Checking out Tamamiya-cho, Gifu’s Most Eclectic Night Spot
Apr 30, 2024 By Bert Wishart
While Nagoya's nightlife hotspots of Sakae and Meieki have a lot to say for themselves, it could be argued that what they make up in variety of establishments, as they tailor towards the after-work crowds, they can lack in personality. If you want to find somewhere in which you can...[ Click to read more ]
Let’s All Go to the Keiba-jo! Where to See Horse Racing Near Nagoya
By Bert Wishart
Though it has much changed over the centuries, keiba [horse racing] in Japan is not merely a sport; it's a cultural phenomenon deeply ingrained in the nation's fabric. With a history going back to the 8th centruy, when its role was of a more religious bent, horse racing remains today...[ Click to read more ]
Akechi Mitsuhide – The Chūbu Traitor Who Shaped Japan
By Bert Wishart
If you've been watching the epic Disney+ remake of Shōgun (and if you've not, you need to remedy that!) then you most likely have been impressed by the character Lady Mariko. A strong woman in a male-dominated world, she is by far the best (or at least well-rounded) character. Perhaps...[ Click to read more ]
Chubu Walkathon and International Charity Festival 2024
By Admin
The Chubu Walkathon is an exciting event that raises money for charity and offers a great family-friendly day in the park for adults and children alike. The Walkathon is not just a walking course. This fun and memorable family event has excellent food, live music, stage shows, a children’s activity...[ Click to read more ]
Leaving Japan? Better Get Some Souvenirs!
Mar 26, 2024 By Bert Wishart
It is said that nothing is certain in this life but death in taxes, but I would like to add one more to that: change. Since coming to Japan, your life has probably undergone quite a lot of changes, with new experiences coming thick and fast. But now it is...[ Click to read more ]
Tenmusu – Nagoya’s Other Shrimp Soul Food
By Bert Wishart
When outsiders think about Nagoya's meibutsu [local specialties], a few things will spring to mind. Miso katsu will be one, and tebasaki will be another, but ebi furai will quite possibly be highest on the list. These immense deep-fried shrimp are as Nagoyan as Nana-chan, and you can get them...[ Click to read more ]
Getting Arty – What’s on in Nagoya’s Galleries
Mar 25, 2024 By Bert Wishart
Art lovers in Nagoya have been a little disappointed in recent years. Firstly, the Nagoya/Boston Museum of Fine Arts closed down in 2018, and now the Nagoya City museum is undergoing a renovation that will not see it reopen until 2026. However, there are still some great exhibitions be be...[ Click to read more ]
Day Trips – Kanazawa
Feb 29, 2024 By Bert Wishart
Nestled along the western coast of Japan, Kanazawa in Ishikawa Prefecture is a great example of modern Japan settling side-by-side with its history. It is a city that retains much of its classic samurai-era charm through its labyrinthine and meticulously preserved historical districts. It is also a city of surprisingly...[ Click to read more ]
Do You Know Nags? – Uncovering Nagoya’s Hidden Gems – Part 6
Feb 28, 2024 By Bert Wishart
Whether you’re new in the city or are a Showa Gaijin, Nagoya is a city that always surprises. New restaurants, shops, and drinking establishments spring up all the time, and you can be wandering down an oft-trodden street and come across an ancient temple that you’ve never seen before. We...[ Click to read more ]
From Fool to Demon to Death – A potted history of Oda Nobunaga, Nagoya’s Warrior Ruler
By Bert Wishart
While many of us have worked for managers or employers whom we felt were a couple of chopsticks short of a bento box, it is doubtful that your mortality was in their hands. However, for the samurai of Owari Province (latter-day Aichi) in the late 16th century, it must have...[ Click to read more ]
