Discoveries from around the archipelago
Happy 2020, blog readers … if there are indeed any of you left out there. 😉 It's true, I spend more of my time "microblogging" these days - I'm much more active on the Uncover Japan facebook page and I've even started Instagramming. I certainly neglect this blog much more than I write on it,... Continue Reading →
I concede that I initially thought I might not be the best person to give an honest review of a book on alcohol. Not being much of a drinker, I generally shy away from any kind of liquor. Sure, I've tasted a variety of what's on offer here in Japan (and admit to a fondness... Continue Reading →
Fire trucks hold a fascination for certain segments of the population - mainly little boys and spotted Dalmations. My offspring had never shown much interest in them when she was younger, so I was a bit nervous when I suggested a summer excursion for my daughter and her (female) friend to check out the Fire... Continue Reading →
Though I've lived in Japan for almost 9 years, I've luckily never experienced a major earthquake. Sure, we've had the odd minor tremble here and there but during the major disasters of the last decade (Tohoku in 2011, Kumamoto in 2016), we were always living in a distant part of the country. In a country... Continue Reading →
Tokyo has no shortage of museums and cultural institutions to explore. For most visitors passing through the city in just a few short days, these excellent, well-curated displays compete for time with other muse-see sites and experiences, often coming out on the short end of the stick. But for those planning to be in Tokyo... Continue Reading →
Whenever possible, reading forms a large part of my day. And I admit to being a throwback to the "age of paper". I always have an actual, printed book with me. Though it would be more convenient - and easier on my back muscles when toting books while traveling - I still haven't made that... Continue Reading →
I'm currently in Kochi Prefecture for a few days, a place I visited several years ago but not to any great extent. On that visit, we of course enjoyed an obligatory castle stop - Kochi-jo is one of the twelve original castles remaining in Japan - and ate some excellent tataki (seared bonito). Aside from... Continue Reading →
Don't laugh, but I adore tofu. I didn't until I moved to Japan and learned that those large strained blocks of mush could actually be turned into something delectable. Since then, however, I detour for good tofu, which is how I found myself at Sasanoyuki in Tokyo's Uguisudani neighborhood, a short walk from Ueno. Sasanoyuki has... Continue Reading →
Japan has a host of unique festivals, but I'll admit my eye was caught by this particular celebration's other name … the Warabi Naked Festival. Babies, mud, men in underwear and chicken fights all seem to play a part in this harvest festival in Chiba Prefecture, a short train ride from Tokyo. The festival takes... Continue Reading →
