What Are The Unique Things To Do In Sapporo? Exploring The Capital Of Hokkaido  

BY  Sibashree Apr 27, 2026

Dalawella Beach is the best beach for families in Sri Lanka in 2026.  It’s not me, and Lonely Planet has conferred this title to Dalawella Beach, which is just south of the Unawatuna resort town.  Furthermore, it is just 20 km from Galle and less than 8 km from Galle Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  On the same list, the Hiriketiya Beach has become the best beach for amenities, the Mirissa Beach has been chosen as the best beach for whale watching, and Unawatuna Beach has been selected as the best beach overall.  You can take a tuk-tuk from Unawatuna and reach this beautiful beach within 10 minutes. Furthermore, it is a 2-hour journey by road.  Taxis to Dalawella Beach are also available from Galle.  While easy accessibility remains a plus for the beach on the southern coast of Sri Lanka, it stands out because of its rope swing attached to a leaning palm tree. This swing is also called the Dalawella Swing.  Moreover, Dalawella Beach or Wijaya Beach has a sheltered natural pool, formed by a reef and adorable turtles.  So, what are the things to do and the top attractions at this beach? Let’s discuss this in detail in this blog.  How To Reach Dalawella Beach?  As I have said already, you can easily take a tuk-tuk from Unawatuna and reach Dalawella Beach within 10 minutes.  I paid LKR 200 as the tuk-tuk price and got off at the Dream Cabana Hotel. Here, you will find the palm tree that has the famous Dalawella Swing.  You will also get buses from Unawatuna to Dalawella every 15-20 minutes, and the ticket price is LKR 50.  Why Is Dalawella Beach A Must-Visit? (Things To Do In Dalawella Beach) Sri Lanka has the best of many things. It has the famous Buddhist sites, such as the Dambulla Royal Cave Temple, or the Sacred City of Anuradhapura.  These are high-energy places and are soaked in spiritual fervor.  On the other hand, the coastal gateways such as the Uppuveli Beach in Trincomalee or Ahangama Beach Town, offer you the ideal places to relax and unwind.  The Dalawella Beach near Unawatuna is, of course, a nice addition to this list of beaches in Sri Lanka.  While relaxing and enjoying a laid-back vibe is the best thing to do when you are at Dalawella Beach, here are some other activities you must try.  1. Swing Over The Water  The palm tree swing is the top attraction at Dalawella Beach. This swing is attached to the leaning palm tree in front of the Dream Cabana hotel.  You can enjoy this swing ride over the water and have the most amazing experience. A hit on Instragram, this is the perfect spot for photography or making reels at Dalawella Beach.  The cost of taking this swing is LKR 500, which I have seen many travel guides mentioning as the entry fee.  However, entry to Dalawella Beach is free.  2. Watch The Sunset From The Wijaya Rock You will find the Wijaya Rock if you walk a few hundred meters from the Wijaya Rock. The standalone rock comes out of the sand and reaches out into the ocean.  There is a palm tree right beside the rock. So, the overall setup is very Insta-worthy, especially during the hours of sunrise and sunset.  3. Swim With Turtles  Turtles are a major attraction on the Sri Lankan beaches.  Be it the beaches in Jaffna or the Sea Turtles Conservation Centre near Mount Lavinia Beach, these adorable creatures add more delight to the beach experience.  At Dalawella Beach also, I spotted some turtles, and swimming by them in the lagoon was relaxing.  So, you don’t need to snorkel to meet them.  Furthermore, if you don’t want to swim in the water, you can watch them from the top of the Wijiya Rock or use a drone camera to capture their beauty.  4. Surfing Near The Frog Rock  Dalawella Beach is not the best option if you want to enjoy surfing in Sri Lanka. However, it is not the worst either.  You will find the iconic Frog Rock at the end of Dalawella Beach. The natural formation of this boulder makes it look like a frog.  However, the water here is quite shallow, and the reef is a major challenge. So, you will mostly find locals surfing in this area.  Moreover, Dalawella Beach has some delightful cafes and restaurants. You can enjoy seafood and chilled beer here and enjoy amazing sunset views.  What Are The Other Beaches To Visit Near The Dalawella Beach?  As I have mentioned, Dalawella Beach is not that great as a surfing destination, and it does not have a surfing break.  So, you can try nearby beach options such as Ahangama, Kabalana, or Koggala.  The best among them is, of course, Ahangama, and you can easily reach this beach town by a tuk-tuk, and it takes just 20 minutes.  Ahangama is the best because it has around fifteen surf breaks along a few kilometers of the coast.  The Kabalana Beach, around 15 km away from Dalawella Beach, is also a popular surfing destination and has the best A-frame in Sri Lanka.  However, if you want a more peaceful experience at a remote place, you can try Koggala. It is just 10 minutes away, but it can be a little dumpy.  Where To Stay If You Want To Surf At Dalawella Beach?  You will find many hotels to stay at Dalawella dotting the beach. However, it is always better to take a tuk-tuk ride or a short walk to find better options.  For example, the Rockside Cabanas Hotel is the most popular accommodation, and it is within walking distance of the beach. It is also very close to the turtle lagoon.  You can also plan a stay at the Horizon Hill Top Villa. Take a tuk-tuk to reach this hotel in two minutes from the beach.  It serves an amazing breakfast, and it has a lovely pool in the jungle.  What Is The Best Time To Visit Dalawella Beach?  Dalawella Beach remains open 24x7. However, 6 AM to 7 PM is the best time to visit the beach in a day.  Season-wise, December to March or the dry season, is the best time to visit Dalwella Beach.  Moderate temperature with an average of 31-32 degrees Celsius, long sunshine hours, and calm waves make this season ideal for regular tourists and surfers.  Moreover, these months are the best for spotting turtles here. 

BY  Sibashree Jun 6, 2026

The historical Galle Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is going to play an important role in the tourism growth of Sri Lanka in 2026.  Its colonial-era landmarks, such as the Groote Kerk, the Dutch reformed church or the Galle Clock Tower, the living heritage, and the rich maritime history make Galle Fort such a prominent landmark in the landscape of cultural tourism in Sri Lanka.  It is also easily accessible from the Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo, at a distance of around 153 km.  Various bus routes between Colombo and Galle, and the train connectivity ensure a smooth journey.  Here are more details about how to get from Colombo to Galle.  How To Get From Colombo To Galle? Know The Transport Options The best way to get from Colombo to Galle is to enjoy a scenic train ride. However, if you miss the train, you can also opt for a local bus ride.  Also, if the budget is not a constraint, you can book a ride from a ride-hailing app or book a cab to travel the distance by road.  Here, I will decode the train, bus, and private transfer journeys along with details such as the travel duration, ticket pricing, and amenities.  Moreover, the journeys in buses and local trains offer distinct cultural experiences, as I have mentioned in my Kandy to Ella train journey blog.  1. How To Get From Colombo To Galle By Train?  To get from Colombo to Galle, you can plan a coastal train ride.  Here, the railway track runs along the palm-fringed coasts for most of the journey.  Moreover, the ocean waters here will crash just meters away from your open window.  So, overall, it is, in no way, a mundane commute experience. You are going to have an experience of a lifetime.  You can have a look at the table below to know about the train timings. (Source: Sri Lanka Railways).  Departure From Colombo FortAvailableArrival In Galle 6:17 AM Saturdays, Sundays, and Holidays 8:32 AM6:50 AMEveryday9:29 AM8:35 AMEveryday10:49 AM10:30 AMEveryday12:49 PM2:40 PMEveryday4:57 PM3:50 PMEveryday5:57 PM4:47 PMEveryday7:04 PM5:32 PMMonday to Friday (Except Holidays)8:25 PM5:31 PMSaturdays, Sundays, and Holidays 8:05 PM5:51 PMEveryday9:29 PM6:16 PMExcept Saturdays and Sundays8:40 PM7:30 PMEveryday11:10 PM The trains have second-class and third-class sections.  The ticket price for the second-class commute is LKR 500, and for the third-class commute it is LKR 240.  How To Book The Tickets To Get From Colombo To Galle By Train?  You can book the ticket from Colombo to Galle online (reserved) or offline (unreserved).  If you are traveling between December and April, it is the peak season for a trip to Sri Lanka. So, you must book the tickets at least 32 days in advance from the Sri Lanka Railways online seat reservation portal.  However, in the off-season, you will get the tickets a few days before.  In addition, you can book a train ticket from the local counter at the Colombo Fort Railway Station.   2. The Colombo To Galle Express Bus: Speed And Comfort If you want a more comfortable journey to get from Colombo to Galle without spending much money, you can try the bus routes.  Express Highway Bus (EX01) Duration: 2 hours to 2.5 hours Route The bus travels through the Southern Expressway (E01).  Moreover, if you choose this route, you will be able to bypass every coastal traffic, and you will reach faster than the coastal route buses. Traveling Experience The buses are usually fast and relatively smooth.  Additionally, the buses are very comfortable, usually air-conditioned, and have comfortable cushioned seats.  Moreover, the journey through this route is through the highway, which means that you will not be able to see any ocean views. Where To Catch The Bus From These buses depart from the Makumbura Multimodal Center or the Colombo Bastian Mawatha Bus Terminal.  Additionally, these buses are frequent you will be able to catch a bus every 20 minutes to 30 minutes. Coastal Route Bus (Route 02) Duration: 3 hours to 4 hours Route Buses of this route pass through the coastline, giving you an amazing coastal view.  These buses pass through some magnificent towns like Mount Lavinia, Wadduwa, and Hikkaduwa, which enhance the beauty of the journey. Traveling These buses will provide you with an authentic and local Sri Lankan ride.  Sometimes the ride can also be chaotic but enjoyable. Moreover, if you choose these buses, be prepared for a bold and rapid ride.  These bus rides are often characterized by a stop-and-go rhythm because of their sudden bursts of speed.  Furthermore, these bus rides are enjoyable with loud, crowded, and vibrant locals hopping on and off, and street vendors selling snacks.  Finally, the most amazing part of this bus ride is the spectacular views of coconut palms and the Indian Ocean. You can also jump off and go around the beach towns along the way. Where To Catch The Bus From  You can catch these buses from the Central Bus Stand near the Colombo Fort Railway Station. Some Tips For Your Ride Here are some other details you need to know if you want to get from Colombo to Galle.  Ticket Prices These buses are very affordable. The ticket prices depend on whether you take a local non-AC bus or an AC highway bus. The ticket prices usually range between LKR 300 and LKR 1000. Luggage You usually won't find a cargo hold on coastal buses. In such situations, you will need to keep your backpack on your lap or squeeze it into overhead racks. Music And Noise If you have never been on a Sri Lankan bus, this is going to be a light-and-sound journey for you.  Public buses in Sri Lanka are known for their lively atmosphere, featuring Sri Lankan pop music and colorful interiors, which you can enjoy throughout the journey. Private Transfers And Taxis: Seamless Door-To-Door Service Suppose you are traveling with family or small children.  Or, if you are part of a group where everyone is carrying heavy luggage, you can choose a private transfer.  Also, a private transfer can be of two types.  Taking A Private Taxi  A private taxi will pick you up from the Bandaranaike International Airport or your hotel in Colombo and drop you off outside your accommodation inside the Galle Fort ramparts.  You will enjoy the ride through the Southern Expressway.  A private taxi ride on this route will take between 1.5 and 2 hours.  However, the charges will be really high as a standard sedan will cost between LKR 15000 and 20000.  Using Ride-Hailing Apps If you are traveling to Sri Lanka for the first time, you can avoid negotiating with unpredictable street drivers.  You can book a cab using local ride-hailing apps such as PickMe. It is the premier local Sri Lankan ride-hailing platform. Furthermore, you can also use Uber to operate reliably and extensively throughout the Colombo metropolitan area.  The price range for these cabs from Colombo Fort to Galle is between LKR 8000 and 12000.

BY  Sibashree Mar 30, 2026

Jimbocho Book Town is a massive book district or book town with more than 400 book stores.  It is one of the oldest and biggest in the world and is often uttered with respect equal to the Kaifeng and China book towns.  Also, it is a great place for dark academia fans, students, and readers, as they will find most of the second-hand books in Japan here.  Furthermore, it’s not just about the love for the book and the “intellectual” aspect of it.  Time Out has named it the best neighborhood in the world in 2025.  But do you know about the best book stores and cafes in the Jimbocho Book Town? Here is a detailed list.  However, let’s talk about the history, accessibility, and the best things to do in this book town.  Jimbocho Book Town: A Neighborhood That Survived World War II The Kanda-Jinbōchō area started getting many law schools in the late 19th century and early 20th century, and this is how the book town came.  Many bookshops opened then, and students of the law schools often sold their old books to these shops at a cheaper rate. Thus, this concept of second-hand books came.  New students used to buy these books because they were cheaper.  Furthermore, it is nothing short of a miracle that this book town survived the bombing and destruction during World War II.  Jimbocho started flourishing as a book town once World War II was over, and today, it is the most fascinating place for bibliophiles.  Furthermore, Shūeisha (Jump Manga Magazines), Iwanami, and many other leading publication houses have their headquarters in the Jimbocho Book Town.  Moreover, the curry restaurants and cafes here have been hosting the most famous authors for the longest time.  I must mention Ladrio in this context. It was built in 1949 as the reading room of a bookstop. It was also the first place that brought Viennese coffee to Japan.  Now, it was more than an elevation in the texture and flavor. The whipped cream helped to keep the coffee warm for longer as the intellectuals here took part in debates and hot discussions.  How To Reach The Jimbocho Book Town?  The central location of Jimbocho in Tokyo makes it easy to visit. You can take a ride on the Subway network to make this commute.  Reach Jimbocho Book Town By Subway  The nearest subway station is the Jimbocho Station. You will take the subway to the station on the following lines.  Toei Mita Line Tokyo Metro Hanzomon Line And, Toei Shinjuku Line Moreover, once you reach the subway station and exit from A5 or A6, you can find the book stores along Yasukuni-dori.  Reach Jimbocho Book Town From Shinjuku And Shibuya The journey through the Toei Shinjuku Line from Shinjuku Station is the easiest way to reach the Jimbocho Book Town. It does not need any transfer.  Furthermore, the travel time is about 15 minutes.  On the other hand, from Shibuya Station, you can take a ride through the Tokyo Metro Hanzomon Line to reach Jimbocho Station within 20 minutes. Reach Jimbocho Book Town From Tokyo Station From Tokyo Station, you have to take a Rapid ride on the R Chuo Line and reach Kanda Station.  Then, you have to reach the Toei Mita Line or the Toei Shinjuku Line to complete the journey in 5 minutes. Shopping For Old And Rare Books And Magazines: The Best Thing To Do In Jimbocho Book Town  From antiquarian books and documents to specialized books and first editions, you will find all the books in the Hakusan-dori and Yasukuni-dori intersections of the Jimbocho Book Town.  Starting from the Meiji Era(1868-1912) to today, it has been a book town par excellence.  Furthermore, the Aozora Kohon Ichiba, or the annual Kanda Used Book Festival, draws book lovers across the globe to the Jimbocho Book Town.   This festival is held in late October or early November, and it was celebrated from October 24th to November 3rd in 2025.   What Are The Book Stores You Must Visit In The Jimbocho Book Town?  Do you think that the Jimbocho Book Town only has Japanese books? You will get books in various languages in the book stores here.  Here are the book stores you must visit.  1. Kitazawa Book Store  The Kitazawa Book Store is the best book store to find English books and classics in the Jimbocho Book Town.  It started in 1902 and has thus completed more than 125 years in serving as a beacon of Western literature connoisseurs in Jimbocho Book Town.  You will mostly find foreign and humanities-related books here.  2. Magnif Zinebocho Magnif Zinebocho is a paradise for readers and lovers of retro magazines. You will mostly find lifestyle and fashion magazines from the last few decades here.  Though it mostly sells Japanese retro magazines, you will also find magazines that overcome language barriers.  Furthermore, the Mondrian artwork on the bookstore’s facade is really impressive, and you will find retro magazines such as Olive and Relax. 3. Books Tokyodo Built in 1890, Books Tokyodo is one of the oldest book stores in the Jimbocho Book Town. Here, you will find books of different genres from the bygone eras and modern times.  Furthermore, it is one of the book stores that has helped to create a community of book lovers, and that is the most cherished thing about it.  4. Komiyana Tokyo The history of Komiyana Tokyo goes back to 1939. It is a dedicated 4-story building with each floor offering distinct attractions to book and art lovers.  You will find here books on history, Japanese art, Western art, and fashion.  Furthermore, it has the widest collection of photo books, and most of them are by the original photographers or painters.  Also, watch out for the weekend “Garage Sale” behind the shop.  You never know when you can find a diamond.  5. Bohemian’s Guild  The Bohemian’s Guild is a great place to find vintage books on visual art and design.  Furthermore, the bookstore has been there since the Taisho era (1912-1926). The first floor of the store has all the books and a warm lighting that, along with the brown wooden floor, creates an inviting atmosphere.  Furthermore, on the second floor, the book gallery allows you to explore the lithographs, paints and prints.   What Are The Best Cafes To Visit In The Jimbocho Book Town?  Kissaten, or the coffee house culture of Japan, is unique. The best cafes in the Jimbocho Book Town allow you to get familiar with that.  Furthermore, the cafes here celebrate the history and origin of the book town. So, here are my favorites. 1. Sabouru With an origin in 1955,  Sabouru stands out with its unique Showa-era charm and nostalgic vibe.  You must try the cream soda here, and it is available in seven colors. They also make an excellent strawberry juice smoothie.  Moreover, the adjacent Sabouru 2 is a popular place here to have classic “Japanese Napolitan Spaghetti.”  2. Milonga Nuova Built in 1953, Milonga Nuova is a paradise for Tango lovers.  Furthermore, the charcoal-roasted coffee here hits different, and that is often accompanied by the signature desserts.  Moreover, you will find more than 30 varieties of imported beers here.  Along with these cafes, Jimbocho Book Town also has various curry restaurants. From Mandala to Bondy, these restaurants celebrate the tradition started in the Meiji era.  The book lovers found it very convenient to eat curry with one hand while the other hand was busy holding the book or flipping the pages.  Read Also: Is The Japan Rail Pass Worth It In 2026? Should I Buy Or Avoid It As A Conscious Tourist? Cherry Blossom Kyoto Japan: 2026 Season And The Top Viewing Spots Osaka Food: Know What To Eat In The Streets Of Osaka