Liepaja, Latvia, is the home of extremes in architecture from the beautiful late 19th century downtown to its dead, both artistically and habitably, Soviet blocks (or is it blocs?). During my visit in 2014 I didn’t get a chance to…
A Jogashima Walking Adventure
In addition to its immense and ancient history, Japan is also a land of great natural beauty. A bit more than a year ago, I had the privilege of experiencing some of that beauty at a place called Jogashima.…
Two Warbirds in One Little Museum
The first flying Zero to call Japan home in 70 years has come to Kanoya, in the far south of Kyushu. Flying or not, Japanese warbirds are a rare breed. They were never produced in the same numbers as…
My Bullet Train Can Eat Your Bullet Train: 500 Type Eva Shinkansen
Japan and trains go together, they’re a common sight and practical means of conveyance, and while most are pretty unassuming there are more than a few colorful and distinct trains running around. One of those is the Neon Genesis Evangelion-themed…
Bargello: A Medieval Frame for Renaissance Art
Painted, sculpted, constructed, there is an overabundance of impressive art, art that is part and parcel to the history and existence of the town. The Uffizi and it’s never ending halls, the Duomo, Palazzo Vecchio and the Galleria del’Accademia, which…
Wandering Tokyo with a Camera
I’ve lived in the area near Tokyo for several years now, but it still amazes me sometimes how the city can be such a contrast, one neighborhood to another, one place to another, sometimes even one block to another. Most…
Hamamatsu Castle: A Missed Opportunity
In my last post, I wrote about the charming castle they rebuilt in Kakegawa. As it turns out, the next city down the line towards Nagoya, Hamamatsu, also has a rebuilt castle. Hamamatsu castle, however, is on the opposite…