What do you do with old train tickets? If you're like most people, you probably throw them out once you get to your stop. But for one X user, who simply goes by the username of Yota8nsx, train tickets are something to be appreciated. Their entire account is dedicated to documenting the history of the Japanese Hankyu Railway from the 1950s and 60s, and when they are not posting photos of old train cars, they have another passion—sharing old train tickets.

If you think you know what train tickets look like, think again because what Yota8nsx posts is nothing short of art. Many of the designs feature famous sights from around Japan, including Mount Fuji. The paper normally has brightly colored, abstract designs in the background, firmly giving the tickets a 60s pop art feel. Foliage is often painted in with a brush pen, giving the tickets a beautiful, handmade feeling.

The themes of the tickets also correspond to which train they belong to, with several tickets having nighttime designs for evening routes. Others have minimalist maps printed at the bottom, with little drawn icons of landmarks that correspond to each of the stops. Each ticket is a testament to the skills of the artist, as no two designs are alike.

To see when Yota8nsx posts next, be sure to follow their X.

Yota8nsx's Twitter account is dedicated to posting vintage Japanese railway photos, including beautifully designed tickets.

Some feature drawings of iconic Japanese landmarks and the country's natural landscapes.

Others have dazzling nighttime themes, as the tickets likely corresponded with an evening route.

Each ticket is a testament to the artist behind it, as they are all gorgeously detailed and painstakingly printed.

Yota8nsx: X
h/t: [Kottke]

All images via Yota8nsx.

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READ: Stunning Vintage Japanese Train Tickets Are Works of Art

Photo: AKSAKAL/Depositphotos

If you are loved by a dog and travel often, you've likely faced the conundrum of what the most dog-friendly option is. Most airlines don't allow dogs, and those that do restrict to small breeds or force dogs into the cargo hold. It's a miserable experience for dogs and owners alike. There have even been tragic consequences to treating our beloved family members as luggage. This forces canine-loving humans to either leave their fluffy friends behind or be limited to road trips. Luckily, fellow dog-fanatics over at BARK have created a solution: an airline that caters to dogs first, humans second.

Starting this month, BARK Air will fly between New York and Los Angeles, or New York and London, with chartered Gulfstream G5s operated by Talon Air. Every detail has been considered in order to make the flights smooth for pups. While there is room for 15 dogs and their humans, they will not book more than 10. So there's plenty of room to do a big stretch. There will be relaxing pheromones and music wafting in the air, as well as warm lavender-scented towels, to keep Fido happy. Along with Bark branded treats and toys, concierge will have “just-in-case bags” that have every item of dog supplies one could think of from calming treats to extra leashes. During take-off and landing, dogs will be served their “beverage of choice” which includes water and bone broth. This helps alleviate ear discomfort from cabin pressure changes.

On the airline's website, their CFO (Canine Flying Officer) Amelia the Pomeranian has provided helpful answers to every ticket buyer's questions. Passengers will bypass security and board from a private waiting area where pups can get some quick zoomies in and get to sniff their fellow passengers. Unfortunately, no (human) children will be allowed on a flight; only people 18 years and older can board. Amelia also explains why the tickets start at $6,000: “First, money is a construct developed by humans as a means of alienating the worker from the fruits of their labor. Second, yeah, these tickets are pricey! Our goal over time is to bring the ticket cost down significantly as we scale. That way your human will have more money to buy you Christmas sweaters.” Along with future plans to bring the cost down, BARK Air is also hoping to expand to more destinations.

The dog-loving team at BARK has just launched BARK Air, an airline made especially for dogs to fly in total comfort.

Photo: AKSAKAL/Depositphotos

The flights will have every amenity imaginable to pamper pups and it'll make humans flying other airlines extremely jealous.

To demonstrate how “ruff” it is to fly the skies on other airlines, Bark's CEO took a flight in a kennel in the cargo hold.

Bark: Website | Facebook | Instagram
h/t: [Gizmodo]

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“Up” house

As the school year winds down and weather heats up, you might be mulling over vacation plans. Airbnb's latest Icons category will likely tempt you with singular pop culture travel experiences. Ranging from the movie Up to the Musee D'Orsay to Prince's Purple Rain home, there's at least one option that will make you want to win the golden ticket and get to be the rare person to stay overnight at one of these beloved cultural landmarks.

At a recent press event in Los Angeles, Airbnb unveiled its latest ambitious plans to attract travelers. The plan is for new experiences to be announced throughout the year, but 11 iconic experiences have already been unveiled for this summer season. Airbnb has been hosting these singular experiences for a while now. Last year, someone got to spend a night in Barbie's Malibu beach house and Shrek's pal Donkey's swamp abode in Scotland. Realizing these opportunities garnered a lot of interest over the past five years, they decided to make it a year-round feature of the app. Along with the magical digs, each Icon experience comes with VIP activities, such as watching the Opening Ceremony for this year's Olympics or “wilderness adventures” in the Up house.

Spanning the globe, the experiences will only be available for a limited window of time. If you want to spend a night at the Ferrari Museum in Italy, or any of the other unique locales, you'll have to sign up to be considered for a golden ticket. Only a select few will be able to live out their dreams, with Airbnb promising to hand out 4,000 golden tickets in 2024. The extra good news for those lucky guests is that the price for the experiences range from free to $100 dollars max, making it more affordable than staying in many Airbnbs in major cities and tourist hotspots.

Here is the current list of announced Icons:

• • Night in the Ferrari Museum (booking closed)
  • Stay in the Up house in Abiquiu, New Mexico (requests to book close on May 13)
  • Find your mutant superpowers at  the X-Men X-Mansion in New Castle, New York (requests to book close on May 13)
  • Game with TikTok's number one most popular user Khaby Lame in Milan, Italy (requests to book close on May 13)
  • Stay overnight at the Musée d’Orsay in Paris and watch the Olympic's Opening Ceremony from the terrace (requests to book open on May 21)
  • Accompany reggaeton star Feid on tour for an entire week (requests to book close on May 16)
  • Experience the glamorous lifestyle of Bollywood star Janhvi Kapoor at her home in coastal India (requests to book close on May 21).
  • Have all the feelings with the Inside Out 2 crew (experience coming in June 2024)
  • Kevin Hart will take you to see an exclusive comedy show and have a tequila tasting (experience coming in August 2024)
  • Dance in the home used to film Prince’s iconic movie Purple Rain in Minneapolis (experience coming in August 2024)
  • Watch Doja Cat perform just for you (experience coming in October 2024)

Airbnb wants to create “magical moments” through their Icons category of experiences.

“Up” house

Ferrari Museum

Ferrari Museum

At the house from Prince's film Purple Rain guests will get to hear rare Prince recordings.

Prince's “Purple Rain” house in Minneapolis

A combat class will be offered in the Danger Room of Marvel's X-Men X-Mansion in New York state.

X-Men X-Mansion

X-Men X-Mansion

X-Men “X-Mansion” in New York

If you've dreamed of spending a night in a museum, nows your chance at the Musee D'Orsay.

Musee D'Orsay

Musee D'Orsay

Musee D'Orsay

Some of the Icon experiences focus on who guests will have for company, including drinking tequila with Kevin Hart or doing yoga with Bollywood star Janhvi Kapoor in her luxurious family home.

Bollywood star Janhvi Kapoor

Reggaeton star Feid

TikToker Khaby Lame

Airbnb: Website
h/t: [Afar]

All images via Airbnb.

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Photo: Ihateanarchists via Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

Japanese creativity has inspired many subcultures abroad, birthing communities around anime, kawaii characters, and even video games. But the influence goes both ways. Japanese people have also adopted subcultures and made them their own. Tokyo actually has a thriving group of rockabilly fans, who cherish this genre of 1950s music, as well as the fashion and dances that were inspired by it.

While they've risen to international fame as Tokyo's rockabilly dancers, in Japanese, they prefer to be known as rock ‘n’ rollers, roller-zoku (meaning tribe or family), or rollers. Every Sunday, these dancers meet up in Yoyogi park, in the vibrant district of Harajuku. They show up donning retro leather and denim outfits, with their hair in gravity-defying pompadours.

Rockabilly is considered one of the oldest subcultures in Harajuku, and moved into the park in 1998. As alternative as they are, the local government looks at them in a positive light; not only have they kept gangs from taking over the park, but they always clean up after themselves.

And though rock and roll is normally associated with youths, the love for rockabilly culture is not limited to any particular demographic. Seniors who experienced the heyday of the genre dance alongside youngsters who recently discovered it and decided to join in on the fun. Armed with speakers and deck chairs, they spend all day long moving to classics from Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Buddy Holly, and Chuck Berry.

Photo: Daniel Rubio via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Many of the rollers belong to cliques, and wear coordinated lettering or images on the back of their customized jackets, which they earn after showing their constant dedication for at least six months. Some of these smaller groups have been around for two or three decades. While they are inspired by the rivalries of the movies and tales depicting rockabilly culture, there's no real  animosity between them—they're all brought together by their love of the music and fashion of that era.

Each of these groups gets their turn in the middle of the dance floor, showing off their moves to their peers and curious onlookers. Some are coordinated and well-rehearsed, while others simply vibe to the song by jumping and playing the air guitar. Once they are done, another clique gets their time in the spotlight.

While their subculture is deeply rooted in the 50s, they've also made sure to make it welcoming to everyone. If you're ever in Tokyo on a Sunday, make it to one of their gatherings for a short trip back in time. You can also stay up to date with their adventures by following figures like rock'n'roller “Johnny” Daigo Yamashita and the clique the Strangers, one of the oldest in Harajuku.

Tokyo is home to a large community of rockabilly fans, who meet up every Sunday in Harajuku's Yoyogi park to show off their dance moves.

Photo: Daniel Rubio via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)

The love for rockabilly culture is not limited to a certain demographic. Seniors who experienced the heyday of the genre dance alongside youngsters who recently discovered it.

Photo: julian loader via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Each of these groups gets to their turn in the middle of the dance floor, showing off their moves to their peers and curious onlookers.

h/t: [Tokyo Weekender]

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The image of a house attached to thousands of colorful balloons and floating into the air has become an iconic symbol of the beloved Pixar film Up. Owned by the grumpy Carl Fredricksen, this quaint home has made movie lovers dream of one day taking off to their bucket-list destination. Now, Airbnb is making part of this wish come true. In honor of the movie's 15th anniversary, the company has faithfully recreated the house from Up—and it even floats!

Rather than make their way to a remote region of South America, those who wish to stay in the Up house will have to travel to the red rocks of Abiquiu, New Mexico. While Airbnb has fitted it with 8,000 balloons, what truly makes the illusion come to life is a crane that rises the dwelling several feet above the ground.

“I don’t always like visitors, but I guess it’s pretty nice to have them now that it’s just me and Dug. So, come stay in my cozy home I made with my dear Ellie,” writes Airbnb, in the voice of Fredricksen. “My greatest adventures have happened here, and I learned that the best ones are always with someone you love, so bring your pals to kickstart your very own Adventure Book and watch as my house drifts off before you depart.”

As if the sight of the floating house wasn't breathtaking on its own, Airbnb has truly captured the spirit of the Fredricksen's home as depicted in the movie. Visitors will see Carl and Ellie's lounge chairs, photographs of the couple around the living room, little Russell's backpack by the staircase, the lovely mailbox with hand prints by the porch, and even Dug's food bowl.

Once you're done exploring the house, there are plenty of activities you can partake in. By day, you can help Mr. Fredricksen by checking his mail before preparing a picnic basket and filling your own Adventure Book. At night, you can gather in the lawn to stargaze with your party.

The Up house is part of Airbnb's Icons collection, made up of one-of-kind international experiences. Other adventures in the Icons collection include a stay at Paris' Musée d’Orsay during the 2024 Olympic Games, a night in the Ferrari Museum in Maranello, Italy, and a visit to the X-Men mansion in Westchester, New York.

If you want to book any of these experiences, make sure to sign up on the listing's Airbnb page. Some are under $100 per person, while others, like Mr. Fredricksen's home, are free. Submissions for the Up house close on May 14. Afterwards, Airbnb will select the winning guests to finalize their bookings. You can sign up here.

In honor of Up‘s 15th anniversary, Airbnb has faithfully recreated the house from the movie—and it even floats!

Rather than make their way to a remote region of South America, those who wish to stay in the Up house will have to travel to the red rocks of Abiquiu, New Mexico.

While Airbnb has fitted it with 8,000 balloons, what truly makes the illusion come to life is a crane that raises the dwelling several feet above the ground.

As if the sight of the floating house wasn't breathtaking on its own, Airbnb has truly captured the spirit of the Fredricksen's home as depicted in the movie.

“Bring your pals to kickstart your very own Adventure Book and watch as my house drifts off before you depart.”

Visitors will see Carl and Ellie's lounge chairs, photographs of the couple around the living room, and little Russell's backpack by the staircase.

The Up house is part of Airbnb's Icons collection, made up of one-of-kind international experiences.

If you want to book any of these experiences, make sure to sign up on the listing's Airbnb page.

Submissions for the Up house close on May 14.

Airbnb: Website

All images by Ryan Lowry via Airbnb.

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@dw_berlinfresh Do YOU think you could live on the train full time? #berlin #germany #germantrain #trains #lifeingermany ♬ original sound – Berlin Fresh

Due to the rising cost of rent and seemingly endless mortgage payments, many people have opted for alternative housing opportunities. Van living is especially popular among college students and young adults, and there is a growing number of families living out of RVs and renovated school buses. Some retirees are opting to spend most of the year on cruise ships, as they have found that it is more affordable than staying in their homes. But one teenager in Germany has decided to take advantage of his country's sprawling rail system, and has begun living on trains full-time.

Lasse Stolley is a 17-year-old German software developer who spends his mornings grabbing breakfast inside the first-class lounge and his evenings in sleeping cars. He showers in gyms and leisure areas, and washes his laundry at train stations. At a time when many teenagers are buying new clothes and gadgets, Stolley is able to fit all of his possessions into a single backpack, including three outfits, hygiene supplies, sleeping necessities, and technology.

The teenager has been living this way since he was 16, when he graduated from high school. He says that initially convincing his parents was a struggle, but eventually, they let him go. At first, it was difficult acclimating to life on the train, as Stolley had trouble sleeping for the first couple of months, plus he also had to be cautious to make sure his belongings didn't get stolen at night. But after his initial difficulties, he was able to settle into a routine and thoroughly enjoy himself.

The best part about Stolley's lifestyle is the freedom that comes along with it. Thanks to the flexibility of his job, he is able to work at different times of the day and take impromptu day trips. He takes advantage of this quite often, traveling all over Germany and the rest of Europe. On an average day, Stolley can travel over 600 miles. At 17, he has traveled to more countries than many people ever will in their lifetime, and he shows no signs of stopping anytime soon.

Surprisingly, Stolley's living arrangement is remarkably inexpensive. It costs approximately €10,000 (about $10,650) per year, and most of this money goes towards his first-class annual rail-card. Since a month's worth of rent in Germany costs €942 (about $1,008) on average, train life is an appealing option for a young adult with dreams of traveling. While it would be nearly impossible to do this in the United States, where the rail system is much more limited, Stolley's success is certainly an inspiration to anyone looking to explore while also earning a paycheck. Perhaps we can learn a thing or two from him.

Lasse Stolley is a 17-year-old who lives on trains in Europe full-time as a way to save money and see the world.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Lasse Stolley (@lassestolley)

Lasse Stolley: Website | Instagram
h/t: [digg]

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Photo: Happyalex/Depositphotos

If you've ever been in a rush to make your connecting flight, only to be fouled up by a last-minute gate change, then you'll appreciate this tip from TikToker and former airline employee Darby Maloney. She says, “I never have to look at screens in the airport anymore. It’s the greatest hack ever and I think nobody knows about it.” Besides encouraging every traveler to sign up for TSA Precheck, Maloney shares an easy way for travelers, and anyone who is picking them up, to get up-to-the-minute info on flight statuses, gate changes, and baggage claim carousel.

So what are her tips? On the morning of your flight, Maloney says to be sure to text your flight number, including the airline code, to yourself and whoever is kind enough to navigate airport traffic for you. The airline code is key and usually includes at least one letter. For instance American Airlines is AA and Jetblue is B6. If you're not sure of your airline's code, you can check on the International Air Transport Association’s search engine.

On iPhones, this will give you a quick link that stays updated with any important info. All you have to do is tap on the code and choose “Preview Flight.” No need to download multiple airline apps or trying to find your flight on a crowded airport screen. Android phones will not send the same link but you can still copy and paste the flight number into Google and get the most recent info. This is especially useful when you have a short layover, booked with multiple airlines, or don't want to burden your friends and family with another app crowding their screen just to pick you up.

Over 2.3 million viewers liked Maloney's TikTok and hopefully this will ease a lot of traveler's airline stress. Without having to panic about being at the wrong gate, you'll have enough time to pick up an extra large water and Toblerone.

Former airline employee Darby Malolney shares her super helpful flight tips for travelers to be less stressed at the airport.

@durbinmalonster S/O @Brooke Webster ♬ original sound – Darby

h/t: [Yahoo!]

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Photo of the cathedral in 2022. (Photo: Maksim Sokolov via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 DEED)

Strolling through Barcelona in 1882, many citizens would never have guessed that the next century would create—though painfully slowly—one of the city's most iconic buildings. At first glance, the Sagrada Família looks medieval and gothic, but in actuality, it's the work of modern architect Antoni Gaudí. Built mostly from his blueprints, it has spires topped with Christian symbols and intricate stonework. But this magnificent church is still unfinished over 100 years after its construction began. As each piece is added, it inches closer to completion, which is now anticipated for 2026—just in time for the 100-year anniversary of Gaudí's death.

The basilica is especially known for its exceptional façade, known as the Glory Façade. However, the European news is currently reporting on a debate over the completion of this entrance to the church. The late architect's planned magnificent staircase is still in the works, but there is local resistance. This is because the staircase will require the clearing of an adjoining area of the city containing 3,000 apartments and 1,000 families. A protesting lawyer, Salvador Barroso, who works with the Association for those Affected by the Sagrada Familia, has contested the staircase's existence in the original Gaudí design.

Meanwhile, work on the church has continued in the past few years, though COVID-19 created a delay in construction. The Tower of Mary was completed and topped with a star in 2021; while in 2022, the towers of Luke and Mark joined her. Once completed, the cathedral will have 18 spires, 13 of which are currently standing. Its façade with immense carvings is a prime tourist attraction, as despite being unfinished, the basilica is open for visits and worship. Check out the website for updates and more insight into this modern masterpiece.

The ongoing century-old construction of Sagrada Família may well wrap up in 2026, based on current updates.

A model of the complete building as currently planned. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 DEED)

h/t: [designboom]

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Photo: Amaviael/Depositphotos

Flying can be stressful in the best of circumstances. For pet owners, traveling with their animal companions poses its own unique challenges. In an effort to alleviate some distress, American Airlines has recently relaxed part of their pet policy and will allow owners to bring their pet, as well as a full-size carry-on bag, into the cabin.

This is a welcome change for pet owners, as up until this week, people who brought their pet into the cabin could only have one other small bag that could fit underneath their seat, unless they wanted to pay an additional fee of $35. As a result, many people would send their pets to the cargo hold for the flight to avoid spending the extra money on top of the already expensive pet fee. Because of this, the new policy could also reduce the number of people who falsely claim that their pets are service animals to get them on flights for free.

Regardless of the relaxed policy, anyone traveling with a pet should still do their research before attempting to fly with their furry friend. Every airline has a slightly different policy, and many planes have occupancy limits for the amount of pets that can be in the cabin at once. Additionally, if you are flying overseas, different countries have different entry policies for pets, so be sure to research that in advance—PetTravel.com is a worldwide resource you can check on. It is also a good idea to consult your veterinarian to see how to best travel with animals.

American Airlines recently relaxed its pet policy, allowing pet owners to bring their animal companions, as well as a full-size carry-on bag, into the cabin for no additional fee.

Photo: Amaviael/Depositphotos

h/t: [AP]

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On the eastern end of Japan’s Shikoku Island, there's a village known as Nagoro. Like many other small towns around the world, it has seen its population shrink every year, with people either passing away or flocking to cities for a better life. To fight off the loneliness, an older woman named Tsukimi Ayano has created hundreds of kakashi (scarecrows in Japanese) to repopulate the area, earning Nagoro the nickname of “Village of the Dolls.”

These life-size dolls are made of straw, newspaper, and old clothes. While they are quite detailed, it's their placements throughout the village that have gotten them worldwide attention. Tsukimi positions them around the town in realistic poses, whether they are doing repairs, studying hard at school, waiting for a bus, or simply relaxing after a day of work. If you drove by quickly, you could easily mistake them for real people.

Tsukimi's project began back in 2002. After spending part of her life in Osaka, she moved back to Nagoro. To protect a field from pests, she made her first scarecrow—a giant doll resembling her father. After her creation caught the attention of her neighbors, she decided to make more to honor those who had left or died. That's why each doll has a name, and their personality, age, and backstory are catalogued.

While Nagoro is home to about two dozen residents, it now has over 300 dolls. The kakashi have inspired visitors from around the world to travel for several hours on the winding roads of the Iya Valley to catch a glimpse of this unique place. The dolls even have their own festival on the first Sunday of October every year. To Tsukimi's delight, many visitors are excited to take a look at her workshop.

If you're ever in Japan and want to visit this quirky place, local travel agency Shikoku Tours suggests taking a taxi, as the place is so remote and tiny that it's easy to miss. On the way there, you're likely to see more of these dolls around the shrinking villages. Since the kakashi have reached local art form status, the area has become a bit of a tourist attraction—and is now brimming with life.

A small town in Japan known as Nagoro is home to over 300 kakashi or scarecrows, earning it the nickname of “Village of the Dolls.”

These were all made by an older woman named Tsukimi Ayano, who aimed to fight off loneliness after many of her neighbors moved away or died.

That's why each doll has a name, and their personality, age, and backstory are catalogued.

These life-size dolls are made of straw, newspaper, and old clothes.

Tsukimi has placed them around the town in realistic poses, whether they are doing repairs, studying hard at school, waiting for a bus, or simply relaxing after a day of work.

If you drove by quickly, you could easily mistake them for real people.

h/t: [Offbeat Japan]

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READ: This Japanese Village Is Filled With Hundreds of Dolls Posing Like Real People and They’re All Made by One Woman