For centuries, Japanese gardens have been places to stroll, enjoying greenery and seasonal changes set off by a central pond. We often think of such gardens as dating to the age of sophisticated samurai, who wrote poetry under a full moon or performed tea ceremony in little huts. Yet many fine classic gardens were actually … Continue reading Sankeien – a classic garden and classic architecture
This article describes a walk through Mariko-juku, formerly a Tokaido post town and now a Shizuoka suburb. Try out the walk to discover a bit of history! (Archived article originally published by Japan Today.)
Fujisawa, about an hour by train from central Tokyo, has a long history as a traveller's way station, including during the 250 years that the Tokaido was the major coastal road for travellers between Kyoto and Edo (now Tokyo). Even before the Tokugawa shogunate, Fujisawa was popular with travelers bound for Enoshima and Oyama, popular … Continue reading Historical Fujisawa – the often overlooked Tokaido Post Town
As the season of new beginnings, Spring is the season when bamboo shoots emerge from the earth to shoot their way skyward. But clever hunters know they can hunt out the little brown spears just as they are breaking the surface for an excellent seasonal treat. This year, late Spring found us visiting our friend … Continue reading Bamboo Shooting: the Spring hunting season
Every two years, in odd-numbered years, Tokyo sees one of the three largest festivals in Japan, the Kanda Matsuri of Kanda Myojin Shrine. This year, the biggest, most spectacular part of the festival is this week-end: May 11 and 12. Saturday, May 11 is the main procession, when Kanda Myojin's o-mikoshi, portable shrines, are paraded … Continue reading Kanda Matsuri: a major spectacle not to be missed
Every year between April 29 and May 5 Japan celebrates "Golden Week", four public holidays over a period of seven days. This year, 2019, thanks to the abdication of Emperor Emeritus Akihito and the ascension to the throne of Emperor Naruhito, the government declared additional holidays, giving people in Japan a 10-day "Platinum Week": April … Continue reading Commemorating Japan’s Post-war Constitution
In the late 19th century, Japan, which had isolated itself from the outside world for two and a half centuries, was confronted with the need to rapidly modernize, and even Westernize, to ensure its survival. As it did so, it was awakened to the value of increased trade with its neighbors and territorial expansion to … Continue reading Putting a different face on Japan’s historical forays into colonialism
This article describes day tripping from Tokyo to Oiso, a seaside resort with a famous, historical hill as its hinterland. This hill is easily hike-able, and the article introduces a great lunch spot at the top. (Archived article originally published by Japan Today.)
Tokyo has a close relationship to water. From its earliest days as a city, its many rivers large and small have been well utilized and often diverted to form various canals and other waterways as well. Early Western visitors even went so far as to refer to Tokyo as the Venice of the East. While … Continue reading A Chance to Explore Some Tokyo Waterways
April 30, 2019 literally marks the end of an era. The 30 year imperial reign of Akihito, the Heisei emperor, will come to an end as his majesty abdicates to a well-deserved retirement. The next day, his son, Crown Prince Naruhito, will ascend to the Chrysanthemum Throne and a new imperial reign, Reiwa, begins. The … Continue reading Imperial fever, imperial fervor
Shibuya, with its iconic "scramble" intersection, shopping, and entertainment, has become a symbol of modern Tokyo. It's insanely busy and very crowded, especially with teenagers and young adults. The below photos were taken at a relatively quiet time of day. Yet Shibuya is also home to a fair bit of traditional culture, particularly in … Continue reading Finding quiet and culture in Shibuya
Particularly after World War I (perhaps earlier and continuing even now), it was not unusual for military forces to build underground facilities. The principal reasons were doubtless concealment--their presence was harder to detect--and protection--they were harder to be destroyed by the enemy if they were detected. Examples include the facilities of France's Maginot Line, Singapore's … Continue reading War goes underground: Japan’s former Naval headquarters in Okinawa
