Sharing favorite finds from across the archipelago
This heat has me running for the hills this week. We're not breaking any records here, but I'm not ashamed to admit that my air conditioner is getting a workout. Hard as it may be to contemplate breaking a sweat in this weather, here are some worthwhile hikes around the archipelago to plan for when... Continue Reading →
Most people come to Japan for its shrines, temples and food, but if you're here, you shouldn't miss the museums. Most of the "must-sees" are mentioned in the guidebooks (ie the National Museum in Ueno) but here are a few that are far less publicized but no less worth tracking down. 1. Amuse Museum (Tokyo)... Continue Reading →
I have to admit, I've never read Murakami. Or Soseki. Or even Lafcadio Hearn. I know. I know. What kind of Japanophile am I? The kind that also finds authors like Steinbeck and Joyce too dense for my liking, and they wrote in my own language. I definitely enjoy a good nonfiction tome but when... Continue Reading →
Japan's cities hold endless fascination for me, but step out of the urban sprawl and you'll find a country chock full of natural wonders. Here are some of my favorite waterfalls in Japan, a few that aren't too far off the beaten track: 1. Nabegataki Falls - It's worth venturing into the Kumamoto countryside to... Continue Reading →
In a similar vein to manhole covers, I've spent the past few years collecting pictures of ema. Ema are prayer plaques, found at nearly every shrine in the country (yes, I really DO need to get a hobby!). For a small fee, visitors can write their hopes, dreams, wishes or prayers on them and leave them... Continue Reading →
A friend inspired me to give flavored Kit Kats as Christmas gifts this year, an idea that went down very well with our family members! I hadn't really gone "on the hunt" for Kit Kats beyond the few flavors I found at Tokyo station last year so it was a bit of a frantic search... Continue Reading →
A few days ago, I shared the first five of my ten favorite photos from my travels in Japan this year. Here are the rest, in no particular order: 1. Spider lilies in Saitama I'd seen photos of the spider lilies in Kinchakuda Park in Saitama (outside Tokyo) earlier this year and put it on... Continue Reading →
Since I moved to Japan five and a half years ago, I've been keeping all of my pictures of this country in a folder on my desktop computer. Commingled as they are, it's hard to know exactly how many pictures I took in this year alone (those of you out there who are MUCH savvier... Continue Reading →
The leaves are still turning but my calendar is relentless in informing me that the holidays will be here all too soon. Thanks to a friend, I am inspired to give my family back home a variety of Japan's uniquely flavored Kit Kats. Knowing how long it can take to track those down, I had... Continue Reading →
Somehow in the past few months, I've "recaught" the hiking bug. I used to be a pretty avid enjoyer of the outdoors. I spent my post-college weekends exploring the trails of the greater DC area with a local hiking club, and I tested out my rain gear on a few hiking vacations in Europe. (For... Continue Reading →
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