December 14th, 2017: As Yousuke’s car started climbing the mountain pass leading into Akou proper, Mrs. Terumi Kawatobi mentioned how she always cried whenever she saw any of the popular 47 Ronin/Akou Incident based TV show and movie reruns, so … Read More
One of the stops we made in Okazaki was to the Kakukyu miso factory. You are probably used to miso being translated as “soy bean paste.” However, most of the brands you see arrayed in stores should actually be called … Read More
Getting to tour a brewery while learning about not only the ancient process of brewing traditional Japanese Sake but the drinks importance throughout Japanese history. This factory was established in 1864 to produce traditional Japanese “sake” (Nihonshu) in the most … Read More
Exploring the Hachimangu Shrine: paying a visit to the incredible Hachimangu shrine to learn not only the shrines history but the important role it played in Japanese history. This shrine is located in Hamamatsu not too far from the castle … Read More
Shitennoji Temple is the first state-sponsored temple of Japanese Buddhism founded by Prince Shotoku in 593 ( the 1st year of Emperor Suiko’s era). Although there were no buildings that were originally built because of suffering from the disaster, the … Read More
Built as a replica of one of Kyoto`s best known temple Kiyomizu-dera in the Tennoji prefecture of Osaka is the perfect definition of a hidden gem. Sandwiched between residential buildings and multiple temples is Kiyomizu-dera Osaka. As you walk down … Read More
Located in Osaka, the Isshin-Ji Temple is unique in many different ways. The first thing about the temple that caught my eye was the unique entrance. Unlike the standard torii gate that you will find at most temple entrances, Isshin-ji … Read More
As someone who has not only spent the past two years studying hospitality, but has also worked in hotels, I have never experienced something like Waqoo. Located in the Tennouji prefecture of Osaka, Waqoo Shitaderamachi offers what is known as … Read More
Gosho Jinja enshrines the patron deities of my neighborhood, Zaimokuza. Plural because the shrine is an amalgamation of five shrines which was mandated by the Meiji government in 1908. The name Gosho translates to “five locations.” The patron deity of … Read More
Every morning I wake up to the sound of the Komyoji temple bell. Back in my single days, when I wasn’t sure if I would ever find my life partner, I even made a senryuu (informal haiku) wondering if I … Read More
Located on the border between Fukuoka and Oita Prefectures the Hiko Mountain is truly a sight to behold. Halfway up the mountain you will find the Hiko-san jingu . Hikosan jingu is best known as a center of training for the Shugen-do sect … Read More
As a resident of Kamakura, it would be remiss of me not to talk about Tsurugaoka Hachiman as the first of a series of articles about Kamakura. This shrine is the abode of the patron deity of the Minamoto Clan … Read More