May 1st, 2019 was the first day of the Reiwa era. Japanese eras change whenever there is a new emperor, and former emperor Akihito was granted permission (yes, even emperors need permission) to abdicate the throne to his son Naruhito for health reasons. Because most eras change due to the death of an emperor, era…
Takezaiku
Takezaiku, or bamboo weaving, is an ancient form of Japanese art that involves taking a strong but inflexible material (bamboo) and making it not only moldable, but beautiful at the same time. It involves slicing the sinuous bamboo into strips, soaking them in water, and weaving them, generally into baskets and other utensils. Japanese tea…
Taketa (Oita)
Taketa city was once a thriving samurai town supporting nearby Oka Castle. When the fortunes of the castle faded at the end of the Edo era, so went the town. But the current residents of Taketa take great pride in their history and have maintained and restored dozens of historic buildings, repurposing them for modern…
Shimeji
Japanese cooking incorporates many different types of mushrooms including the family known as shimeji. Several types of shimeji mushrooms are used in Japanese cuisine including the delicate enoki, which have long white stems and tiny white caps, and the bunashimeji, pictured here, with a round brown cap and thicker stems. Shimeji mushrooms do not taste…
Kawaii Fashion
Anyone who is casually aware of Japanese culture knows that “cute” or kawaii is one of its main asthetics. Kawaii finds its way into almost every part of Japanese life, from city mascots to toilet bowl cleaners. Kawaii fashion is a style popular with younger girls, stemming from their childhood when mothers practically compete to…
Nagoya Castle
Nagoya city gets a bad rap as just a fly by (or glide by on the Shinkansen) between Tokyo and Kyoto or Osaka, but the truth is Nagoya is quite an interesting city if you take time to explore it. For the most part, tourists are most familiar with Nagoya Castle, an expansive castle of…
If You Have One Day in Kawagoe, It Should Be the 28th
While there are many interesting things to do and see in Kawagoe, Japan, there is a special event on one day every month that you do not want to miss.
Afuri Ramen
I’m breaking the rules today, but for good reason. Some of you may be aware that I am doing freelance writing and photography over at the excellent Japan travel resource site, Voyapon. The good folks at Voyapon send me off on adventures to off-the-beaten-path Japan, places you may never think of going on your own….
Mochi-tsuki
Mochi-tsuki Eating mochi (pounded rice) on New Year’s Day is a tradition in Japan but in order to have mochi to eat for the new year, someone has to make it. Today, it’s easy enough to buy mochi from any supermarket or convenience store or make it in a machine. But traditionally, mochi would…
Ashikaga Flower Park Winter Illumination
In all seasons except Winter, Ashikaga Flower Park in Tochigi Prefecture is a wonderland of gorgeous seasonal flowers including one of the largest wisteria that blooms for a few weeks in the Spring. But in Winter, the park must transform itself into a carnival of lights, over 3.5 million in 2016, to become one of…
365 JAPAN 