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.

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.

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.

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’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.

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.

Gohime – The Shogun’s Daughter Who Became A Christian

Discover the story of how Gohime, daughter of the Japanese warlord who first made Christianity illegal in Japan, became a Christian herself.

Could Yamaguchi City Become the New Kyoto?

In 2023, writer Craig Mod created quite a stir in the sleepy town of Morioka in Iwate Prefecture by naming it as his pick for places to visit in 2023 for a New York Times article. A media frenzy ensued (especially here in Japan, where Craig's pick completely...

How Hachiko the 100-year-old Dog Still Inspires a Nation

Japan's most beloved dog, Hachiko celebrates his 100th birthday this month, or in dog years, his 700th birthday, which is approaching Dog Methuselah years. Of course, dear Hachiko is no longer with us, having crossed the Rainbow Bridge in 1935 after faithfully waiting...

Fables of the Japanese Conbini

Everybody thinks they know how awesome Japanese convenience stores are, but did you also know these things?

Riding the Friendly Skies – The Skyflyer Ultra Express

To be frank, I have been a long-time customer of the Keisei Skyliner train between Narita Airport and Ueno Station and have never once had anything critical to say about its comfort and service. No traveler loves the long distance between Narita and the capital, but...

Tokyo Street Fashion Inspired By Houseplants

"The city is so hard. Just cement on top of dirt on top of rock. Even weeds have trouble growing here." Butsu Shoku kicks at the asphalt beneath her feet. The long vine of pothos trailing down her sleeve swings freely. Butsu is part of the growing movement of young...

AI-yah! – Will ChatGPT Soon Replace Travel Writers?

When it comes to the idea of technology crossing the blurred line into the creative fields, I am a pragmatist.

The Alien Among Us

You may find yourself at peace in natural surroundings whose love for you isn’t so unrequited… but the image of Kinsaku Baru will haunt you, in a wistful way not entirely unpleasant, and it will change you.

Tea Ceremony, Rebooted

This past weekend, I finally exhaled. Well, that was the feeling anyway, as my tea ceremony teacher along with another group of teachers and students hosted a tea ceremony event at a lovely venue in Nihonbashi. When COVID struck Japan over two years ago, tea ceremony...

When You Have A Dream Job

A former friend introduced me to Craig Mod's Ridgeline, a fascinating little newsletter about Japan, long walks, and writing, in random order. I say former friend because no true friend would introduce me to such an addictive source of writing knowing the demands of...