Sometimes in travel, plans don’t quite manifest the way we would like. An attraction is unexpectedly closed. Weather doesn’t hold. A place is much different - in a worse way - than its photo. For anyone who has spent any significant time traveling, these things will be part of their experiences; there’s no way to…
There are no two ways around it - Tokyo is a world-class city. Cool sights, great modern culture, and some of the best food anywhere in the world… all of these make Tokyo more than just the gateway to Japan. It is a destination in and of itself, a city that is easily near the…
I am not normally one to gush over an art exhibition. I enjoy art museums, and certainly get satisfaction from art in general, but it is rare that I am so taken by an art display that I recommend it wholeheartedly to everyone I know. Well, this one raises the bar. In doing the research…
In 1603, Tokugawa Ieyasu became Shogun, political leader of Japan, by conquering the other factions that made up the home islands. After doing so, he moved the Imperial capital to his home city of Edo, now called Tokyo. This launched the period of Japanese history known as the Edo Period. (Japanese eras are named for…
Cherry blossom season in Japan is a magical time. For a couple brief weeks in early spring, the country is transformed both by the physical blooming of these stunning flowering trees, and by the excitement of locals and visitors in getting to experience them. Here in Tokyo, a few places seem to be the most…
In 2020, my family planned a trip to Japan, a cruise around the islands. That was obviously canceled when the world closed. The trip was tentatively rescheduled for 2022, but Japan didn’t reopen, so it never moved forward. Here we are in 2024, and the trip is booked, finally. I was in Japan once before,…
Editor’s note: Japan is one of my favorite places, and an onsen experience is one of my favorite parts of visiting Japan. I’ve never had this one, though. For more of Sam’s great writing, click here to visit his index page. Something to know about my wife Jill is that she loves baths. When we…
Editor’s note: I have to agree with Sam. Kamakura is an amazing day trip from Tokyo for those eager for a charming day outside the capital. Sam, however, does a better job capturing the appeal of the city than I could hope to do, and makes me want to return. For more of Sam Spector’s…
Editor’s note: Like Sam, I also went to Hakone, spending a relaxing day in the hot - and cold - pools of a traditional onsen. Unlike Sam, I didn’t get to see even a glimpse of Mt. Fuji through the clouds. Next time! In any event, to read more of Sam’s adventures, click here to…
As American tourists, we tend to think of Europe as the pinnacle for spectacular castles. However, while certainly there are some amazing castles all across the European continent, that perspective ignores one of feudalism's greatest homes: Japan. Japanese feudal society was every bit as complex as that in Europe, and with it came - as…