dimaks on July 12th, 2007

All the way gloomy days during the 4th till the 6th of July were all worth it by threading the way to and around Tohoku, Japan. Tōhoku (東北), which literally means “East-North” is the northeastern region of Japan’s Honshu (mainland) island. Tohoku is a host to many museums and temples and it has over a [...]

Continue reading about A trip to Tohoku

Shaney on October 29th, 2008

There used to be an official English schedule for the Tsukuba to Narita Airport bus on the Kantetsu website, but it seems to have been removed. A kind person in Tsukuba (Yuka) has translated the schedule for us.
Tsukuba to Narita Airport Bus Schedule
Tsukuba to Narita Airport Bus Schedule (after November 20, 2008)
Please keep in [...]

Continue reading about Bus from Tsukuba to Narita Airport

These days, for most people , hiking on or climbing mountains is a form of sport or recreation. It is done for exersize, companionship (when done in groups) and for enjoying, learning about,  or COMMUNING WITH NATURE (among other things).
In pre-modern Japan, however, those who climbed, did so to COMMUNE WITH THE GODS , as it was believed (as it still is [...]

Continue reading about July First Is YAMABIRAKI (山開き) On Mt Fuji – Which Means The Climbing Season Has Begun !

Shaney on August 24th, 2007

I found the following information in Metropolis magazine (#699):
HIS Experience Japan is offering tourists and residents of Japan a chance to experience “real Japanese culture,” in addition to the usual tourist spots. The company has nearly a dozen programs that allow participants to learn directly from professionals. Activities include sushi-making, yuzen silk-dying, calligraphy, karate and [...]

Continue reading about Learn by Doing: Japanese Culture

Shaney on June 18th, 2007

The Ministry of the Environment has published two brochures about the natural environment in Japan. The first is called “National Parks of Japan” and the second is the equally blandly named “The Nature of Japan”. They are both available in Chinese, English, Japanese, and Korean.
They are not particularly well written (they didn’t bother [...]

Continue reading about National Parks of Japan