This Japan Today article introduces a great way to experience a sumo tournament in Tokyo even when there are no official tournaments (basho) taking place or when no tickets to sumo basho are available. (Archived article originally published in Japan Today)
This review of the Edo-Tokyo Museum originally appeared in Deep Japan, a website designed to foster affection for and a deeper understanding of Japan. The museum gives visitors deeper insight into the history of a city that is today a modern behemoth but started as a collection of fishing villages at the mouth of a … Continue reading The Edo-Tokyo Museum, a comprehensive introduction to the 400-year-old city
This Japan Today article introduces the Tottori Sand Dunes, the largest sand dune complex in Japan, and the Sand Museum. The Sand Museum is re-opening on April 24, 2026, with its 2026 exhibition, which focusses on Spain. (Archived article first published in Japan Today)
Spring is a glorious season in Japan, where various blossoms announce warmer days. One of the most romantic of the spring flowers is wisteria, which hangs in trailing bundles as the plant vines around anything it can find to climb. Kawachi Fuji-en is a hillside wisteria garden in Kita-kyushu, Fukuoka, where visitors can enjoy wandering … Continue reading Kawachi Fuji-en: Hillside Wisteria Tunnels
This piece on a fascinating stone bridge-cum-aqueduct in Kumamoto Prefecture originally appeared in Deep Japan, a website designed to foster affection for a deeper understanding of Japan. Once again, it is introducing a destination somewhat off the beaten track, but well worth the effort to get there. (Archived piece, originally published by Deep Japan)
This Japan Today article outlines a short pleasant stroll in an easy to access neighborhood of Tokyo, perfect for a spring day outing. The walk finishes at a hot springs bath in Musashi Koyama. Serious hikers/walkers in Japan always try to finish walks with a rejuvenating soak, but that's not so easy to do in … Continue reading A Springtime Stroll in a Southwestern Tokyo District
I've contribute this short piece to Deep Japan, a website designed to foster affection for a deeper understanding of Japan. This fascinating historical site in Kagoshima Prefecture rewards tourists for stepping off the beaten track. (Archived piece, originally published by Deep Japan)
My February Japan Today article highlights the many historical sites to visit in Matsue, capital of Shimane Prefecture. Matsue is a 400 year old castle town, but also has some interesting history related to the end of the nineteenth century. Plenty to see and do! (Archived article, originally published in Japan Today.)
This Japan Today article introduces readers to the ruins of Hizen-Nagoya Castle, which was built in the 1590s to support Toyotomi Hideyoshi's planned invasion of Korea. (Archived article, originally published in Japan Today.)
In keeping with Japan Today tradition, this December article introduces a seven lucky gods walk in Tokyo's Kameido neighborhood, one of the oldest districts of the city. Seven lucky gods walks, mini-pilgrimages that can be completed in a few hours, are a popular new year's activity. (Archived article, originally published in Japan Today.)
I recently had the opportunity to visit Kurayoshi, an historic merchant town in Tottori Prefecture that I had not been to since 2018. Click here for a piece that I wrote back then, to help you get better acquainted with this delightful little town. On my recent trip, I once again wandered the streets of … Continue reading Brew Lab: A modern micro-brewery in an historic district
Christmas Markets continue to be a popular Tokyo attraction. This year there are a couple of markets close enough to each other that you can have an afternoon/evening out and hit both, with a little photo-op stop at Tokyo Tower in between. Azabudai Hills, one of Tokyo's newest shopping/office/residential complexes, hosts a Christmas market in … Continue reading Christmas Markets in the shadow of Tokyo Tower
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