September is always an enjoyable month in Japan, due to the wealth of holidays that make up the latter half of the month. Seizing this opportunity, I returned to Tokyo to see my old friend Miranda again, as we explored the port city of Yokohama just outside Tokyo. The main harbor was rather peaceful on […]
As we ran about Sapporo enjoying our final evening in the city, we came upon a large dancing festival known as Yosakoi Soran that was taking place in the central park. Along each side of the park, teams of dancers would perform a routine that traversed the block on the street, before resetting at the […]
Today we had to bid farewell to the mountains, and make our way back into the fields towards Sapporo. This would take us through many of the major touristy scenic points in Hokkaido, including the famous Furano lavender fields. Before that however, we passed through farms of all types, growing everything from rice to cows. […]
Unfortunately during our time in the eastern side of Hokkaido I was primarily occupied driving from place to place, so there is very little I can show of that time. However, this all changed as we approached the one region I had wanted to visit the most on this trip, Daisetsuzan National Park. This park […]
Along with its green mountains and rolling fields, Hokkaido is also known for its plentiful onsens, or hot springs. Our first foray in to this side of Hokkaido occurred in the small town of Noboribetsu, hidden in the mountains amidst the trees and mineral deposits. These same deposits provide the town with water unusually rich […]
As I alluded to previously, we were not quite done with Lake Toya and the surrounding area after our brief visit to Hakodate. Not only did we intend to visit the island at the heart of the caldera, but we insisted on taking the castle ferry there for the sheer novelty of it. Turns out […]
Having finished with Sapporo for the time being, we set off the next morning to pass through the southern mountains towards Hakodate, the famous port city of Hokkaido. Along the way we became acquainted with many staples of Hokkaido life, such as logging, potato cuisine, and the gorgeous green backdrop of mountains everywhere. Just as […]
Last year I had the fortunate experience to visit Sapporo briefly as part of a study tour with my classmates. Although we did not have much time to explore, I knew immediately that I wanted to return and become better antiquated with the northern isle. Finally this month I had that chance to return, with […]
It has become apparent that a PhD leaves me far too occupied to even explore the island of Okinawa around me. Fortunately the occasional external force comes along to encourage me to really get out of the lab, and campus. In this case my friend Shalmalee had come to visit me in Okinawa, so naturally […]
Just like last year, I made my brief trip home in May to see my family and get back in touch with my American lifestyle. Having been away from home for over a year, the transition was jarring to say the least. Among all the aspects of home I missed, one of the biggest was […]