I never seriously thought I’d make it back to Japan, especially on a long-term basis, after having lived in Yamanashi Ken and the Kanto region in the late 80s for a couple of years. Then, in the early spring of 2007, we took a vacation there for a couple of weeks and had a fabulous time. That was the first time the thought started floating around in my head that we could actually move to Japan for a year when I’m eligible for sabbatical.

Two years and almost two months later, the plans are finally set. I’ve got things to do while we are there, a place to stay, kids enrolled in school, and a family willing to try something new.

We will be leaving the first week of August, living next to Waseda University in Shinjuku Ku in Tokyo, and my kids will be going to Tokyo International School.

The adventure is now very real and about to begin.

Posted on May 19th, 2009 under Japan. Tags: living in japan. Comments: 6

Zenshoan is best known for its ghost scrolls (幽霊画), which I hope to see this August, but in late March it can also be a nice place to visit with the blossoms beginning to bloom. The gold statue of the Buddha in the background is quite large. It overlooks the cemetery (墓所) on the grounds. Located in “Old Tokyo” in Yanaka (谷中), the shitamachi neighborhood is fun to stroll around.

Posted on May 12th, 2009 under Japan. Tags: buddhist, cherry blossoms, japan pictures, sakura, shitamachi, Tokyo. Comments Off on Cherry Blossoms at Zenshoan (全生庵)

When you are hungry and walking home after a long day of work (or play) few things look as good as this on a Japanese street. So inviting, so mouth watering, so enticing. “Enter me,” it seems to say. “Let me fill your stomach and quench your thirst,” it beckons. “Come and put your cares aside for a while and enjoy life.”

You smile.

And enter.

By the way, in case you don’t know, yakitori is skewered chicken cooked over a fire, possibly after being marinated in a sweet, teriyaki sauce of some sort. Next to a bowl of rice, more dipping sauce, and a cold beer you are good to go.

Posted on May 7th, 2009 under Japan. Tags: buildings, food, japan pictures, kyoto, night photography. Comments Off on Yakitori (焼き鳥 or やきとり)

Foot soaking. One of the quintessential pastimes in Japan, as illustrated in Al’s article ‘Museum foot soak‘ at the Hakone Open Air Museum.

Here one can gain an insight into one of the simplest forms of pleasure in Japan; so in tandem I wanted to also guest blog about another example of foot soaking entitled ‘warming the feet‘ over at The Soul of Japan.

Like Al, I have a penchant for fine pleasure. We both understand what it feels like to be on our feet all day and then relax in a hot open air foot bath surrounded by nature. The only thing you have to remove is your socks; that’s it. And of course it’s good to carry a small hand towel with you. I also recommend a nice Tenugui, a large Japanese style handkerchief which can fit neatly into one’s purse or pocket.

There are foot baths all over Japan, so whenever you have a chance knock your socks off.

Posted on May 6th, 2009 under Japan. Tags: Blogs linking here, onsen. Comments: 6

I wrote a book review of Civilization and Enlightenment: The Early Thought of Fukuzawa Yukichi on my other site today. Rather than repost it here, I’ll just link you to it here.

If you’ve ever been to Japan you will recognize Fukuzawa as his picture is below:

Posted on May 5th, 2009 under Japan. Tags: book review. Comments Off on Civilization and Enlightenment: The Early Thought of Fukuzawa Yukichi