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
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