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By Jonelle Patrick Posted on

International food fails, iris gardens & sake brewing on Sado

Here are the features that came out in the May-Jun Japanagram Hello, friend! It’s me, Jonelle. Here are the features that Japanagram subscribers enjoyed in May/June… • Click on photo or link … Continue reading International food fails, iris gardens & sake brewing on Sado

By Jonelle Patrick Posted on

Hike through bowers of flowers, Tevye-san, and a recipe even kale-haters will love

Here are the features that came out in the Mar-Apr Japanagram Hello, friend! It’s me, Jonelle. Here are the features that Japanagram subscribers enjoyed in March/April… • Click on photo or link … Continue reading Hike through bowers of flowers, Tevye-san, and a recipe even kale-haters will love

By Jonelle Patrick Posted on

Pre-dinged suitcases, fabulous Japanese quilts & plum blossoms in the snow

Here are the features that came out in the January-February Japanagram Hello, friend! It’s me, Jonelle. Here are the features that Japanagram subscribers enjoyed in January/February… • Click on photo or link … Continue reading Pre-dinged suitcases, fabulous Japanese quilts & plum blossoms in the snow

By Jonelle Patrick Posted on

Japanese holiday cookies, a tunnel of golden gingko trees & so many foxes

Here are the features that came out in the November-December 2021 Japanagram Hello, friend! It’s me, Jonelle. Here are the features that Japanagram subscribers enjoyed in November/December… • Click on photo or … Continue reading Japanese holiday cookies, a tunnel of golden gingko trees & so many foxes

By Jonelle Patrick Posted on

Sake tasting how-to, the angry cat ghost parade & a voyage to Sado Island

Here are the features that came out in the September-October 2021 Japanagram Hello, friend! It’s me, Jonelle. Here are the features that Japanagram subscribers enjoyed in September/October… • Click on photo or … Continue reading Sake tasting how-to, the angry cat ghost parade & a voyage to Sado Island

By Jonelle Patrick Posted on

How to read a haiku, goldfish galore & a garden of thatch-roofed farmhouses

Here are the features that came out in the July-August 2021 Japanagram Hello, friend! It’s me, Jonelle. Here are the features that Japanagram subscribers enjoyed in July/August… • Seasonal Secret: The most … Continue reading How to read a haiku, goldfish galore & a garden of thatch-roofed farmhouses

By Jonelle Patrick Posted on

Seven strange things about Japanese weddings, giant wisteria, and how to live forever

Here are the features that came out in the May-June 2021 Japanagram Hello, friend! It’s me, Jonelle. Here are the features that Japanagram subscribers enjoyed in May/June… • Seven things you didn’t … Continue reading Seven strange things about Japanese weddings, giant wisteria, and how to live forever

By Jonelle Patrick Posted on

Treasure rice, cherry blossoms at a northern castle, and Japanese ceremonies we didn’t know we needed

Here are the features that came out in the March-April 2021 Japanagram Hello, friend! It’s me, Jonelle. Here are the features that Japanagram subscribers enjoyed in March and April… • Japanese ceremonies … Continue reading Treasure rice, cherry blossoms at a northern castle, and Japanese ceremonies we didn’t know we needed

By Jonelle Patrick Posted on

40,000 dolls in Imperial court robes, the strange barbers of Yoshiwara, and Japanese chicken soup for the soul

Here are the features that came out in the February 2021 Japanagram Hello, friend! It’s me, Jonelle. Here are the features that Japanagram subscribers enjoyed in February… • The fabulous flower season … Continue reading 40,000 dolls in Imperial court robes, the strange barbers of Yoshiwara, and Japanese chicken soup for the soul

By Jonelle Patrick Posted on

The grand pooh-bah of Japanese flea markets, glowing icicles & Japan’s obsession with pets

Here are the features that came out in the January 2021 Japanagram Hello, friend! It’s me, Jonelle. Here are the features that Japanagram subscribers enjoyed in January… • The grand pooh-bah of … Continue reading The grand pooh-bah of Japanese flea markets, glowing icicles & Japan’s obsession with pets

By Jonelle Patrick Posted on

A killer Japanese garden lit up at night, delicious chicken & ginger yakitori meatballs, and how to get lucky, J-style

Here are the features that came out in the December 2020 Japanagram Hello, friend! It’s me, Jonelle. I hope that the new year is bringing you all kinds of good … Continue reading A killer Japanese garden lit up at night, delicious chicken & ginger yakitori meatballs, and how to get lucky, J-style

By Jonelle Patrick Posted on

A killer Japanese garden lit up at night, delicious chicken & ginger yakitori meatballs, and how to get lucky, J-style

Here are the features that came out in the November 2020 Japanagram Thanks for being by my side as The Last Tea Bowl Thief went out into the wide world to seek … Continue reading A killer Japanese garden lit up at night, delicious chicken & ginger yakitori meatballs, and how to get lucky, J-style

By Jonelle Patrick Posted on

A convent with a secret, sesame-miso hotpot, and why it’s harder to get a Japanese boyfriend than a Japanese girlfriend

Here are the features in the special edition of Japanagram that came out when The Last Tea Bowl Thief was published on October 20th In October there was a special … Continue reading A convent with a secret, sesame-miso hotpot, and why it’s harder to get a Japanese boyfriend than a Japanese girlfriend

By Jonelle Patrick Posted on

A secret castle garden, a killer Japanese cocktail recipe, & why the more friends you have, the lonelier you might be

Here are the features that Japanagram subscribers were reading in October… Hi, it’s me, Jonelle. Whether you’re venturing out or sticking close to home, I hope this month’s features deliver … Continue reading A secret castle garden, a killer Japanese cocktail recipe, & why the more friends you have, the lonelier you might be

By Jonelle Patrick Posted on

A town full of tricksters, strange Japanese beauty goals, and humble fall flowers that become spectacular in numbers

Here are the features that Japanagram subscribers got in September… As we slide into fall, how are you doing? I hope you’re not in the path of any of the … Continue reading A town full of tricksters, strange Japanese beauty goals, and humble fall flowers that become spectacular in numbers

By Jonelle Patrick Posted on

Surrounded by a waterfall, what to serve for Japanese dessert, and two fantastic Japan-centric reads

Here are the features that Japanagram subscribers were reading in August… Are you still hanging in there, as we continue our wild ride through the Wonka tunnel and (hopefully soon!) … Continue reading Surrounded by a waterfall, what to serve for Japanese dessert, and two fantastic Japan-centric reads

By Jonelle Patrick Posted on

Summery miso grilling sauce, a garden grown from 3,000-year-old lotus seeds, and what souvenirs NOT to buy in July and August

Here are the features that Japanagram subscribers have been reading this month! Hello, my friend. It’s me again, Jonelle. I hope it’s cheerier where you are, but it seems like … Continue reading Summery miso grilling sauce, a garden grown from 3,000-year-old lotus seeds, and what souvenirs NOT to buy in July and August

By Jonelle Patrick Posted on

Keeping cool in hilarious Japanese ways, an island that takes us back in time, and the best soy-lemon salad dressing EVER

Hi friend. It’s me, Jonelle So, I’ve been wondering—are you experiencing micro-nostalgia too? At least once a day I find myself longing for the good old days…you know, like, four … Continue reading Keeping cool in hilarious Japanese ways, an island that takes us back in time, and the best soy-lemon salad dressing EVER

By Jonelle Patrick Posted on

What NOT to do in Tokyo: The top ten overrated experiences (and what to do instead)

I like to keep things positive around here, but I just scanned the umpteenth itinerary forwarded to me by a coming-to-Japan friend, and I can’t believe that trip planners keep … Continue reading What NOT to do in Tokyo: The top ten overrated experiences (and what to do instead)

By Jonelle Patrick Posted on

January festival: Setagaya Boroichi, the most legendary flea market in Tokyo!

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!

By Jonelle Patrick Posted on

How to bring Japan home with you: take a Japanese cooking class in Tokyo!

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!

By Jonelle Patrick Posted on

Hacking Leaf Season: How to beat the crowds, duck the peak prices, and still see beautiful fall leaves in Japan

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

By Jonelle Patrick Posted on

Curated Walking Tour: Yanaka, where traditional Tokyo is alive and kicking!

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!

By Jonelle Patrick Posted on

Problem solved: How to do all the fun Tokyo stuff that’s nearly impossible if you’re not fluent in Japanese

I know. The whole reason you’re on The Tokyo Guide I Wish I’d Had is to figure out how to have fun in Tokyo without someone showing you around. And don’t … Continue reading Problem solved: How to do all the fun Tokyo stuff that’s nearly impossible if you’re not fluent in Japanese