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 â 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 TennÅzu 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 AomonoyokochÅ mean?
A neighborhood in TÅkyÅ 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-chÅ Prison & Execution Ground
Gotenyama was the premiere hanami spot in Edo. Not much remains today. Continue reading Where is Gotenâyama today?
What does Åkubo mean? Samurai and guns – woo hoo! Continue reading What does Åkubo mean?
Today we reach the last 2 stations, Hamamatsu-chÅ & Tamachi. Continue reading Yamanote Line: Hamamatsu-chÅ 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 â Photography in Japan
Nagata-chÅ is to Japan what Washington DC or Downing Street are to the US and UK. Go #metonym power! Continue reading What does NagatachÅ mean?
Åme was far from Edo but today it is one of the most beautiful areas of the Greater TÅkyÅ Metropolitan Area. It also has a connection to a legendary KantÅ samurai hero. Continue reading What does Åme 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?
ãã§ãŠãŒïŒãã§ãŠãŒïŒ MedetÄ! MedetÄ! (âHappy happy! Joy joy!â 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 ããããšãããããŸã arigatÅ gozaimasu thank you very much! and a very humble ä»å¹Žããããããé¡ãç³ãäžããŸã kotoshi mo yoroshiku o-negai mÅshiagemasu Iâm 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. Iâm honored and humbled by you, dear reader. This is my little … Continue reading The Year in Review â 2015
Halloween is right around the corner, so I thought we’d look at a haunted hill in Mita – YÅ«rei-zaka! (Ghost Hill) Continue reading What does YÅ«rei-zaka mean?
Japanese ghost hunters claim this is Tokyo’s most haunted spot. It’s the site of multiple murders Continue reading DÅryÅ-dÅ – the Haunted Temple of HachiÅji
Today we’ll look at the biographies of a few people who called TÅkyÅ’s Honjo area home. Continue reading 10 Famous People From Honjo
Continuing with our 6th installment of exploring Edo-TÅkyÅ via the Åedo Line. Continue reading Åedo 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 HachirÅ was a duplicitous terrorist whose final days Continue reading Kiyokawa HachirÅ and the Mystery Graves Nobody Cares About
調åžã®çå·ChÅfu 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 ChÅfu mean? (Part Deux)
å 幞çºUchisaiwai-chÅ (Inner Happy Town; as in the inner part of Happy Town, not inner happiness) Quick Etymology UchisaiwachÅ derives from Edo Castle’s å¹žæ© Saiwai-bashi Saiwai Bridge, which was protected by a fortified gate. å uchi means inside. Therefore, Uchisaiwai-chÅ means … Continue reading What does UchisaiwaichÅ 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 TÅkyÅites have never heard of! Continue reading What does Tsukuda mean?
The history of Hiroo, or HirÅ, which feels like a lame Azabu but is actually in Shibuya. Go figure. Continue reading What does HirÅ 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?
