This article describes a walk through Mariko-juku, formerly a Tokaido post town and now a Shizuoka suburb. Try out the walk to discover a bit of history! (Archived article originally published by Japan Today.)
Category: Shizuoka
Bamboo Shooting: the Spring hunting season
As the season of new beginnings, Spring is the season when bamboo shoots emerge from the earth to shoot their way skyward. But clever hunters know they can hunt out the little brown spears just as they are breaking the surface for an excellent seasonal treat. This year, late Spring found us visiting our friend … Continue reading Bamboo Shooting: the Spring hunting season
Midnight at Mishima Grand Shrine
Traditional New Year's festivities in Japan are special indeed. It's usually a family time, with visits to shrines (often in traditional garb), special symbolic foods and sake toasts, and various other seasonal activities. While we see less and less of the traditions these days, many of them can still be experienced and enjoyed, if you … Continue reading Midnight at Mishima Grand Shrine
Kakita River Park – where a river is born
It isn't every day that you get to see the birth of a river. Yet that is exactly what visitors see in Kakita River Park in Mishima, Shizuoka Prefecture. Every day a million tons of water burbles its way to the surface through the sandy soil in this park to form the Kakita River, already … Continue reading Kakita River Park – where a river is born
Toi – western Izu’s golden legacy
This article introduces readers to the gold mining legacy of the town of Toi, in western Izu. Through February 4, 2018, the site of the gold mine has a special night-time illumination of its early cherry blossoms, making this a great time to visit! (Archived article – Originally published by Japan Today.)
The Miho pines and the legend of the Hagoromo
Near Shimizu in Shizuoka Prefecture there is a spit of land extending into Suruga Bay that forms Shimizu Harbor. Known as Miho, the end of the spit was once its own island, but over centuries, silt has done its job to connect the island to the mainland and form the spit. On the outside of … Continue reading The Miho pines and the legend of the Hagoromo
Gone fishin’
A couple of weeks ago, I got an email from my friend Maki: "We're spending our vacation at our week-ender in Izu. Come down for a couple of days. We'll go eel fishing!" I love hanging out with Maki and readily accepted her invitation. I was especially intrigued by the suggestion of eel fishing. While … Continue reading Gone fishin’
Exploring early industrialization in Izu
Japan's rapid industrialization during the Meiji Period (1868-1912), when the country was re-opened to international trade after more than 250 years of isolation, was nothing short of remarkable. The various achievements of the period were recognized by UNESCO in 2015 when it listed 23 components at 11 sites as "Sites of Japan's Meiji Industrial Revolution: … Continue reading Exploring early industrialization in Izu
Shimizu: Historic port and modern entertainment
This article introduces the modern and historic port town of Shimizu in Shizuoka Prefecture. There are a surprising amount of interesting spots to visit and things to do here. (Archived article - Originally published by Japan Today)
Jigsaw Japan 