Kanoya, in the far south of Japan’s southernmost main island, is a rather inconvenient location for an air museum. It’s more than 500 miles from Tokyo and getting there via public transport requires taking a Shinkansen bullet train to the…
Kakegawa – A Charming Castle Town
If you take the Shinkansen toward Nagoya, somewhere in Shizuoka you will pass through a small city called Kakegawa. For most people, the Japanese included, it is just a minor stop on the way to bigger and better things.…
Away from Home – Wandering Around Sasebo
Sorry for the lack of updates lately. As my friend and co-blogger mentioned, we’ve been on the road traveling for Christmas and I’ve spent the New Years holiday down in Kyushu visiting David. Once I get home later this…
Fire!
Ashigaru, under the command of a samurai, give a Tanegashima (matchlock) firing demonstration at Hikone-jo (Hikone Castle), a Japanese National Treasure. Last year we saw a similar, but larger, demonstration at Matsumoto-jo (Matsumoto Castle), another National Treasure. Both Hikone and…
Matsushiro Daihonei: Preparing to Fight the Final Battle of World War II
In early August 1945 World War II was far from over. Months and even years of fighting were still in the future of Japan and the United States as the Americans and their allies made amphibious assaults on the Japanese…