Karuizawa Chapels, Noodles & Trees

We went to Karuizawa last month, and I finally have a chance to write about it. Karuizawa is a little town in Nagano that is just close enough for the people of Tokyo to escape there for a day....
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Hanami at Shakuji Koen (Cherry Blossom Party)

Saturday was the perfect day for a hanami -- here in Tokyo anyway. I'm sorry for anyone who missed it. We had blue sky, warm sun and Cherry blossoms at full bloom. The best day of the year so...
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Nyuenshiki: Japanese Children Starting School

Yesterday was my daughter's "nyuenshiki" (means: Entering Yochien Ceremony). A yochien is a Japanese preschool. As a father, it's hard to put in words the wonder of seeing a child grow up. It's been a great week! As a...
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Hanami (Cherry Blossom Viewing) in a Tokyo Park

Spring is wonderful in Japan. After the cold, damp Winter, one day the wind changes and light and warmth return. Thousands of cherry trees sense the change in weather and break out in celebratory blossoms all across Japan. On...
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