In My Part of Japan, writers share their story of their unique life in Japan. The outside world are focussed on the mega-metropolis that is Tokyo, and often we forget about the cultural gems throughout the island country.
Photograph of “The Great Buddha,” courtesy of AAlmaguer. For most people living in or visiting the Kanto region of Japan, the most interesting place is probably Tokyo. This, however, should should not trick anyone into believing that it is the only fascinating thing to see. There are a lot of small places all […]
It’s a warm Sunday morning in Kawasaki, Japan. Across the world they are celebrating Easter, possibly April Fool’s Day. How ironic, as I have other plans. I am going to Kawasaki’s Kanamara Matsuri, or as it is known from numerous articles by the foreign press, the “Penis Festival.†The Kanamara Festival has its […]
For 10 days in February, I was among 16 students who traversed the globe along with Ms. Land, Ms. McKenna, and Naoko to visit Japan. Throughout Japan—from Kyoto to Tokyo—we experienced everything, from caramelized crickets to 320-kilometer-per-hour bullet trains. To say the trip was enriching and unforgettable is an understatement. A full summary […]
Tampons came packaged in totally opaque, black plastic bags, which the attendants at the register put in your hands quickly and carefully. There was no slippage. That way no one would be able to see that the objects you purchased at the pharmacy or supermarket were actually feminine hygiene products, not just vitamins or […]
Views on nuclear issues are voiced strongly in Japan, where nuclear devastation has had a direct impact on thousands of lives not only in Hiroshima, Nagasaki, and Fukushima, but also in cases such as the Daigo FukuryÅ« Maru, the Number Five Lucky Dragon fishing boat whose story inspired the Godzilla movies.  The […]
Oddly enough, I had almost no expectations when I boarded the late-night plane out of New York’s JFK Airport and took the 17-hour journey to Narita, Japan, which included a transfer and three-hour layover in Taipei. Before boarding, my mom, pressed to my side and nearly in tears, came all the way up […]
Above: photo taken by Nheyob of a stained glass window depicting St. Patrick / Source: Wikimedia Commons Earlier this month, alongside a flurry of announcements concerning the start of Tokyo’s cherry blossom season, the “biggest Irish event in Asia†was held in Yoyogi Park. The unabashedly named I Love Ireland Festival attracted over 100,000 […]
A visit to Takashima In Takashima, an island located three kilometers off Karatsu City in Saga Prefecture, there is a place called “Hoto Shrine,†which literally means, “Win-a-Treasure Shrine.†Every year, some 200,000 people visit the shrine, and the place is a popular power spot for fans who come to wish […]
“Dolphins!†Out went the cry, and the coiffed men lined up on the beach perked up and peered eagerly out into the Pacific, their tailored suits asparkle in the morning light. Sure enough, a pod soon splashed into sight – a churning mass of dark dolphins with striped sides, each about the size of […]
Tokyo experienced its heaviest snowfall in four years in late January 2018. It brought travel chaos—halting train service in the megacity, while 250 international flights were canceled—and, on a lighter note, plenty of Instaworthy photos. However, heavy snowfall is common throughout much of Japan, especially the northernmost island of Hokkaido, which, for enthusiasts of […]
“Listen,†he said, “if you get into any trouble down there, if it’s not safe, just get out, it’s not worth it.†It was March 2010, and I was working as a reporter for the Associated Press in Tokyo. My boss, the bureau chief, had asked for a volunteer to do a story […]
Tokyo is often considered a foodie’s paradise, with Japan’s capital having more Michelin-starred restaurants than any other city in the world. From the chaos of Tsukiji Market—where sushi of all types entice both locals and foreigners alike—to cozy izakaya serving yakitori, ramen shops, and vegetarian-friendly restaurants, there seems to be something for everybody. However, if […]
