When asked what my favorite area in Japan is, Kyoto is usually my first response. This is surprising because, quite frankly, as a twenty-something, I was initially more interested in exploring the hot shopping areas of Tokyo than visiting temple after temple in Kyoto -- which is what I expected would be a large part…
One of the many reasons why I chose to travel to Japan in the spring was to see the "sakura" (cherry blossom) trees in bloom. I believe they're an asset that really define the beauty of the country. Growing up in Hawaii where seasons are practically nonexistent, I was lucky enough to experience cherry blossom…
When I think of Japan, one of the first images that pops into my head is Mt. Fuji, so it's no surprise that seeing that gorgeous, snow-capped symbol in person pretty much came hand-in-hand with my bucket list item of eating sushi in Japan. On Sunday, March 31, I departed Tokyo for Hakone, a region…
I'm a fourth generation Japanese American. In Japanese, this is known as "yonsei." Growing up in Hawaii, where many Japanese Americans reside, I was heavily influenced by the Japanese culture. To be more specific, I've enjoyed a wide array of Japanese food – like sushi, tempura and tonkatsu – as well as intermittently using some…
Out of State • Out of Mind 