Click on photo or link to read the feature • Seasonal SecretWhat makes these crazy wisteria the most Japanese flower spectacle of all? It’s no secret that Japan produces some of the worlds’ most eyepopping flower extravaganzas—like, yeah, cherry blossom season—but there’s an especially Japanese kind of master gardening that you can only see duringContinueContinue reading “MAY 2025”
Category Archives: 2020
Links to fun stuff you might have missed
If you don’t subscribe to the latest posts on my travel site (Jonelle Patrick Writes About Japan) or the blog where I write about stuff you’d never see anywhere else (Only In Japan), here are links to a couple of other things you might enjoy… • From Only In JapanThe train station with a footContinueContinue reading “Links to fun stuff you might have missed”
Today’s Japan travel question: Can I wear shorts and tank tops in Japan?
I follow a lot of travel advice forums, and there’s one question that comes up again and again: How can someone with tattoos enjoy the iconic Japanese baths (and gyms and beaches and water parks) in a country that bans people with ink from using them? And don’t stop reading if your skin is aContinueContinue reading “Today’s Japan travel question: Can I wear shorts and tank tops in Japan?”
Tasty Veggie Dipping Sauce
This nutty, creamy dipping sauce magically makes all vegetables delicious, but it’s especially great on bitter greens! The gorgeous veggie in the photo is one that just appeared in Japanese supermarkets. It’s called petit vert—a cross between kale and brussels sprouts—and it opens up like a tiny perfect cabbage when lightly boiled. But all kindContinueContinue reading “Tasty Veggie Dipping Sauce”
Food styling fails of Japan
You may recall me saying that the strangest food you might ever encounter in Japan is spaghetti, but even when they try to depict a menu offering that’s unapologetically “foreign,” sometimes the picture is a little…off. This luscious fruit tart, for example. Its job is to make you crave the juiciest peaches, the reddest strawberries,ContinueContinue reading “Food styling fails of Japan”
What makes these crazy wisteria the most Japanese flower spectacle of all?
Wisteria at Odawara Castle Park It’s no secret that Japan produces some of the worlds’ most eyepopping flower extravaganzas—like, yeah, cherry blossom season—but there’s an especially Japanese kind of master gardening that you can only see during wisteria season. What makes these wisteria so special? 1 Like bonsai, wisteria take years and years to reachContinueContinue reading “What makes these crazy wisteria the most Japanese flower spectacle of all?”
Did you win the Mar-Apr Book Giveaway?
If you recognize your email, congratulations! You just won a copy of How to Shop for Kimonos by Anji Salz! If you think this is you, shoot a message to JapanagramJonelle@gmail.com and tell me where to send it. (She publishes it as a PDF, so give me the email address you’d like her to send it to—youContinueContinue reading “Did you win the Mar-Apr Book Giveaway?”
Links to fun stuff you might have missed
If you don’t subscribe to my Japan travel site or the blog where I write about stuff you’d never see anywhere else, here are links to a couple of other things you might enjoy… • From Only In JapanThe most outrageous car show in Japan is BACK Tell me more! • From Seven Perfect DaysContinueContinue reading “Links to fun stuff you might have missed”
APR 2025
Click on photo or link to read the feature • Why, Japan, Why?Why don’t we all wear kimonos instead of Control Tops and neckties? Okay, just for a moment, clear your mind of cultural biases and entrenched Western ideas about beauty, and consider how much more comfortable and attractive we all might be if weContinueContinue reading “APR 2025”
Why don’t we all wear kimonos instead of Control Tops and neckties?
Photo thanks to Anji Salz at Salz Tokyo Okay, hear me out. For just a moment, clear your mind of cultural biases and entrenched Western ideas about beauty, and consider how much more comfortable and attractive we all might be if we dressed to impress in Japanese kimonos! (Men, don’t sneak out the back—I thinkContinueContinue reading “Why don’t we all wear kimonos instead of Control Tops and neckties?”
How to Shop for Kimonos
By Anji Salz Author’s experience & expertise: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Accuracy of information: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Quality of recommendations & advice: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐My recommendation: If you’ve ever wanted to collect kimonos and accessories—either to wear or display—this comprehensive guide will help you shop like an expert and put together an ensemble like someone with years of experience. Anji Salz has been dressingContinueContinue reading “How to Shop for Kimonos”
Let’s go back to see the Jōnan-gu Shrine plum garden in bloom!
What a difference two weeks makes! Because you endured last month’s navel-gazing about making rock gardens from rocks, it’s only fair that I take you along on the rinse-and-repeat trip I took to Jōnan-gu Shrine two weeks later, to be rewarded with…this! From the first glimpse of the glories ahead as we round the bend…ContinueContinue reading “Let’s go back to see the Jōnan-gu Shrine plum garden in bloom!”
MAR 2025
Click on photo or link to read the feature • Seasonal Secret:Better cherry blossoms through science! Nothing makes people more anxious than trying to guess the perfect time to go see cherry blossoms at their peak. But Japan has a fix for that! Projection mapping technology has been harnessed to turn it into an experienceContinueContinue reading “MAR 2025”
Did you win the Jan-Feb Book Giveaway?
If you recognize your email, congratulations! You just won a copy of They Hang Me in Tokyo! If you think this is you, shoot a message to JapanagramJonelle@gmail.com and tell me where to send it. (I’ll need an email address if you’d like the e-book or a mailing address if you’d like a paperback). If I didn’tContinueContinue reading “Did you win the Jan-Feb Book Giveaway?”
Super-Easy Salmon Ginger Rice
Need a dinner that cooks itself into the coziest, most satisfying, winter meal ever? Salmon-Ginger Rice! Meshi are traditional Japanese one-pot dishes that magically meld meat and vegetables with rice into a savory symphony. And if you own a rice cooker,* it all happens at the touch of a button. *If you don’t own aContinueContinue reading “Super-Easy Salmon Ginger Rice”
Better cherry blossoms through science!
Nothing makes people more anxious than trying to guess the perfect time to go see cherry blossoms at their peak. But Japan has a fix for that! Projection mapping technology has been harnessed to turn it into an experience you truly can’t have anywhere else in the world. You can still enjoy the blooms theContinueContinue reading “Better cherry blossoms through science!”
How a trip fail helped me recapture the joy of traveling
I sat down to tell you all about the extraordinary rock gardens I saw in Kyoto last weekend, but it wasn’t long before I realized that what made them extra-special was…they’re not what I went there to see. I’d beavered around looking up exactly when my friend took a memorable photo of the plum treesContinueContinue reading “How a trip fail helped me recapture the joy of traveling”
FEB 2025
Click on photo or link to read the feature • Seasonal Secret:Weird only-in-Japan ways to stay warm in winter! How do you keep from freezing when the temperature takes a dive and you live in a house that’s insulation-challenged (if not downright colder inside than outside)? No surprise, there are only-in-Japan solutions for all yourContinueContinue reading “FEB 2025”
They Hang Me in Tokyo
A barbarian artist’s life-changing journey to master nihonga, the traditional art of Japan By Allan West Setting & details: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Authenticity of Japanese characters & dialogue: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Translation quality: N/AEntertainment value: ⭐⭐⭐⭐My recommendation: This account of what it’s like to master one of the oldest forms of painting in the world and carve out a place inContinueContinue reading “They Hang Me in Tokyo”
Let’s try some weird only-in-Japan ways to stay warm in winter!
How do you keep from freezing in the season when most of Japan looks like this In Tokyo winter is mostly just a cute little season, but just a smidgen farther north, Japan is buried in freezing temps for months and you live in a house that’s insulation-challenged, if not downright colder inside than outside?ContinueContinue reading “Let’s try some weird only-in-Japan ways to stay warm in winter!”
The hilarious video game you win with your killer…manners?
From the YouTube video Consider It: The Co-op Mode Only in Japan would a video game go viral for rewarding those who are more skilled at wielding the magic word than the magic sword. But that doesn’t explain why “Kūki Yomi” (a Japanese phrase that means “read the air” and is translated to “Consider It”*ContinueContinue reading “The hilarious video game you win with your killer…manners?”
Did you win the Nov-Dec Book Giveaway?
If you recognize your email, congratulations! You just won a copy of Tokyo Noir! If you think this is you, shoot a message to JapanagramJonelle@gmail.com and tell me where to send it. (I’ll need an email address if you’d like the e-book or a mailing address if you’d like a paperback). If I didn’t pull your nameContinueContinue reading “Did you win the Nov-Dec Book Giveaway?”
JAN 2025
Click on photo or link to read the feature • Beyond Tokyo:Let’s stay in a Japanese inn with seven outdoor hot springs baths by a river! Ginkon-yū Onsen is one of the most magical places I’ve ever been, and I can’t resist taking you along to enjoy the once-in-a-lifetime delights of the treehouse bath, theContinueContinue reading “JAN 2025”
Let’s stay at a Japanese inn with seven outdoor hot spring baths by a river!
Ginkon-yu Onsen in Hokkaido This month I’m inviting you to come with me to one of the most magical places I’ve ever been—the inn with seven secluded hot spring baths set in a forest next to a rushing river! We’ll cleverly plan our trip to arrive at the earliest possible check-in time, because there areContinueContinue reading “Let’s stay at a Japanese inn with seven outdoor hot spring baths by a river!”
Traditional Japanese Inns: Heaven…or Hell?
Remote towns like Ginzan are mobbed by gourmet-obsessed, bath-crazy visitors because nearly every building on the main canal is a renowned traditional inn When you tell someone who’s been to Japan which hotels you’re planning to stay at, I guarantee the first thing they’ll do is shake their head in a sad, knowing way andContinueContinue reading “Traditional Japanese Inns: Heaven…or Hell?”
Sukiyaki: Japanese Beef Hotpot
There’s a reason sukiyaki has been one of the best-loved Japanese dishes in the world for decades—it’s truly Japanese, but also satisfying and delicious by Western standards. Watch faces light up when even people who “don’t like Japanese food” see this tasty stick-to-your ribs pleasure appear on the table. This can be a lean andContinueContinue reading “Sukiyaki: Japanese Beef Hotpot”
DEC 2024
Click on photo or link to read the feature • Beyond Tokyo:Hokkaido: Like the Alps…but with volcanos If spending time in glorious mountains where you might be surprised by steam spouting from the ground around every bend sounds like heaven to you, get thee to Hokkaido when it’s NOT snowing!…read more • Japanese Home CookingDumplingContinueContinue reading “DEC 2024”
Hokkaido: Like the Alps…but with volcanos
Hokkaido beyond ski season If spending time in glorious mountains where you might be surprised by steam spouting from the ground around every bend sounds like heaven to you, get thee to Hokkaido when it’s NOT snowing! Everyone knows Japan’s northiest island is home to the best powder skiing on earth, but it’s well worthContinueContinue reading “Hokkaido: Like the Alps…but with volcanos”
Dumpling Hotpot
Gyōza Nabe The key to this quick and satisfying hotpot dinner is your favorite fresh or frozen dumplings. Throw together a delicious savory broth from only four ingredients, chop a few veggies of choice, and voila! Dinner that draws people in like an inviting campfireand feels special even though it only took twenty minutes fromContinueContinue reading “Dumpling Hotpot”
Tokyo Noir
By Jake Adelstein Enter to win a copy! Become a Japanagram subscriber by December 31, 2024and you’ll be entered to win ヽ(*＾ω＾*)ﾉ It’s free! Setting & details: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Authenticity of Japanese characters & dialogue: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Translation quality: N/AEntertainment value: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐My recommendation: A worthy and page-turny sequel to Tokyo Vice If you liked Tokyo Vice, you’re going toContinueContinue reading “Tokyo Noir”
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