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 […]
Culture
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
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
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