Japan’s Tokaido Trail, like the more well-known Nakasendo Route, was a well-trodden path between Edo (modern-day Tokyo) and Kyoto during the Edo period (1603-1868). Unlike the Nakasendo, which passed through mountainous areas and had 69 staging-post towns, it was a…
Many people fall in love with Japan. I didn’t. At least not immediately. I found it challenging. Yet as time passes, and I scroll through my photographs, the challenges fade into the background. A first time visitor to Japan As…
It’s not easy to watch Sumo in Japan. For one thing, Sumo tournaments only occur during odd months. If you’re in Japan on an even month, the only way to watch Sumo is to attend a training session. And even…
Rooftop gardens in Tokyo are a welcome respite from the busy bustling streets. But many people don’t know about them. When I had a day to myself, with my hubby was sick in bed, I recalled a friend telling me…
Coming across someone wearing a kimono in Japan isn’t as uncommon as you’d think. When in Japan recently, I saw lots of young women and couples wearing kimonos. While many were international visitors, I also met local students who had…
Perfect Days, the movie, inspired me to check out vending machines in Japan. In the movie, the protagonist leaves his Tokyo home each morning and buys himself a can of coffee from a vending machine. I often drink from a…