Mountainous Japan is home to many spectacular gorges; deep narrow valleys through which tumble fast flowing rivers. Among these, Kochi Prefecture's Nakatsu Gorge is dramatic, scenic and inspiring, yet relatively easy to access. The mountains and valleys of Kochi tend to feel higher and steeper than mountains in other parts of Japan and the Niyodo … Continue reading Nakatsu Gorge: strength of stone versus power of water
I'm fortunate that in my travels I often get to meet local people who are doing interesting and creative things. I was able to write a profile of a couple of groups of women in Kyushu and Shikoku who have become successful small business entrepreneurs, producing condiments featuring local produce and local flavors. (Archived article … Continue reading Entrepreneurs on the Rise: Second Career Women in Regional Japan
Takamatsu Castle, on the northern coast of Shikoku, overlooks the Inland Sea, Japan's the most important historical waterway. The castle was built at the end of the 16th century, a great time of castle construction in Japan. In its heyday, Takamatsu Castle served as an administrative center and a checkpoint for ship traffic. It was, … Continue reading Takamatsu Castle: a seaside guardian
This article describes how Sakamoto Ryoma defied the law to leave his domain for the purpose of advocating political change in Japan in the mid 19th century and visits sites associated with his "escape", which took place 158 years ago this month. (Archived article originally published by Japan Today.)
While relaxing in the library of Yusuhara, a fascinating little town nestled in the mountains of Kochi Prefecture, I just happened to notice a poster advertising "Tap Marche", a campaign featuring six craft beers being served at seven local establishments. What a perfect way to further explore this adorable little town, I think to myself. … Continue reading On a Quest for Craft Beer in Kochi
This article describes how the renowned architect Kengo Kuma's designs were influenced by this Shikoku town, and how the town has been shaped by the architect. (Archived article originally published by Japan Today.)
Japan was once known for its $10 cups of coffee and other seeming extravagances. While those days have gone--decent coffee can now be had for less than a dollar and a half--, with it has gone the slow life that the owner-operated coffee shop represented. Well, not entirely. Here and there one can still find … Continue reading Coffee Flag: a coffee oasis
In these days of environmental concerns, it's not unusual to hear talk of green living and energy independence. In the Shikoku mountain town of Yusuhara, it's more than just talk. This town of less than 4,000 people has adopted various practices to generate its own power and reduce its carbon footprint while caring for the … Continue reading Yusuhara: the eco-friendly traditional mountain town
Ritsurin Koen, a classic "samurai strolling garden", is a treasure of Takamatsu, a Shikoku castle town facing the Seto Inland Sea. With 400 years of history it is one of the most beautiful gardens of its type in Japan, with sculpted ponds and waterways, hills dotted with carefully tended pine trees, and landscapes that must … Continue reading Ritsurin Koen: a classic garden and the teamLab touch
I recently blogged about Kabuki, one of Japan's more modern performing arts. Kabuki is highly entertaining wherever it is performed, but it is often said that there is nothing like seeing a Kabuki play performed in an historical theater in order to truly get the feel of the art. The trouble is, there aren't that … Continue reading Kanamaruza: the historic Kabuki theater of Kotohira
The frothy whipped green tea served in traditional Japanese tea ceremony is strong and bitter. But unlike Western style tea or coffee, one does not ever add sugar! That is not to say that we completely ignore Mary Poppins' maxim. Rather, for over 400 years in Japan, whenever traditional tea ceremony tea is served, it … Continue reading How Sweet It Is! Making wasanbon tea sweets
Japanese people love their noodles. Across the country, you can't visit any size community that doesn't have a ramen shop. But ramen is a Chinese import. There are lots of indigenous Japanese noodles, too. On a recent trip to Shikoku, I not only encountered plenty of these noodles, I got to have lessons in how … Continue reading Noodling on Shikoku: lessons in traditional noodle making
