The JR East Railway Museum: See Japan’s History Move on Wheels of Steel
May 26, 2021 By Jason Gatewood
A good many visitors to Japan have been known to utter out loud, “there sure are a lot of trains in Japan!” …And they wouldn’t be wrong! We happen to have the world’s highest per capita train ridership and are home to The world’s busiest station as well. It is not an overstatement...[ Click to read more ]
Nagoya’s Magical Summer Fireflies
May 17, 2021 By Bert Wishart
With the rainy season and the humidity ramping up like an overly-confident Evil Knievel, June is perhaps one of the least favored months in Japan. However, with that said, this combination of conditions is precisely what is required for one of the more beautiful, natural sights: the glow of the...[ Click to read more ]
Do You Know Nags? Nagoya’s Hidden Gems – Part 4
Apr 30, 2021 By Bert Wishart
Whether you're a total noobie or are a piece of the local furniture, Nagoya is a city that continuously surprises. New restaurants, shops, and bars pop up all the time, and you can be wandering down a familiar street and suddenly notice something that you’ve never come across before. We...[ Click to read more ]
Flower Power! Getting Outdoors And Staying Safe
By Bert Wishart
It's frustrating. Every time it feels like Aichi has turned a corona corner, there's another spike, followed by tighter restrictions, and yet more events fall by the wayside. Of course, we want to be responsible and halt the spread, but there is a mental strain that results from spending so...[ Click to read more ]
Animal Cafes in Hiroshima
Apr 26, 2021 By Bert Wishart
Though animal cafes first reared their furry little heads in Taiwan, since 2004, they have boomed throughout Japan, and there are spots throughout the nation at which you can sit and pet animals whilst enjoying a range of hot or cold drinks. It’s no surprise that the popularity of animal...[ Click to read more ]
Explore the Uninhabited Island of Sensuijima
By Bert Wishart
With the weather improving by the day, it is time to start getting out and enjoying the beautiful natural delights that Hiroshima and its general locale have to offer. A prime candidate for an excellent day trip is Sensuijima, a beautiful uninhabited island of gorgeous greenery and volcanic rocks in...[ Click to read more ]
Romancing the rails at Odakyu’s Romancecar Museum
Apr 25, 2021 By Jason Gatewood
It's an open secret that one of the reasons I enjoy living in Japan is that public transportation is held in high regard and promoted by the people as a matter of social, security, and cultural importance. Most people think of the Shinkansen "bullet train" network of high-speed rail routes,...[ Click to read more ]
Let’s Tour: Odawara
Apr 23, 2021 By Jason Gatewood
Once again, it's time to introduce a little-known section of the Greater Tokyo area that probably isn't too well known about, perfect for a day trip outside the hustle and bustle of central Tokyo. So let's hop on the Romance Car and head to the other end of the Odawara...[ Click to read more ]
Flying High in Minato-Mirai
By Jason Gatewood
The concept of a gondola in an urban setting isn’t new; they serve as high-speed transport options in places like Bogota, Colombia, and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. There was even a plan to build one to connect the main Olympic venues in Odaiba with Tokyo station and another connecting Tokyo...[ Click to read more ]
Hiroshima Asa Zoological Garden
Mar 24, 2021 By Bert Wishart
If you’re visiting Hiroshima or here for a few months, you can probably give this a miss and look for other ways to spend your weekend. But for diehard zoo aficionados or families with children, Asa Zoo makes for a good day out. Several online reviews for the zoo say...[ Click to read more ]
