Japanese Journal 002
Best Travel Night Ever When Yuka and I travel to Japan together, we usually devote about a week to separate travel. Yuka visits old friends in Tokyo, and I go on what we’ve begun to call my “adventure week.” This is the time I go off to explore somewhere that I find interesting but usually […]
Japanese Journal 001
First Look Nothing, absolutely nothing prepares you for that first look of Shinjuku at night. My first trip to Japan came about when I was booked to deliver a couple days of training at the military base in Atsugi. I landed at Narita and went to Atsugi the next day. After my training, I decided […]
If the Shoe Fits…
One of the most important pre-trip things you can do before visiting Japan is to make sure you have quality, comfortable shoes. This cannot be overstated. You will walk much further than you think you will, and those steps will punish you if your feet aren’t happy. Recently, I was thinking about how my choice […]
Bedtime Story
It’s no secret that I love Ryokans (traditional accommodations, usually with public bath). However, just what you sleep on in these will vary between Western Style Beds and Futons. This causes concerns for many travelers as on first sight, the futon may not look comfortable. A couple of years ago, we rented an apartment in […]
Japanese Food you Need to Know: Onigiri
Rice is the cornerstone of Japanese Cuisine. Therefore, it’s appropriate to begin this series with what may be the ultimate rice dish – Onigiri. Onigiri, or rice balls have been around for some 1,200 years. During that time, they have served several purposes, from simple labor food to a grab and go meal for busy […]
JAPANESE FOODS THAT FREAK OUT AMERICANS
One of the things that trouble many people, especially Americans in Japan is that the food, although fantastic, can be intimidating. Whenever I am asked about how to make someone’s first trip to Japan most successful, I always tell them to lean into the food. Eat first, ask what it is later. I have long […]
No Need to Shoulder the Burden!
My first trip to Japan was for work. I was scheduled to do deliver a three-day training program in Atsugi. I decided to extend my trip by a few days to do a little sightseeing in Tokyo and Osaka. However, I didn’t want to drag my large suitcase for the sightseeing segment as it was […]
Travel to Japan to Experience Chinatown…..What?
The first time my wife joined me in Japan we planned to visit some of her relatives in Yokohama. We settled into a nice hotel, and she suggested we go to Yokohama’s’ Chinatown. At first, I wasn’t sure if she was just joking, but I soon realized she was serious. We lived in Chicago at […]
Three Quick Money Tips for Traveling Japan
Despite my research, on my first trip to Japan one of the things I struggled with for the first few days was handling money. The following three tips will make your journey a bit smoother. You will find yourself with a ton of coins. In the U.S., we just don’t carry many coins. In […]
Cultural Literacy vs. Language Literacy
One of the reasons I hear for not traveling Japan, especially among Life-Experienced Adults, is that they fear the language barrier. I fully understand that. However, language literacy is not a reason to avoid experiencing all the country and people have to offer. My first trips to Japan were before I studied the language. I […]