A Journey Ends with Smiles: What a Quiet Trip to Izumo and Matsue Left Behind
Travel doesn't always have to be far away or luxurious. Sometimes, it's simply about stepping into a different […]
Following a Morning Drama to Matsue — Quiet Temples, Ghost Stories, and a Summer Evening
After leaving Izumo Taisha, we followed the shoreline of Lake Shinji, one of Japan's largest brackish lakes, a […]
A Quiet Journey West, Part 1 A Day of Gentle Connections at Izumo Taisha
There are days when a journey seems to arrive on its own. For my husband and me, July 11 was one of those days […]
Leaving Miyajima: Why the Best Journeys Never Go as Planned
In my previous story, I shared an unexpected discovery at Itsukushima Shrine—how a simple question about Benza […]
From Shrine to Temple: The Mystery of Benzaiten on Miyajima
In my previous story, I shared my rainy-day journey to Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima Island during Tsuchinoto […]
A Quiet Journey West: Discovering the Floating Torii of Itsukushima Shrine
On June 24, I set out on a quiet journey to Miyajima Island, home to the famous Itsukushima Shrine, a UNESCO W […]
A Summer Solstice Visit to a Japanese Shrine: Passing Through the Ring of Reeds and Looking Ahead
The summer solstice arrived today. It is the longest day of the year in Japan—a moment when sunlight seems to […]
A Quiet Morning Pilgrimage Through Kyoto
Some journeys begin with careful planning. Others begin with a sandwich packed the night before and a 5 a.m. d […]
The Mystery of the Giant Fans in Shizuoka’s Tea Fields
Shizuoka is often called Japan’s tea country. If you ask people what comes to mind when they hear the name Shi […]
Traveling East to Meet the Waves — A Weekend in Shōman Season
This weekend, I'm taking the shinkansen east to Shizuoka. The reason for the trip is an international adaptive […]