The One about the Okakura Tenshin Memorial Park Site of Okakura Tenshin’s Residence in Yanaka

Okakura Kakuzo (a.k.a. Okakura Tenshin) was a Japanese scholar who is known for the development of arts in Japan. Best known for his book “The Book of Tea”, Okakura was a scholar who learned English while attending a school which was operated by a Christian Read More …

The One about the Flower Exhibition near the Otorii at Meiji Shrine

For those who are visiting the Meiji Shrine, sometimes you may find flower arrangements to village dioramas that were beautifully decorated. While I don’t know too much on the history of the actual dioramas, I do know that the chrysanthemum exhibition is often held in Read More …

The One about Hatonomorihachiman Shrine in Shibuya

Located near Meiji Jingu Baseball Stadium is a shrine known as Hatonomorihachiman Shrine. Established in 860 AD, the shrine built and named after the forest originally in the location, was created under the request of the villagers, so a Goshintai (an object worshiped and housed Read More …

Travel Alert for U.S. Citizens: Hurricane and Typhoon Season 2017

The Department of State alerts U.S. citizens to the Hurricane and Typhoon Seasons in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, the Caribbean, and the Gulf of Mexico. Hurricane and Typhoon Season will last through November 2017, though most tropical cyclones typically develop between May and October.  Read More …

The One about Anniversaire Cafe in Omotesando

For those visiting/shopping at Aoyama/Omotesando (and a second location at Minato Mirai in Yokohama) will no doubt want to check out Anniversaire Cafe. The name meaning “anniversary” in French, the restaurant was established in 1998, the restaurant is known for it’s house-made pastry and their Read More …

The One about Ueshima Coffee Company

Located in Minato Ward and other locations is the Ueshima Coffee Company (UCC), a cafe that was first created in 1933 in Kobe. The owner of the Kona coffee farm in Hawaii, the company was formerly known as Ueshima Tadao Shoten in 1933 and then Read More …

The One about Leslie Ariss’ “The Man in Grey”

Today’s cinema selection goes to “The Man in Grey” directed by Leslie Ariss. A film that was featured in the Eclipse Series “Three Wicked Melodramas from Gainsborough Pictures”. With World War II affecting cinema worldwide, for Gainsborough Pictures, their production of melodrama films were important Read More …