Shimoda and the Famous Black Ship Festival
KatieEvert year, Shimoda hosts a three-day Black Ship Festival the third Saturday in May. The event attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors throughout Japan. Commodore Matthew Perry and his black…
A Sailor’s Take on Tokyo DisneySea
It's only proper that Tokyo DisneySea be reviewed by an authentic Sailor. After all, nobody knows the water and the pleasures of land quite like we do! ☺️ I bought…
Seeing Nagoya Properly for the First Time
I visited Nagoya out of guilt. For two years, I had only ever transited through it. The 3rd most populated area in Japan deserves more respect. Almost every city in…
A Spring Hike on the Nakasendo: Nakatsugawa to Tsumago
The Nakasendo trail is considered one of the most important trails in Japan. The trail was established during the Edo period (1603-1867) and connects post towns from Kyoto to Tokyo.…
3 Konbini, 9 Meals To Keep You Happy
The Japanese are serious foodies. And because they are foodies, you can feast in style at Japan's konbini (convenience stores). Here’s a fun fact: while France has more Michelin stars…
Japan’s 3 Most Popular Konbini
You know someone has familiarity with Japan when they are able to compare Japan's three most popular konbini. It's a test of cultural sophistication. Forget reviewing which city has the…
Fun Ways to Experiment with Shirasu at Enoshima
I have yet to meet a person who is ambivalent about shirasu (whitebait fish). It's a food that instantly evokes a reaction and makes for a GREAT story. What exactly…
Easy and Fun Weekend Getaways From Yokosuka
As a Sailor, it is in my blood to want to get out and explore. When it comes to finding weekend getaways from Yokosuka, I am eager to know about…
Kusatsu Onsen Embracing the Heat at Japan’s Famous Hot Springs
Kusatsu Onsen is not the easiest place to get to from Yokosuka. It took four and a half hours, three trains, and a bus. Was it worth it? Oh, yes.…
A Lunar New Year in Yokohama’s Chinatown
I'm not a fan of crowds, however, on Jan. 21st, I boarded a local train and headed to Yokohama's Chinatown to toast the Lunar New Year. Although the vast majority…