Sharing favorite finds from across the archipelago
The small town of Tsuwano at the edge of Shimane prefecture has a host of interesting sights - a stunning hilltop Inari shrine, a lovely old samurai district crisscrossed by canals, and a handful of unique museums. But far and away the best sight in town is one that didn't even have a sign. Or... Continue Reading →
This post is part of a series on artistic manhole covers around Japan. It's Mt Fuji climbing season again. The trails opened around the first of July and each day, hundreds of hikers tackle Japan's sacred peak. I'll post a bit more on how to do the actual climb in another entry but for this... Continue Reading →
Quick - name a Japanese historical figure. (And no, Ken Watanabe's character in The Last Samurai does NOT count.) Chances are one of two names comes to mind - Emperor Meiji, the man who oversaw Japan's emergence as a modern power, and Tokugawa Ieyasu, the samurai who fought to unite Japan and ushered in an... Continue Reading →
It might sound silly, but I get really excited about Japan's manhole covers. That's because over 1500 communities in Japan - ranging from tiny villages to megacities - have specially designed manhole covers that showcase what makes their town known. It's literally a piece of art beneath a traveler's feet. I hope you enjoy this bimonthly series on... Continue Reading →
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