Kaga-Yuzen: Kimono Painting in Kanazawa

Did you know there are three big Kimono styles in Japan? The first, of course, is the old capital of Kyoto, and the second is the new capital of Tokyo. What is the third? Kanazawa, the hidden gem on the northern coast! They are renowned for their kimono painting technique, Kaga-Yuzen, and we got to […]

Boats at Kinugawa Onsen

Kinugawa Onsen is a small town out in Tochigi with a penchant for outdoor paths, hot springs, and trips down the scenic Kinugawa, or Kinu River.

Voodoo Doughnut: Mile High

If you know anything about doughnuts or Portland, then you know Voodoo Doughnuts. Renowned for their quirky take on the delicious breakfast ring, they have doughnuts with fruity cereal bits, various cream fillings, and their titular doughnut that resembles a voodoo doll being stabbed in the heart by a pretzel. While in Colorado, I was […]

Moxy Hotels: Osaka and Tokyo

Marriott has a newish hotel brand called Moxy. It’s essentially a budget chain aimed at millennials, boasts fantastic internet connections, a bar with craft cocktails, and so many random decorations all over the place you’d think an Instagram feed exploded in the lobby. I’ve been lucky enough to visit the only two Japanese locations, in […]

Nagoya Castle

Japan has no shortage of castles sprinkled about the country. While visiting Nagoya for a conference, I was able to stop by the local castle, as it was only about a 15-minute walk from my hotel. Each castle seems to have its own unique attribute that pulls in tourists, and for Nagoya, it definitely was […]

Museum of Yebisu Beer: History and Beer

While visiting Ebisu a week ago, my wife decided that we would go to the Yebisu Beer Museum, just a short walk from Ebisu Station. I’m not a big fan of Japanese macro beers, but I figured it would be a nice experience. Little did I know, it would turn out to be much, much […]

Japanese Craft Beer You Should Be Drinking

I’ve had the great fortune to travel a fair amount around Japan, from Hokkaido down to Kyushu (no Shikoku or Okinawa… yet!). I always like to find out something local about the place I’m visiting: local dishes, local sights, and local drinks. While I haven’t been everywhere in Japan yet to sample food and drink, […]

The Shinkansen

One of the most famous modes of transport from Japan is the Shinkansen, or bullet train, which has lines that stretch all over Japan. It seems almost like a rite of passage to ride one, being almost mythologized by those outside of Japan. Well, here’s a brief glimpse into my experience and some tips so […]

Plum Blossoms at Koishikawa Korakuen

Taking a moment to stop and appreciate the flowers (or the shifting seasons in general) seems to be pretty ingrained in Japanese culture. You can find all sorts of gardens and temples known for being hotspots to visit at specific times of the year. When I last visited Japan in 2010, I was fortunate to […]

Plum Blossom Festival in Ogose (Ume Matsuri)

With spring comes the blossoming of many flowers across Japan. I’ve come to learn that appreciating the changing of seasons and enjoying the blossoms is very ingrained in Japanese culture, something that I myself have come to really appreciate. In the February and March stretches, plum blossoms are the flower to view, so I found […]