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
While many in Tokyo bemoan the early time at which the sun sets during the winter months, there is consolation in the various winter illumination entertainments offered around the city. Trees lining streets sport twinkling lights and some amusement venues set up special illumination displays. From October to April, the Oi Racecourse (a/k/a Tokyo City … Continue reading Sparkling Winter Lights: an evening at the racetrack
This article introduces a bit about famed military genius, Shingen Takeda, and his “domain”. Fascinating guy and fun places to visit where there are still signs of him five centuries after he lived. (Archived article – Originally published by Japan Today.)
Tamozawa Imperial Villa was built in 1899 as a holiday residence for then-Crown Prince Yoshihito (1879-1926), who reigned as the Emperor Taisho from 30 July 1912 to his death on 25 December 1926. The Emperor Taisho spent much of his summers here throughout his reign and the villa continued to be used by the Imperial … Continue reading Tamozawa Imperial Villa: not exactly a holiday cottage
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
One of my earliest experiences of Japan's spectacular autumn leaves was during an employer-sponsored outing to Goshiki-numa in the Urabandai area of Fukushima Prefecture nearly 40 years ago. The area still holds a special place in my heart and, although my last visit, and hence my latest photos, was a few months ago, I'm writing … Continue reading Water colors and Fall colors at Goshiki-numa
Sometimes a destination can be enjoyed more by understanding its economic past and present. This article describes a visit to a small textile factory in the Yamagata city of Yonezawa, which is famous for its beautiful silks. (Archived article – Originally published by Japan Today.)
On a hillside above Jionji, a 1,300 year-old Buddhist temple in the northeast of Saitama City, stands a red Chinese style gate and behind that, a thirteen-tiered stone pagoda-like tower. It is an anomaly in this semi-agrarian, semi-residential neighborhood. I stumbled across this spot after visiting Jionji with some friends. A write-up we had of … Continue reading Curious Homage to a Great Buddhist Scholar
Noh, often associated with the masks worn by actors playing certain roles, is widely regarded as Japan's oldest surviving performance art, with 650 years of history. (There are, of course, many older arts, such as Kagura ritual dancing, but those were developed for the entertainment of the gods, not for entertaining humans.) The stories portrayed … Continue reading Saying “yes” to Noh: Oyama’s Takigi Noh Fire Festival
The other day I arranged to catch up with a friend, who suggested we meet in the Mejiro neighborhood, not a part of Tokyo I visit often. As my appointments for the day worked out, I had about an hour and a half to kill between my previous appointment and the set time to meet … Continue reading A little stroll in Ikebukuro
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.)
Thanks to the pandemic, public consumption of alcohol is currently banned in large parts of Japan. What better time to tour a sake brewery? Watanabe Sahei Shoten is a fun and easy to access sake brewery in Tochigi's Nikko area. It was founded in 1842 by an ancestor of Watanabe Yasuhiro, the current proprietor, who … Continue reading The Happy Energy of Sake Brewing: Watanabe Sahei Shoten
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