Japan is fortunate to have several national museums spread across the country. The National Museum of Japanese History in Sakura City, Chiba (just over an hour outside of Tokyo), is enormous, with amazing exhibits featuring every age of Japanese history. It would probably take a full day, maybe even longer, to fully explore everything the … Continue reading A big museum for a long history – the National Museum of Japanese History
My friend invited me to dinner on Suship, telling me where to be and when, and reminding me not to be late! She didn’t want me to “miss the boat”. Yes, Suship is really a "ship"; a dinner boat that serves a delightful fixed menu meal of sushi and other traditional Japanese dishes. Fortunately, being … Continue reading Ahoy! Set sail for supper on Suship
There are so many wonderful museums across Tokyo and across Japan. Sometimes one finds the greatest treasures in the smallest of them. The current special exhibit at the Ota Folk Museum, "Ota-ku in art: scenes portrayed by writers and artists", is one such treasure. The exhibit, on the second floor of the museum, features woodblock … Continue reading Ota-ku in art: scenes portrayed by writers and artists
One could argue that Art Deco, which takes its name from the Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes held in Paris in 1925, is a European--particularly French--style. But one of the distinctive features of Art Deco is the way in which it drew on influences from around the world, particularly Africa and the … Continue reading Art Deco’s Exoticism On Display
October 1 is celebrated as "Citizen's Day" in the Tokyo Metropolitan District. This year (2018), in honor of the day, there will be various special events dotted around the city, but more importantly for tourists and those who can spare the time, a number of Tokyo parks, gardens, and museums ordinarily closed on Mondays will … Continue reading Tokyo Parks and Gardens Free on “Citizen’s Day”
Tokyo's Hibiya district sits at the intersection of the Kasumigaseki government area, the Ginza shopping area and the business districts of Shimbashi and Marunouchi. It stands to reason, then, that it would be popular as a cultural and entertainment center. Flanked by Hibiya Park and sitting atop the Hibiya subway station, the area is home … Continue reading Hibiya’s Hidden Stars
In early 1868, Japan was in turmoil. A few months earlier, the conflict over whether power should revert to the newly enthroned emperor Meiji or remain in the hands of the Tokugawa shogunate that had ruled Japan for the previous 250 years had ignited into war. Needless to say, the conflict ultimately centered on Edo, … Continue reading Shoto-en: a hidden historical garden
Jiyugaoka has a reputation for being a trendy area to shop, dine and relax with friends. Its narrow brick or stone-paved laneways lined with shops and eateries are inviting to pedestrians. One could spend hours meandering here. This week-end (September 1-2, 2018), however, suburban Jiyugaoka returns to its agrarian roots as its local shrine celebrates … Continue reading Jiyugaoka’s Kumano Shrine festival – celebrating the harvest
The moon is full, the night is balmy, and you just wanna kick up your heels and dance! Maybe that sentiment explains the origins of the Anamori Inari Lantern Festival taking place this weekend at Anamori Inari Shrine near Haneda Airport. There is still time to join the Saturday night portion of the festival, or … Continue reading Lanterns and dancing: the Anamori Inari Lantern Festival
by special guest blogger: Evan M. FitzGerald When the lights go down in the city, escaping the hustle and bustle to lantern-lit Enoshima is a welcome relief. Located about an hour south of Tokyo, this island situated between Kamakura and Fujisawa is a haven for surfers, lovers, and even families. Right now its beauty is … Continue reading Enoshima: Lanterns Light the Way
Japan's "Kofun Period", from the 2nd century to the 7th century, is named for the tumulus burial mounds that characterize it. Of the 30,000 tumuli extant in Japan, some 750 are believed to contain the remains of emperors or members of the imperial family. Most of the others were used for local chieftains or other … Continue reading Where the bodies are buried: Kofun burial mounds along the Tama River
The bright lights of the big city that is Tokyo so dominate that it is easy to forget that Tokyo also has a number of fascinating suburban neighborhoods worthy of exploration. In search of the last of the hydrangeas that are so prolific this time of year, I thought I'd take a half-day walk through … Continue reading A Walk in the Rain: Exploring the Ota-ku suburbs
