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The Japanese Hospital, My Mother, and I

The Japanese Hospital, My Mother, and I

Detention Camp Vagabond

Detention Camp Vagabond

The Descendants Celebrate 100 Years of Immigration

The Descendants Celebrate 100 Years of Immigration

First, I Look Up at Mt. Rainier

First, I Look Up at Mt. Rainier

To Point Arena in a 50-Foot Fishing Boat

To Point Arena in a 50-Foot Fishing Boat

He Plays to the Gallery

He Plays to the Gallery

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Sake and the Art of Ice Fishing
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A beautiful Fall vegetable terrine — almost too

A beautiful Fall vegetable terrine — almost too stunning to eat!

We enjoyed this delightful dish at Suginomori Sake Brewery in Nagano Prefecture, exactly two years ago today, on @sake_tours 🍂🍁

#SuginomoriBrewery #Sake #Nagano #VisitJapan #Naraijuku #SakeTours #VisitNagano

If you're ever stuck at Narita Airport on a long l

If you're ever stuck at Narita Airport on a long layover, there's a beautiful Temple just a short train ride away!

Naritasan Shinshoji Temple, one of Japan's oldest, is renowned for its historic architecture, statues, and sacred objects.

The best part of getting to the Temple is the
Narita Omotesando, a charming shopping street leading to Naritasan - ideal for picking up traditional snacks, souvenirs, or dining.

But wait, there's more. Beyond the temple lies Naritasan Park with winding paths that take you through creeks and densely forested hills. Statues of monks line the trails, leading to a scenic pond.

Narita Airport will be the best stopover you'll ever have!

📸 @midcenturyobsession

#NaritasanPark #TempleWalks #JapanNature #CulturalTours #VisitNarita #JapanTravel #naritaomotesando #naritashinshojitemple

Wanderlust hit me early! My junior year in Tokyo

Wanderlust hit me early!

My junior year in Tokyo sparked my love for travel - a journey that's taken me around the world ever since. For today's young adventurers, here are some ways to find your path and explore all the world has to offer.

* United Planet @unitedplanet - Connects volunteers with communities in over 30
countries. Participants can immerse themselves in local culture by teaching, working on conservation projects, or even helping animals in need. Community involvement is key.

* WWOOF @WWOOF - Ready to trade your labor for rural life? WWOOF lets you roll up your sleeves on organic farms around the world. You'll earn your keep with room and board while diving into sustainable farming practices and
connecting with local farmers.

* JET Program @jetprogramusa - Want to teach English and soak up Japanese culture? The JET program is your ticket! As an Assistant Language Teacher or a Cultural Relations Coordinator, you'll get to experience the vibrant life in Japan with local students.

* Education Abroad Programs - Dreaming of living in another country while getting college credit? Colleges offer study abroad programs that let you immerse yourself in a new culture for a semester or an entire year. @ucbstudyabroad is one of many colleges that offer such programs.

* Global Companies - Why not take your career global? Depending on your skills and expertise, many companies have offices around the world and offer international assignments that can land you in exciting new locations.

Today, I am still enchanted by this world. Each place I visit teaches me how much we have in common. Than not. Travel will always be a part of my life and a continuous adventure for me!

#TravelMemories #traveltheworld #traveljapan #travelblogger #traveladdict

Buri, or Japanese Amberjack, are migratory fish th

Buri, or Japanese Amberjack, are migratory fish that journey south from Hokkaido to Kyushu, thriving in the intense conditions of the Sea of Japan. This gives them a unique, firm yet fatty texture that makes Buri a true delicacy.

The coast of Himi in Toyama is especially famous for its abundance of this prized fish.

Join @sake_tours on an unforgettable Toyama Sake Tour (Jan 20-24, 2025), featuring a special "Buri Party." Local fishermen in Himi will catch the freshest Kan-buri (winter yellowtail) for the 12 of us to savor that very afternoon!

Having been on five sake tours over the past decade, I’ve explored Japan’s most rural regions, met passionate rice farmers, master brewers, and local shopkeepers. These tours offer more than just incredible sake—they’re about
connecting with the rich culture, amazing people, and unforgettable food that makes Japan so special.

#japantravel #traveljapan #japantour #japantrip #japantours #japanfoodtours
#saketours #japanawaits #japanrevealed #foodphotography #foodtours
#explorejapan #bestjapanpics #japan_of_insta #photo_jpn #japanfoodie
#gotokyojp #japan🇯🇵 #wondersofnippon #instajapan #japantravelgallery
#japanfocus #japanesefood #sashimi #japanesefood #visitjapanau #visitjapanjp #himi #buri #seaofjapan

Haunt the Wetlands 👻👻👻 Friday, 10/25 fro

Haunt the Wetlands 👻👻👻

Friday, 10/25 from 4pm to 8pm!

Bring your coolest (or creepiest) costume and join us for our annual kid-friendly, family Halloween event and experience the Wetlands Park at night!

Brave the Haunted Maze, walk among the Creatures of the Night, encounter live creepy crawly critters, and explore a Mad Scientist's Lair.

Note: this is not a trick-or-treat event.

Tickets required for ages 4 through adult: $6 in advance, $10 day of. Ages 0-3 FREE.
Discounted tickets must be purchased by October 24. Tickets are nonrefundable.

Buy tickets here! https://tinyurl.com/2xfuu8tv

#hauntthewetlands #wetlandsnaturepark #halloween #clarkcountynv

Last Fall, our friends in Tokyo drove us out to @s

Last Fall, our friends in Tokyo drove us out to @sawanoi_sake Brewery nestled along the stunning Ontake Gorge.

Surrounded by a tapestry of vibrant gold, yellow, orange, and red, Sawanoi was the most beautiful sake brewery I've ever visited 🧡

There’s something magical about drinking sake in such a picturesque place that elevates the entire experience.

Fall foliage in Japan is truly nature’s masterpiece. It is definitely my favorite time to visit Japan.

#JapanInFall #SakeTasting #SawanoiBrewery #OntakeGorge #AutumnVibes #GoldenSeason #TravelMemories #FallInJapan #SakeLovers #NatureAndSake #fallfoliagejapan

めっちゃ or Meccha Last summer, while in Japa

めっちゃ or Meccha

Last summer, while in Japan, I heard the word "meccha" for the first time, and it instantly caught my ear. It had a nice ring to it.

But… it was used in the context of a local telling us the hike ahead would be "meccha hidoi." I knew what hidoi meant = brutal/harsh. Suddenly, I was worried.

Since then, I've learned "meccha" is a slang meaning “very" or "super" and it's used to amp up adjectives.

Like:
Meccha oishii (super delicious) or
Meccha ureshii (extremely happy) or
Meccha kirei (very pretty)

Some Tokyo-ites have told me this slang is inappropriate if you’re over 20. Other Japanese have argued that it’s okay to use among close friends but not in business settings.

Anyway, that "meccha hidoi" hike? It wasn't too meccha after all!

#JapaneseSlang #MecchaCool #JapanAdventures #TravelMemories #HikeLife #coolvibe #tokyoite #めっちゃ

Onigiri, or rice balls, are Japan's beloved snack

Onigiri, or rice balls, are Japan's beloved snack cherished by both kids and adults alike. Once a convenience store staple, standalone onigiri shops are now popping up all over Tokyo, celebrating this tasty treat.

These delightful rice triangles are wrapped in nori seaweed and filled with ingredients like pickled plum, salmon, mentaiko, or any savory ingredients you can think of.

Excitingly, I’m now spotting onigiri stands at Farmers Markets and standalone eateries like @chamonlv right here in Las Vegas, bringing the flavors of Japan to our local dining scene!

#onigiri #chamonlv #riceball #ume #pickledplum #nori #tokyo #japanesesnack

Where is your favorite place to eat in Tokyo? A da

Where is your favorite place to eat in Tokyo? A daunting question!

Tokyo, with its population of 14 million, is said to have over 160,000 restaurants, including 30,000 bars/izakayas. The city also has the most Michelin-star restaurants (194) in the world. It would take more than a lifetime to visit every restaurant.

One thing is for sure, the Japanese are world-class foodies! Their dishes are always fresh, seasonal, and full of umami.

I personally prefer the smaller eateries in off-the-beaten-path neighborhoods, far away from the hustle bustle of Shinjuku or Shibuya. The ones that are oftentimes tucked away in narrow alleyways behind funky storefronts.

Over the years, I’ve gotten to know the owners of some these hidden gems! Many of them cook what they bought at the market that morning. They serve their favorite hand-selected sake.

Most importantly, the meals are always cooked with so much love 🩷

#tokyoizakaya #nihonshu #umami #koenji #nakano #tokyoneighborhoods #visitjapan #offthebeatenpath

“Your grandfather was a bootlegger,” my 95-yea

“Your grandfather was a bootlegger,” my 95-year-old aunt blurted out one day. That caught my attention. 😳 “Yeah, your grandpa and my Dad brewed Japanese sake in our basement during Prohibition. I was only 5 years old, but I remember that sweet aroma,” she said.

My grandfather, Kyuji, immigrated to the US when he was just 19 years old to seek a new and better life. I often wonder what it must have been like to sail across the ocean with a boatful of strangers to an unknown land where he knew no one and did not know the language.

Despite the anti-Japanese sentiment, he worked odd jobs and eventually owned a successful produce store in Pasadena, California.

I wish I’d have met him. He held the keys to my heritage. He sadly passed before I was born.

#japaneseamericanhistory #issei #immigrant #kurou #nikkeijin

Photo: Grandpa Kyuji front center row with white shirt

"Can you get me a couple bags of those Japanese Pe

"Can you get me a couple bags of those Japanese Peanuts from Eddie's World?" Cousin @janicesocal asked when I informed her we'd be driving down the I-15.

Japanese Peanuts?

I actually had to google it. And sure enough...yup! I used to eat these peanuts as a kid growing up in Los Angeles.

Turns out these Japanese peanuts are not of Japanese origin at all. They were invented in Mexico by a Japanese immigrant, Yoshigei Nakatani, back in 1932. He made these peanuts, coated with toasted wheat flour, soy sauce, and seaweed to remind him of home.

Today, you can buy these peanuts in major Japanese grocery stores in California, and of course, at @eddieworldyermo

#japanesepeanuts #japaneseimmigrants #japanesesnacks

Tohoku is Japan's last frontier! It's the best kep

Tohoku is Japan's last frontier! It's the best kept secret. A diamond in the rough. And I've only recently discovered it.

Located in northern Honshu, Tohoku is known for their stunning mountains/vistas, the quiet countryside, their hot springs, and, of course, their food. The region has yet to suffer from over-tourism.

The six prefectures in Tohoku include Fukushima, Yamagata, Miyagi, Iwate, Aomori, and Akita. I have briefly visited Yamagata (@yamabushi.do training) and Akita (@sake_tours).

But I intend to explore all six in more depth!

I've learned so much about Tohoku from the following content providers.
@tohokutourism
@fukushima.guide
@tohokulocalsecret
@akitakanko_
@amazing.aomori
@iwatelifeinjapanko_
@visitmiyagi
@pref_yamagata

And I love the following individuals for sharing their off-the-beaten-path adventures in Tohoku!
@akai.guide
@kiwiyamabushi
@quinlan
@mimi_no_jiji
@zao_onsen.nikki
@traveling_ricecake

#tohokujapan #visittohoku

I am a cult fan of Japan’s 7-Eleven Tamago Sando

About last night... Smoked Salmon and Shrimp Fett

About last night...

Smoked Salmon and Shrimp Fettuccine 😘

Back in the 80s, I fell in love with Spago's (on Sunset Boulevard) Smoked Salmon Pizza. ❤️

Last night, I fell in love with Brussels Bistro's Smoked Salmon Fettuccine ❤️

#smokedsalmonpasta #fettuccinealfredo #brusselsbistro

@brusselsbistro

I love grilled unagi (eel) over rice. And I love l

I love grilled unagi (eel) over rice. And I love learning about obscure Japanese traditions!

So I was naturally curious when @kiwiyamabushi (who I met last summer during a 4-day retreat with the Mountain Monks of Dewasanzan) recently wrote about Doyo-no Ushi-no Hi.

Roughly translated as Midsummer Day of the Ox.

Japanese tradition has it that if you eat eel in early August (midsummer), it will help you maintain your stamina for the rest of the hot summer. I’m not sure where the Ox comes in.

Respecting the earth’s soil is also somehow connected to this holiday as well. I'm still trying to figure that one out too.

But don't take it from me. Learn all you want to know about Doyo-no Ushi-no Hi on @kiwiyamabushi YouTube channel >
https://youtu.be/KN8Irrh1OD0?si=p2lAfM6vylUNOaDw

📸 @kiwiyamabushi

Baby Owls. What a hoot! 🦉🦉🦉 Did you know

Baby Owls. What a hoot! 🦉🦉🦉

Did you know we have a family of Great Horned Owls living at the Wetlands Park?

Some facts about the Great Horned Owls:

They live in open habitats like the wetlands and deserts

Babies can fly at 10-12 weeks old.

Owls can be dangerous when defending their nests and/or territory

They can turn their necks 270 degrees

They are carnivorous and eat small animals/insects

They have no teeth and swallow their prey in whole

Visit us at @ccwetlandspark The Great Horned Owls can be found at the Cottonwood Tree Grove inside the Park!

📸 Donald Gibe

#wetlandspark #greathornedowls #cottongrove #wildlife #owls

This is my niece’s life. Imagine being a 4-yea

This is my niece’s life.

Imagine being a 4-year-old preschooler in rural Japan where…

….recess is splashing through water or climbing treehouses or hiking the nearby mountains. Where reading and writing are taught in outdoor classrooms. Where arts and crafts are a way to express your creativity. Where you learn how to count guppies and geese in the nearby rice fields. Where you learn how to grow your own vegetables. Where you learn how to safely chop vegetables and cook over an open campfire. Where you learn responsibilities like cleaning the gutters and driveways. Where daily stretching is a must for healthy bodies.

Last summer, I had an opportunity to visit my niece’s preschool, @morigakumorigaku (Forest School), in Hisayama, a small town outside of Fukuoka, Japan. Rain or shine, these children were outdoors in their appropriate gear.

The school’s focus is on learning about responsibility, cooperating with others, and respecting nature. And the children were having a ton of fun. This is how "school" should be.

#natureschool #outdoorpreschool #hisayama #morigaku #respectnature #japanesepreschool

Obon – an annual Japanese tradition honoring you

Obon – an annual Japanese tradition honoring your ancestors and family members who are no longer with us.

The tradition of Obon was brought over to America 120 years ago by the Issei or first-generation Japanese.

My grandparents used to take me to Obon, held at local Buddhist temples, to enjoy the food, watch taiko performances, participate in folk dancing, and meet up with friends. The celebration always culminated with a memorial service to honor our ancestors led by Buddhist monks.

In Japan, the folding of 1,000 origami paper cranes symbolizes hope, healing, and health.

📍Little Tokyo - Los Angeles

#obon #zenshujisotomission #honorancestors #1000cranes #senbazuru #japanesetradition

The essence of a traditional Japanese breakfast!

The essence of a traditional Japanese breakfast!

A typical breakfast will include grilled fish, miso soup, pickled vegetables, tofu, a small salad, and white rice. All separated by individual dishes. So healthy and low-calorie. My favorite is the saba miso teishoku.

In Japan, these breakfasts are usually served in ryokans or Japanese-style inns, or if you’re staying with a local family.

What I love about @ichizalv is that it’s the only place in town serving Japanese breakfasts. At night, the place transforms into a vibrant izakaya….which is another story for another time.

#japanesefood #japanesebreakfast #ichizalasvegas #asagohan #grilledsaba #grilledsalmon #misosoup #tsukemono #springmountainchinatown

Raki is potent. 80 proof. Made from twice-distill

Raki is potent. 80 proof.

Made from twice-distilled grape remains with a hint of licorice.

The locals tell me Raki reduces blood pressure. Also good for gut health.

And guess what? I like it 😃

Yamas. Cheers!

#raki #greekalcohol #cretegreece

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