I was walking along the footpath after visiting the Hein Jingu Shrine, when I was almost run over by this newly married couple riding in a traditional ‘jinrikisha’ or rickshaw. It was being pulled along the path by a guy also in traditional costume with his head lowered either as humility for the newly weds […]
HDR Toshogu Shrine in the Konchi in Temple, Kyoto, Japan
The picture above is of the Toshogu Shrine in the Konchi in Temple grounds in Kyoto, Japan. Due to a bright overcast cloudy day the underside of the roof is very under exposed and there is no detail of the wooden rafters that are hidden in the darkness. The grey tiled roof is over exposed […]
Philosopher’s Walk Traffic Mirror
This orange traffic mirror stands at one of the many small intersections crossing the Philosopher’s Walk in Kyoto, Japan. I quite like this photo as it contains a variety of elements. Filling the background you have Kyoto’s springtime cherry blossoms which line the small Biwako Canal along the Philosopher’s Walk, the orange traffic mirror gives […]
Understanding the China-Japan Island Conflict
By Rodger Baker Vice President of East Asia Analysis Sep 25, 2012 Sept. 29 will mark 40 years of normalized diplomatic relations between China and Japan, two countries that spent much of the 20th century in mutual enmity if not at outright war. The anniversary comes at a low point in Sino-Japanese relations amid a […]
China Tests Japanese and U.S. Patience
By Rodger Baker Vice President of East Asia Analysis Feb 26, 2013 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has warned Beijing that Tokyo is losing patience with China’s assertive maritime behavior in the East and South China seas, suggesting China consider the economic and military consequences of its actions. His warning followed similar statements from Washington […]
Ferocious, Weak and Crazy: The North Korean Strategy
By George Friedman Founder and Chairman Apr 9, 2013 Editor’s Note: George Friedman originally wrote this Geopolitical Weekly on North Korea’s nuclear strategy on Jan. 29. More than two months later, the geopolitical contours of the still-evolving crisis have become more clear, so we believe it important to once again share with readers the fundamentals […]
China and North Korea: A Tangled Partnership
By Rodger Baker Vice President of East Asia Analysis Apr 16, 2013 China appears to be growing frustrated with North Korea’s behavior, perhaps to the point of changing its long-standing support for Pyongyang. As North Korea’s largest economic sponsor, Beijing has provided the North Korean regime with crucial aid for years and offered it diplomatic […]
The Best Hot Springs and Resort Towns in Japan
Hundreds of hot springs known locally as Onsens dot the landscape of Japan. The natural hot springs have been developed into spas where people can rejuvenate and relax. There are many hot spring baths and resort towns in Japan. The popular Kusatsu Hot Spring Resort is located in the Gunma region. The town boasts of […]
Youth Hostels in Japan
Regulations and membership It is possible to stay at a youth hostel even if you aren’t a member, but it will cost you approximately 600 yen more per night at the privately owned ones (the government run youth hostels charge you the same regardless of whether you are a member or not). At the privately […]
Weekly Mansions in Japan
What is a Weekly Mansion? A weekly mansion is a furnished apartment for short-term stays. From a size vs price perspective, they are generally more expensive than other housing such as guesthouses and ryokans. One of the big differences between a guesthouse and a weekly mansion is that guesthouse accommodation is conducive to meeting other […]
Super Hotels in Japan
Super Hotels Although Super Hotels are classified as a budget hotel, they offer some pretty good services which separate them from other hotel chains. For example, they have a free breakfast buffet, well lit rooms and lobbies, wireless internet access, some buildings with all non-smoking rooms and even some hotels featuring hot springs (onsens). The […]
Serviced Apartments in Japan
Serviced Apartments in Japan Most serviced apartments are located in city areas in convenient locations and provide you with a more ‘homely’ stay than a normal hotel. In most cases, what separates a serviced apartment in Japan from a normal hotel are: 1. A separate work space 2. A kitchen area 3. Lounge area 4. […]
Japan Earthquake, Tsunami and Nuclear Fallout
My heart goes out to the people of Japan. In 1970 I was a member of a hula troupe and we performed at The Narugo Hotel in Nagoya for three months. After landing in Tokyo, our troupe boarded the ‘bullet train’ to Sendai (the northern capital of Japan). Then we rode by car for a […]
Things to Do and Food to Eat in Fukuoka, Japan
Fukuoka isn’t that small of a place. Actual numbers bring the population to about the 5 million mark, with the city having roughly 1.3 million people. With that amount of people around, you know there has got to be something to do. On any day of the week if you look you will be able […]
Shibuya Hotels – Finding a Good, Cheap Shibuya Hotel
Shibuya Hotels are a great place to stay when you are visiting Tokyo. One of the 23 special wards of Tokyo, Shibuya is known for its shopping and youthful vibe. It is easy to get to, has a lot of shopping, and plenty of attractions. Shibuya is also known as one of the places where […]
Japanese and Australian Sister City Relationship Suspended Due to Dolphin Hunting
Interesting article from September 2009 The Japan Times recently covered the suspended sister city relationship between the coastal towns of Broome in Western Australia and Taiji, in Wakayama prefecture, Japan. Their ties date back at least 100 years to the pearling industry in Broome. At that time, Broome was the biggest pearling center in the […]
Best Way to Learn Japanese – a Tale of Two Cities
Living in Japan is the best way to learn how to speak Japanese because you have the bonuses of having first hand experience of Japanese culture, the country and its people. But before you leave, you need to get your brain ready to take on Japanese and Japan. To lessen culture shock and fortify your […]
Not all you see is Sushi
Recently, after not having returned to Australia for 5 years, we made a trip home to celebrate Christmas and New Year with our families. After so long away, it was great to see all the various fare that I had loved, growing up on the Gold Coast. My sister cooked up her delicious recipe of […]
Living in the Land of the Rising Sun
A friend recently asked me what it’s actually like for a non-Japanese person to live in Japan, (knowing that my wife and I have lived here for 14 years). The hardest part about answering that question is fitting it into the length of an article, but as the Japanese say, “Ganbarimasu!” (I’ll do my best!) […]
Climbing Fuji-san
In the year 2000, my wife Mandy and I celebrated the new millennium by climbing Mt Fuji, which straddles the border of Shizuoka and Yamanashi prefectures in central Japan. When we arrived back home two days later, every muscle in our body ached, our feet had blisters, and our toes were bruised, but it was […]