Tag: history
Glover Garden, Nagasaki’s Foreign Settlement
Perched atop a hill in the Minami-Yamate district, Glover Garden is one of Nagasaki’s most popular attractions. Part garden, part open-air museum, this charming spot offers great insight into the early western settlers who made Japan their...
Turkish Rice at Kyushu’s First-Ever Cafe “Tsuruchan”
I’m not the first to suggest Nagasaki’s food is a metaphor for the city itself; an exciting, and at times confusing, blend of cultures and influences. For hundreds of years, Japan has been sampling new ingredients from...
Inuyama Castle: A Glimpse into Feudal Japan
With its rich feudal history, Japan has had its fair share of castles. However, of the castles that you can visit today, only twelve are originals. An incredible example of one of these is Inuyama Castle, a National Historic Site, and an...
The Nagasaki Hypocenter and Nagasaki Peace Park
After visiting the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum, I made my way outside into the grey and drizzly Autumn day to explore ground zero. At 11:02 am on August 9th, 1945, the ‘Fat Man’ atomic bomb detonated 500...
A Visit to the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum
The atomic bombing of Hiroshima is a defining moment of World War 2, and perhaps what many associate with Japan during that time. However, it can’t be forgotten that three days later, on August 9th, 1945, while...
Osaka Castle: A Guide to the Park and Museum
Many of the world’s most famous and captivating cities have a single landmark that stands tall and dominates the skylines. This landmark defines the city’s atmosphere, history, and beauty. For Paris, it’s the Eiffel Tower; for London, it’s Big Ben. Tokyo has...
Kanazawa Itinerary: A One-Day Tour in this Historic City
For lovers of Japanese culture and history, a visit to Kanazawa is a must. Although its location is a bit remote, the Hokuriku Shinkansen from Tokyo and express trains from Kyoto make a side-trip here quite feasible. Catch all the historic highlights in...
A Sombre History Lesson at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum
The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum is an absolute must-see attraction when in town. Focusing on the events of August 6th, 1945, the exhibit seeks to educate visitors on the facts surrounding the bombing and drive home the realities of nuclear warfare in...
Kawai Kanjiro’s House: Joy Found in All of Life
One of the most underrated places in Kyoto must surely be the Kawai Kanjiro Memorial Museum—or more simply, Kawai Kanjiro’s House. Kawai Kanjiro was a legendary potter, writer, artist, and key figure in the mingei or folk...
Stroll through Architectural History at Tokyo’s Open-Air Folk House Museum
In its sunken hearth, the fire crackles enticingly. Its guardian, an elderly woman with a face formidably composed of smile lines, waves us closer. We settle onto the tatami and sink into a companionable silence. The moment feels festive, ancient, sweet. It’s...
