This Japan Today article describes an ancient shrine associated with Empress Jingu. Features include a golden roof and a worship hall inside an ancient kofun burial mound. (Archived article published in Japan Today.)
Category: Destinations
Ancient ‘shugendo’ site nestled on the flanks of Mt Hiko in Fukuoka Prefecture
This Japan Today article describes an off-the-beaten-path site of ancient ascetic Buddhist worship nestled in the mountains of Fukuoka. (Archived article published in Japan Today.)
Jogashima: a seaside day trip from Tokyo
This Japan Today article describes an easy day trip from Tokyo to enjoy fresh fish and beautiful rocky seaside walks. (Archived article published in Japan Today.)
Nanzoin and Kyushu’s Great Reclining Buddha
This Japan Today article introduces Nanzoin, site of one of the few reclining Buddha statues in Japan, and one of the largest bronze statues in the world. (Archived article published in Japan Today)
Tsumugi Silk: Poor Man’s Fabric Turned Luxury Folkcraft
This article in All About Japan explains Japan's handicraft of homespun silk and how what was once the only silk fabric permitted to commoners has become a highly desirable luxury folk craft. (Archived article originally published in All About Japan)
Naruko Onsen: Historical Hot Spring and Much, Much More
This Japan Today article examines the delights of the onsen area in northwestern Miyagi Prefecture known as Naruko Onsen. There is a lot to do here, yet for many it is an "off the beaten path" destination. (Archived article published in Japan Today.)
Traveling through a museum on board a train
The people of Miyagi Prefecture are justifiably proud of Date Masamune (1567-1636), a feudal lord in this region, known at the time as the Sendai Domain, who sponsored various pubic works and policies that promoted prosperity for the domain and its people. A surprising amount of the infrastructure he created all those centuries ago is … Continue reading Traveling through a museum on board a train
Bucking the Trend: Oita Prefecture’s plan to boost population is succeeding where Japan’s government has failed
This article, published in the March 2024 edition of Number 1 Shimbun, examines various programs in Oita Prefecture designed to reverse the prefecture's demographic decline. (Archived article from Number 1 Shimbun)
Beppu: A Century as a Sightseeing Destination
This is Part II of an article about Beppu's centenary as a tourist destination. Part I examined the area's famous hot springs for bathing and health and this article looks at the sightseeing options. (Archived article published in Japan Today.)
Beppu celebrates a century as a modern hot springs resort town
This article in Japan Today is part 1 of 2 outlining the various aspects of Beppu, one of Japan's most prolific hot springs areas. (Archived article published in Japan Today)
Symbolic Soba for the New Year
My friend Etsuo recently suggested that we get together for dinner at Sunaba, one of his favorite soba restaurants. "We can have toshi-koshi soba," he exclaimed, excitedly. Ah, yes! Toshi-koshi soba, a serving of buckwheat noodles eaten at the end of the year. The noodles are symbolic in a couple of different ways. Soba noodles, … Continue reading Symbolic Soba for the New Year
Miyashita Park: green space in the sky
Ghibli may have created an animation of Castles in the Sky, but Tokyo's Shibuya Ward has created a real-life park in the sky. Miyashita Park was once a rather forlorn little playground park wedged between Meiji-dori and the Yamanote train line, just north of Mitake-dori (ie, a few hundred meters north of Shibuya station). The … Continue reading Miyashita Park: green space in the sky
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