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Godzilla captured the attention of an eight-year-old English lad named Rob Dyer. “A history buff like Dad,” from a young age Rob was an avid reader of books about Asia.
A business trip brought Rob as a young man to Tokyo in 2000. He enjoyed the tourist sights. Still, he desired to learn about the Japan beyond the clichés of Japanese manga, geisha and Godzilla. In 2015 after countless trips, Rob established The Real... Read Full Article33 |
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Nestled within the Mount Rokko range, angels abide at the Arima hot springs. The divine assignation is not unique to yours truly. The oldest chronicles of Japan (Nihon Shoki) tell of Shinto gods who witnessed the healing of three crows bathing in the golden Arima springs. Legend also says Arima is protected by the Medicine Buddha. Emperors, Kabuki actors1 and other celebs have visited Arima hot springs. It’s one of Japan’s top three... Read Full Article34 |
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Do you like…
1. cat tchotchke?
2. Japanese crafts?
3. cute candy?
4. Japanese architecture from yesteryear?
If you answered yes to any of the above, Yanaka is for you. Easily accessible by train, Yanaka is a curious glimpse into old Tokyo. Traditional tiled roofs and temples abound. Shops boast centuries old wood beams. Once upon a time, cats congregated in Yanaka. Ironically, hordes of cat-loving tourists have replaced them... Read Full Article35 |
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Bonsai are the Hobbits’ version of trees. The potted forests are shaped in proportion to Mother Nature’s original version. Only smaller. When viewing a bonsai:
1. Look at the overall composition of the plant
2. See if you can recognize the front from the back of the bonsai.
3. Crouch down; pretend your Hobbit size and see if you’re getting a forest vibe.
You get bonus points for picking up a message conveying the... Read Full Article36 |
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Xiang Xiang means popular in Chinese. So it’s the perfect name for Tokyo’s star panda. Lucky were those who won a lottery ticket several months ago to see the “Made in Japan” baby. You, however, are the fortunate one if you travel to Tokyo today. Ueno Zoo – home to Xiang Xiang – now issues a Disneyesque Fast Pass. Even better news: You can leave the zoo and come back at your appointed panda viewing time... Read Full Article37 |
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Classic Japanese Comfort Foods with a Lighter Touch
里帰りFresh in the Box
Health conscious California foodies flock to Fresh in the Box for their mostly organic menu. Fans of Japanese cuisine gather to enjoy classic comfort foods with a lighter touch. In fact, Fresh in the Box offers calorie-mate bento boxes. True to its name, from salmon sushi to chicken teriyaki everything is super fresh. Glazed with a soupcon of brown sugar and soy sauce,... Read Full Article38 |
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Our bodies are our temples. Allow a morsel of gluten or a grain of sugar to trespass our lips…and we’ve committed a mortal sin! At least in Southern California.
Health is important. But so is fun! Eating can be enjoyable AND good for you. Did your inner Japanese bento master just say Amen? I thought so.
The original Japanese bentos were the precursor to astronaut food: dehydrated fish and rice (reconstituted with water.) But I... Read Full Article39 |
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From Spirits to Sweets ハモサビーチ・ベーカリーのお菓子作りに見られる禅宗哲学
Longtime aficionado and seller of premium wines, David Wallace sees similarity in spirits and sweets: “It’s organic chemistry of the best kind.” In 2013, he opted out of hobnobbing over wines with prominent figures like Russia’s President Putin. On Father’s Day of that year, David opened the Hermosa Pie & Cake Company. With the exception of the Buddha in the... Read Full Article40 |
