6 Day Trips From Yokosuka You Will Love
KatieJapan is reopening! There are so many places I’d love to show visiting family and friends. Here are six day trips from Yokosuka I know they’ll enjoy. I’m excluding Tokyo…
A Love Letter To My Cho (Neighborhood)
Changing neighborhoods every few years is not easy - I have a tendency to get fond of every place I’m at. I had a sinking feeling the first day I…
Kanagawa’s Two Most Famous Arrivals: Commodore Perry and Godzilla
At first glance, Commodore Perry and Godzilla might not seem to have much in common. Both arrived in Kanagawa Prefecture by sea within 100 years of each other. Both Commodore…
Cerezos of the World Unite – Cheering Japan’s Tier 1 Football
It was by accidental online search that I found my last name (Cerezo) was shared with Cerezo Osaka; a professional team competing in Japan's Tier 1 Football league. In Spanish,…
Christmas Day – Nagano and the Jigokudani Snow Monkeys
The snow was coming down fast and heavy. As I watched the Jigokudani snow monkeys enter and exit their private outdoor onsen, I felt like a kid on Christmas morning.…
Participating in a Summer Purification Ritual in Takayama
I had not planned on participating in a summer purification ritual. I had been trying to find my way out of Shiroyama Park forest, alarmed by the multiple bear warning…
A Summer Weekend in the Japanese Alps
Stunning alpine views, tiny white butterflies fluttering above colorful wildflowers, crystal-clear streams, I was in the alps all right - the Japanese alps. Getting There - Takayama Day 1, July…
An Epic 28 Mile Walk From Yokosuka to Tokyo
Why would anyone choose to walk 28 miles from Yokosuka to Tokyo when there was a world-class public transportation system, at a cost of ¥850 ($6.54)? It is hardly an…
Checking Out Three Unique Temples and Shrines in Kamakura
One hot Saturday in June, I decided to visit three of the most unique temples and shrines in Kamakura. In a town known for religious sites, it's hard to choose.…
Wicked Fun At Noboribetsu’s ”Hell”
Go to hell. The phrase has lost its power through overuse. Unless, perhaps the phase "go to hell" was intended not as a threat, but as a travel recommendation. Just…