I ease my freshly scrubbed self into the hotel's large bath. It's very hot, but not so hot that I am unable to sit myself down. I immerse up to my chin, close my eyes and sigh. La dolce far niente! Although I'm not in Italy, this is the phrase that runs through my mind … Continue reading Taking the waters at Kusatsu Onsen
It is a few seconds past midnight. The temple bell rings once, its low sonorous tone echoing across the heads of the people in the crowd gathered at the foot of the belfry. The priest who had rung the bell steps out of the belfry, bows to the crowd and says "akemashite omedeto gozaimasu" (happy … Continue reading Magic at midnight: Seeing in the new year Japanese style
This article takes readers on a walk to visit Japan's seven lucky gods at shrines and temples in the historic Yanaka neighborhood of Tokyo. Such walks are a popular new year's activity, said to bring luck and fortune to participants. (Archived article - Originally published by Japan Today.)
This article takes readers on a seven lucky gods pilgrimage through the Yanaka area, a Tokyo neighborhood popular with tourists, although most probably miss many of these sights. Learn more in this article. (Archived article originally published by Japan Today.)
If Santa and his elves find themselves overwhelmed with preparing and delivering Christmas packages, they would do well to turn to Haneda Chronogate for help. Opened in 2013, Haneda Chronogate is the flagship facility of Yamato Holdings Co., Ltd. (also known as "kuro neko"), the shipping firm that first conceived and developed TA-Q-BIN, express package … Continue reading Haneda Chronogate – package processing to rival the North Pole
You can feel it in the air, even in Tokyo. Christmas is coming. Tokyo gets itself into the Christmas spirit with festive lighting displays on major thoroughfares, shopping centers and tower complexes as well as seasonal decorations in department stores and other public venues. And from December 16 to 25, Hibiya Park is host to … Continue reading The Tokyo Christmas Market – another Hibiya Park triumph
Asakura Fumio (1883-1964) is sometimes called the "Rodin of Japan", a modern, Western-style sculptor whose work is characterized by true-to-life imagery that was ahead of its time in Japan. Although born and raised in Oita, Kyushu, he came to Tokyo as a young man to study at the Tokyo School of Fine Arts and then … Continue reading Asakura Museum of Sculpture – the legacy of a great 20th century artist
The ginkgo tree is the official tree of the Tokyo Metropolitan District, having been selected for that honor by popular vote in 1966. While these trees are ubiquitous across the city--the majority of the half million trees lining Tokyo streets are ginkgo trees--they are at their most stunning during the month of December, when their … Continue reading Going for gold — Tokyo’s ginkgo trees in their full glory
This article introduces Shosenkyo, a dramatic gorge located just north of Kofu in Yamanashi Prefecture. (Archived article - originally published by Japan Today)
As a volcanic island chain, Japan is blessed with innumerable hot springs, making it inevitable that the people who live here love a good soak. Perhaps the queen of all of Japan's hot springs (onsen) areas is the city of Beppu, in Oita Prefecture. Situated on a bay on the northeast coast of the island … Continue reading Beppu: fun promotions for hot springs
November 20, 2016, was the culmination of a 3 week long promotion of Tohoku products at the Toranomon Hills complex in the area becoming known as "Shintora" (combining the names of the Shinbashi and Toranomon districts of Tokyo). The absolute highlight of the day was the Shintora Matsuri Parade, featuring troupes from the six major … Continue reading Shintora Matsuri Parade: bringing Tohoku to Tokyo
This article describes a walk that includes a brief stretch of the Tokaido around Shinagawa-juku and then following the Meguro River to its mouth and the modern waterways of the area. (Archived article - Originally published by Japan Today.)
Jigsaw Japan 