One of the most photographed sights of Nagasaki is the curious Spectacles Bridge (Megane-bashi), a Chinese bequest to the city. Built by the Chinese Zen priest Mozi in 1634, it remains the oldest stone bridge in Japan. The curve of the bridge reflected in the Nakashima River resembles a pair of spectacles. …
With the reopening of the port to Westerners in the latter half of the 19th century, Nagasaki flowered as a prosperous and sophisticated international city. Suitable housing was required for the sudden influx of foreigners who made their homes here. Many of the comfortable stone and clapboard residencies that were built during this period survive…
Read more The Wonders of the Good Old Days: Glover Garden, Nagasaki
Any amount of time spent in Japan will quickly have you learn that the Japanese are obsessed with health and personal hygiene. From taking dips in hot springs and frequenting local bath houses, to pursuing aesthetic treatments and practicing aromatherapy, the Japanese have a very perceptive sense of cleanliness and physical well-being. With that said,…
When we arrived, the lower ranking rikishi had already begun their matches. We watched a few of these lower ranking wrestlers before getting to witness the opening ceremonies for the higher ranking wrestlers. Sumo has managed to survive with its formalized ritual and traditional etiquette intact making it unique among sports. On each day of…
We can finally cross off one more major event that we wanted to experience while living in Japan… the ancient Japanese sport of sumo wrestling! There are six sumo Grand Tournaments a year, three are held in Tokyo, one in Osaka, Nagoya, and Kyushu (where we live). A tournament lasts for 15 days, each rikishi…
In my previous blog, I wrote about becoming an English teacher. In this blog, I’d like to share some snapshots of my teaching experiences with the different companies that I help with. I will start with some pictures of me working at Huis ten Bosch in English Square: The following are some group photos that…
Back in the States, I graduated college with a bachelor’s degree in English, emphasizing on the subjects of Language and Literature. Aside from my full time job working in the hospitality industry, I was fortunate enough to also be able to work within the educational system in the States, gaining experience with children as a…
Read more “Are bananas a fruit?” “Yes.” “Are bananas a vegetable?” “Yes.”
Located in Beppu, Japan is a popular area and well-known tourist attraction called “Jigoku Meguri.” The word “jigoku” takes its meaning, “burning hell,” from the ancient Buddhist sutras of the East. It is said that a visit to the eight phenomenal, natural hot spring sites will also conjure up images of the hellish depths of the “Inferno”…
Beppu is a city in Oita Prefecture on the island of Kyushu, Japan. It is a relatively small city, famous for its unique and visually stunning hot springs. Beppu is pressed along the Beppu Bay coast and between mountains making it a thin and long city. Hot water gushes at many spots in the city. One…
Who needs water to take a bath? This past weekend on our trip to the other side of the island of Kyushu, to a city called Beppu, we came across quite an experience! Beppu is well-known for their hot springs and onsens. And it was here that we found the unique experience of sand bathing. There are…
American Roots. Traveling Boots. 
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