Edogawa Commemorative Garden: Japanese beauty under southern skies

A little over an hour north of Sydney, on the edge of Caroline Bay, sits a pretty little Japanese garden that has, for the past 30 years, been a delight to locals and tourists alike both for its authenticity and its relaxing atmosphere. The garden commemorates the sister city relationship between Tokyo's Edogawa-ku and the … Continue reading Edogawa Commemorative Garden: Japanese beauty under southern skies

Zojoji’s Sanmon: A Rare Look at a Gateway of Antiquities

Zojiji Temple in Tokyo's Shiba neighborhood was once considered a guardian of the southwest entry to Edo (the old name for Tokyo). Visitors approaching the city via the Tokaido Road would have passed nearby and would, inevitably, have seen the massive awe-inspiring structures of the expansive temple complex, which was a seminary and center of … Continue reading Zojoji’s Sanmon: A Rare Look at a Gateway of Antiquities

Celebrating 150 years of railroads in Japan

On October 14, 1872, Japan's first passenger rail service opened, running between Yokohama (near modern-day Sakuragicho Station) and Tokyo (near modern-day Shimbashi Station). Such a milestone deserves celebration, especially one observing a service that has, in large degree, molded a nation. Certainly JR East agrees, so that Tokyo, at least, is widely decorated with posters … Continue reading Celebrating 150 years of railroads in Japan

Otsu Matsuri: the post-Covid return of a traditional matsuri

I don't usually write about an event just after it has occurred. It seems unfair to tell readers about something they've just missed. But I will break my own rule this once. Nearly all matsuri, traditional Japanese festivals usually associated with shrines, have been cancelled since the Corona virus pandemic began in 2020 so it … Continue reading Otsu Matsuri: the post-Covid return of a traditional matsuri