Since everyone is thinking quarantine, isolation and hiding away these days, I thought it might be appropriate for this month's travel article to be about a place in where such things happened in the past. Enjoy this as "armchair travel" now, and perhaps get there yourself sometime in the future. (Archived article originally published by … Continue reading A Goto Island of Quarantine: the perfect place to hide
Many of Japan's origin legends are set in Kyushu and can be explored at Shinto shrines and other sites across the island commemorating the events of the legend. They are often tales of interactions among a pantheon of gods that are every bit as intriguing as the Roman or Greek mythology doubtless more familiar to … Continue reading Amano Iwato: hideaway cave of a goddess
Takamatsu Castle, on the northern coast of Shikoku, overlooks the Inland Sea, historically Japan's most important 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, of … Continue reading Takamatsu Castle: a seaside guardian
On the west coast of Shimoshima, the largest of the Amakusa Islands of Kyushu, is a large bay known as Yokaku Bay. Because of its location on the East China Sea, the bay, and particularly the town of Sakitsu in a small, but deep, harbor on the north shore, has a centuries-long history as a … Continue reading Sakitsu: a remote Amakusa port where Christians once concealed themselves
Standing atop a hill, gazing southwest across the Chikugo River valley toward the Ariake Sea, stands the 62 meter tall Jobo Kannon (the motherly goddess of mercy), cradling a baby in her arms. Completed in early 1983, she is the tallest Kannon statue on the island of Kyushu. Jobo Kannon stands on the grounds of … Continue reading Kannon keeping watch in Kurume
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.)
On the outskirts of Kumamoto City sits an isolated Zen temple that guards over an historic cave and a hillside of rakan (arhat) statues. Rakan are devout Buddhists who have attained enlightenment and live in a state of Nirvana. In Japan, collections of statues of 500 rakan, the number of disciples of Buddha believed to … Continue reading Unganzenji: a legacy of swordsmanship and piety
The Kirishima volcano system in Kagoshima Prefecture is fascinating for the variety of landscapes visitors can experience. The flanks of some of the volcanoes are covered with grassland conducive to raising cattle. Takachiho Farm is a kind of "show farm" within sight of Mt. Kirishima where visitors can see a working dairy and experience several … Continue reading Takachiho Farm: fun hands-on experience of life on a farm
The city of Karatsu in Saga Prefecture has been a center of ceramic production since the end of the 16th century. While all manner of dishes are produced, the Karatsu style of pottery is particularly well known for its tea ware--dishes used for traditional Japanese tea ceremony. On March 10, 2020, a new museum featuring … Continue reading A new gallery celebrates Karatsu tea ware
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
Jigsaw Japan 