Travel
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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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New Years 2024
It is time to ring in the new and let go of the old. New year, new me, and all of that. But changes and remaking who we are all the time is…
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My solo climb of Mt. Fuji or bring a headlamp and sunscreen
So in August of 2022 things were opening up in Japan. If this was a good thing or a bad thing has yet to be discovered. I, like many others, had been stuck at…
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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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Rome: Day One
Touchdown! I have arrived in Italy. Rome! The eternal city. The holy city. Just in time for Easter. The city is alive with tourists and the faithful. Those here to relive moments from…
