I have always been fascinated by locks; the use of gravity to move water--and whatever is floating on top of it--up or down in a controlled fashion. Although Japan has lots of natural waterways--often with quite sharp descents to the sea--, I was pleasantly surprised to find a lock on a man-made canal in the … Continue reading Toyama’s Fugan Canal – retooling an industrial waterway
Salt is an essential nutritional element for humans. It is also a widely used preservative and, in some cultures--like Japan--, it's regarded as a purification element for religious purposes. Over millenia we've learned many ways to extract this mineral from the world around us. In the Japanese archipelago, where one is never more than 90 … Continue reading Getting salt from the sea the old-fashioned way
Japan's rapid industrialization during the Meiji Period (1868-1912), when the country was re-opened to international trade after more than 250 years of isolation, was nothing short of remarkable. The various achievements of the period were recognized by UNESCO in 2015 when it listed 23 components at 11 sites as "Sites of Japan's Meiji Industrial Revolution: … Continue reading Exploring early industrialization in Izu
This article describes a visit to Noritake Garden, the original production site for Noritake fine china. (Archived article - Originally published by Japan Today)
This article introduces Shosenkyo, a dramatic gorge located just north of Kofu in Yamanashi Prefecture. (Archived article - originally published by Japan Today)
This article describes travelling to and through the famous snow corridor between Toyama and Nagano Prefectures, which opens in mid to late April every year, once the mountains roads can be cleared of snow. (Archived article - originally published by Japan Today)
