The One about Jean-Luc Godard’s “Contempt”
With Jean-Luc Godard spearheading the French New Wave after many of his other contemporaries have been forgotten, Italian film producer Carlo Ponti and Jean-Luc Godard began work on the film “Le Mepris” (Contempt) in 1963. A film that would be an adaptation of Alberto Moravia’s Read More …
The One about Asukayama Park in Kita Ward
Back in early 18th century Japan, it is said that shogun Tokugawa Yoshimune had many cherry trees planted in an area in the Kita area for the citizens of Tokyo (a.k.a. “Edokko” and back then, the term referred to people who were assertive, straightforward, cheerful Read More …
The One about Carniceria Panaderia y Taqueria in Lemoore, California
I was passing by Kelly Slater’s Surf Ranch in Lemoore, California and stopped by a market/restaurant, Carniceria Panaderia y Taqueria. I have been told that this place sells massive burritos for a great price and the burritos are delicious. So, I had to give this Read More …
Travel Guide: The One about the Differences between Temples and Shrines
When going to Japan, it’s easy to confuse temples and shrines. But they are quite different. Temples are Buddhist sites, while shrines are Shinto sites. It’s even more confusing by the fact that there are some areas that meld the two religions together. And that Read More …
The One about Louis Malle’s “Zazie dans le métro”
You often hear about novels that are not possible for a film adaptation. And for author Raymond Queneau’s successful 1959 novel “Zazie dans le métro”, who can portray a novel about a young girl who knows way too much for her age and is so Read More …
The One about the Shibusawa Eiichi Memorial Museum in Kita
When it comes to American industrialists, we are familiar with Andrew Carnegie, Henry Ford, Howard Hughes to name a few. In Japan, one name that is quite well-known is Shibusawa Eiichi (Shibusawa is his family name). Known as the father of Japanese capitalism, he spearheaded Read More …
The One about Discovering Japanese Music: Kashiwagi Yuki’s “Shortcake”
Originally featured in J!-ENT Feb. 2013: In Japan, AKB48 member Yuki “Yukirin” Kashiwagi is one of the more popular and highly ranked members of the group. A member of AKB48 and the side-group French Kiss, Kashiwagi has had solo songs featured on the French Kiss Read More …
The One about Vivienne Gucwa’s “NY in the Snow” Photo Book
As a traveler who loves to visit locations in different seasons and as a photographer who loves to capture city life, one thing that I have not yet experienced is snow in New York or the East Coast. Often wanting to experience it through the Read More …
The One about the Vegetable Garden Update (September 2017)
Vegetable Garden Update Sept. 30, 2017: For those who have been following my vegetable update since January 2017. A short-recap, I started with a container garden, seedlings on growlights in the winter, transplanting outdoors and they were producing by March-June. 110+ degree temperatures killed 95% Read More …
The One about Kita City Asakuyama Museum
Located at Asakuyama Park in Kita Ward is the Kita City Asakuyama Museum. Established in 1998, the museum is one of the three museums located at the park. The second floor being the entrance, reception room and auditorium, the third floor is the learning room, Read More …
The One about the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame Part 1
Located at Tokyo Dome City, next to Tokyo Dome, is the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame. Opened back in 1959, 20-years later after the establishment of the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York, the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame is no doubt Read More …
Travel Guide: The One about Tax-Free Shops in Japan
In Japan, especially in Tokyo, in major foreigner-friendly shopping areas such as Akihabara, there are logos showcasing “Japan Tax-Free Shop”. It’s important to for people traveling Japan to know that shops will NOT give you tax-free if you don’t ask for it. Afterall, how would Read More …
The One about the Six-Month Eating Experiment and Latest Blood Test
These last six months have been an interesting experiment. I wanted to move away from my meal plans and see what happens if I slowly started to incorporate things that I stopped eating, incorporate more carbs and to see how my body would react in Read More …
The One about the Tsuri Yoka Desho crew catching a 100kg tuna
One of the most popular fishing YouTube channels, with over 1.75 million subscribers and over ten years of content, 釣りよかでしょう “Tsuri Yoka Desho” (which translates to “Fishing is Great, Isn’t It?”) continues to rake over a fifty thousand viewers per video, with many reaching over Read More …
The One about Kotobukiya in Akihabara, Part 2
I wrote about Kotobukiya back in October 2016 and I realized, that I really didn’t feature many photos. So, for those who want the history of the company can click here. With that out of the way, I just want to say what I love Read More …
Q&A: The One about Answering Your Questions Part I
Hi everyone! I get asked a lot of questions in regards to traveling, so once in awhile, I’ll feature a Q&A on the site! So, let’s begin… Q: Is it true that people in Japan are overworked and work very long hours? I want to Read More …
The One about Batman Day – September 23, 2017
On September 23rd, DC Comics and many comic shops around the world celebrated BATMAN DAY. As #BatmanDay was trending on social media, I was interested about this event as it would celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Harley Quinn. You know…the fem fatale bad ass that Read More …
The One about TOKYO FM WORLD’s DEMPA ch.～TOKYO DEMPA INTERNATIONAL～
For those who love Japanese culture and are learning the language, will definitely want to check out Tokyo FM World’s “Dempa ch. ~Tokyo Dempa International~” weekly show. The show is hosted by former Seattle resident Matthew Masaru Barron along with Dempagumi Inc. members Mirin and Read More …
The One about Amuro Namie
In Japan, there are very few female pop stars that has not only had a long lasting music career, continually pump out chart topping hits and have a significant role in Japanese pop culture than Amuro (last name) Namie (first name). Born in Osaka and Read More …
The One about SKY CIRCUS Sunshine60 Observatory in Ikebukuro (for Photography or Video)
In Tokyo, there are numerous observatories that really give people or photographers and videographers a great look of the city skyline. While the World Trade Center tops my list for best observatory for photographers and videographers, primarily because it gives you a look of all Read More …
The One about the Shops leading to Nishiarai Daichi in Adachi
Quite often in Japan, you will find a neighborhood of shops leading to a major shrine or temple. But if there was one area that caught my attention, it would have to be the shops that you see before or after visiting Nishiarai Daichi, the Read More …
The One about San Francisco Bay Gourmet Coffee – Chocolate Almond OneCup
I’ve blogged about San Francisco Bay Gourmet Coffee several times before. With their Dark Chocolate Bar and their famous Fog Chaser, this time I am trying their Chocolate Almond. And I always mention first, for those who never have read my coffee reviews, I don’t Read More …
The One about My Little Lover – “PRESENTS” (1998)
The album I am featuring in today’s “Discovering Japanese Music” is My Little Lover’s second album, “PRESENTS”. My Little Lover is a group that began back in 1995 with vocalist Akko, guitarist Kenji Fuji and producer/songwriter Takeshi Kobayashi (best known for producing hits for The Read More …