Himeji Castle: The White Heron
I’ve seen a fair amount of Japanese castles on my travels (there are over 200, so this is no hard task) and while they’re all interesting and unique in their…
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A Walking Tour of Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter
The city of Kurashiki, in Okayama Prefecture, was once a bustling trade town during the Edo period. The traditional buildings, concentrated along the willow-lined Kurashiki River, have been preserved in…
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A Quick Guide to Kojima Jeans Street
Okayama is best known as the home of Momotaro, a beloved folktale about a boy born from a peach. But the prefecture is also the birthplace of Japanese denim. In…
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Okayama Castle at Dusk
Covered in black clapboards, Okayama Castle is known as Ujo, or “crow castle.” Fittingly, it sits atop one of three hills overlooking the Asahi river. Perhaps even more fittingly, it…
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A Walking Tour of Mojiko Retro Town
On the northern edge of Kyushu lies Mojiko—an international trade port that opened in 1889. Today, the area is preserved as a historical district, offering visitors the chance to step…
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Autumn on Miyajima
For someone who grew up with only two seasons (kak hot and a little chilly, respectively), autumn and spring are still a novelty for me. If I had to choose…
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An Update on the Sacred, Starving Deer of Miyajima
In September 2015, after visiting Miyajima in Hiroshima, I wrote about the island’s starving deer population. Just over nine years later, in November 2024, I went back to see what…
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Inside Japan’s Largest Cave
In the heart of Yamaguchi lies the city of Mine. With a population of just over 20,000, it’s one of the more rural areas of the prefecture. But what it…
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The Temple on the 10-Yen Coin
Less than an hour outside of Kyoto is one of Japan’s most famous temples. So famous, in fact, that it appears on the 10-yen coin. Byodoin was originally built in…
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Inside the Enchanting Sanzenin
Just an hour north of central Kyoto is a small village nestled in the mountains. Ohara is known for its gorgeous scenery, pickled cucumbers, and beautiful Buddhist temple.
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Cosmos in Kameoka
Cosmos, which bloom from early to mid October in Japan, always remind me of home. The flowers aren’t native to South Africa, but they might as well as be. Brought…
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