I was pumped-up to explore Sendai, after almost seven years of convincing myself I didn’t need to.
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Kyoto by the Sea
Life in Kyoto, at least so far, has been as much about retracing old footsteps as it’s been about charting new paths forward.
Continue ReadingWant to Study Japanese in Japan? Start Here
There has literally never been a better time to study Japanese in Japan.
Continue Reading30 Pictures That Will Make You Want to Visit Tokyo
I hope looking through these images will encourage you to continue peeling away Tokyo’s layers.
Continue ReadingFreezing in the Shadow of Fujisan
Visiting Mt. Fuji in winter isn’t a fool’s errand, but you need to do so with some truths in mind.
Continue ReadingTokyo in the Time of Covid
My life is finally back on track, even if the rest of the world may lag behind by weeks, months or—god help us—years.
Continue ReadingThe Truth About Go! Go! Nihon
While I can’t say that Go! Go! Nihon is perfect or even necessarily right for you, I can say with 100% certainty that it works.
Continue ReadingPlan Your Trip to Japan in 2022
In 2022, a trip to Japan will be a better idea than ever before.
Continue ReadingWhat Can You Win When You Play Pachinko?
What, precisely, can a good pachinko game (or a dozen of them) earn you, and is it worth the trouble of learning how to play?
Continue ReadingWhere to Hit the Beach Near Tokyo
When it comes to beaches near Tokyo, there’s good news and there’s bad news.
Continue ReadingShould You Visit Japan in July?
If you’ve never considered a visit to Japan in July, 2021 might be the year that changes your mind.
Continue ReadingIs Okinawa Worth Visiting?
This might seem like a strange question, I concede.
Continue ReadingRead This Before Your Maiden Voyage to Japan
The advice I’m about to give you is priceless!
Continue ReadingDo People Speak English in Japan?
Times have changed—and the Japanese people have largely changed with them, largely for the better.
Continue ReadingWill We Be Able to Visit Japan in 2021?
Japan’s border is closed to all foreign tourists—and the country has no firm plans in place to re-open it.
Continue ReadingIs Osaka Expensive?
Osaka can be a surprisingly affordable place for tourists.
Continue ReadingSpoiler Alert: Kyoto Isn’t Cheap
Kyoto is usually expensive, but it doesn’t have to be.
Continue ReadingTokyo, With Breathing Room
Could 4 days in Tokyo be the perfect amount of time to spend in Japan’s capital?
Continue ReadingKyoto on the Cheap (but Chic)
Enjoying your trip to Kyoto is as much about your accommodation as it is about the part of the city you stay in.
Continue ReadingChoose Your Osaka Base Here
Where you stay in Osaka matters.
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