International Supermarkets in Nagoya
Aug 30, 2022 By Bert Wishart
Japanese food is famous, and we are perhaps lucky to live in a country in which the cuisine holds such high regard. Even with such a wealth of good food here, sometimes you crave "tastes like home." Fortunately, if you are jonesing for a particular food or drink (or, often,...[ Click to read more ]
Nagoya’s Dragon – Akira Toriyama, Creator of Dragon Ball
Jul 29, 2022 By Bert Wishart
What's the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Japan? Sushi? Oh, okay, how about the second thing? Samurai and geisha? Oh, okay, the third thing? The 1853 Battle of Shizugatake? Come on; now you're just being obtuse. What I'm reaching for here is manga. Japanese comics...[ Click to read more ]
Aichi Museum of Flight
Jul 19, 2022 By Bert Wishart
Aichi Prefecture is, of course, famed for its manufacturing. The area has a long and illustrious history of being the center of Japan's engineering industry, particularly in the automotive sector, but did you know that the prefecture is responsible for more than 50 percent of all aeronautical parts produced in...[ Click to read more ]
The Vend of The World – Explore Nagoya’s Eclectic Vending Machines
Jun 30, 2022 By Bert Wishart
Is there a more convenient country in the world than Japan? The trains run so fast they’re named after bullets, package redelivery can be arranged anytime, and there is an (appropriately named) convenience store on seemingly every corner. But most obviously, the sheer ubiquity of the vending machine makes this...[ Click to read more ]
Nagoya’s Jazz Scene is Blowing its Own Horn
By Bert Wishart
When you think of music in Japan, it is hard to get past the idea of uber-cute J-Pop idols, adorably non-threatening boy bands, and the bright insanity of gravity-defying-haired Visual Kei bands. However, scratch past that (admittedly voluminous and ubiquitous) surface, and you will find that Nagoya has a varied...[ Click to read more ]
Eating Unagi in Nagoya: Hitsumabushi
Jun 26, 2022 By Ray Proper
July 23 is Unagi no hi, or Unagi day! Unagi, or barbecued freshwater eel, is readily available all over Japan. Besides sushi, this is probably my favorite Japanese food. It can be a fantastic meal if you get a perfect place that selects its eel well and grills it over...[ Click to read more ]
Saio Festival in Mie
May 30, 2022 By Bert Wishart
From Elsa to Cinderella to Snow White, princesses are held in extremely high regard in Japanese culture. But it isn't just your common-or-garden Disney princess that enraptures the attention of the Japanese public; the adoration of Princess Aiko, and the furor surrounding the marriage to a commoner of Princess Mako,...[ Click to read more ]
Let’s go to Shirakawa-go in Gifu!
By Bert Wishart
Japanese often talk about the majesty of their four seasons (conveniently forgetting the fifth, the rainy season). Still, if you live in a city like Nagoya, you could be forgiven for thinking that summer generally slides into winter and spring into summer with barely a by your leave. If you...[ Click to read more ]
Kiso Three Rivers Park in Ichinomiya City
By Ray Proper
Kiso Three Rivers Park in Ichinomiya was an old favorite of mine when I lived in Konan City. I am not sure if the whole complex counts as being part of the park, but there were spots to play sports, and all kinds of things to do there. The 138...[ Click to read more ]
River Deep, Mountain High – Kayak and Rafting Tours in Gifu
Apr 28, 2022 By Bert Wishart
If you ask pretty much anyone from Gifu, "What is your home prefecture like?" then there is a strong possibility that they will bring up the cleanliness of the water. From someone like myself who grew up in a British coastal town - not many of which are known for...[ Click to read more ]
