For those going to the Peace Memorial Museum in Hiroshima, you will definitely want to check out the Fountain of Prayer (Inori no Izumi) right in front of the building. The Fountain of Peace was constructed by Hiroshima Bank and donated to Hiroshima City in Read More …
There has been criticism that Japan’s second State of Emergency really does nothing because it was voluntary and there were no penalties or any major punishment to those who don’t follow them. But on February 12th, the Diet passed two bills which allow authorities to Read More …
Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide has expanded the State of Emergency to Osaka, Kyoto, Hyogo, Aichi, Gifu, Tochigi and Fukuoka. So, a total of 11 of Japan’s 47 prefectures. The State of Emergency which includes Tokyo, Kanagawa, Chiba and Saitama prefectures is set to expire on Read More …
East Japan Railway Co. (JR East) announced that the last trains of the day will depart earlier starting on January 20th to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus in which numbers have surged in Japan. It is expected that other railway companies will follow Read More …
The second state of emergency was declared in Japan on Thursday. As of right now, the prefectures affected are: Tokyo, Chiba, Kanagawa and Saitama So, what will happen? Restaurants and Bars must stop serving alcohol at 7 om and close an hour later, except for Read More …
Not far from Tokyo Dome and Tokyo University is the small shrine Sakuragi Shrine (aka Sakuragi Tenjin). If you are going to be visiting Hongo-sanchome Station, it’s right nearby, so it’s worth a stroll to check it out. According to the Shinto shrine tradition, the Read More …
As I was walking around Kyoto and getting lost looking for shrines, avoiding the heavy rainstorm as much as possible, I found myself in a neighborhood and right there was Daishogun Shrine. According to the sign, Daishogun Shrine enshrines Susanoo-no-Mikoto, a complex and composite deity Read More …
I have been staying in Ikebukuro in Toshima ward for several years, whenever I’m traveling to Japan. It’s economical, it’s near the Yamanote Line and there is an interesting charm to the area especially when you visit the West and East side of the area. Read More …
I’m often asked by friends who smoke cigarettes or vape, if things are as open in Japan as things are in the USA? If anything, the ability to smoke outside anywhere if you want. In Japan, there was a time when the country used to Read More …
In Japan, Café Comme Ça is a French-style patisserie company which specializes in artistic Japanese cakes. In addition, the location in Shibuya collaborates with Kinokuniya book stores, so for those purchasing books can kick back at the cafe. One can grab coffee such as blended, Read More …
If there is a magazine which I have consistently have read when I was much younger and still in college and now as an adult, is “Fine Magazine”. “Fine Magazine” is a magazine which I would describe are people who are more into surf and Read More …
A question I have been asked a lot is if I can see Japan opening its borders for international travel? While no one knows what is going to happen, my opinion at this current time is “no”. Right now, Japan is doing what it can Read More …
Many of you may have heard of the awesome experiences people have had with lost and found in Japan. For the most part, when it comes to belongings, while there are cases of theft, they are most often NOT perpetrated by Japanese. Japanese tend to Read More …
Near the Port of Kobe is a very popular hot dog stand known as Copenhagen, which serves the Hansen original hot dog! It’s also quite popular among fans of the mega popular Japanese rock duo, B’z (which features lyricist/vocalist Inaba Koshi and legendary guitarist Matsumoto Read More …
In Japan, the cherry blossoms are among the best things to see in March and April. But depending on when you are visiting Japan and what location makes a huge difference. If you are in Southern Japan (which experiences warmer weather0, early March is when Read More …
I know that Kyoto is a beautiful place with many wonderful places to visit. Especially in the Higashiyama area, where many temples and shrines are located. But some may be wondering about the following signs warning about a wild monkey. Well, it appears that the Read More …
Hope everyone is having a good day! With family for July 4th and did anyone in California feel that earthquake from Southern California. That one went a little longer than usual but fortunately, the epicenter was in a remote area of California. Anyway, a short Read More …
NOTE: The following report is also being featured on Neo-Tokyo 2099 As I visited each booth in one exhibit room and busy taking photos of booths and booth girls/guys, the attendees haven’t arrived yet but already I was starting to sense the enormity of this Read More …
NOTE: The following convention report is also being featured on Neo-Tokyo 2099 From March 23-24, AnimeJapan 2019’s public event took place at Tokyo Big Sight in Koto Ward. While we have covered AnimeJapan since Tokyo International Anime Fair and Anime Contents Expo (and those two Read More …
Hi everyone! In the next few hours, I will be on an airplane off to Japan. I know a lot of people (including friends) have asked “Japan again?”. And it’s understandable. For me, I love Japan, maybe not enough to move there but I love Read More …
One of the statues featured at the Matsuoka Museum of Art is “The Statue of Enehey”. Made of Limestone. Egypt. New Kingdom, late 18th dynasty (1300-1200 b.c.). Excavated from Saqqarah, a vast, ancient burial ground in Egypt, Saqqarah served as the necropolis for the Ancient Read More …
I’m often asked if I ever go to Starbucks because I’m more of a third wave coffee guy. What is third wave? What are the first and second waves? The first wave was long ago when coffee became widely accessible and that was around the Read More …
I’ve been asked what my latest challenge will be for this upcoming adventure to Japan. I’ve done the Tokyo Ward Challenge, the Kanto Region Challenge and there are so many other challenges I have on my bucket list from going north of Japan for Hokkaido, Read More …