Ekiben 駅弁: A necessity for long-distance travel?
One of the best parts about taking a shinkansen or liner train is having an ekiben (駅弁) or train bento. The name is actually an abbreviation for station bento. Train …
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Hiragana and Katakana: How to Best Learn Japanese Alphabet
As you may be aware, the Japanese language has THREE written languages. Hiragana, Katakana, and Kanji. The first two are often referred to as Japanese syllabaries (and in Japanese, Kana), …
Shinkansen: Your Guide to Japan’s Fastest Trains
Shinkansen travel is fun. It’s expensive (unless you have a JR rail pass) but a great way to see the country and to get to your destination in a hurry. …
Kakegawa Castle – One of the 100 Finest in Japan
Kakegawa Castle in Kakegawa, Shizuoka prefecture, was my first castle after completing the mission to see the original 12 castles in Japan. I was expecting a castle facade with museum …
Matsumoto Castle – 12 Original Castles of Japan
Matsumoto Castle (松本城) in Nagano Prefecture was my first of the original Japanese castles to visit. An easy stopover for the snow monkeys or any ski trip up to the …
Inuyama Castle – Original 12 Japanese Castle Tour
This is it! Inuyama castle (犬山城) was the last of the 12 original castles for me to visit. Located in Aichi Prefecture, it claims to be the oldest castle. Claims …
Maruoka Castle – Original 12 Japanese Castle Tour
Maruoka Castle claims to the oldest of the 12 original castles still in existence in Japan. I say “claims” because their signage all says so but they are not the …
Winter Illuminations in Japan: Not just Christmas Lights
In the States, Christmas time is all about finding the best Christmas light displays. Whether it be Rockefeller Center or some really passionate homeowners, December is full of light. In …
How to have Sizable Instagram Followers Jump in 6 months
I’ve had a lot of questions about how I’ve been growing my IG so I wanted to share my story on how to get more Instagram followers. It’s a lot …
Hikone Castle – 12 Original Japanese Castle Tour
We have a new second place castle! Hikone Castle (彦根城) in Shiga Prefecture! The main keep was finished in 1607. Sitting atop Hikoneyama, 彦根山, Hikone Mountain….it’s really just a hill. …