Blog

When I’m not producing content for my clients, I write and take photos about my life in Japan for fun and post the stories here.

Tokyo’s Grutto Pass – A Bargain for Museum Lovers With Many Caveats

No doubt that Tokyo’s Grutto Pass looks like a bargain for museum and park lovers. But is it really? It depends on your travel style.

A Guide to the Eclectic World of Tokyo’s Museums and Parks

Whether you are a museum and park lover or just need something to different to do in Tokyo, this guide to Tokyo’s museums and parks has you covered.

Tokyo Museum and Park Guide – The Edogawa Area

The area east of the Sumida River offers an eclectic mix of history, traditional and modern art museums and one of Tokyo’s best Japanese gardens.

Follow the Edo Shogun Roads To Japan’s Samurai Era

Over 400 years ago, the Japanese Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu established his seat of power in a swampy bayside fishing village far removed from the nation’s imperial capital of Kyoto. The sleepy town of Edo seemed an unlikely place to begin a dynasty,...

These Jeans from a Recycled Clothing Shop in Japan are Just Peachy

My wife uncovered a treasure in our neighborhood thrift shop: a perfect fit pair of Momotaro Jeans made in Kurashiki, Okayama Prefecture.

Get Outta Town! 5 Japan Destinations for Cherry Blossoms Better than Kyoto and Tokyo

With cherry blossom season the most popular for tourism to Japan, here are some alternative spots to enjoy hanami outside of crowded Tokyo and Kyoto.

Ginza Sony Park – An Architecture Driven Community and Art Space

While many companies in Japan give lip service to community space and sustainability, Sony delivers it in one of the most expensive real estate areas in the world.

Tokyo Museum and Park Guide – Northern Tokyo

Northern Tokyo, often overlooked by tourists, offers unique attractions like Rikugien and Kyu-Furukawa Gardens. Its charm lies in walkable areas, peaceful surroundings, and hidden cultural gems.

Where’s The Beef? Discover the Kobe You Never Knew

If Kobe Beef is all you know about Kobe, there are much better reasons to see this miraculous city for yourself. It boasts modern architecture, historical quarters, jazz influence, and a rich sake production history. Ever resilient, Kobe has rebuilt itself after the devastating 1995 earthquake, offering much more beyond its culinary fame.

Forget Kyoto and Tokyo – The 5 Best Alternative Cities for First Time Visitors to Japan

While Kyoto chokes on tourists, countless other cities and regions of Japan that are equally charming, beautiful or historic remain virtually ignored. Here are 5 amazing cities in Japan other than Kyoto and Tokyo that are easily accessible even to first-time visitors to Japan.

Kanazawa – A Vibrant City 98% of Japan Visitors Neglect

Relatively popular with domestic tourists but still criminally neglected by visitors to Japan, Kanazawa is a compact feast for the senses, especially those who value the arts and crafts of Japan.

Ginza Sony Park – An Architecture Driven Community and Art Space

While many companies in Japan give lip service to community space and sustainability, Sony delivers it in one of the most expensive real estate areas in the world.

Tokyo Museum and Park Guide – Northern Tokyo

Northern Tokyo, often overlooked by tourists, offers unique attractions like Rikugien and Kyu-Furukawa Gardens. Its charm lies in walkable areas, peaceful surroundings, and hidden cultural gems.

A Dance of Grace and Fools

The dancers are fools, everyone is a fool, so why not dance? A glimpse at Japan’s Awa Odori festival.

We, Like Ants

In thousands of years and the absence of social media, our descendants will be left wondering why we travel like we do.

7 Essential Items For a Summer Trip to Japan

It's totally normal for many people around the world to have long summer vacations, but summer in Japan can be daunting for those who have never experienced it before, especially those coming from climates very different from Japan. Of course, the call of nature is...