The maneki-neko, Tori 44, Minneapolis, May 2019. Sometimes, when I need a little Japan fix, I walk to neighborhood Zen Box Izakaya or cycle to Moto-I or Tori 44. As I walk in to any of these establishments, the maneki-neko (beckoning cat) always beckons. Although the maneki-neko is a Japanese creation, it has been adopted…… Continue reading Asia Beckons
Category: East Asia
Isabella’s Korean Journey
Plotted a route by British explorer Isabella Bird who visited Korea four times in the 1890’s, soon after Korea opened up to the world. I’m trying to reconcile geographical names in her 1897 book, “Korea and Her Neighbours,” with today’s names. In 2016 I traveled part of her journey in Hokkaido. In October I may…… Continue reading Isabella’s Korean Journey
Sights, Sounds, Tastes
Dwight’s in Fargo visiting his mom, so I “went” to Japan. After age gyoza then tonkotsu ramen with a side of Japan Times at a local izakaya, walked back past wedding parties striking poses, and sports fans in no hurry to get to the game. Back home, streamed an emotional, visually expressive manga movie filled…… Continue reading Sights, Sounds, Tastes
A Trip to Asia
Craved Japan, cycled to masu for comfort food. Japan is still closed to independent travelers: I’ve cancelled 3 trips to Japan in the past year and may have to cancel a 4th in October. Just in case, I’ve also booked a nonstop to Seoul in October.
Backpacking in Japan With Our Nephews: Day of Arrival
Next summer, we’re exploring Japan with our teenage nephews and their dad. In a previous post I wrote about the backbone of our trip: flights from Minneapolis to Tokyo, Fukuoka to Sapporo, and Tokyo to Honolulu. I’m now starting to flesh out our journey within Japan. Arrive Haneda Airport Delta tails at Haneda Airport (November…… Continue reading Backpacking in Japan With Our Nephews: Day of Arrival
Backpacking in Japan with Our Nephews: Flights
We’ve been traveling long-haul with our nephews since they were babies. In this photo, the taller one, C, is almost 4 and the smaller one, sitting in a car seat, D, is 2½. The nephews, May 2011. I almost called this post “Backpacking in Japan with Kids…” but thought better of it. Next summer, when…… Continue reading Backpacking in Japan with Our Nephews: Flights
Japan 2022
I’m in high gear planning travel. Made the first reservation for a summer 2022 backpacking trip to Japan with our nephews (they’ll be 12 and 13) and their dad. We’ll explore less popular, more remote areas. On the way home, we’ll spend time in Hawaii where their mom will join us.
Cliffhangers
Found a cure for exercycle boredom: a TV drama series, made in Japan, set in an industrial Hokkaido town. It snows a lot, people get murdered, and the protagonist, manga-style, periodically gets sent back in time to put things right. The cliffhangers bring me back. Deep.
A Place Where Masks Are Apolitical
Posted A Place Where Masks Are Apolitical.
A Place Where Masks Are Apolitical
I’ve been searching through my photographs for crowd scenes in Japan. Here’s one at a Tokyo train station: November 2018. Tokyo’s Shinagawa Station. A woman, bottom right, is wearing a face mask. Perhaps she has a cold and wants to protect others, or maybe she’s protecting herself from airborne pathogens. If you look more closely,…… Continue reading A Place Where Masks Are Apolitical