New Year’s at Nishinomiya Shrine: Photo Gallery
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2012. A new year begins, and for me, an American in Japan, it looks like it’s going to be quite a ride. The yen is up, the dollar down. The Tohoku region is still picking up what the earthquake/tsunami left behind. The world scrambles against global warming and an uncertain economy. The ancient Mayans predicted…
Love is in the air. Or perhaps it isn’t depending on where you live, who lives near you (or doesn’t), or if the cold air actually froze it… So what can you do? My advice to cope with those lonely, cold winter nights (and days) is to BE LOVE. The rewarding thing about choosing to…
It’s April and that means the brief, but beautiful cherry blossom season. The sales of blue tarpaulins are set to sky rocket and public intoxication in the middle of the day will reach giddy new heights. Whether it’s your first, final or other, 花見 season in Japan, Hyogo has a positive cornucopia of great spots…
Steam rises, obscuring the snowy mountain scene outside the window. Serene pools ripple gently. You let the heat soak into your skin, through your muscles, down to the bone. It ensconces you, slowly coaxing all of the tightness in your shoulders and back into release. You sigh, giving in to the calm of the onsen….
I’m not big on Valentine’s Day. Even if I’m in a relationship, it’s not my thing. I’m not big on people walking really slow while holding hands and not letting anyone pass on the sidewalk, and I’m not big on people complaining to everyone and their mother about a) their significant others not getting them…
Ramen Tarou is easily my favorite and most frequented ramen shop. It has everything that a diner looking for a quick casual eat could want in the search for ramen goodness—a bright space, a menu with large pictures, satisfying ramen with amazing ingredients, and of course, FREE kimchi to snack on before your meal or…