Blog
Ōmiwa Shrine, Nara
In Nara Prefecture stands one of Japan's oldest and most sacred shrines.大神神社 is unlike most shrines in Japan.While it has a worship hall where visi...
Oka Castle Ruins and Rentaro Taki
High in the mountains of Oita Prefecture stand the ruins of Oka Castle, one of Japan's most dramatic historic sites.Today, only the stone walls rem...
A Local Favorite in Fukuoka
When people think of Japan, they often imagine temples, shrines, gardens, and historic streets.Those places are certainly part of Japan's charm.But...
Akizuki and Suiyo Shrine
Nestled in the historic town of Akizuki in Fukuoka Prefecture, Suiyo Shrine stands quietly among trees and seasonal landscapes.Akizuki is often cal...
Ohga Farm, Oita
Not every memorable place in Japan is a historic temple or shrine.Sometimes, it is a garden.During a recent visit to Oita, I spent some time at Ohg...
Sunrise Over Beppu Bay
During a recent visit to Beppu, I woke early to watch the sunrise over Beppu Bay.As the first light appeared on the horizon, the sea gradually chan...
Kinrin Lake and the Argerich Music Festival
Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to attend the Beppu Argerich Music Festival with my family.Named after the legendary pianist Martha Argeri...
The Statue of Murasaki Shikibu in Uji
Along the quiet riverside of Uji, Kyoto, stands a bronze statue of one of the most important literary figures in Japanese history.紫式部像 honors Muras...
Kinkaku-ji, Kyoto
Few places in Japan are as instantly recognizable as Kinkaku-ji.Reflected on the surface of the surrounding pond, the golden structure almost appea...
Byōdō-in Phoenix Hall, Kyoto
Among the many historic places in Kyoto, few feel as timeless as Byōdō-in Phoenix Hall.Reflected quietly upon the surface of the pond, the building...
Shimogamo Shrine, Kyoto
In the northern part of Kyoto, surrounded by an ancient forest, stands one of the oldest and most important shrines in Japan.Shimogamo Shrine has e...
Kyoto Imperial Palace
Whenever I walk through Kyoto, I am reminded that the city was once the center of Japan for more than a thousand years.At the heart of that history...