Want to get a feel for Japan's feudal past? Wander any one of the samurai quarters scattered about the country to get a taste of how the warrior class lived. While much of Japan's medieval architecture is gone, several cities and towns still manage to preserve their historic neighborhoods. Below are some of my top... Continue Reading →
Good Eats: Yakumo-an (Matsue)
Matsue is a town with some pretty good food. And luckily, you don't have to leave the tourist area to find some excellent options for lunch. Yakumo-a sits tucked in an old house along the row of former samurai mansions in Matsue's Bukeyashiki quarter. If visiting foreign-born writer Lafcadio Hearn's residence and one of the... Continue Reading →
Better Know a Neighborhood: Nagamachi Samurai District (Kanazawa)
If you haven't been to Kanazawa, prepare to be delighted. I've long had this city on my to-go list mostly due to Kenrokuen, one of the top three gardens in Japan, but it turns out that Kanazawa offers a whole lot more to the average visitor. Having been spared from the bombing raids of World... Continue Reading →