Stefan Choo

21/02/2026

The Ine Bay day-trip even before the WFTGA pre-tours left an indelible impression! Really loved the close proximity encounters with seagulls and eagles- feeding them Calbee prawn crackers on a short ferry ride. It was simply surreal how they loved to land on this Strange and Unusual Fella!

17/02/2026

Life remerges amidst a cold frigid winter. The first signs of Spring has come. Beautiful blooms appear, and yet, they are but a reminder of impermanence and our finite time in this world!
The Sakura blossoms started to bloom at Chinkoku-ji temple at Munakata. Not only were they a sight to behold, but the tender petals beckoned one’s touch. Alas! If one holds just a little too long, the petals start to drop. It’s a reminder to cultivate gratitude in daily life, and to be mindful of our attachments and our need for grasping. One must learn to let go.
On this very first day of the Lunar New Year 2026, I wish everyone a blessed year ahead, good health, to live everyday with gratitude and to cherish their loved ones.

16/02/2026

Enjoyed being surrounded by the calm presence of cedar trees as we made our way to the ritual area of the Munakata Taisha Hetsu Shrine. Every year in October, women dressed up in traditional white gowns would perform a ritualistic dance there.
The shrine is dedicated to one of the three daughters, Ichikishimahime of the Sun Goddess, Amaterasu. It is said that the three Goddesses collectively protected sea traders navigating between Kyushu, Japan, and Busan, Korea and Ningbo, China.
It is interested to see the parallels on how different cultures worship Goddess of the Sea. Here in Singapore, our ancestors from China prayed to the Goddess Mazu for blessing their perilous voyages across the South China Sea to arrive in Nanyang.
I have to compliment the impeccable hospitality of the Munakata City Tourism team. Not only did we enjoy a personal guided tour of the shrine, we were dressed in exquisite kimono gowns that would later be presented to us as a souvenir. We also got a private VIP lunch at a sea-facing restaurant, learnt to play the koto (adapted from the Chinese Guzheng) and got to participate in Sado, the Japanese Tea Ceremony.

13/02/2026

12/02/2026

Time stood still. We softly bowed in the presence of the world’s largest bronze reclining Buddha in Fukuoka, Japan. I felt a strong spiritual connection and Zen with the temple that cannot be simply expressed in words.


南无本师释迦摩尼佛- 南藏园，福岡，日本
Namo Shakyamuni Buddha- Nanzo-In Temple, Fukuoka, Japan

12/02/2026

The special performance at the Fukuoka City Museum reminded me of Ruoni Kenshin, Battosai (Samurai X)

11/02/2026

Standing 57m below the sea,
Where 2 ancient lands meet
Kyushu and Honshu!

10/01/2025

I curated and led the“Sustainable Orchard” walk for the NUSS Sustainability Chapter yesterday. Designing the tour started with a question- “How might we bring back the Orchard in Orchard Road”? I designed the tour in two parts- first focussing on the world’s best skyscrapper- Pan Pacific Orchard. A forerunner of environmental sustainability that’s life centric: by placing nature first, its design allow people to heal and to connect.
The second part of the tour entailed a walk through of Design Orchard. By showcasing brands that employ up-cycled fabrics, reimagine symbols of heritage and culture unique to Singapore and highlight apparel designed by people with different abilities, it would give participants an appreciation of the complementary pillars of economic and social sustainability.
Participant’s really enjoyed the tour where they walked through the 3 pillars of sustainability highlighted in the SG Green Plan 2030, interacting with nature and designs that are in 2 hours! I certainly look forward to designing and conducting more sustainability focussed tours!