Some-No-Komichi is a celebration held every February in Nakai, the Tokyo neighborhood that’s famous for kimono dyeing. Examples of the makers’ finest wares are strung along miles of the canal … Continue reading February festival: Canals festooned with miles of gorgeous kimono fabric
Take a peek at the newest way to get all the best Japan swaglets! Japanagram is my new monthly newsletter, featuring new and different stuff than you’ll see here on … Continue reading Woo hoo, more Japan travel goodness for you!
The Setagaya Boroichi is the grand old lady of Tokyo flea markets. It’s so ancient and so revered, in fact, it holds Intangible Cultural Treasure status! On December 15-16 and … Continue reading January festival: Setagaya Boroichi, the most legendary flea market in Tokyo!
Shrines and temples aren’t just for snapping nice pix – there’s serious specialized goodness to be gotten from throwing a coin to the proper powers-that-be! Here’s how to take advantage … Continue reading How to shrine and temple in Japan
You’re craning your neck to see some gorgeous gold-leafed carving, and suddenly you’re overcome with traveler joy. “Isn’t this the most gorgeous…?” Uh oh. Shrine or temple? Because you know … Continue reading Shrine or temple? The Quickie Guide
I used to drag everyone who came to visit me to Ito-ya, the legendary 9-floor stationery shop in Ginza. But when they renovated and got rid of 90% of their … Continue reading Tokyo’s best-kept shopping secrets: The Shimojima gift, paper & packaging emporium
One of the best things anyone can bring back from Tokyo is a love of Japanese food. I don’t know about you, but the thing that surprised me most about … Continue reading How to bring Japan home with you: take a Japanese cooking class in Tokyo!
Thinking about taking an autumn trip to Japan? Dreaming of strolling through divine gardens bursting with red maples, and serene temples robed in fall leaves? I’m with you: it’s totally my … Continue reading Hacking Leaf Season: How to beat the crowds, duck the peak prices, and still see beautiful fall leaves in Japan
These are the festivals and events I would take you to see, if you were in town! • Click here for Know someone who’s planning a trip to Japan? Or … Continue reading Festivals + Events: What’s happening while you’re in Tokyo?
Japan is stuffed with (mostly) more and better goods than anywhere in the world, but there are a couple of things you should definitely bring with you, if you think … Continue reading Stuff you should bring with you, because you can’t get it in Japan
Finding bathrooms in Tokyo is a lot easier than finding them in America, that’s for sure! Here are three surefire places to find them, wherever the urge makes itself known. … Continue reading Where can I find public restrooms in Tokyo?
Yanaka is one of the quirkiest, undiscovered, Old Tokyo neighborhoods in town. Here, new generations of artisans from families that have plied their trades for centuries are finding fun and … Continue reading Curated Walking Tour: Yanaka, where traditional Tokyo is alive and kicking!
