Autumn Activities in Kobe
Aug 20, 2020 By Justin Hanus
There’s always something interesting going on in Kobe, and autumn is no exception! Autumn is one of the most popular times of the year for events because of the beautiful colors. Whatever your interests, you’re sure to find plenty to do this year. View the Autumn Leaves A not to...[ Click to read more ]
Great Literature Set in Kansai
By Justin Hanus
Japan has a rich history when it comes to literature, both in terms of producing great writers and being the inspirational setting for some excellent works of fiction. Although Tokyo has been the dominant Japanese location when it comes to literature and storytelling, Kansai has provided a vivid backdrop for...[ Click to read more ]
Mt Misen – A Pilgrimage Hike in Hiroshima
Jul 31, 2020 By Hugh Cann
As mentioned in earlier posts, there are more hiking experiences in Hiroshima than one might immediately expect. One of the more rigorous and interesting is the Mt Misen hike on Miyajima to the west of Hiroshima city. Miyajima has been regarded as a sacred island of divine power channeling the...[ Click to read more ]
Walk with the Animals, Talk with the Animals…
By Hugh Cann
Look I’m just going to say it. I’m not a fan of zoos and my first visit to Japan and see the zoo in the 1980s left me indignant and determined never to go again. HOWEVER. Japanese notions of animal care have evolved a lot and while it’s not Taronga...[ Click to read more ]
Getting a Good Night’s Sleep
Jul 29, 2020 By Jason Gatewood
It may seem like a no-brainer, but 2020 is probably the year that many of us looked at how we are dealing with our health through a magnifying lens. The Novel Coronavirus pandemic is currently raging around the world, and many of us (including myself) are dealing with the anxieties...[ Click to read more ]
Dining out in Tokyo Post Coronavirus
Jul 01, 2020 By Jason Gatewood
Starting with the State of Emergency that went into effect for Tokyo and surrounding areas at the beginning of April, many restaurants went into a "takeout and delivery only" mode along with drastic cuts in hours and menus. Now that Japan has started reopening, many are in a hurry to...[ Click to read more ]
Straight Outta Nagoya – Great Bands and Artists From the Nation’s Center City
By Bert Wishart
When reading listings for live performers on tour, it can feel like Nagoya is completely missed out by all the big artists as they make their way from Osaka directly to Tokyo. In fact, this may be perhaps more than a feeling, as there is a word in the local...[ Click to read more ]
Japan’s Professional Sports Post-Coronavirus Summer Outlook
By Jason Gatewood
Like in the rest of the world during the COVID-19 pandemic, anything that attracts large numbers of people together for hours on end has been postponed or canceled in Japan, including Major League sports. The situation remains fluid, however as some sports leagues are finding ways to deal with the...[ Click to read more ]
Here’s what has changed with Japan’s new cycling laws
By Jason Gatewood
You’ll be forgiven for thinking that many of the bicycling laws you may have grown up within your home country are heavily enforced in Japan as well since there is more bicycling traffic here than most other places in the world, but the reality is starkly different. While there are...[ Click to read more ]
Let’s Tour: Western Tokyo’s “backcountry”
By Jason Gatewood
I’ll be the first to admit that 2020 has not been kind to we who like to explore, trek, and wander outdoors. We’ve all become more adept at video conferencing apps, picking out the most stylish face coverings, and knowing which restaurants in our area. But nothing can replace the...[ Click to read more ]
