On the afternoon of February 15, 1942, Lieutenant-General Arthur Percival and members of his senior staff made their way under the Union Jack and a flag of truce from his headquarters at Singapore's Fort Canning to the headquarters of the Japanese Imperial Army at the Ford Factory on Bukit Timah hill. There, following a brief … Continue reading Remembering Japan’s wartime occupation of Singapore
In these days of environmental concerns, it's not unusual to hear talk of green living and energy independence. In the Shikoku mountain town of Yusuhara, it's more than just talk. This town of less than 4,000 people has adopted various practices to generate its own power and reduce its carbon footprint while caring for the … Continue reading Yusuhara: the eco-friendly traditional mountain town
Ritsurin Koen, a classic "samurai strolling garden", is a treasure of Takamatsu, a Shikoku castle town facing the Seto Inland Sea. With 400 years of history it is one of the most beautiful gardens of its type in Japan, with sculpted ponds and waterways, hills dotted with carefully tended pine trees, and landscapes that must … Continue reading Ritsurin Koen: a classic garden and the teamLab touch
This article introduces a fascinating historical site in Kagoshima. The site is an interesting blend of the lifestyle of samurai lords and some of Japan's earliest attempts at industrialization. Learn more in this article. (Archived article originally published by Japan Today.)
On a windswept hilltop north of Kyushu's Mt. Aso caldera, one of the largest volcanic caldera in the world, there stands a bunch of giant boulders. They seem to be arranged in two somewhat straight lines, with a couple of clusters of boulders off to one side. There is nothing else around but grass and … Continue reading Oshito-Ishi: Japan’s Stonehenge?
Not long ago a Japanese friend was telling me about a book he was reading that detailed how Japan historically observed seasons in two week increments. Japan's love of the seasons is undeniable and when I reflected on what my friend was explaining to me, in some ways, I could see it. In particular, it … Continue reading The last celebrations of the new year’s season
Unlike many Japanese, who rise early on New Year's mornings to watch the sunrise on the new year, I've always preferred seeing in the new year with a traditional hatsumode shrine visit promptly at midnight. This year's hatsumode was a particular treat, as it included some very special entertainment. This year I was fortunate to … Continue reading Myths in the mountains at midnight
Sitting on a plateau above the Hitotsuse River valley in central Miyazaki Prefecture is a 58 hectare site covered in tumuli, the kofun burial mounds of the period from the second century to the seventh century AD, a period in Japanese history known as the "Kofun Period" because of this practice. There are at least … Continue reading Saitobaru: A Walk in Miyazaki’s “Valley of the Kings”
This article takes readers on a seven lucky gods pilgrimage through an old, but not well known, corner of Tokyo. Seven lucky gods pilgrimages are mostly done at the New Year, but this one has delights in all seasons. Learn more in this article. (Archived article originally published by Japan Today.)
Students of Japan's modern industrial history may have heard of Gunkanjima. Fans of James Bond movies may recognize it as villain Raoul Silva's abandoned island hideout in Skyfall. Whatever it is, it sure is different! Gunkanjima's real name is Hashima. Coal was discovered on Hashima, a rocky outcrop some 4.5 kilometers west of Nagasaki Peninsula, … Continue reading Gunkanjima: an abandoned coal mining town like no other
The city of Matsumoto sits almost exactly in the center of the island of Honshu, in the middle of the Japanese Alps. It is a castle town that, thanks to its central location, has long been a political and cultural center. Thanks to its central location, these days many people pass through Matsumoto in winter … Continue reading Exploring Japan’s early modern history in Matsumoto
Autumn was a bit late to reach Japan this year, but is now in full "bloom"--awash with beautiful autumnal hues as the leaves of deciduous trees change and eventually fall. There are plenty of places to go in search of those stunning autumn leaves, especially gardens, parks and major avenues. If you're interested in getting … Continue reading Leaves and literati: a little Autumn stroll
