• Kyoto’s Iconic Bamboo Forest

    Is Arashiyama worth it? It’s a question I, and many other travelers too, I’m sure, have pondered. Kyoto’s iconic bamboo forest gets mixed reviews. You’ve probably already seen pictures of…

    September 28, 2025

  • A Stroll Through Kokoen

    Just southwest of Himeji Castle, lies a beautiful Japanese garden that offers gorgeous views of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Kokoen is 3.5 hectares (8.5 acres) in size and consists…

    May 11, 2025

  • 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…

    December 15, 2024

  • Nunobiki Herb Gardens

    Just ten minutes away from Kobe by ropeway, Nunobiki Herb Gardens offers a spectacular view of the city. Comprising of 12 spacious gardens, visitors can enjoy 75,000 herbs and 200…

    April 3, 2024

  • Heian Shrine and Gardens

    On the 1,110th anniversary of the founding of Kyoto, which was once known as Heian, a shrine was built to mark the occasion. Heian Shrine is dedicated to the spirits…

    January 19, 2024

  • The Mohri Residence and Garden

    In the middle of Yamaguchi’s southern coastline lies Hofu. The city is one of the prefecture’s most populous and was once home to the lords of the Choshu Domain―the Mohri…

    November 25, 2023

  • A Hidden Wonderland: The Lee Memorial Garden

    Tucked away in a wooded area of New Canaan, Connecticut is a spot so beautiful it’s hard to believe it’s still relatively unknown. The Olive and George Lee Memorial Garden…

    May 15, 2023

  • The Glass House

    Off Ponus Ridge Road in New Canaan, Connecticut, sits the signature work of Philip Johnson. Built between 1948-9, the Glass House is the architect’s former residence, designed in perfect proportion…

    May 23, 2022

  • Autumn at Grace Farms

    Sejima Kazuyo was born in Ibaraki, Japan in 1956. After graduating from Japan Women’s University in 1981 with a master’s degree in Architecture, she joined the firm Toyo Ito and…

    November 28, 2017

  • Kent Falls State Park

    One of my favorite things about living in Connecticut is being surrounded by nature. Despite being a pretty urbanized state, there is plenty of untouched land filled with rolling hills,…

    September 17, 2017

  • Storm King Art Center

    The first time I went to an outdoor sculpture park was in Japan. The exhibits were so creative and interactive, that I ended up visiting twice, despite it being a…

    August 28, 2017
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