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Beyond Tokyo
Three unique and undiscovered Kyoto gardens
Whether you prefer exquisite traditional gardens like Hogon-in, that incorporate uniquely Japanese elements, or gardens like Murin-an that create an oasis of perfected wilderness in the middle of the city, or a decidedly modern riff on Japanese landscape design like…read more
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The Thing I Learned Today
What makes the Yasukuni Shrine such a magnet for outrage?
The first thing you need to know is that the Yasukuni Shrine is a Shinto shrine, and Shintoism involves the worship of spirits that dwell in specific places, like monumental trees, noteworthy rocks, especially beautiful waterfalls, and other pieces of choice Japanese scenery…read more
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Why, Japan, Why?
Tiny Appliances of Japan
At the intersection of Japan’s famously miniscule apartments and the trend toward living alone “o-hitori-sama style” thrives a market for the world’s tiniest appliances. Some of them are silly, some of them create more work than they save, and some are actually useful. Which are which? You decide!…read more
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Food For Thought
Would this be just as great if it were an escalator?
Those of you who have ever walked around Tokyo with me know that I infuriatingly walk past any number of perfectly functional escalators, looking for the stairs. It’s not because I want to torture you, it’s because my body no longer allows me to pound away at a keyboard for hours at…read more
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Book Review & Giveaway
The Devotion of Subject X by Keigo Higashino
In memory of Keigo Higashino (who sadly passed away in July), the September book giveaway is my favorite Japanese mystery writer’s most famous thriller, a diabolically clever tale of love, deception, and misdirection. When local lunchbox seller Yasuko kills her…read more
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The last thing Birdie needs is to turn her life upside down, to solve a murder that was committed before she was born…
Birdie is a true daughter of the pleasure quarter, the chosen apprentice to Yoshiwara’s number one queen of the night—she’d rather do anything than derail her future life of wearing opulent robes and entertaining lords of the land. But when her search for the mother she never knew takes a dangerous turn, she finds herself with an impossible choice: betray her own flesh and blood, or live the rest of her life being hunted by a powerful man who won’t stop until they’re both dead.
“…a complete immersion in a world of beauty, drama, secrets, and betrayals.”
—Kim Hays, author of the Polizei Bern series
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Jonelle Patrick writes novels set in Japan, produces the monthly Japanagram newsletter, and blogs at Only In Japan and The Tokyo Guide I Wish I’d Had
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