Dotonbori and The Bridge Where Over 5000 People Jumped into the Canal in Osaka
The first time I visited Dotonbori, I didn’t know what takoyaki was. I stood on the bridge crossing the canal, […]
Cherry Blossoms are beautiful. That’s Not Why Japan Pauses for Them.
There is a moment in Japan every spring when time feels softer. Train platforms slow. Office workers linger outside a
Etiquette for Staying in a Japanese Ryokan
My brother was so distracted by the woodwork when we arrived at the ryokan in Shirahama that he walked straight
What a Half-empty Glass Taught Me about Eating in Japan
The first time I went to an Okonomiyaki restaurant, I had no idea what I was doing. The server brought
What Happened When I Said “Yes” to a Walk with a Stranger
I woke up early that Sunday morning at a Michi-no-eki in Kainan. The parking lot had been nearly empty when
A Lion, A Polar Bear, and a Community I Didn’t Expect
For years, Adventure World in Shirahama was like a second home to our family. I can still see our son
I Did Car Camping in Japan (and it was perfect)
I have to admit I was skeptical. When my wife first suggested we spend the night in our car during
Two Sides of Osaka Most Tourists Never Find
If you visit Osaka, it’s easy to find yourself moving quickly. Osaka Castle, polished and informative. Dotonbori, glowing with neon
The Midnight Panic I Caused my Japanese Host Mother at Christmas
You’ve seen the Christmas decorations in Japanese stores. The KFC Santa suits. The strawberry cakes in bakery windows. So when
Kyoto is Overrun: Skip the Line and Find Real Japan in Shirahama
You’ve done your research. You’ve mapped out the perfect Japan itinerary. Tokyo for the energy, Kyoto for the temples, maybe