• The Onsen-Bathing Monkeys of Yamanouchi

    Because of Japan’s high volcanic activity, thousands of hot springs are scattered throughout the country. Locally known as onsen, the mineral-rich water is believed to cure a wide range of…

    April 1, 2015

  • Zenko-ji Temple Nagano

    “Oh this isn’t so bad,” I thought as we entered the tunnel. But as we walked further and further, the air became thick with black and eventually I couldn’t even…

    March 30, 2015

  • Sekino-o Falls and the Oketsugun Potholes

    “Woaah!” I exclaimed to Mark. “Are you seeing this?” The red shrine that he was investigating wasn’t enough to distract me from the roar of water falling down. An unexpected stop on our roadtrip…

    March 23, 2015

  • Doll Festival in Aya Town

    At this time of year, special dolls are set out on displays in homes and shops around Japan for the annual hinamatsuri (doll festival) celebration on March 3. I’ve always been a teddy…

    March 2, 2015

  • Volcanic Island Sakurajima

    I have never seen an active volcano in real life before, so when John reminded me that there was one just a 15 minute ferry ride away from where we would…

    February 10, 2015

  • Walking Tour of Obi Castle Town

    After  Naked Man Festival, we decided to drive the hour south to see Obi Castle Town (飫肥城下町), the “Little Kyoto” of Kyushu. The town was built on the remains of Obi…

    February 7, 2015

  • Naked Man Festival

    When I returned to Japan after Christmas break, I found it only a couple of degrees warmer than I left it. Averaging a high of 13°C a day (about 55°F),…

    February 4, 2015

  • Staten Island’s Alice Austen House

    Staten Island is a dump – literally and figuratively. It used to house the world’s largest landfill before it closed in 2001, and although it is the third-largest borough of…

    February 2, 2015

  • Inside America’s Most Haunted Prison

    “Lesson 4,” a voice blasted from the MP3 player of the man sitting across from me. It was the only noise on an otherwise quiet bus, the bumble of which…

    January 29, 2015

  • Two Days in Chicago, Part 2

    After sleeping off a deep-dish dinner from Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria, we met up with Kyle again and walked to Old Town. The clear skies were gone, replaced with clouds and…

    January 26, 2015

  • Two Days in Chicago, Part 1

    If you’re a fan of the TV show Shameless, then you know that scene in the last episode of season 4 where Carl wheels Frank, who has just left hospital…

    January 25, 2015
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