According to one Japanese legend, long, long ago one of Japan's many gods decided to descend to earth and asked both Mt. Fuji and Mt. Tsukuba to play host the visit. Mt. Fuji, so beautifully formed, arrogantly declined, while Mt. Tsukuba offered hospitality. As a result, to this day Mt. Fuji's flanks are barren and … Continue reading Climbing Mt. Tsukuba for Christmas
The last thing you would expect to find an hour outside of Tokyo is a French chateau. But there it is, just a 10 minute walk from JR Ushiku station in Ibaraki Prefecture. The chateau was completed in 1903 as part of what is now recognized as Japan's first "full-fledged" winery. The chateau was built … Continue reading Ushiku Chateau: wine and Westernization
Ibaraki, though not far from Tokyo, is not widely regarded as a destination for international tourists. Yet it can be quite rewarding to get off the beaten track to explore "real" Japan. Moriya, just 30-some minutes from Akihabara on the Tsukuba Express, is a great example. Here, in a day trip from Tokyo, the intrepid … Continue reading Moriya: History, Countryside, Beer and Bath
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