This article in Japan Today introduces the magical island of Miyajima (lit. "shrine island") in the Seto Inland Sea near Hiroshima and advocates making at least an overnight visit to fully experience all the island has to offer. (Archived article first published in Japan Today.)
This Japan Today article lists a number of different things to see and do in Hiroshima, a city known as the target of the world's first nuclear bombing, but a place with many other facets to explore. (Archived article, first published in Japan Today)
This article in Go Nomad Travel magazine describes a ferry journey across the Tsushima Straits, island hopping from Korea to Kyushu. Lots of interesting things to see, do, and experience! (Archived article originally published in Go Nomad Travel.)
This article in Japan Today describes things to see and do on the border islands of Tsushima and Iki, closer to Korea than to the Japanese mainland with history to match their location. (Archived article published in Japan Today.)
This article in Japan Today introduces the Gallery of Horyuji Treasures at the Tokyo National Museum, a little known gallery with lots to offer, including a new digital gallery. (Archived article published in Japan Today.)
This article in Japan Today explores an odd rivalry between two ancient Buddhist temples in the Kansai region. (Archived article in Japan Today.)
Japan has been producing silk since around the third century, raising silkworms for the raw silk threads and then weaving those threads into cloth. Although it is not now regarded as a major silk producer, even as recently as a century ago, Japan was the world’s largest producer/exporter of raw silk, exporting predominately to the … Continue reading Silken Threads Tie Japan and France
Although it's been too many years for me to remember the story itself, I still remember the first time I saw Bunraku performed, some forty years ago. I was enchanted by the movements of the dolls and the handlers who manipulated them, not to mention the narration, the music, the costuming and the staging. Bunraku … Continue reading Bunraku: narrative stories with human dimension
Not long ago I was commissioned to work on a major project to promote the island of Kyushu as a destination. I was asked to write fairly long pieces on each of several themes, largely to provide background information to spark interest. Those pieces, listed below, are now an information resource called the Kyushu Online … Continue reading Kyushu Online Media Center: Stories
I was recently invited to join a group of career women on a trip to Tomioka in Gunma, combining sightseeing, skin care seminars and time for telecommuting. I'd like to share a few highlights, some of which may also be interesting to men. First one may ask, why would career women have any special interest … Continue reading A Career Woman’s Trip to Tomioka
This article provides a different perspective on the splendid beauty of the Nikko area and a different way to see the sights of Nikko. (Archived article – Originally published by Japan Today.)
Gunma's Tomioka Silk Mill is a testament to Japan's rapid industrialization in the latter half of the 19th century. Opened in 1872, it was Japan’s first complete industrial factory system of production and was built with the assistance of various French advisors. The mill ceased operation in 1987, but, thanks to its historical significance, it … Continue reading Expanded exhibits at the Tomioka Silk Mill
Jigsaw Japan 