30 September 2025
After a delightful evening in Narai followed by a Western breakfast, I enjoy time to wander Narai’s streets. The village seems a good place to buy lacquerware and woodcrafts. Not being a shopper, I stroll main street to enjoy the wonderful architecture. Perhaps I’ll spot a keychain with a Godzilla on it.
29 September 2025
This morning, we begin our days of train travel. For someone from the U.S., I am always impressed by the development and efficiency of public transportation around the world. In most of my country, without a car, you’re screwed. There exist few reliable public transportation options. Therefore, while the Japanese may apologize and fret about a train being a minute late, I am just happy it shows up and gets me where I want to go.
(more…)28 September 2025
Today, we again travel by coach: direction northeast 190 miles to Yudanaka. Distance doesn’t amount to much but the slow, busy roads take most of our day.
Once we arrive, we will visit a hot spring village far less famous for its hot baths than for the monkeys who have usurped them.
(more…)27 September 2025
I depart the massive, bustling megatropolis of Tokyo. I won’t complain, as my destination for the day includes another icon of Japan: Mt. Fuji. I’ve jetted past the mountain in the past, enjoying spectacular views of snow-capped peaks. Hopefully, the view will be as clear from the ground.
After a breakfast, we board a comfortable bus. Our destination, some 50 miles southwest, is the city of Hakone.
(more…)26 September 2025
Om Mani Padme Hum
Buddha give me serenity and patience
Carrying my backpack, I walk to a new hotel, bracing myself to join a tour group. It feels a bit like handing over my freedom at the front desk. For two glorious days, I’ve wandered at will— strolling gardens, decoding menus and train signs, and chasing Godzilla.
Now, I’ll swap independence for a local guide arranging logistics and doing headcounts. Don’t get me wrong, I’m ready for the fun, but I can’t help wondering if I’ll be the lone Godzilla nerd in a sea of temple and teacup enthusiasts
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25 September 2025
I can’t believe that Godzilla was the last of his species. If nuclear testing continues, then someday, somewhere in the world, another Godzilla may appear.
Godzilla, King of the Monsters
Unfortunately, Dr. Yamane’s quote from the 1954 epic Godzilla concerns me less about the return of giant atomic monsters than about the current political world of the USA. With my morning coffee and Tokyo Tower view, I plan my day.
Tokyo has long been the stomping ground of Godzilla and frenemies, infamous King of Monsters and God of Destruction. Today, I tread gardens, palaces, temples and maybe pay a bit of homage to the big guy himself. Godzilla, not the orange ape in Washington DC.
Nighttime provides an even better imaginary scenario for the assault on the Tokyo Tower by Godzilla and pals.
24 September 2025
I’ve read that there are no fewer than eighteen ways to say “hello” in Japanese, which means I’m visiting Japan eighteen steps behind. When I learned the Russian alphabet, at least I could puzzle out the words on a sign—even if I couldn’t pronounce a single one correctly. Japanese, however, covers a whole different universe. Then, add the usage of Chinese characters alongside Japanese characters. Q
I don’t have the faintest clue what the characters mean, let alone how to say them. So for now, my linguistic arsenal in Tokyo consists of a polite bow, “konnichiwa,” and smile—which, I hope, is one of those eighteen greetings.
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