This Japan Today article describes visiting the Fukuoka city of Yanagawa. Sometimes called the Venice of Kyushu, Yanagawa is criss-crossed by canals and a canal boat ride is one of the highlights of any visit. But there are plenty of other things to see and do in this former castle town. (Archived article originally published … Continue reading Yanagawa: A laid back water world
This Japan Today article introduces several of the highlights of a visit to the Yamanashi Prefecture wine-producing region of Katsunuma. It's only a couple of hours from Tokyo, with beautiful landscapes, interesting wineries, and surprising history. (Archived article originally published in Japan Today)
This Japan Today article takes readers to a waterfall on Kagoshima's Sendai River, where one of Japan's first hydroelectric generators was first installed. (Archived article originally published in Japan Today)
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.)
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