This article describes a seven lucky gods pilgrimage, a short walk popular in the New Year's season as a means to secure good fortune for the new year, something most of us especially want for 2021! The walk is an easy distance (less than 5 km.) and goes through one of Tokyo's oldest neighborhoods. (Archived … Continue reading The seven lucky gods of Fukagawa: Ensuring a good year to come
While Japan was fundamentally closed to the outside world during the Edo Period (1603-1868), it still maintained a robust domestic economy. This economy was largely centered on agricultural production that led to production of secondary food products all of which fed the entire nation, allowing other economic activity also to flourish. Central to all this … Continue reading Historical transit port Hizen Hamashuku
This article describes a number of fun and interesting features of the city of Kochi, on the Pacific coast of Shikoku island. (Archived article originally published by Tokyo Weekender)
Just off the main highway in the fishing port town of Taro, north of Miyako in Iwate Prefecture, stands a curious, derelict-looking building. Derelict buildings are not particularly unusual in Japan, but in this area, which was flooded by the tsunami of March 11, 2011, most buildings are new; their predecessors either destroyed by the … Continue reading Earthquake Heritage Taro Kanko Hotel: reminder of tragedy
Ryusendo, one of the three largest limestone caves in Japan, sits in the mountains of Iwaizumi, less than 15 kilometers from the Pacific Coast of Iwate Prefecture. An underground river pours out of the mouth of the cave, perhaps leading to its name, "cave of the dragon's spring". It is a designated National Natural Treasure, … Continue reading Ryusendo: The cave of the dragon’s spring
This article features the town of Miyako in Iwate Prefecture, in an area badly hit by the earthquake/tsunami 9+ years ago. Reconstruction is ongoing and "disaster tourists" will find interesting remnants of that sad day. The natural beauty of the coast seems to have bounced back more quickly than humans have, so there is beautiful … Continue reading Sightseeing in Post-disaster Iwate’s Miyako: Tragedy and Natural Beauty Together
Mountainous Japan is home to many spectacular gorges; deep narrow valleys through which tumble fast flowing rivers. Among these, Kochi Prefecture's Nakatsu Gorge is dramatic, scenic and inspiring, yet relatively easy to access. The mountains and valleys of Kochi tend to feel higher and steeper than mountains in other parts of Japan and the Niyodo … Continue reading Nakatsu Gorge: strength of stone versus power of water
This article takes readers to Iriomote, the second largest island in Okinawa Prefecture and a sparsely populated land of jungles, waterfalls and beaches. (Archived article originally published by Japan Today)
Manga and anime are features of modern Japanese culture that have become popular worldwide. Many visitors to Japan seek out the manga culture and even actual places associated with manga, in a sense, seeking to bring the manga to life. While manga have been around as an art form since the late 19th century, arguably … Continue reading A closer look at some work of manga master Tezuka Osamu
This pair of articles in Tokyo Weekender provides an exploration of an interesting working class neighborhood with a wide variety of ethnic features. Part I - Kamata: Tokyo's Multi-Ethnic ShitamachiPart II - Dining in Kamata: A Culinary World Tour in Tokyo's Multi-Ethnic Shitamachi
Japan's autumn leaves are at least as spectacular as its springtime blossoms, but are more widespread and last longer, giving us more time to enjoy them. While cherry blossoms are mostly enjoyed in urban settings, the autumn leaves are at their most spectacular when viewed across a mountainside or other natural expanse. Many people think … Continue reading Leaf Peeping at Pigeon’s Nest
Ishigaki is the most populous of the Yaeyama Islands, the southern and western-most island group in Okinawa (just 250 km. from Taiwan). As with all Yaeyama Islanders, the people who live on Ishigaki celebrate their local culture and history at every opportunity. Visitors to the island have many opportunities to enjoy that, but for a … Continue reading Experience Local Culture at Ishigaki Yaima Village
Jigsaw Japan 