In Japan, “Yes” Doesn’t Mean What You Think
My student told me she’d be taking a couple of months off to remodel her kitchen. I said, “Of course, […]
Culture
The Japan Most People Miss (Because There’s No Bullet Train)
A few weeks ago I finished a call with someone who had just come back from the Kumano Kodo in
How I Embarrassed Myself in Japan (one wrong word in Japanese)
Making language mistakes in Japan is basically a rite of passage. I know because I’ve made so many of them.
The Unpopular Truth: Why I’d Choose Osaka Over Tokyo Every Time
Most travelers to Japan make the same mistake. They land in Tokyo, spend the bulk of their trip there, and
Cherry Blossoms are beautiful. That’s Not Why Japan Pauses for Them.
There is a moment in Japan every spring when time feels softer. Train platforms slow. Office workers linger outside a
Etiquette for Staying in a Japanese Ryokan
My brother was so distracted by the woodwork when we arrived at the ryokan in Shirahama that he walked straight
What a Half-empty Glass Taught Me about Eating in Japan
The first time I went to an Okonomiyaki restaurant, I had no idea what I was doing. The server brought
What Happened When I Said “Yes” to a Walk with a Stranger
I woke up early that Sunday morning at a Michi-no-eki in Kainan. The parking lot had been nearly empty when
I Did Car Camping in Japan (and it was perfect)
I have to admit I was skeptical. When my wife first suggested we spend the night in our car during
Two Sides of Osaka Most Tourists Never Find
If you visit Osaka, it’s easy to find yourself moving quickly. Osaka Castle, polished and informative. Dotonbori, glowing with neon