion plays on Spotify and YouTube.

LE SSERAFIM’s broader commercial reach was realized with their late 2023 English-language single “Perfect Night.”  Developed in collaboration with Blizzard Entertainment’s Overwatch 2, the track became their highest-charting single across many countries and remains a major career milestone.

Before these projects, their debut mini-album Fearless first brought them to prominence with its stripped-back, repetitive hook in May 2022.

LE SSERAFIM has evolved into an influential K-pop fixture, drawing an audience of over 17 million monthly listeners on Spotify.

Before Season 8 of Love Island began, two contestants of Asian heritage found themselves at the center of the show’s early controversies.

The love is back in the air and the villa has opened yet again for the newest season of Love Island USA. This year, the two Asian contestants revealed as original islanders have already made some of this season’s biggest headlines.

Love Island revealed the twelve contestants that would be moving into the villa this summer and amongst them was Vasana Montgomery, a Thai and Lao beauty entrepreneur from Oregon and Sean Reifel, a Black-Korean American and former police officer from Pennsylvania. Both Love Island contestants ended up fighting major controversies as soon as the cast was released, leading Vasana to not even step foot in the villa at all.

After Peacock announced that Vasana would be one of the twelve OG islanders this season, two videos resurfaced showing her using a racial slur. After last year’s casting debacle, where two female islanders were removed from the villa after evidence of them also using racial slurs resurfaced, Love Island was not taking any risks this season.

Vasana Montgomery was dropped from the cast just days before the show’s premiere on June 2nd and never got the chance to walk into the villa. Her introduction videos were never posted and Love Island didn’t even make an announcement about it. They simply just acted like she was never even a part of the show and even removed one of the six boys from the original islander cast and made him the first male bombshell to enter the villa. Vasana has since then issued a public apology on her Instagram explaining that the videos were from her teenage years and that she deeply regrets her actions.

Sean Reifel had a very different experience. Before Season 8 aired, he faced public criticism from Bethlehem, Pennsylvania Mayor, J. William Reynolds and the city’s police chief after leaving his position with the Bethlehem Police Department in order to be on the show. Reynolds claimed that taxpayers invested heavily into training Sean to be an officer and expressed his frustration for resigning. Sean’s mother stepped in claiming that the mayor was not fully honest and that Sean has been a Sheriff Deputy since April 2021, then moved to Pennsylvania after the department paid to put him through a full academy. This controversy became national news and had users online debating whether a reality TV opportunity justifies leaving his policeman career.

Unfortunately, Sean’s time in the villa quickly ended before viewers could find another topic to yap about. He was the first islander to be dumped from the season after being unable to secure a connection in the first few days.

Sean and Vasana’s controversial experiences with the show does not reflect the experiences of Asian contestants as a whole, but it had made Asian representation an unexpected part of the drama-filled series. Love Island Season 8 is only one week in and two of the most talked-about contestants so far barely even got the chance to really compete for love.

I will always swear by Asian skincare and these products are the ones that have consistently given me real real results.

With new skincare products going viral every week, it can get difficult to decide which ones actually work and what is just hyped up. After years of trying out different Asian skincare products, here are the ones that gave me real results. 

The first thing I do after washing my face is use MEDIHEAL’s Madecassoside Blemish Pads. As someone with acne prone skin I need something that helps reduce redness and these are the best pads if you are dealing with breakouts. These are simple, easy to use daily, and effective without feeling harsh or dry. 

Another great every day essential for me is Naturie’s Hotomugi Skin Conditioning Milk. This one hasn’t gone viral yet, but it's an underrated staple that focuses strictly on hydration without feeling heavy. This moisturizer is lightweight and affordable, perfect for always having something that keeps your skin soft. 

Next is numbuzin’s No. 9 PDRN Toner. I use this every day as the first step in my morning skincare routine because it makes my skin feel immediately different. This toner has regenerative properties which help support skin repair and give your skin a beautiful glow. 

Face masks have been an important part of my skincare journey and numbuzin’s No 9 Lifting Mask gives me an instant skin upgrade. This sheet mask really focuses on hydration and elasticity, completely transforming your skin with a more refreshed look. It’s the perfect mask to add to your weekly skincare routine or use before any event if you want your skin to look noticeably better in just 20 minutes. 

Finishing off this list is another face mask, Candorlov’s Egg-Glow Peel-Off Mask, which definitely lives up to its viral hype. This face mask tightens up pores and smooths your skin. After peeling it off you have a gorgeous glass-skin effect, making it great for any day you want that extra glow. 

At the end of the day, trends come and go so it doesn’t hurt to test out products until you find the ones that work for you and your skin.

For over 130 years, Wing on Wo & Co has served Manhattan’s Chinatown while witnessing nearly every chapter of Chinese American history along the way.

Wing on Wo & Co is Manhattan Chinatown’s oldest operating storefront that has managed to survive every era of its history.

It was founded as a general store serving the city’s growing Chinese immigrant community in the 1890s by Walter Eng, who was a Chinese immigrant himself. Wing on Wo sold canned food, dried goods, and other necessities that connected immigrants to home during a time of intense anti-Chinese discrimination.

Just eight years before the store’s opening, the Chinese Exclusion Act became a federal law that banned most Chinese labor immigration and restricted Chinese communities for over 60 years. This made businesses like Wing on Wo & Co more than just a general store. It became a place of meaning and survival.

The shop evolved with Chinatown and moved to its current location at 26 Mott Street in 1925. An herbalist counter and roasting pit was added to the shop, giving locals more reasons to stop by. Then in 1964, third generation owner Nancy Seid shifted the shop’s focus towards Chinese porcelain, which would permanently shape Wing on Wo & Co’s identity because now they are best known for its handpicked porcelain goods.

In 2016, fifth generation owner Mei Lum stepped in to help the family business, running it alongside her family members Nancy & Shuck Seid after her grandparents considered selling the store. But instead of letting Chinatown’s oldest store disappear, she modernized it, while still staying true to its traditional Chinese roots. Lum has also founded the W.O.W. Project, a community focused on preserving Chinatown through youth programs, art, and activism.

Manhattan’s Chinatown endured exclusion laws, economic hardship, rising rents, 9/11 and most recently, the wave of anti-Asian hostility during COVID-19, but somehow Wing on Wo & Co remained standing through it all. Today the shop is still acting as a symbol of Chinese resilience, representing the generations of immigrants who managed to preserve the culture and community.

He's doing it all to get back home—and he may never come back.

Yeah...

[Verse 1]

Started with a Roadster, now I'm shootin' for the stars,

Starship on the launch rail, point it toward the red,

Tesla on the highway,

NASA and Artemis,

[Chorus]

I'm the Mars Man,

Mars Man,

[Verse 2]

Data centers in space,

We'll fab our own chips,

I say, "Nah, not today."

Starship after Starship,

People say I'm reckless,

[Chorus]

I'm the Mars Man,

Mars Man,

[Bridge]

What you need a trillion for?

Mars.

What you need two trillion for?

Mars.

What you need ten thousand rockets for?

Mars.

What you need all these companies for?

Mars.

Falcon Heavy.

Every road leads to the same red rock.

[Verse 3]

First we build the city,

Martian stock exchange,

Got a Martian motorcade,

Everybody asks me,

I smile beneath the helmet,

Maybe not.

'Cause once I get elected,

Then king of Mars,

[Final Chorus]

I'm the Mars Man,

Falcon Heavy and Starlink,

Data centers in space,

Mars Man,

[Outro]

Countdown...

Tell Wall Street thanks.

Three...

Wild storylines from geopolitics to broadcasting rights are already overshadowing what is destined to be the final World Cup for Messi and Ronaldo.

The countdown to the 2026 FIFA World Cup is entering its final stretch, bringing a bittersweet reality as the final World Cup chapter of the iconic Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo era looms – an imminent changing of the guard much to the dismay of soccer fans worldwide.

Off the pitch, the tournament has generated massive headlines, starting with China Media Group securing the country’s TV rights at the eleventh hour. Domestically, local authorities in New York and New Jersey were forced to slash price-gouged transit fares to MetLife Stadium – and ticket pricing in the Tri-State area sparked investigations by the New York and New Jersey Attorney Generals – meanwhile, the Trump administration denied entry to a Somali referee. Adding to the spectacle, FIFA confirmed a blockbuster final halftime show co-headlined by BTS, Shakira, and Madonna.

On the field, DraftKings lists Spain as the favorite, at +450, with France and England trailing at +500 and +650, respectively.

However, Sports Illustrated has tapped +5000 Japan as its ultimate dark horse, citing the Blue Samurai’s elite synergy.  To break past their Round of 16 barrier, Japan will heavily lean on Real Sociedad’s dynamic playmaker Takefusa Kubo and Crystal Palace’s midfielder Daichi Kamada.

South Korea heads into the tournament looking similarly overlooked, boasting a world-class creative engine in PSG’s Lee Kang-in alongside former Tottenham and current LAFC star Son Heung-min anchoring the attack – who has said that this could be his last world cup.  Korea looks to channel the magic of their historic 2002 team run to the semi-finals – the only Asian nation to ever advance that far.

As one of the host countries alongside Mexico and Canada, the United States Men’s National Team are longshots to win it all at +6000 but also face massive pressure to spark a deep run on home soil.  With a new 48-team format, this summer promises an unprecedented blend of pop-culture crossover, logistics scrambling, and high-stakes drama.

Former poker pro and data pioneer Sunny Mehta takes over as general manager of the New Jersey Devils to launch a bold new era of Moneypuck strategy.

In today’s NHL, data is just as vital as ice time.  No one understands this better than Sunny Mehta, who was named General Manager of the New Jersey Devils in April.  Mehta’s appointment represents a bold, forward-thinking era for the franchise – drawing parallels to baseball’s Moneyball revolution.  By bringing a sophisticated “Moneypuck” approach to the front office, the Indian American executive is poised to weaponize data science and maximize roster efficiency.

Mehta’s path to the GM chair is one of the most eccentric stories in professional sports, built on an elite mastery of probability and risk assessment.  Before translating his skills to hockey operations, he managed risk on the Chicago Board of Trade as a proprietary derivatives trader for Peak6 Capital Management from 2011 to 2014.  Prior to that, while living in Las Vegas, he spent eight years playing high-stakes Texas Hold ‘em professionally and co-authoring two strategy books: 2007’s Professional No-Limit Hold ‘em: Volume I – which became an instant #1 Amazon gambling bestseller – and Small Stakes No-Limit Hold ‘em released in 2009.  His early roots were entirely creative; he graduated from the University of Miami in 2000 with a degree in jazz guitar and performed professionally in New Orleans.  In 2018, he earned a master’s degree in data science from the City University of New York.

Mehta’s hockey executive career has come full circle.  He was part of the NHL’s early wave of advanced analytics pioneers, serving a three-year stint as the Devils’ Director of Hockey Analytics beginning in 2014, where he established the league’s very first full-time analytics department.  In 2020, Mehta parlayed that experience into a historic six-season run with the Florida Panthers, ultimately rising to assistant GM and providing data-driven strategies that secured back-to-back Stanley Cup championships in 2024 and 2025.

Now running the show in New Jersey, Mehta takes the reins of a hungry, talented young core anchored by Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier.  The 48-year-old has already begun reshaping the front office, bringing in former Florida colleague Braden Birch as assistant GM.  For a local kid raised in Wyckoff, New Jersey, who grew up a die-hard fan watching the team practice, Mehta’s mission is clear: blend world-class data science with raw on-ice talent to bring the Stanley Cup back to the Garden State.

This ancient Chinese folk tale reminds us to enjoy all the things that make life real.

Now then, my little dears, scoot a little closer and make sure your toes are tucked under the blanket. That's right. We can't have any wandering toes out in the open after dark. Everyone knows that's when the tickle-monsters go hunting.

Comfortable?

Good.

Tonight I'll tell you a very old Chinese tale about a scholar, a painting, and a mystery that no one has ever quite explained.

Long ago, in a village surrounded by green hills and bamboo forests, there lived a young scholar named Wang.

Now, Wang was a nice fellow, but he spent so much time reading books that sometimes he forgot to notice the real world around him.

If a bird sang outside his window, he'd miss it because he was reading.

If a rainbow appeared in the sky, he'd miss that too because he was reading.

If a dragon flew past his house—

Well, he probably would've looked up and said, "Hmm?" before going right back to reading.

One spring morning, Wang set out on a journey.

The day was warm. Bees hummed among the flowers, and little white clouds drifted lazily across the sky like sheep taking a nap.

As evening approached, Wang arrived at an old mountain temple.

The temple was quiet.

Very quiet.

The kind of quiet where even your footsteps seem to whisper.

Since he was tired from traveling, Wang asked the monks if he could spend the night.

"Of course," they said.

After supper, Wang wandered through the temple halls.

He admired the carved wooden beams and the lanterns glowing softly in the twilight.

Then he entered a room he hadn't seen before.

Hanging on one wall was the most beautiful painting he had ever seen.

It showed a hidden valley.

There were peach trees covered in pink blossoms.

A sparkling stream wound through the grass.

Tiny cottages sat beneath green hills.

And standing on a little bridge was a young woman in a flowing robe.

She seemed so lifelike that Wang almost expected her to blink.

"Well," he said softly, "that's a remarkable painting."

The longer he looked, the more real it seemed.

The leaves appeared to rustle.

The water seemed to flow.

The breeze seemed to move the woman's sleeves.

Wang stepped closer.

Then closer still.

And suddenly—

Whoosh!

The room vanished.

The temple disappeared.

The wall disappeared.

And before he knew it, Wang was standing inside the painting.

Yes indeed.

Inside it.

Now don't ask me how.

If grandmothers knew how magical paintings worked, we'd all have one hanging in the kitchen.

Wang looked around in amazement.

The peach blossoms drifted through the air.

The stream sparkled in the sunlight.

Birds sang from the trees.

Everything was alive.

Everything.

Then the young woman from the bridge walked toward him.

"Welcome," she said with a smile.

Wang blinked.

He rubbed his eyes.

He pinched his arm.

Then he pinched it again.

"Ouch," he said.

The woman laughed.

"I assure you," she said, "you're really here."

Well, from that day on, Wang explored the valley.

He wandered through forests filled with golden sunlight.

He crossed little stone bridges.

He attended cheerful festivals where lanterns floated through the night sky like stars.

The people of the valley were kind and happy.

No one hurried.

No one argued.

No one worried about becoming rich or famous.

They simply enjoyed each day.

And, little ones, that's not a bad way to live.

As the days passed, Wang became friends with the young woman.

They spent long afternoons talking beside the stream.

They watched butterflies drift among the blossoms.

They laughed together.

And before long, Wang realized he never wanted to leave.

For a while, he forgot all about examinations, books, and ambitions.

He was simply happy.

Now, happiness is wonderful.

But sometimes life has a way of reminding us that nothing stays the same forever.

One morning Wang awoke to find the valley strangely quiet.

The birds had stopped singing.

The breeze had vanished.

The young woman stood waiting beside the bridge.

"I'm afraid it's time," she said gently.

"Time for what?" asked Wang.

"Time for you to go home."

Wang's heart sank.

"But I belong here now."

The woman smiled sadly.

"No," she said. "You belong in your own world."

Before he could answer, the valley began to fade.

The trees grew misty.

The stream dissolved into silver light.

The mountains disappeared into clouds.

And then—

Whoosh!

Wang found himself standing once again in the temple.

The painting hung quietly on the wall.

Exactly where it had always been.

Everything looked unchanged.

The lanterns still glowed.

The room was still.

The temple was still.

Had it all been a dream?

Wang hurried to find the monks.

"How long have I been gone?" he asked.

The oldest monk smiled.

"Only a few moments."

"A few moments?" cried Wang.

"But I spent months there!"

The monk simply nodded.

"Sometimes," he said, "the heart travels farther than the feet."

Now, my sweet little ones, Wang eventually returned home.

He continued reading and studying.

But he was different afterward.

He noticed birdsong.

He watched sunsets.

He smiled more often.

And whenever life became too busy or too serious, he remembered the hidden valley beyond the painting.

As for the mysterious young woman?

Some say she was a spirit.

Some say she was a fairy.

Some say she was part of the painting itself.

And some say she was simply a reminder that there are beautiful things in the world that cannot be owned, only appreciated.

Which answer is true?

Well...

That's for dreamers like you to decide.

And now, little peaches, close your eyes.

Imagine a valley filled with blossoms.

Imagine a sparkling stream.

Imagine butterflies dancing in warm sunlight.

And if, in your dreams tonight, you happen to find a beautiful painting hanging on a wall...

Perhaps don't stare at it for too long.

You never know where it might lead.

Good night.

With Dylan Harper and Jordan Clarkson clashing in the Finals, the league prepares to crown its first champion of Filipino descent.

In the NBA Finals, history is guaranteed to be made as the sports world prepares to crown the first player of Filipino descent to win an NBA championship.  The New York Knicks have jumped out to a commanding two-game series lead, though veteran guard Jordan Clarkson has only played sparingly off the bench during their run.  On the other side, San Antonio Spurs combo guard Dylan Harper has emerged as an absolute difference-maker on the sport’s biggest stage. The rookie phenom is averaging 15.5 points per game while shooting a highly efficient 55% from the floor.  Harper came up big in the clutch, burying several critical baskets down the stretch of Game 2 to keep San Antonio alive before a costly, late-game turnover by Victor Wembanyama ultimately sealed the victory for the Knicks.  The series now heads to Madison Square Garden, where even the “cheap seats” are going for $5,000, in a must-win Game 3 for the Spurs.

A pair of Korean LPGA stars finished in the top five of the U.S. Women’s Open, this year’s second major championship.  In Gee Chun put together a brilliant, steady performance over four grueling days to finish at 6-under par, securing a fourth-place finish and a hefty payday just over $580,000.  Right on her heels was compatriot Sei Young Kim, who carded a 5-under par overall to claim fifth place, walking away with just under half a million dollars for her stellar week of play.

In collegiate golf, BYU standout Kihei Akina capped off an extraordinary debut season by being named the recipient of the prestigious 2026 Phil Mickelson Award, given annually to the nation’s top freshman.  The Native Hawaiian phenom proved to be a dominant force all year, compiling a 69.05 scoring average—the lowest single-season mark in BYU history.  Akina validated the award on the biggest stage in amateur golf, completing a top 10 finish at the NCAA DI Men’s National Championship after turning in a brilliant 8-under-par performance.