December 31, 2022 Do you know which Japanese city has bioluminescent squid that turn shore waters neon blue, mountain passes with 65-foot walls of snow, and a plan for sustainability into the future? . Japan Railways sign at Toyama StationSource: © LLJLoveLearnJapan, 2018 If you guessed Toyama, you are right! The city of Toyama sits … Continue reading Which Compact City has Glowing Squid and Snow Walls? Part I
Blog
Are You Obsessed with Japan’s Artful Manhole Covers?
The artful manhole covers マンホールの蓋 that dot streets in Japan bring color, history, and cultural charm to what is otherwise a drab necessity of modern life. To beautify the lids covering points of access to the essential but unpleasant underbelly of cities and towns is a stroke of genius. Although Japan is not alone in having … Continue reading Are You Obsessed with Japan’s Artful Manhole Covers?
Do Catfish Cause Earthquakes??
Last updated August 7, 2022 One thing that really caught my attention on my most recent trip to Tokyo was a sign hanging over Sotobori Avenue (Sotobori-dōri; 外堀通り) with an image of a giant catfish, or namazu 鯰, on it. Why would a street sign feature a catfish, especially when its aim is to inform … Continue reading Do Catfish Cause Earthquakes??
Ramen or Gyōza? Better Together!
Last updated August 5, 2022 Two absolutely delicious and ubiquitous dishes in Japan are ramen and gyōza. The Japanese noodle soup ramen (ラーメン) is so well known it needs no translation. Ramen is ramen pretty much everywhere. There's even a "steaming bowl" emoji that depicts a bowl of ramen: 🍜. Gyōza (餃子)—Japanese pork & cabbage … Continue reading Ramen or Gyōza? Better Together!
Is the Temple of the Golden Pavilion on Your Must-See List?
Last updated July 22, 2022 Kinkakuji 金閣寺, or the Temple of the Golden Pavilion, always appears on must-see lists for visitors to Kyoto. Is there really a good reason for this?? After all, the current pavilion of this Zen Buddhist Temple was only built in 1955 and its thick coat of gold leaf was applied … Continue reading Is the Temple of the Golden Pavilion on Your Must-See List?
Kanji as Digital Art? Pure Gold 金!
Last updated July 22, 2022 This summer (2019) I visited the new teamLab Borderless digital art museum in Odaiba (Tokyo). It is AMAZING!! You have to go if you get the chance (it will be relocating after August 31, 2022). The astonishing beauty of this digital art, its vivid colors, and its immersive design made … Continue reading Kanji as Digital Art? Pure Gold 金!
love・learn・Japan 