Where Globe-Trotting meets Beach-Combing
Japan is continually reborn as something new bursts into bloom. It’s nearly February…bring on the plum blossoms! Winter in Japan is kind of growing on me. Now that we actually use our heaters and have a comfortably warm house I can actually notice and enjoy the stark beauty of the naked cherry trees, the uncluttered,…
By now Haitian earthquake news has been pushed from the front page, replaced by articles about the presidential speech etc. etc. That’s normal of course, to lose our sense of urgency as the days pass. But it’s not an issue Karen or Jim Esson can turn the page and forget about. Just days ago Jim…
Ninety torii gates cover the back staircase leading to Hie-Jinja Shrine near Roppongi in Tokyo, which houses the guardian of Edo Castle. The shrine has moved and been rebuilt several times after burning down (1657) and being bombed (WWII). The present structure is only about 50 years old and is pretty standard apart from its…
The delightful Lupicia Fresh Tea store offers tea classes. Today’s lesson: How to prepare basic matcha–Japanese green tea made from dissolved ground tea leaves–in a relaxed style. Begin with a clean tea bowl, bamboo tea whisk, bamboo tea scoop and your favorite matcha. My preference: Kyoto-grown Matcha Ujitawara. Before you start, warm your bowl and…
…and by figure skating, I mean we skated in the figure of a wobbly circle. The outdoor skating rink on the bay by the Red Brick Warehouses has a nice view of the Yokohama skyline. Skate all you want until 10pm for about $10/person (open through February). We didn’t skate that long–we went inside after…
Some railway association in Japan surveyed more than 4,000 people about their biggest annoyances mid-commute. My mom always says I’m easily annoyed, but it looks like I’m finally in the right place! Japanese Commuters’ Top 10 Annoyances:1. Noisy conversation, horsing around2. Music from headphones3. The way passengers sit4. Cellphone ringtones and talking on phones5. Pushing,…
They really did the lift-one-leg-and-stomp thing (to drive evil from the ring)! These enormous fellows were ready for some serious sumo halfway through their January tournament this evening at the Ryogoku sumo arena in Central Tokyo. Japanese men have been dressing in loin clothes for half-naked wrestling as part of ceremonial banquets celebrating peace and…
