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 Okayama Japan Today, February 20, 2023 |
The New Digital Exhibition at the Gallery of Horyuji Treasures: a modern way to explore the art of ancient Japan Japan Today, February 16, 2023 |
A Tale of Two Temples: The historical competition between Enryaku-ji and Mii-dera Japan Today, January 21, 2023 |
The Sakura Seven: A walk to gain good fortune Japan Today, December 22, 2022 |
All Things Kitchen are in Kappabashi Japan Today, November 24, 2022 |
Art and Ambience in Obuse Japan Today, October 27, 2022 |
Unique experiences await visitors to Dewa Sanzan region Japan Today, October 10, 2022 |
Tokyo Port Wild Bird Park: an urban nature park for feathered friends Japan Today, September 24, 2022 |
Suizenji Garden: one of the finest of Japan’s feudal samurai strolling gardens Japan Today, August 25, 2022 |
Rakuhoji and the Amabiki Kannon Japan Today, July 22, 2022 |
Yoshinogari: Fascinating park of Japan’s prehistoric society Japan Today, June 24, 2022 |
Eye Openers in Akatsuka, a northwestern Tokyo suburb Japan Today, May 24, 2022 |
Learning to Make Japan’s Most Durable Washi Paper All About Japan, May 23, 2022 |
How to Train Your Samurai: Education in Edo Period Japan Japan Today, April 23, 2022 |
Celebrating Spring at Lake Suwa Japan Today, March 24, 2022 |
Yonezawa-gyu: A tender, tasty treat Japan Today, March 18, 2022(Not strictly a destination article; more about what to eat when you get there.) |
Learning Japan’s Ancient Horseback Archery Japan Today, March 14, 2022 |
The Rikuzen Coast: Recovering But Remembering Japan Today, February 22, 2022 |
How I Learned to Wield a Samurai Sword All About Japan, January 31, 2022 |
In Admiral Togo’s Wake: Meeting a Military Genius Japan Today, January 25, 2022 |
Making Herbal Tea at Oyakuen Medicine Garden All About Japan, January 5, 2022 |
Seeking Seven Lucky Gods in Shitaya Japan Today, December 27, 2021 |
Kumamoto City: the perfect base for cultural experiences on Kyushu Lonely Planet, December 22, 2021 |
Fire and Water: the two natures of Kyushu’s Mt. Aso Lonely Planet, December 22, 2021 |
In Search of Takeda Shingen: The Greatest Feudal Lord of His Age Japan Today, November 26, 2021 |
Yonezawa Textiles: top quality interwoven with centuries of history and tradition Japan Today, October 27, 2021 |
Dragon Quest: Hunting for Dragons in the Mountains of Nikko Japan 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 Pass Gaijinpot, August 26, 2021 |
Finding Meiji modernization history in Tohoku Japan Today, August 19, 2021 |
Staying Afloat in Tohoku: 5 Fun Boat Rides Gaijinpot, 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 Temples Japan Today, June 28, 2021 |
5 Days Exploring Akita, Aomori and Iwate Prefectures with the JR East Pass Gaijinpot, June 7, 2021 |
Seeking Sakura and Samurai in Tohoku: Past and Present Glories of Kakunodate and Hirosaki Japan Today, May 13, 2021 |
Udo Shrine: origin myths in a cliff-side cave Japan Today, April 26, 2021 |
Mukai Craft Brewery: Making Beer While Revitalizing Rural Japan Tokyo Weekender, April 13, 2021 |
A Night with the Nenez: Enjoying the sounds of Okinawa Japan Today, March 27, 2021 |
Aoshima: Dramatic rocks and romantic legends Japan Today, February 26, 2021 |
Kitsuki: Castle Town on the Sea Japan Today, January 29, 2021 |
The Seven Lucky Gods of Fukagawa: ensuring a good year to come Japan Today, December 29, 2020 |
The Streets of Kochi: So Many Personalities Tokyo Weekender, December 22, 2020 |
Sightseeing in Post-disaster Iwate’s Miyako: Tragedy and Natural Beauty Together Tokyo Weekender, November 30, 2020 |
Iriomote Idyll – enjoying a remote island paradise Japan Today, November 27, 2020 |
Kamata: 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 |
Matsushima’s Moods and Marvels Japan Today, October 26, 2020 |
River town Sawara: Floating back in time Japan Today, September 29, 2020 |
Unzen Onsen: This Could be Heaven or This Could be Hell Tokyo Weekender, August 30, 2020 |
Exploring Tokyo’s Architecture Through the Ages: A Walk in Bunkyo and Toshima Japan Today, August 28, 2020 |
Shimonita: the Geopark off the Beaten Track Japan Today, July 28, 2020 |
Post-Modern Tea Ceremony: A Lesson in Tea Appreciation in the Heart of Tea Country Japan Today, June 27, 2020 |
Dejima: Where Traders Were Isolated for Economic Gain Japan Today, May 27, 2020 |
A Goto Island of Quarantine: The Perfect Place to Hide Japan Today, April 29, 2020 |
Escape to exile: Following the path of a dramatic episode in the life of Sakamoto Ryoma Japan Today, March 28, 2020 |
The Legendary Murakami Kaizoku: Good Guy Pirates of the Seto Inland Sea Japan Today, March 25, 2020 |
A Guide to Kyushu’s History, Culture, Cuisine and Spirituality Tokyo 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 industrialization Japan Today, January 30, 2020 |
Koishikawa Seven Lucky Gods walk – exploring a forgotten corner of Tokyo Japan Today, December 26, 2019 |
Kyoto by the Sea: An unexpected side of Kyoto Japan Today, November 28, 2019 |
Mt Oyama pilgrimage – an entertaining way to step back in time Japan Today, November 15, 2019 |
The Konya Meguri: Learning About Traditional Dye Craft in Tokyo Japan Today, October 28, 2019 |
Utsunomiya: A place to quarry out the history and geology of Oya stone Japan Today, September 27, 2019 |
Exploring history, water and greenery in Nagoya Japan Today, August 30, 2019 |
History and Modern Developments: A Walk in Shimbashi Japan Today, July 26, 2019 |
Experiencing Okinawa: some lessons in cultural “arts” Japan Today, June 29, 2019 |
Mariko: The littlest Tokaido post town Japan Today, May 30, 2019 |
Kaga Yuzen: Experiencing a Traditional Silk Dyeing Technique in Kanazawa Savvy Tokyo, May 19, 2019 |
Shonan-daira: Hiking to a hilltop for lunch Japan Today, April 29, 2019 |
Bessho Onsen – easy and interesting weekend getaway Japan Today, March 29, 2019 |
Making Soba Noodles: An exercise in rolling your own Metropolis, 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 Tsurumi Japan 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 dining Metropolis, November 20, 2018 |
Raking in good luck at the Asakusa Tori-no-Ichi Japan 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 A weekend get-away to Komoro in Nagano Pref. Senmaida: Scenic rice terraces evoking old Japan Japan Today, May 30, 2018 Kinrande: captivating examples of antique porcelains Japan Today, April 26, 2018 Kurayoshi: 10 ways to experience history and culture first hand Japan Today, March 30, 2018 From kimono to constellations: Peeling back the layers in Tottori Japan Today, March 21, 2018 Toi – Western Izu’s golden legacy The seven lucky gods of Minato: A different perspective on a well-known Tokyo district Brewing Up Success: A Modern Woman in a Time-Honored Occupation Number 1 Shimbun, December 2017 Netsuke: Accoutrements that have become Art Enjoy Autumn Leaves at Rikugien
Japan Today, August 25, 2017
Gunma’s great outdoors–summer fun options at Minakami Coconoma Season Dining: A Great Spot for a Business Lunch Usuki – centuries of history in a provincial castle town Japan Today, May 24, 2017 Golden times in Golden Week Tokyo Tracing the Tachi-ai River to its source, while enjoying cherry blossoms Hotel Ichii: comfort, convenience and kindness Noritake Garden – taking ceramics to a whole new level Enjoying an Alpen Winter at Kusatsu Visit Kusatsu Onsen, February 20, 2017 It’s the People You Meet Japan Today, January 27, 2017 Finding good fortune on a walk through Yanaka Shosenkyo: Japan’s most gorgeous gorge Shinagawa: The old post town and modern waterways Akasaka-mitsuke: A quirky blend of old Edo and modern Tokyo Odaiba — Oh boy! Endless entertainment on Enoshima: 20 recommended things to do Why an Omaha girl folded 1,000 origami cranes for her trip to Japan Nikko Edomura – wondrous historical entertainment Finding Tokyo of yesteryear: The Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum The roof of Japan: Traversing the Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route Shizuoka’s Oi River Valley – lots to explore Hina Matsuri: Girls’ Day Doll Festival Odigo, March 9, 2016 On the waterfront at Yokohama: Minato Mirai, the port of the future 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
Enjoy early cherry blossoms in Kawazu Japan Today, March 1, 2015
The ACCJ Journal, November 2013
Nagasaki: The City of Martyrs |