Vicki has been writing articles about Japan destinations and experiences for many years, published mostly on the news and information website Japantoday.com. Check out her back numbers below (in reverse chrono). This page is updated regularly, so please return often! If you’re looking for someplace in particular, also check out the “map” tab.
 Japan Red: The Russet Glow of OkayamaJapan Today, February 20, 2023 |
 The New Digital Exhibition at the Gallery of Horyuji Treasures: a modern way to explore the art of ancient JapanJapan Today, February 16, 2023 |
 A Tale of Two Temples: The historical competition between Enryaku-ji and Mii-deraJapan Today, January 21, 2023 |
 The Sakura Seven: A walk to gain good fortuneJapan Today, December 22, 2022 |
 All Things Kitchen are in KappabashiJapan Today, November 24, 2022 |
 Art and Ambience in ObuseJapan Today, October 27, 2022 |
 Unique experiences await visitors to Dewa Sanzan regionJapan Today, October 10, 2022 |
 Tokyo Port Wild Bird Park: an urban nature park for feathered friendsJapan Today, September 24, 2022 |
 Suizenji Garden: one of the finest of Japan’s feudal samurai strolling gardensJapan Today, August 25, 2022 |
 Rakuhoji and the Amabiki KannonJapan Today, July 22, 2022 |
 Yoshinogari: Fascinating park of Japan’s prehistoric societyJapan Today, June 24, 2022 |
 Eye Openers in Akatsuka, a northwestern Tokyo suburbJapan Today, May 24, 2022 |
 Learning to Make Japan’s Most Durable Washi PaperAll About Japan, May 23, 2022 |
 How to Train Your Samurai: Education in Edo Period JapanJapan Today, April 23, 2022 |
 Celebrating Spring at Lake SuwaJapan Today, March 24, 2022 |
 Yonezawa-gyu: A tender, tasty treatJapan Today, March 18, 2022(Not strictly a destination article; more about what to eat when you get there.) |
 Learning Japan’s Ancient Horseback ArcheryJapan Today, March 14, 2022 |
 The Rikuzen Coast: Recovering But RememberingJapan Today, February 22, 2022 |
 How I Learned to Wield a Samurai SwordAll About Japan, January 31, 2022 |
 In Admiral Togo’s Wake: Meeting a Military GeniusJapan Today, January 25, 2022 |
 Making Herbal Tea at Oyakuen Medicine GardenAll About Japan, January 5, 2022 |
 Seeking Seven Lucky Gods in ShitayaJapan Today, December 27, 2021 |
 Kumamoto City: the perfect base for cultural experiences on KyushuLonely Planet, December 22, 2021 |
 Fire and Water: the two natures of Kyushu’s Mt. AsoLonely Planet, December 22, 2021 |
 In Search of Takeda Shingen: The Greatest Feudal Lord of His AgeJapan Today, November 26, 2021 |
 Yonezawa Textiles: top quality interwoven with centuries of history and traditionJapan Today, October 27, 2021 |
 Dragon Quest: Hunting for Dragons in the Mountains of NikkoJapan Today, September 29, 2021 |
 A matter of survival: Artists seek to revitalize kogei amid decline of Japanese craft tradition Number 1 Shimbun, September 2021 |
 5 Days Exploring Fukushima, Miyagi and Yamagata with the JR East PassGaijinpot, August 26, 2021 |
 Finding Meiji modernization history in TohokuJapan Today, August 19, 2021 |
 Staying Afloat in Tohoku: 5 Fun Boat RidesGaijinpot, July 26, 2021 |
 Minamisanriku: A Tohoku Town Triumphing Over Tragedy Japan Today, July 24, 2021 |
 Ancient Temples of the Deep North: Some of Tohoku’s Most Historical TemplesJapan Today, June 28, 2021 |
 5 Days Exploring Akita, Aomori and Iwate Prefectures with the JR East PassGaijinpot, June 7, 2021 |
 Seeking Sakura and Samurai in Tohoku: Past and Present Glories of Kakunodate and HirosakiJapan Today, May 13, 2021 |
 Udo Shrine: origin myths in a cliff-side caveJapan Today, April 26, 2021 |
 Mukai Craft Brewery: Making Beer While Revitalizing Rural JapanTokyo Weekender, April 13, 2021 |
 A Night with the Nenez: Enjoying the sounds of OkinawaJapan Today, March 27, 2021 |
 Aoshima: Dramatic rocks and romantic legendsJapan Today, February 26, 2021 |
 Kitsuki: Castle Town on the SeaJapan Today, January 29, 2021 |
 The Seven Lucky Gods of Fukagawa: ensuring a good year to comeJapan Today, December 29, 2020 |
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Tokyo Weekender, December 22, 2020 |
The Streets of Kochi: So Many Personalities|
Tokyo Weekender, November 30, 2020 |
Sightseeing in Post-disaster Iwate’s Miyako: Tragedy and Natural Beauty Together Iriomote Idyll – enjoying a remote island paradiseJapan Today, November 27, 2020 |
 Kamata: Tokyo’s Multi-Ethnic ShitamachiTokyo Weekender, November 12, 2020 Dining in Kamata: A Culinary World Tour in Tokyo’s Multi-Ethnic Shitamachi Tokyo Weekender, November 19, 2020 |
 Matsushima’s Moods and MarvelsJapan Today, October 26, 2020 |
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Japan Today, September 29, 2020 |
River town Sawara: Floating back in timeUnzen Onsen: This Could be Heaven or This Could be Hell Tokyo Weekender, August 30, 2020 |
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Japan Today, August 28, 2020 |
 Shimonita: the Geopark off the Beaten TrackJapan Today, July 28, 2020 |
 Post-Modern Tea Ceremony: A Lesson in Tea Appreciation in the Heart of Tea CountryJapan Today, June 27, 2020 |
 Dejima: Where Traders Were Isolated for Economic GainJapan Today, May 27, 2020 |
 A Goto Island of Quarantine: The Perfect Place to HideJapan Today, April 29, 2020 |
 Escape to exile: Following the path of a dramatic episode in the life of Sakamoto RyomaJapan Today, March 28, 2020 |
 The Legendary Murakami Kaizoku: Good Guy Pirates of the Seto Inland SeaJapan Today, March 25, 2020 |
 A Guide to Kyushu’s History, Culture, Cuisine and SpiritualityTokyo Weekender, March 18, 2020 |
 Yusuhara: A showcase of natural wood in Kengo Kuma architectureJapan Today, February 28, 2020 |
 Sengan-en and Shuseikan: Exploring samurai values and industrializationJapan Today, January 30, 2020 |
 Koishikawa Seven Lucky Gods walk – exploring a forgotten corner of TokyoJapan Today, December 26, 2019 |
 Kyoto by the Sea: An unexpected side of KyotoJapan Today, November 28, 2019 |
 Mt Oyama pilgrimage – an entertaining way to step back in timeJapan Today, November 15, 2019 |
 The Konya Meguri: Learning About Traditional Dye Craft in TokyoJapan Today, October 28, 2019 |
![IMG_8250[2]](https://jigsaw-japan.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/img_82502.jpg?w=151&h=114) Utsunomiya: A place to quarry out the history and geology of Oya stoneJapan Today, September 27, 2019 |
 Exploring history, water and greenery in NagoyaJapan Today, August 30, 2019 |
 History and Modern Developments: A Walk in ShimbashiJapan Today, July 26, 2019 |
 Experiencing Okinawa: some lessons in cultural “arts”Japan Today, June 29, 2019 |
 Mariko: The littlest Tokaido post townJapan Today, May 30, 2019 |
 Kaga Yuzen: Experiencing a Traditional Silk Dyeing Technique in KanazawaSavvy Tokyo, May 19, 2019 |
 Shonan-daira: Hiking to a hilltop for lunchJapan Today, April 29, 2019 |
 Bessho Onsen – easy and interesting weekend getawayJapan Today, March 29, 2019 |
 Making Soba Noodles: An exercise in rolling your ownMetropolis, March 11, 2019 |
Island Hopping in Okinawa Japan Today, February 28, 2019 |
 Ideas for enjoying winter in Nagano…off the slopesJapan Today, January 28, 2019 |
 Seeking out seven lucky gods in TsurumiJapan Today, December 28, 2018 |
 A dozen things to do deep in the mountains of Shikoku Japan Today, November 30, 2018 |
 Suship: A floating world of fine diningMetropolis, November 20, 2018 |
 Raking in good luck at the Asakusa Tori-no-IchiJapan Today, October 28, 2018 |
 Yuasa: A place to savor culinary history
Japan Today, September 28, 2018 Seeking escape from summer heat at an embassy villa
Daiyuzan: Lush mountain forests, mischievous messengers and the world’s largest geta
Senmaida: Scenic rice terraces evoking old Japan Japan Today, May 30, 2018
Japan Today, April 26, 2018 Japan Today, March 30, 2018
Japan Today, March 21, 2018 Toi – Western Izu’s golden legacy The seven Brewing Up Success: A Modern Woman in a Time-Honored Occupation Number 1 Shimbun, December 2017
Japan Today, August 25, 2017
Usuki – centuries of history in a provincial castle town Japan Today, May 24, 2017
Visit Kusatsu Onsen, February 20, 2017
Japan Today, January 27, 2017
Hina Matsuri: Girls’ Day Doll Festival
Japan Today, January 29, 2016
Odigo, January 17, 2016 Shibamata’s seven lucky gods walk
Japan Today, December 28, 2015 Jindaiji: Waterwheels, greenery, soba and history Japan Today, November 27, 2015
Japan Today, March 1, 2015
The ACCJ Journal, November 2013
Nagasaki: The City of Martyrs |
lucky gods of Minato: A different perspective on a well-known Tokyo district
Gunma’s great outdoors–summer fun options at Minakami
Odigo, March 9, 2016
Jigsaw Japan 