Lifestyle
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Hina Matsuri
One of my favorite places to celebrate Hina Matsuri ( 雛祭り) Doll’s Day or Girl’s Day is Ningyocho ( 人形町). This neighborhood of the Nihonbashi district, in Tokyo’s Chuo ward, is home to Kabuki…
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National Cat Day
February 22nd is National Cat Day, Neko no Hi (猫の日), in Japan and has been since 1987, when the Executive Cat Day Committee chose the date. The date 2-22 can be pronounced ni-ni-ni which is…
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Yakuo-in Yuuki-ji Temple
Yakuoin Yuuki-ji Temple is up the mountain following the curve of the road. The line of vermilion lanterns lights the way, leading travelers to the entrance of sacred ground. To make one’s way…
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Mt Takao – Part One
Mt. Takao- is about an hour outside of the 23 wards on the JR Chuo line. It is a popular destination in all four seasons, known for its diverse wildlife and nature. I…
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Kooriya Peace-Strawberry
The first time I went to Kooriya Peace, I got lost. It was February 14th, and I had just finished up at the Ghibli Museum. I was trying to figure out where this…
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Strawberry Season
Strawberry season in Japan has always been something of a mystery to me. An oddity of different locations and countries. The Japanese strawberry season is from December to mid-May. The Strawberry season I…
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Valentine’s day
Even before the bells have quieted for New Year’s the displays for the next holiday are up. Valentine’s Day. Not the Valentine’s Day of the West that tends to focus on romantic gestures from men…
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Venice in Words
While the waters of Venice rise from time to time. The love of reading never fades even if the words on the pages of history become lighter with age. This bookstore honors both…
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Greetings from Kawagoe
This is one of the shrines for the gods that walk Japan. Each year, if possible, many of them descend and are carried among the people. They greet each other and battle one…
