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
The Castle Everyone Visits vs. the One You Should
I was driving through the Wakayama countryside, feeling that realization that I was in the middle of nowhere. I knew
Japan’s 3 Fall “Thanksgivings” (+ the travel trap nobody warns you about)
While you’re preparing for Thanksgiving, something fascinating is happening in Japan: they’ve just celebrated their THIRD three-day weekend of the
My Wife Went without Me (and I Can’t Stop Thinking about It) – Kurashiki
My wife, son, and I were talking together a couple of weeks ago on the Line app. We were talking
The Door Next to the Lunch Line: Would You Peek Inside?
The line for the best local meal in town is long, leaving you with plenty of time to explore the