JANUARY 2021

Click on photo or link to read the feature Seasonal Secret: The grand pooh-bah of Japanese flea markets This treasure trove of a flea market only happens twice a year, but what a goldmine it is! Where else might you find a set of antique lacquer ozonibowls, a disgruntled workman doll, a pre-dial-era telephone, and aContinue reading “JANUARY 2021”

DECEMBER 2020

Click on photo or link to read the feature Seasonal Secret: The Japanese art of gift giving If there were medals for gifting, the Japanese would own the gold and the Guinness record for owning the gold…read more • Beyond Tokyo: Millions of twinkling fairy lights, dancing fountain extravaganzas, and glowing cotton candy, all served up onContinue reading “DECEMBER 2020”

NOVEMBER 2020

Click on photo or link to read the feature Why, Japan, Why?: In Japan, here’s how they tip the hand of fate! If someone told you they wanted to move a meeting you’d scheduled because the astrology forecast for that day is too unlucky, you’d probably be moving them right off the payroll, wouldn’t you?Continue reading “NOVEMBER 2020”

SPECIAL EDITION

A special edition of Japanagram to celebrate the publication of The Last Tea Bowl Thief! Click on photo or link to read the feature Why, Japan, Why?: Why is it so much harder to get a Japanese boyfriend than a Japanese girlfriend? The American character in The Last Tea Bowl Thief has had a longer relationship withContinue reading “SPECIAL EDITION”

OCTOBER 2020

Click on photo or link to read the feature Why, Japan, Why?: Tiny pants, the garbage police, and the more friends you have, the lonelier you might be There are some things that nobody who moves to Japan wants to learn. But sometimes it’s these unwelcome lessons that unlock all kinds of other mysteries…read more •Continue reading “OCTOBER 2020”

SEPTEMBER 2020

Click on photo or link to read the feature Seasonal Secret: When the small and humble come together to become magnificent and mighty When I started thinking about what’s so special about September in Japan, the first things that came to mind were three obscure flowers that are nobody’s favorite. By themselves, they’re utterly smallContinue reading “SEPTEMBER 2020”

AUGUST 2020

Click on photo or link to read the feature Beyond Tokyo: Let’s visit the most refreshing waterfall in the world Just looking at pictures of this astonishing waterfall is enough to beat the summer heat, but being surrounded by its 180° music is one of life’s truly sublime moments. Come with me now, and experienceContinue reading “AUGUST 2020”

JULY 2020

Click on photo to read the feature Beyond Tokyo: We journey to a vast and serene lotus garden grown from 3,000-year-old seeds Since time immemorial, these ancient symbols of “pure beauty that flowers from the muckiest mud” have uplifted the human spirit, so it’s fitting that even in these grim times, we can still wanderContinue reading “JULY 2020”

JUNE 2020

Click on photo to read the feature Seasonal Secret for June: How to stay cool in the summer, the Japanese way Five ways that the Japanese have traditionally survived the miserably hot & humid summer months. Some actually work, and some rely on powers of imagination that this foreigner can only aspire to…read more •Continue reading “JUNE 2020”