Sharing favorite finds from across the archipelago
I came on the blog today with the intent of posting a list of my favorite places to go in Tokyo for foliage - at least those that aren't usually mobbed by crowds. Then a quick search made me realize that I'd written that post three years ago … and I still stand by the... Continue Reading →
Iris gardens seem to be a dime a dozen in the Tokyo area but that doesn't mean I love them any less. Purple being one of my favorite colors, I get a particular thrill to see these delicate-stalked blooms begin to appear in late May and throughout the month of June. One of my favorite... Continue Reading →
For many, February is a frigid month, a month to just grit your teeth, zip up your jacket and trudge your way through a slog of icy, sleety days and cold weather. But February in Japan makes my heart sing. From bean throwing and daruma burning at the beginning of the month to the gorgeous... Continue Reading →
I'm not a vegetarian but I do love my vegetables. And I'm even more willing to consume them when they're presented to me in a unique way. Enter Re:gendo, a charming cafe in an old Japanese home in the western Tokyo suburb of Nishi-Ogikubo. Unless you're a fan of ramen or anime, there's not much... Continue Reading →
It's foliage season, my favorite time of year, and I am stuck in 87*F southern California. Not that palm trees aren't pretty mind you ... 😉 I'm just very excited to head back to Japan in two weeks to catch the autumn leaves in their splendor. (I'm hoping at least. It's been a bit colder... Continue Reading →
October 1st is a great day to be in Tokyo. The city celebrates Tokyo Citizens' Day by opening up numerous attractions to the public for free. If you've always wanted to see the capital's best museums, zoos, aquariums and gardens, now's your chance to do it for no charge. Many of Tokyo's top sites can... Continue Reading →
A friend of a friend recently contacted me and mentioned she was coming to Japan. She had never been before and wanted to know "What can I expect?" Life has been busy but i wanted to honor her request so I sat down and quickly typed out the following thoughts. It's based mostly on my... Continue Reading →
I've been known to make sushi at home on occasion but, given how affordable it is here in Japan, I've gotten too used to having others do all the work while I, ahem, eat the spoils. 🙂 But when a friend of mine arranged a group cooking class at Arigato Japan this past weekend, I... Continue Reading →
Japan is full of densha otaku (train fans), but you don't have to be one to enjoy this hands-on museum in the Tokyo "suburb" of Omiya dedicated to all things railway-related. The Omiya Railway Museum opened in 2007 in one of Tokyo's largest bedroom communities just across the border in Saitama Prefecture. The museum sprawls over... Continue Reading →
The past few weeks have seen a lot of visitors, a LOT of eating and a lot of exposing ourselves to new things that we don't normally do. That happened to include a visit to the Maidreamin Maid Cafe. I've never had a strong desire to visit a maid cafe but I have been a bit curious... Continue Reading →
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