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Komaki: Culture, Sex and Death.: November 9th, 2009By Iain Maloney; Thirty minutes north of Nagoya, in the heart of the commuter belt, lies Komaki. This town was formed around the castle built by Oda Nobunaga in 1563. The castle was the 3rd to be built by Nobunaga, after Nagoya and Kiyosu. The idea was to make it a staging point from which to take control » Continue Reading; CommentsView Comments

Gujo-Hachiman: Are You Dancing?: September 24th, 2009By Iain Maloney; Gujo is rightly famous for it’s dance festival, considered amongst the top three in the country by whoever decides these things. Initiated over 400 years ago in an act of socialist generosity by Endo Yoshitaka, the festival was meant as a way of levelling Japan’s rigid social hierarchy and bringing the whole community together. Today » Continue Reading; CommentsView Comments

The Red Devils of Hikone: August 26th, 2009By Iain Maloney; Hikone Castle was built at the end of the civil war period by Naotaka Ii. It stands high on a hill, the focal point of the town, and has done so, untouched by war, natural disaster and attempts to modernise for over 400 years. It looks much like other castles in Japan: ivory white walls, » Continue Reading; CommentsView Comments

Himeji Castle: August 5th, 2009By Iain Maloney; Himeji Castle was probably the first part of Japan I ever saw. I don’t remember it happening but I’ve been watching Bond films all my life, and You Only Live Twice is on UK television a couple of times a year without fail. In the film, for those who haven’t seen it, Bond follows the » Continue Reading; CommentsView Comments

Aizu; Castle, Sake and Red Cows: July 12th, 2009By reyian; The day was filled with so much excitement as me and my friends embarked on a road trip towards Fukushima Prefecture. It was my first time to traverse the Tohoku Expressway and I was filled with anticipation on the route that we took as I have been travelling mostly by train. » Continue Reading; CommentsView Comments

God’s Sacred Grove: June 30th, 2009By Keith Graff; What if God came down to Earth one day and told you that he would grant you just one wish? What would you wish for? Many cultures have myths and legends of God or some other spirit being coming down from on high and granting wishes to mere mortals such as » Continue Reading; CommentsView Comments

The King’s Road: June 24th, 2009By Keith Graff; It’s been designated as one of the 100 most historic streets in all Japan and was built specifically for the personal use of the King of the Ryukyus. He, along with his family and entourage used it to travel to their second residence at the royal gardens. Over time, it’s proximity » Continue Reading; CommentsView Comments

Naha, Okinawa: A Place in the Sun: June 15th, 2009By Jamie Rockers; When arriving in Naha, Okinawa, you will immediately feel there is something different about the place and about the people from mainland Japan. In fact, Okinawa today is a mix of Chinese, Japanese, and a sprinkle of American culture all thrown in together. » Continue Reading; CommentsView Comments

A Few Hours in Matsue: June 2nd, 2009By Jamie Rockers; If you are making your way through Shimane prefecture on your way to bigger and better places, don’t forget to stop off in its capital city of Matsue for a look at one of the oldest original castles in Japan, Matsui-jo, which has been standing since 1611. Matsue is the perfect » Continue Reading; CommentsView Comments

Matsue City: May 28th, 2009By Teckshaw Tom; Matsue, located at the core of the Sanin region, is the capital city of Shimane Prefecture surrounded by natural scenic beauty. The ancient Japanese city with an estimated population of 190.000 people nurtures a unique heritage rooted in the origins of Japanese Civilization. Affectionately known as the ‘water city’ owing » Continue Reading; CommentsView Comments