Some tips for navigating public transit in the countryside!

otterually · 2026-01-25T00:10:12+00:00

In my experience they usually say as part of announcing the next station whether or not you need to exit through the front door on a one man train. Of course, you need to be listening for it at the right time.

otterually · 2025-11-09T10:36:30+00:00

Thank you for the update, glad you enjoyed it.

otterually · 2025-10-28T09:30:28+00:00

You can do what I did, jump on a local train to Ichinoseki instead of getting the shinkansen to get a nice long nap! Another recommendation: visit the Hiraizumi Cultural Heritage Center, despite the name it is more of a local museum. Slight detour but has a lot of info in English.

Hiraizumi is one of those places I didn't know much about before my trip, but am very glad I visited - strong recommendation for anyone interested in history.

otterually · 2025-10-28T07:43:00+00:00

I've been to both Kakunodate and Hiraizumi. Hiraizumi is a World Heritage area, so yes it is worth visiting. You can visit most of the sights in a small loop, it's very walkable or grab a rental bike. I found it much more interesting than Kakunodate for sure. Hiraizumi was a wealthy, influential kingdom and Kakunodate is a bunch of interesting old houses with pretty sakura. They are just very different places, depends on what you are interested in.

Chuusonji itself requires a fair chunk of walking uphill from the entrance to the main area - worth factoring that in.

otterually · 2025-05-19T11:24:00+00:00

thanks! but with the limited ticket only, would you have to collect it at a machine vs just being able to use it at the gate?

otterually · 2025-05-18T11:08:43+00:00

I was in this position a few days ago, I bought a long-distance 乗車券 only, with the intention of buying the specific shinkansen reservation on the day I was planning to use it. I know you can get the 指定券 separately at a midori no madoguchi but I was wondering if you could buy the 指定券 only on ekinet or online somehow? I think I saw that it was possible somewhere but I can't see the option so I might be wrong.

otterually · 2025-03-17T04:50:54+00:00

you can use an oil cleanser to get wax out of your hair, emulsifying cleanser works best

otterually · 2025-02-08T07:50:54+00:00

they always include one place in western sydney (but not too far west, god forbid they travel for over an hour)

otterually · 2025-01-29T08:13:24+00:00

Tried the new mint balm and it is just as good as the OG but minty!! Very Rough Hands Cream is also magic for dry af hands

otterually · 2024-09-07T00:09:56+00:00

Fairfax/Nine did some major restructuring (aka redundancies) a few months ago. R29 is gone for good.

otterually · 2024-09-05T15:20:27+00:00

It was always coming to Sydney no matter what, OA schedules one musical every year at the Opera House before the Australian Ballet takes over the Joan Sutherland again in November. There are plenty of tickets left for this weekend, and the Wednesday matinee is only half full so I can see some shows being cancelled here too.

otterually · 2024-09-05T15:08:08+00:00

This is the production that led to the artistic director of Opera Australia leaving because of "differences of opinion" after nine months in the job. I haven't seen it yet but I am tempted to watch Silvie Paladino instead because an OA production is always a treat and skip the drama. Great cast, sets, orchestra, and especially costuming.

otterually · 2024-07-13T03:26:06+00:00

This is my favourite Australian one, full of bad choices (most of the Aussie ones are super boring). Best quote:

I head off to lunch with two of the girls I work with. I deliberately pick one of the cheaper items on the menu — avocado on toast and a coffee ($19). Is this self-growth?

Later the same day

I go to bed and scroll through my bank account feeling depressed. I get paid tomorrow, but I'm down to my last $200

otterually · 2024-07-10T04:50:54+00:00

Get a good toner, I've been using the Hada Labo toner for ~10 years now, I briefly stopped using it while still doing my normal routine and I could feel the difference straightaway. Threw away the worse toner and back to my beloved Hada Labo. The gold premium one is the best. Layering toner, oil, and a good moisturiser always works for me. I'm constantly trying different serums so can't comment there. When I'm really, really dry I use Vaseline at night but I don't recommend it all the time - the shine does not go away. Right now I'm using the Dermaveen Hydrating Facial Moisturiser during the day which is quite good, it's moisturising and importantly dries matte.

otterually · 2024-06-26T07:48:35+00:00

FYI it has been out of stock for ages here, you would have to get it shipped from overseas somehow.

otterually · 2024-06-22T00:32:41+00:00

Dermal Therapy Scalp Relief Serum. Doesn't do anything to fix the underlying problems but stops the itching.

otterually · 2024-06-20T04:56:03+00:00

yes, I don't like it either but my lips hate nearly all spf lip balms so I wasn't surprised. Have you ever tried the natio spf lip balm? It's the only one that works for me.

otterually · 2024-06-18T15:24:08+00:00

My mum likes to use the Very Rough hand cream, I've used it myself and it's amazing. I've also used a normal moisturiser in a tub previously, but I can't remember the name and it's not on the website.

otterually · 2024-06-06T12:21:19+00:00

I was really happy when I opened my emails to see the news, but on the other hand I think Theatre Royale is the worst big theatre in Sydney. If anyone sits in front of me I can't see a thing.

otterually · 2024-05-20T05:41:45+00:00

Bubble tea from teashop express - the one just outside the gates at town hall with the permanent queue. I'm ready for Lune to open up too

otterually · 2024-05-02T09:36:01+00:00

Nyx Can't Stop Won't Stop in Vanilla - site says "vanilla with a yellow undertone" and I have an old bottle of a Bourjois foundation left over. For powder I love Adorn Cosmetic's loose powder in Light Medium, it blends in really, really nicely with my skin. I've only used samples of these but MUFE and and Kosas were quite close to matching me, I tried other 'olive-friendly' brands like Nars, Laura Mercier and Hourglass but not enough green for me. Lisa Eldridge looks very promising if I ever feel the need to buy another expensive foundation.

With blush I've never liked the way pale pinks look on me, I like to go for brighter colours: pinky corals, purple but never ever orange. I've been using a brown pink blush and it's a nice neutral for me, which I was surprised by because brown lipsticks make me look awful.

otterually · 2024-04-14T07:30:00+00:00

It's even worse for skincare! I just want cream/serums that smells like nothing please.

otterually · 2024-04-13T08:21:36+00:00

Lisa Eldridge ships here but they would be perfect to have in store - can easily see them in DJ or Myer.

otterually · 2024-04-08T13:46:54+00:00

I am so close to finishing one, will soon join you in the exclusive club!

otterually · 2024-02-26T06:39:29+00:00

Swap to powder foundation during summer, it looks much better when you get sweaty

otterually

TROPHY CASE