This article features the town of Miyako in Iwate Prefecture, in an area badly hit by the earthquake/tsunami 9+ years ago. Reconstruction is ongoing and "disaster tourists" will find interesting remnants of that sad day. The natural beauty of the coast seems to have bounced back more quickly than humans have, so there is beautiful … Continue reading Sightseeing in Post-disaster Iwate’s Miyako: Tragedy and Natural Beauty Together
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
This article takes readers to Iriomote, the second largest island in Okinawa Prefecture and a sparsely populated land of jungles, waterfalls and beaches. (Archived article originally published by Japan Today)
Manga and anime are features of modern Japanese culture that have become popular worldwide. Many visitors to Japan seek out the manga culture and even actual places associated with manga, in a sense, seeking to bring the manga to life. While manga have been around as an art form since the late 19th century, arguably … Continue reading A closer look at some work of manga master Tezuka Osamu
This pair of articles in Tokyo Weekender provides an exploration of an interesting working class neighborhood with a wide variety of ethnic features. Part I - Kamata: Tokyo's Multi-Ethnic ShitamachiPart II - Dining in Kamata: A Culinary World Tour in Tokyo's Multi-Ethnic Shitamachi
Japan's autumn leaves are at least as spectacular as its springtime blossoms, but are more widespread and last longer, giving us more time to enjoy them. While cherry blossoms are mostly enjoyed in urban settings, the autumn leaves are at their most spectacular when viewed across a mountainside or other natural expanse. Many people think … Continue reading Leaf Peeping at Pigeon’s Nest
Ishigaki is the most populous of the Yaeyama Islands, the southern and western-most island group in Okinawa (just 250 km. from Taiwan). As with all Yaeyama Islanders, the people who live on Ishigaki celebrate their local culture and history at every opportunity. Visitors to the island have many opportunities to enjoy that, but for a … Continue reading Experience Local Culture at Ishigaki Yaima Village
On the morning of October 31, 2019, people in Japan (and perhaps the rest of the world) awoke to learn that Okinawa's Shuri Castle, the seat of the Ryukyu Kingdom from 1429 to 1879 and a World Heritage site, had suffered a horrendous fire. It took more than ten hours to extinguish the flames. The … Continue reading Shuri Castle: rising from the ashes
September 2020 saw the opening of an amazing new commercial complex just next door to Haneda Airport. It is called Haneda Innovation City and it is located above Tenkubashi station on the Keikyu and Tokyo Monorail lines. The complex of eleven stylishly low-slung buildings (eight have already been constructed) will be home to various types … Continue reading Haneda Innovation City: combining technology and tradition
This article features Matsushima, one of Japan's three great beauty spots. While the area suffered some damage in the earthquake/tsunami 9+ years ago, it's back to its beautiful self now. Lots to see and do. Well worth a visit! (Archived article originally published by Japan Today) For more information on Tohoku's Pacific Coast, check out … Continue reading Matsushima’s moods and marvels
Between the introduction of the JR East Welcome Rail Pass 2020 catering to foreigners resident in Japan and JR East's week-end and 3-day passes already available for anyone, this is a great time to head north. Sendai, the largest city in the Tohoku region, is just an hour and a half north of Tokyo … Continue reading Sendai’s Surprising Twentieth Century History
On the outskirts of the Iwate town of Hiraizumi stands a striking red and white Buddhist temple, built into a cliff-face: Takkoku no Iwaya. This is a temple steeped in history. It has been a sacred site since 801AD. Like many early Buddhist sites, it began with a cave, which was then enclosed by a … Continue reading Takkoku no Iwaya: history carved in stone
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