Hi, I'm Toru, your guide in Japan!

“A Three-Garden Tour in Tokyo” Part 3: Kyu-Furukawa Garden symbolizes the contrast between the samurai era and modernizing Japan.

The last stop on the "Three-Garden Tour" is Kyu-Furukawa Garden, about a 15-minute walk from Rikugien Gardens or a 10-mi...

Saturday, April 20, 2024

CultureGardenTokyoTradition

“A Three-Garden Tour in Tokyo” Part 2: Rikugien, An Authentic Samurai-Lord style Garden in Tokyo

The next stop of the Three-Garden Tour on the Tokyo Metro Nanboku Line is Rikugien Gardens. The Somei Mon gate is just n...

Tuesday, April 16, 2024

CultureGardenTokyoTradition

“A Three-Garden Tour in Tokyo” Part 1: Koishikawa-Korakuen, An Amazing Samurai Lord style Garden in Tokyo

If you are enthusiastic about traditional Japanese gardens in Tokyo, I recommend "A Three-Garden Tour" on the Tokyo Metr...

Sunday, April 14, 2024

CultureGardenTradition

The Temple Where Cats Bring Luck to You: Gotokokuji Temple

In a calm residential area in Setagaya borough, a 10-minute walk away from Gotokuji Station on the Odakyu Line, you will...

Tuesday, April 9, 2024

Cherry BlossomCultureTokyoTradition

Gorgeous weeping cherry blossom, Shidare-Sakura at night

Rikugien Gardens' "Special Nighttime Viewing in Spring" is worth visiting because a lit-up Shidare-Sakura, a weeping che...

Tuesday, April 2, 2024

Cherry BlossomGarden

Japanese sake vending machine! Amazing!

If you have time until your flight departs from Haneda Airport, I recommend you visit the shopping mall, Atre, at the JR...

Saturday, March 30, 2024

DrinkFood

Sakura is now ready to bloom fully!

Finally, Sakura (cherry trees) started blooming in my town yesterday. International visitors coming to Japan next weeken...

Friday, March 29, 2024

Cherry BlossomTips

A lovely day with my guest: Smile, Happy and “Hoppy”!

It was a great time exploring some sightseeing spots in Tokyo with a European family. They were so lovely, kind, and che...

Thursday, March 28, 2024

Cherry BlossomCultureDrinkFoodTokyoTradition

Oden, it’s a traditional Japanese homemade meal. So yummy!

Although cherry blossom season was almost around the corner, it was still chilly, so I was in the mood to eat something ...

Thursday, March 28, 2024

DrinkFood

Awesome! The clean spring pond was created by Mt. Fuji

One of the places where we can find gifts from the nature of Mt. Fuji is Oshinohakkai, where pure and clean groundwater ...

Friday, March 22, 2024

Mt. Fuji

Macha!! Tea Break in Shinjuku Gyoen Garden

In the almost center of the Shinjuku Gyoen Garden, a Japanese tea house, Anon, waits for you to serve Maccha, Japanese g...

Sunday, March 17, 2024

CultureDrinkFoodTradition

Cherry blossoms on a rainy day in 2017

It was 2017; I took a video of cherry blossoms in the rain and petals flowing on a stream. Fully blooming cherry blossom...

Sunday, March 17, 2024

Cherry Blossom

Early-blooming Sakuras in Shinjuku Gyoen Garden

I walked through Shinjuku Gyoen Garden, one of the largest gardens in Tokyo, yesterday morning (March 16, 2024). It was ...

Sunday, March 17, 2024

Cherry BlossomNatureTokyo

Meiji-Jingu Shrine (4): The garden

Visiting the garden in the Meiji-Jingu is also lovely if you have time after praying at the shrine. You have to pay 500 ...

Thursday, November 2, 2023

CultureNatureShrineTradition

Meiji-Jingu Shrine (3): Wedding Ceremony

I was so lucky to come across a wedding ceremony while visiting the Meiji-Jingu shrine. A bridal couple came out of the ...

Tuesday, October 31, 2023

CultureShrineTokyoTradition

Meiji-Jingu Shrine (2): How to worship at the shrine

After the barrels of Japanese sake and French wine (see the previous post), you will find Ni-no-Torii, the second gate o...

Sunday, October 22, 2023

CultureShrineTradition

Meiji-Jingu Shrine (1): The Ichi-no-Torii and the main street

One of the most popular tourist destinations for international visitors in Tokyo must be the Meiji-Jingu shrine, which e...

Saturday, October 21, 2023

CultureTokyoTradition

Unagi is not ugly; it’s tasty!!

Unagi no Kabayaki (eel broiled with teriyaki-like sauce) is one of the popular and beloved Japanese cuisines. I know it ...

Wednesday, October 18, 2023

FoodTokyo

Mt. Fuji with a snow cap on its top

Many citizens living in my city, Yokohama, found Mt. Fuji putting a white snow cap on its top and have shared their phot...

Monday, October 16, 2023

Mt. FujiNatureYokohama

Autumn Leaves in Hokkaido

Autumn has arrived in the northern part of Japan, Hokkaido. My friend living in Kitami City shared photos of beautiful a...

Sunday, October 15, 2023

Nature