The valleys and mountains north of Mt. Fuji are full of remnants of the lives of some of Japan's earliest inhabitants--the Jomon hunters and gatherers of Japan's pre-agricultural period (traditionally dated between 14,000 and 300 BCE). But archaeologists have had to dig for it. Archaeology has only been undertaken in Japan for about 150 years, a … Continue reading Shakado Museum of Jomon Culture – really digging back in time
This article gives three suggestions of winter activities in Nagano aside from skiing: the snow monkeys of Jigokudani, the art town of Obuse, and the hina doll display in Suzaka. All can be enjoyed economically by using a special 2-day rail pass, too. (Archived article – Originally published by Japan Today)
Traditional New Year's festivities in Japan are special indeed. It's usually a family time, with visits to shrines (often in traditional garb), special symbolic foods and sake toasts, and various other seasonal activities. While we see less and less of the traditions these days, many of them can still be experienced and enjoyed, if you … Continue reading Midnight at Mishima Grand Shrine
On a recent visit to Kanazawa, I decided to ride a Machi Nori bicycle from the train station over to Higashi Chaya, one of Kanazawa's historical tea house districts. My route took me along the lovely Asanogawa, one of two rivers flanking the heart of the old city. It was a beautiful morning and I … Continue reading Heritage Preservation in Kanazawa: a chance encounter
It isn't every day that you get to see the birth of a river. Yet that is exactly what visitors see in Kakita River Park in Mishima, Shizuoka Prefecture. Every day a million tons of water burbles its way to the surface through the sandy soil in this park to form the Kakita River, already … Continue reading Kakita River Park – where a river is born
This article introduces readers to the gold mining legacy of the town of Toi, in western Izu. Through February 4, 2018, the site of the gold mine has a special night-time illumination of its early cherry blossoms, making this a great time to visit! (Archived article – Originally published by Japan Today.)
This article profiles Midori Okazaki, a female master sake brewer (toji) who is the head of a sake brewery in Ueda, Nagano that has been run by her family since 1665. (Archived article - Originally published by Number 1 Shimbun.)
Near Shimizu in Shizuoka Prefecture there is a spit of land extending into Suruga Bay that forms Shimizu Harbor. Known as Miho, the end of the spit was once its own island, but over centuries, silt has done its job to connect the island to the mainland and form the spit. On the outside of … Continue reading The Miho pines and the legend of the Hagoromo
This article is a combination movie review and travel piece, looking at both the new release movie "Sekigahara" and the Sekigahara battlefield in Gifu Prefecture. Both deserve attention. Readers in Tokyo, note especially the screenings of the movie with English subtitles during the first week of its release. (Archived article - Originally published by Japan … Continue reading Sekigahara: New movie brings the battle, and the battlefield, to life
A couple of weeks ago, I got an email from my friend Maki: "We're spending our vacation at our week-ender in Izu. Come down for a couple of days. We'll go eel fishing!" I love hanging out with Maki and readily accepted her invitation. I was especially intrigued by the suggestion of eel fishing. While … Continue reading Gone fishin’
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
