Travel Articles

Vicki has been writing articles about Japan 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.

Kamata streetsKamata: Tokyo’s Multi-Ethnic Shitamachi
Tokyo Weekender, November 12, 2020

Dining in Kamata: A Culinary World Tour in Tokyo’s Multi-Ethnic Shitamachi
Tokyo Weekender, November 19, 2020

IMG_6439Matsushima’s Moods and Marvels

Japan Today, October 26, 2020

IMG_5717River town Sawara: Floating back in time

Japan Today, September 29, 2020

Unzen Onsen: This Could be Heaven or This Could be HellIMG_1005

Tokyo Weekender, August 30, 2020

IMG_5349Exploring Tokyo’s Architecture Through the Ages: A Walk in Bunkyo and Toshima

Japan Today, August 28, 2020

IMG_2183Shimonita:  the Geopark off the Beaten Track

Japan Today, July 28, 2020

IMG_3163Post-Modern Tea Ceremony: A Lesson in Tea Appreciation in the Heart of Tea Country

Japan Today, June 27, 2020

IMG_0459Dejima: Where Traders Were Isolated for Economic Gain

Japan Today, May 27, 2020

IMG_0852A Goto Island of Quarantine: The Perfect Place to Hide

Japan Today, April 29, 2020
IMG_3769Escape to exile: Following the path of a dramatic episode in the life of Sakamoto Ryoma

Japan Today, March 28, 2020

Geiyo IslandsThe Legendary Murakami Kaizoku: Good Guy Pirates of the Seto Inland Sea

Japan Today, March 25, 2020

IMG_2326A Guide to Kyushu’s History, Culture, Cuisine and Spirituality

Tokyo Weekender, March 18, 2020

IMG_1753-croppedYusuhara: A showcase of natural wood in Kengo Kuma architecture

Japan Today, February 28, 2020

IMG_2384Sengan-en and Shuseikan: Exploring samurai values and industrialization

Japan Today, January 30, 2020

IMG_0415Koishikawa Seven Lucky Gods walk – exploring a forgotten corner of Tokyo

Japan Today, December 26, 2019

P_20191108_161346_vHDR_AutoKyoto by the Sea: An unexpected side of Kyoto

Japan Today, November 28, 2019

IMG_9204Mt Oyama pilgrimage – an entertaining way to step back in time

Japan Today, November 15, 2019

IMG_9101The Konya Meguri: Learning About Traditional Dye Craft in Tokyo
Japan Today, October 28, 2019

IMG_8250[2]Utsunomiya: A place to quarry out the history and geology of Oya stone

Japan Today, September 27, 2019

IMG_8665Exploring history, water and greenery in Nagoya

Japan Today, August 30, 2019

IMG_7809History and Modern Developments: A Walk in Shimbashi

Japan Today, July 26, 2019

IMG_20190210_165150Experiencing Okinawa: some lessons in cultural “arts”

Japan Today, June 29, 2019
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Mariko: The littlest Tokaido post town

Japan Today, May 30, 2019
IMG_3567Kaga Yuzen: Experiencing a Traditional Silk Dyeing Technique in Kanazawa
Savvy Tokyo, May 19, 2019

IMG_7260Shonan-daira: Hiking to a hilltop for lunch

Japan Today, April 29, 2019

IMG_5201Bessho Onsen – easy and interesting weekend getaway

Japan Today, March 29, 2019
IMG_5694Making Soba Noodles: An exercise in rolling your own
Metropolis, March 11, 2019
Island Hopping in OkinawaIMG_6608
Japan Today, February 28, 2019

IMG_5147Ideas for enjoying winter in Nagano…off the slopes

Japan Today, January 28, 2019

IMG_4829-croppedSeeking out seven lucky gods in Tsurumi

Japan Today, December 28, 2018
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A dozen things to do deep in the mountains of Shikoku

Japan Today, November 30, 2018
IMG_3804-860x480Suship: A floating world of fine dining

Metropolis, November 20, 2018
IMG_4516Raking in good luck at the Asakusa Tori-no-Ichi
Japan Today, October 28, 2018
IMG_0685-croppedYuasa: A place to savor culinary history
Japan Today, September 28, 2018
IMG_2847Seeking escape from summer heat at an embassy villa
Japan Today, August 28, 2018

Daiyuzan

Daiyuzan: Lush mountain forests, mischievous messengers and the world’s largest geta
Japan Today, July 17, 2018
IMG_7983A weekend get-away to Komoro in Nagano Pref.
Japan Today, June 27, 2018

IMG_7614 Kinrande: captivating examples of antique porcelains

Japan Today, April 26, 2018

  _w850 Kurayoshi: 10 ways to experience history and culture first hand

Japan Today, March 30, 2018

IMG_6879From kimono to constellations: Peeling back the layers in Tottori

Japan Today, March 21, 2018
Toi – Western Izu’s golden legacy IMG_6315
Japan Today, January 26, 2018
The seven IMG_6139lucky gods of Minato: A different perspective on a well-known Tokyo district
Japan Today, December 29, 2017

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Brewing Up Success: A Modern Woman in a Time-Honored Occupation

Number 1 Shimbun, December 2017
IMG_5205Netsuke: Accoutrements that have become Art
Japan Today, November 24, 2017
IMG_2414Enjoy Autumn Leaves at Rikugien
Japan Today, October 30, 2017
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The path to knowledge: Exploring Tokyo’s oldest educational institutions
Japan Today, September 30, 2017
Sekigahara movie poster-croppedSekigahara:  New movie brings the battle, and the battlefield, to life
Japan Today, August 25, 2017
IMG_3643Gunma’s great outdoors–summer fun options at Minakami
Japan Today, July 26, 2017
IMG_3206Coconoma Season Dining: A Great Spot for a Business Lunch
Japan Today Insight, June 19, 2017
_w1700Usuki – centuries of history in a provincial castle town
Japan Today, May 24, 2017
CIMG2842Golden times in Golden Week Tokyo
Japan Today, April 26, 2017
IMG_1503Tracing the Tachi-ai River to its source, while enjoying cherry blossoms
Japan Today, March 28, 2017
IMG_0008Hotel Ichii: comfort, convenience and kindness
Japan Today Insight, March 25, 2017
IMG_1034Noritake Garden – taking ceramics to a whole new level
Japan Today, February 27, 2017

img_0224Enjoying an Alpen Winter at Kusatsu

Visit Kusatsu Onsen, February 20, 2017
img_0258It’s the People You Meet
Visit Kusatsu Onsen, January 27, 2017

img_0027-2Keeping busy in Kusatsu

Japan Today, January 27, 2017
CIMG1463Finding good fortune on a walk through Yanaka
Japan Today, December 31, 2016
Shosenkyo: Japan’s most gorgeous gorge
 Japan Today, November 29, 2016
Japan Today, October 27, 2016
Akasaka-mitsuke: A quirky blend of old Edo and modern Tokyo
 Japan Today, September 29, 2016
Odaiba — Oh boy!
Japan Today, August 27, 2016
Endless entertainment on Enoshima: 20 recommended things to do
 Japan Today, July 26, 2016
img_7650Why an Omaha girl folded 1,000 origami cranes for her trip to Japan
Omaha World Herald, July 8, 2016
Nikko Edomura – wondrous historical entertainment
 Japan Today, July 6, 2016
Finding Tokyo of yesteryear: The Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum
Japan Today, May 26, 2016
The roof of Japan: Traversing the Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route
Japan Today, April 19, 2016
Shizuoka’s Oi River Valley – lots to explore
 Japan Today, March 24, 2016

Hina Matsuri: Girls’ Day Doll Festival  cimg3555

Odigo, March 9, 2016
On the waterfront at Yokohama: Minato Mirai, the port of the future
Japan Today, February 9, 2016
Japan Today, January 29, 2016
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Plum Blossoms: The Original Hanami

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
The resplendent autumn colors of Nikko
Japan Today, October 30, 2015
Kanazawa: 7 things you must do
Japan Today, September 30, 2015
The greatest of Japan’s Great Buddhas
Japan Today, August 28, 2015
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Old haunts: Looking for hidden ghosts in Tokyo
Japan Today, July 30, 2015
Top 10 power spots in Japan
Japan Today, June 23, 2015
Enjoying the early summer roses
Japan Today, May 30, 2015
Gokaicho: A once-in-seven-years experience at Nagano’s Zenkoji Temple
Japan Today, April 27, 2015
Nagoya Castle and Honmaru Palace: Insights into castle administration
Japan Today, March 27, 2015

Enjoy early cherry blossoms in Kawazu

Japan Today, March 1, 2015
Mandarado Yagura: Off the beaten path in Kamakura
Japan Today February 26, 2015
Kawagoe: A walk through history
Japan Today, January 29, 2015
Edo-style ladder-top acrobatics at Ikegami Honmonji
Japan Today, January 9, 2015
A New Year’s walk at Haneda featuring seven lucky Inari
Japan Today, December 29, 2014
Tokyo’s Art Deco treasure house
Japan Today, November 28, 2014
Exploring Kyoto’s Lake Biwa Canal
Japan Today, October 30, 2014
Hamamatsu: City of music
Japan Today, September 27, 2014
Step Back in Time: Tour operator’s treks retrace history of JapanThe ACCJ Journal, September 2014
 
The Tomioka Silk Mill: Exploring Gunma’s silken history
Japan Today, August 28, 2014
  
Seeking summer refreshment? Check out a brewery
Japan Today, July 25, 2014
Tanabata: The ultimate in wishing on a star
Japan Today, June 29, 2014
Shimizu: Historic port and modern entertainment
Japan Today, May 30, 2014
Festivals in Tohoku: Great Golden Week entertainment
Japan Today, April 25, 2014
Sendagi: Stepping back a century
Japan Today, March 29, 2014
Sake brewer receives kosher certification
Japan Today, March 24, 2014
Playing with dolls: Explore the traditional trappings of Hina dolls
Japan Today, February 28, 2014
Explore Japan’s sake-making tradition in Nada
Japan Today, January 31, 2014
Want to get lucky in the New Year? Take a hike
Japan Today, December 30, 2013
Namahage: A New Year’s tradition on Akita’s Oga Peninsula
Japan Today, December 26, 2013
Shiba: Guardian of old Edo
Japan Today, November 28, 2013
Okinawa: Not just another beach holiday
The ACCJ Journal, November 2013
Soak up history and culture in the castle town of Aizu-Wakamatsu
Japan Today, October 25, 2013
Ise Shrine: Where everything old is new again
Japan Today, September 26, 2013
Don’t overlook Ofuna – off the beaten Buddhist track
Japan Today, August 30, 2013
Komaba: A little pocket of history and culture
Japan Today, July 28, 2013
Meiji Mura – concentrated history made fun
Japan Today, June 30, 2013
Tsuwano: A delightful old castle town…and getting there IS half the fun
Japan Today, May 30, 2013
10 travel ideas slightly off the beaten track
Japan Today, April 27, 2013
Shibazakura — seasonal flowers at Kawaguchi-ko (one of the Fuji Five Lakes)
Japan Today, April 19, 2013
Asukayama: Among the shogun’s blossoms
Japan Today, March 28, 2013
Visiting the Imperial Palace grounds.
Japan Today, December 21, 2012
Sengakuji: Center of loyalty and revenge
Japan Today, December 16, 2012
The Nakasendo and an old post town: a literal trip down memory lane
Japan Today, November 19, 2012
Mashiko: A center of folkcraft pottery
Japan Today, November 3, 2012
Shuzenji: Hot Springs and History
Insight, Vol 1, Issue 12 (October 2012), p. 4
 cimg3330
In praise of the persimmon
Japan Today, October 14, 2012
O-eshiki Festival of Lights
Japan Today, October 7, 2012
Explore Engakuji:  One of Kamakura’s great Zen temples
Japan Today, October 4, 2012
Koishikawa Korakuen/Tokyo Dome City: Tokyo’s eclecticism in focus
Japan Today, September 21, 2012
 
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Toro: Digging into Japan’s Ancient Past

Insight, Vol 1, Issue 7 (September 2012), p. 4
Matsudo: An old post town with plenty of history
Japan Today, September 10, 2012
UNU Farmer’s Market: Farm-fresh food and lots, lots more
Japan Today, June 24, 2012
Rainy season means hydrangea season: Top 5 picks for where to see them
Japan Today, June 15, 2012
Ueno Park – Greenery, history, art, culture and much more
Japan Today, June 4, 2012
G-Can: Industrial-strength flood control that looks like a lost world
Japan Today, May 28, 2012
Shinagawa Kumin Park offers a great day out without leaving Tokyo
Japan Today, May 16, 2012
Mt Takao:  a fun day trip from Tokyo
Japan Today, May 10, 2012
 CIMG2813

Yamate Seven Lucky Gods Walk: Follow an Edo-style path to good fortune in Meguro

Metropolis, April 24, 2009
 picture-509 Mecca for Lotus Sect Buddhists
The ACCJ Journal (October 2008)(Note: Opens as PDF file)
Museum Musings: The Railway Museum
The ACCJ Journal (July 2008)
(Note: Opens as PDF file)
 cimg1161
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 Seven Lucky Gods: A New Year’s Walk
The ACCJ Journal (December 2007)
(Note: Opens as PDF file)

Nagasaki: The City of Martyrs
World Encounter (Fall 1982)(Note: Opens as PDF file)nagasaki-cover-photo