This article in Japan Today describes how the city of Toyama has leveraged its glass-blowing history into support for modern glass art. (Archived article published in Japan Today.)
Yutoku Inari Shrine: Kyushu’s largest shrine dedicated to the god of basic human needs
Japan has been called "the land of the gods" because of its many gods, mostly associated with the Shinto religion. Perhaps one of the most popular, or best known, among these is Inari, a god believed to be dedicated to meeting such basic human needs as food, clothing, and shelter. As a god of food, … Continue reading Yutoku Inari Shrine: Kyushu’s largest shrine dedicated to the god of basic human needs
Island Hopping from Korea to Japan: A Journey Across Water and Time
This article in Go Nomad Travel magazine describes a ferry journey across the Tsushima Straits, island hopping from Korea to Kyushu. Lots of interesting things to see, do, and experience! (Archived article originally published in Go Nomad Travel.)
Chinkokuji: preserving part of Kukai’s legacy
It was a dark and stormy night. A young Buddhist monk named Kukai was aboard one of four ships crossing the East China Sea from Kyushu to Tang China, fearing, as did all aboard, for his life. He prayed for rescue to Munakata Omikami, a goddess of the sea, and also invoked the help of … Continue reading Chinkokuji: preserving part of Kukai’s legacy
Kasama: abundant azaleas (and other delights)
Ibaraki's Kasama is a bit of a hidden treasure. Just a couple of hours from Tokyo, it is relatively unknown by foreign tourists, and even by most Japanese. Yet it offers many interesting sights and activities, especially at this time of year. Kasama hosts an annual azalea festival from mid-April to early May (in 2023, … Continue reading Kasama: abundant azaleas (and other delights)
Japan’s border islands of Tsushima and Iki offer simpler, slower pace of life
This article in Japan Today describes things to see and do on the border islands of Tsushima and Iki, closer to Korea than to the Japanese mainland with history to match their location. (Archived article published in Japan Today.)
Kikuchi Castle: an ancient mountain fortress
Seventh century Japan wasn't yet a nation-state, but neither were any of its Asian neighbors. Nonetheless, the most powerful of the various groups on the Japanese archipelago, the Yamato, had regular trade and cultural exchanges with its counterparts on the Korean Peninsula, especially the kingdom of Baekche (southwestern quadrant of the peninsula). So when the … Continue reading Kikuchi Castle: an ancient mountain fortress
Ondako: a curious symbol for an historical island
The island of Iki sits in the Tsushima Strait, about halfway between the southeastern tip of the Korean Peninsula and the northwestern shore of Kyushu island. Given its position, it has seen a lot of historical events. Iki was once commonly known as Onigashima (Ogre Island) thanks to a legend that a band of ogres … Continue reading Ondako: a curious symbol for an historical island
Significant snowfall city Sapporo finds ways to keep its streets clear
This year’s most noteworthy snowfall may have been the 1,720 centimeters the fall in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California and Nevada. And that is, indeed, a lot of snow! But the stricken area is relatively sparsely populated. Consider the situation of Sapporo on Japan’s northern island of Hokkaido. A city with a population of … Continue reading Significant snowfall city Sapporo finds ways to keep its streets clear
Green Hokkaido’s all in with high-tech greening
My latest article has strayed from travel to provide information about some amazing sustainability efforts in Hokkaido. (Archived article published in Asia Times)
Upopoy Park and the National Ainu Museum provide insights into indigenous culture
This article in Japan Today introduces Upopoy Park and the National Ainu Museum, new facilities in Hokkaido to highlight the culture of Japan's indigenous people. (Archived article published in Japan Today.)
Edogawa Commemorative Garden: Japanese beauty under southern skies
A little over an hour north of Sydney, on the edge of Caroline Bay, sits a pretty little Japanese garden that has, for the past 30 years, been a delight to locals and tourists alike both for its authenticity and its relaxing atmosphere. The garden commemorates the sister city relationship between Tokyo's Edogawa-ku and the … Continue reading Edogawa Commemorative Garden: Japanese beauty under southern skies
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