Into the Breach for Nintendo Switch is great. If you’re like me and enjoy turn-based games, retro graphics, and sci-fi themes, then you’ll probably love Into the Breach. Yes, this game came out years ago, but my backlog is waist deep so this is where I’m at and this is what you get. At the…
Japanese Lesson from Games: Use them with your chin (?!)
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! The phrase I want to…
Tom Bihn Aeronaut Review
I purchased a Tom Bihn Aeronaut in ballistic nylon way back in October 2013 and it’s still my favorite carry-on bag to travel with. It’s going strong and looking great. This is not a cheap bag. Tom Bihn doesn’t make cheap products in any sense of the word. I paid almost $400.00 USD for this…
Mid-day Visit to Fushimi Inari Taisha in Kyoto on a Weekday
On Thursday, March 12, I went to Fushimi Inari Taisha in Kyoto just before lunch to see if I could enjoy a day there without crowds. Fushimi Inari has become one of the most crowded tourist destinations in Kyoto so the thought of a visit off peak season was appealing. I expected crowds to be…
Imakumano Kannonji Temple in Kyoto
I decided to visit Imakumano Kannonji after looking for a place in Kyoto that wouldn’t be crowded with tourists. Imakumano delivered. There was hardly anyone around when we visited in February 2020, perhaps the Corona Virus had something to do with it, but it is so out of the way I expect that it never…
Corona Virus Japanese-English Vocabulary List
Here are some terms you may find used in the Japanese press regarding the Corona Virus COVID-19 and their English translations. These are unofficial translations. I got a lot of these translations from the classic WWWJDIC. For more information on the COVID-19 situation in Japan, see this Reddit r/JapanTravel thread. Wash your hands. 新型コロナウイルス /…
Cat Print Car in Osaka, Where else?
In 2008 I saw a cat print car in Osaka. They say that Osaka ladies like animal print items. The term for leopard print in Japanese is ヒョウ柄 (hyou gara). Hope this car is still kickin’ it!
Blowfish Sake on Fire – Fuguhire Zake
Back in 2007 I tried a hot sake with blowfish tale. With hindsight, I see that this might be called Fuguhire Zake. From what I remember, I did not find it delicious. I’ve never had it since. The restaurant that I had it at was a blowfish speciality store, so all of our dishes included…
Whisky Chocolate from Taketsuru
On Valentine’s Day in Japan the custom is that girls give chocolate to the guys that they like. They may also give chocolate to the guys that they feel they must based on their formal relationships… Like to a male coworker on their team at work or something. If you’re guy who is really liked…
Amanohashidate
In 2004 I took a trip to Amanohashidate (天橋立) with some friends. Amanohashidate is in Kyoto. It is considered one of the three most beautiful places in Japan. The big three “scenic spots” in Japan or, “Nihon Sankei”（日本三景) are, Matsushima (松島）in Sendai, Itsukushima or Miyajima (厳島） in Hiroshima, and here, Amanohashidate. I asked a Japanese friend if he really…