This is a fantastic book about William Adams/Miura Anjin which aims to tell his story “through Japanese eyes.” A must-read for anyone who wants to live in Japan. Continue reading Book Review – Anjin: The Life & Times of Samurai William Adams
A rags to riches story. From sandbar to waterfront boardwalk. What does Tennoze Isle mean? Continue reading What does Tennōzu Isle mean?
The Miyake clan may not be very famous, but they definitely left their mark on Edo-Tokyo topography. Continue reading What does Miyakezaka mean?
Exploring one neighborhood in Japan’s largest medieval post town. Continue reading What does Aomonoyokochō mean?
A neighborhood in Tōkyō forgotten by time, but cool af. Continue reading What does Tachiaigawa mean?
Let’s take a video tour around one of Edo’s execution grounds♪ Continue reading A Tour of Denma-chō Prison & Execution Ground
Gotenyama was the premiere hanami spot in Edo. Not much remains today. Continue reading Where is Goten’yama today?
What does Ōkubo mean? Samurai and guns – woo hoo! Continue reading What does Ōkubo mean?
Today we reach the last 2 stations, Hamamatsu-chō & Tamachi. Continue reading Yamanote Line: Hamamatsu-chō and Tamachi
There’s a new service specializing in tourism for Japanese History. It may include beer! Help me spread the word, guys! Continue reading I Have a Huge Announcement!
The opening of Japan and the advent of photography happened at the same time. Japan was primed for the new art by its tradition of ukiyo-e (woodblock prints of daily life). Continue reading Book Review – Photography in Japan
Nagata-chō is to Japan what Washington DC or Downing Street are to the US and UK. Go #metonym power! Continue reading What does Nagatachō mean?
Ōme was far from Edo but today it is one of the most beautiful areas of the Greater Tōkyō Metropolitan Area. It also has a connection to a legendary Kantō samurai hero. Continue reading What does Ōme mean?
Goten’yama was one of Edo’s most famous spots for cherry blossom viewing… until it wasn’t. Continue reading What does Gotenyama mean?
めでてー！めでてー！ Medetē! Medetē! (“Happy happy! Joy joy!” In the Edo Dialect) Happy New Year, everyone! As has become a tradition here at JapanThis!, my first post of the year is a heartfelt ありがとうございます arigatō gozaimasu thank you very much! and a very humble 今年もよろしくお願い申し上げます kotoshi mo yoroshiku o-negai mōshiagemasu I’m hoping for your support this year, too! Waaaaaaaaay back in the day, I started writing this blog because I thought it would be fun, but the real fun has been seeing that people actually read it and enjoy it. I’m honored and humbled by you, dear reader. This is my little … Continue reading The Year in Review – 2015
Halloween is right around the corner, so I thought we’d look at a haunted hill in Mita – Yūrei-zaka! (Ghost Hill) Continue reading What does Yūrei-zaka mean?
Japanese ghost hunters claim this is Tokyo’s most haunted spot. It’s the site of multiple murders Continue reading Dōryō-dō – the Haunted Temple of Hachiōji
Today we’ll look at the biographies of a few people who called Tōkyō’s Honjo area home. Continue reading 10 Famous People From Honjo
Continuing with our 6th installment of exploring Edo-Tōkyō via the Ōedo Line. Continue reading Ōedo Line: Kasuga
Today I’m going to talk about how Edo Period cities protected themselves and then we’re going to burn some Christians. In the early Edo Period, these were almost synonymous terms. Continue reading What does Fuda no Tsuji mean?
Kiyokawa Hachirō was a duplicitous terrorist whose final days Continue reading Kiyokawa Hachirō and the Mystery Graves Nobody Cares About
調布の玉川Chōfu no Tamagawa (a reference to cloth production and dyeing on the Tama River) In reference to my article entitled Setagaya and its Freaky Horse Fetish, I was going to name this article The Tama River Basin and its Freaky … Continue reading What does Chōfu mean? (Part Deux)
内幸町Uchisaiwai-chō (Inner Happy Town; as in the inner part of Happy Town, not inner happiness) Quick Etymology Uchisaiwachō derives from Edo Castle’s 幸橋 Saiwai-bashi Saiwai Bridge, which was protected by a fortified gate. 内 uchi means inside. Therefore, Uchisaiwai-chō means … Continue reading What does Uchisaiwaichō mean?
I decided to take a few reader questions! Continue reading Ask Me Anything
My final word on Setagaya for now. But what a long strange trip it’s been!!
Continue reading What does Taishido mean?
Tsukisha and Tsukiji are famous Tokyo neighborhoods. But do you know Tsukuda? Continue reading What is the Tsukishima Area?
A staple of modern Japan cuisine began in the heart of Edo on an island most Tōkyōites have never heard of! Continue reading What does Tsukuda mean?
The history of Hiroo, or Hirō, which feels like a lame Azabu but is actually in Shibuya. Go figure. Continue reading What does Hirō mean?
Hillsborough’s books have been “gateway drugs” into the Bakumatsu for many people, including myself. Here he takes a long form scholarly approach and nails it. Continue reading Book Review – Samurai Revolution
It’s sounds inaka, but so does your mom. Continue reading What does Tamachi mean?
