I was looking for a cheap tiny chess set to use with my kid while hanging out at the in-laws. Something that I could leave behind tucked away in a corner that wouldn’t take up much space. Something not heavy that I could bring on short overnight trips. Something so inexpensive that I wouldn’t cry…
Shochu Culture with expert Stephen Lyman
Do you want to really geek out on Japanese Shochu? Check out these two videos featuring Stephen Lyman, America’s leading expert on Japan’s national distilled spirit: shochu. Shochu is a nice, distinctly Japanese drink. Like whisky, different shochu labels have memorably different tastes and qualities. You can drink shochu on the rocks, split with warm…
Japanese Lesson from Games: The Strength You Find in an Emergency
The Nintendo Switch is region free, and many (not all) games, including Octopath Traveler, have the full Japanese text and audio available in the U.S. release of the game. No need to import from Japan! This is an amazing resource for gamers who are learning Japanese. Here’s my latest grab! Japanese: 火事場の馬鹿力 Hiragana: かじばのばかぢから Romaji:…
Chusonji in Iwate Prefecture
I had the opportunity to visit Chusonji in Iwate Prefecture winter 2017. You can read a lot about Chusonji online, and I recommend that you do. If you’re looking for an impressive Japanese temple to visit that is far enough off the beaten path that it isn’t crowded with tourists, this is a great choice….
A Traditional Japanese Breakfast
What do Japanese people traditionally eat for breakfast in Japan? Many Japanese these days eat a more western breakfast with eggs, toast, and coffee. However, if you’re at Japanese inn or hospital or something you may get something more traditional, like this. So what’s in this photo: White rice Natto (a dish of fermented soybeans,…
Raging Bulls – a Print and Play Board Game
Here’s a fun print and play board game called Raging Bulls by Mark Tuck that really only needs a single sheet of paper to enjoy. Ideally, you’ll have paper, a pencil, three six-sided dice (3d6), and a straight edge — but you can totally play this using virtual online dice and you can free-hand the…
Day Trips from Osaka: Church of the Light
Sometime in 2007 I took a short trip outside of Osaka city to visit one of architect Tadao Ando’s works, The Church of Light, at Ibaraki Kasugaoka Church in Ibaraki. It’s less than one hour from Osaka station, so it’s an easy day trip. The inside of the main chapel is striking with the cross-shaped…
Japan-based Folks to Follow on Twitter
Looking for some interesting people to follow on Twitter who tweet about Japan and Japan related things? Here’s a random smattering of tweeps that I have found interesting over the years. @hikosaemon tweets the news, to put it simply, and he’s all over it. He also as an active YouTube channel that is worth checking…
Extending your Visa in Japan
In another bout of personal trouble caused by the coronavirus, I found myself “stuck” in Japan on a tourist visa in danger of exceeding the 90-day stay limit granted upon entry. I had to go to the Osaka Regional Immigration Services Bureau to apply for an extension of my tourist visa status. Here’s how it…
Japanese Craft Beer: Ginga Kougen Beer from Iwate prefecture
Whenever I’m in Japan (or anywhere for that matter) I try to drink craft brews when I get the opportunity. Here’s one of my consistent favorites, Ginga Kougen Beer from Iwate Prefecture. The deep blue bottle stands out. The beer is tasty and refreshing. You can find it outside of Iwate frequently. I recently found…