Need for Speed: a Day at The Suzuka Circuit and Motopia Amusement Park
Aug 24, 2017 By Bert Wishart
Japan is a nation for which the production of automobiles has driven (pun intended) its development and economy for generations, and as of 2014 there were more than 75 million cars owned, nearly 60 cars for every 100 people. And that's before we include the 11.2 million motorcycles. It should...[ Click to read more ]
Digging into the Rituals of Clam Digging
By Justin Hanus
They begin showing up on the beaches in late spring and continue to gather all summer long, armed with small rakes (kumades), plastic buckets, and mesh bags. It is Shiohigari time - literally “hunting in the tides.” The Japanese tradition of digging in the sand for shellfish, mostly clams, is...[ Click to read more ]
Horse Archery on Display in Kobe
By Justin Hanus
In the history of warfare there has seldom been a more impressive warrior than the horse archer. Riding a steed at full gallop, letting go of the reins with both hands, and leveling a bow and arrow against the enemy was truly a fearsome sight on the battlefield. These highly...[ Click to read more ]
Kit Kat Kraziness – What Is Going On?
By Justin Hanus
Sometimes a company can find consumer gold in that suggestion box put out in the lunch room for employees to offer an opinion. Such was the case with the Kit Kat bar, the best selling chocolate treat in Japan. The first Kit Kat chocolate candy was manufactured in England in...[ Click to read more ]
The Best Bike Rides Around Kansai
By Justin Hanus
Bicycles have long been a staple in Japanese life. Many of the roadways are built with designated bike lanes. Bicycle sheds are common at train stations to aid commuters and mechanical bicycle tree storage systems are familiar sights. Bike sharing systems and bike rental operations are ubiquitous and if you...[ Click to read more ]
Get Inked! A History of and Places to Get a Tattoo in Hiroshima
By Jade Brischke
Even before I came to Japan, I’d heard stories about tattoos being a no-go if you wanted to go to an onsen (hot spring) or public bath and a definite no-no for getting a job. As far as the Japanese were concerned, the only people who had tattoos were yakuza...[ Click to read more ]
Celebrate the Last Days of Summer in Hiroshima… Outdoors!
By Jade Brischke
So the weather is cooling down (okay, seriously, who am I kidding?) but with the days still sunny and fine it’s the perfect time to catch the last of the summer activities in and around Hiroshima. Two such activities are river trekking (sometimes called river tracing) and forest adventure courses....[ Click to read more ]
Have a (Sand) Blast at The Glass Museum!
By Jade Brischke
Summer may nearly be over, but it’s still hot outside and even though you want to go somewhere and do something, sometimes you just can’t be bothered unless it involves air conditioning and being inside. Ah, but I have a place for you, The Glass Museum; Yes, that’s its official name....[ Click to read more ]
World Beer Summit in Nagoya
Jul 31, 2017 By
With all that is happening in the world today I think we can all agree that a summit is needed. A beer summit, perhaps with “beers from around the world + the best music = so happy” as its theme. If such a thing were possible it seems likely we could...[ Click to read more ]
The World Friendship Centre: Peace and Friendship in Hiroshima
Jul 26, 2017 By Jade Brischke
Hiroshima is the kind of place that you cannot visit or live in without being influenced by its history and peace-related message. As August is the month of the anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima, it is also the perfect time to find out more about and/or get involved in...[ Click to read more ]
