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Author: marky star - JapanThis.com

I'm a Japanese history nerd and lover of languages. Geek out with me!
Japanese History2 Comments

Where is Goten’yama today?

March 29, 2017 marky star - JapanThis.com

Gotenyama was the premiere hanami spot in Edo. Not much remains today. Continue reading Where is Goten’yama today?

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Japanese History1 Comment

What does Asukayama mean?

March 21, 2017March 21, 2017 marky star - JapanThis.com

#Hanami is right around the corner and Asukayama was one of #Edo’s most famous spots!

#桜 #花見 Continue reading What does Asukayama mean?

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Japanese History6 Comments

What does Ōkubo mean?

March 9, 2017November 1, 2020 marky star - JapanThis.com

What does Ōkubo mean? Samurai and guns – woo hoo! Continue reading What does Ōkubo mean?

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Japanese History4 Comments
hamatsucho

Yamanote Line: Hamamatsu-chō and Tamachi

February 12, 2017November 1, 2020 marky star - JapanThis.com

Today we reach the last 2 stations, Hamamatsu-chō & Tamachi. Continue reading Yamanote Line: Hamamatsu-chō and Tamachi

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Yamanote Line: Yūraku-chō and Shinbashi

January 12, 2017November 1, 2020 marky star - JapanThis.com

有楽町Yūraku-chō 新橋Shinbashi Yūraku-chō The area called Yūraku-chō lies in an area that used be a fortified island between the inner and outer moats of Edo Castle. In fact, the elevated train tracks supported by red brick foundations are built on … Continue reading Yamanote Line: Yūraku-chō and Shinbashi

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Japanese Holidays7 Comments

The Year in Review – 2016

January 9, 2017January 9, 2017 marky star - JapanThis.com

Let’s take a look back at 2016 and what’s in store for 2017! Continue reading The Year in Review – 2016

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Japanese History2 Comments
CGI Tokyo Station

Yamanote Line: Tōkyō

August 3, 2016November 1, 2020 marky star - JapanThis.com

Almost at the end of our loop around Tōkyō so it’s about time we get to Tōkyō Station. Continue reading Yamanote Line: Tōkyō

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Japanese History4 Comments

Yamanote Line: Akihabara and Kanda

July 15, 2016November 1, 2020 marky star - JapanThis.com

New Article!

I somehow made a light piece about Akihabara and Kanda.

#SettingTheStage #Japan #Edo #Tokyo Continue reading Yamanote Line: Akihabara and Kanda

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ueno okachimachi

Yamanote Line: Ueno and Okachimachi

June 29, 2016November 1, 2020 marky star - JapanThis.com

Take a tour with me of this area, words don’t do it justice. Continue reading Yamanote Line: Ueno and Okachimachi

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Japanese History2 Comments
The first shrine I fell in love with. The beginning of my love affair with Japanese history. Ueno Toshogu. It's in terrible shape today, but I reckon that's what it looked like for most of the late Edo Period.

Yamanote Line: Nishi-Nippori, Nippori, Uguisudani

June 14, 2016November 1, 2020 marky star - JapanThis.com

We fittin’ to get deeeeeeep in the history of this city. Continue reading Yamanote Line: Nishi-Nippori, Nippori, Uguisudani

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Yamanote Line: Ōtsuka, Sugamo, Komagome, Tabata

June 5, 2016November 1, 2020 marky star - JapanThis.com

Today we’re going to visit 4 stations on the Yamanote Line. I hope you’ll join me for this whirlwind tour of Edo-Tōkyō! Continue reading Yamanote Line: Ōtsuka, Sugamo, Komagome, Tabata

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Yamanote Line: Takadanobaba, Meijiro, and Ikebukuro

May 24, 2016November 1, 2020 marky star - JapanThis.com

We’re on an odd stretch of the Yamanote Line today. We’ll see some of the most elite areas and some of the stinkiest. Continue reading Yamanote Line: Takadanobaba, Meijiro, and Ikebukuro

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Yamanote Line: Shin-Ōkubo

May 12, 2016November 1, 2020 marky star - JapanThis.com

I’m gonna get some blow back for this one.

Next stop on the Yamanote Line:

Shin-Ōkubo Continue reading Yamanote Line: Shin-Ōkubo

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Japanese History3 Comments

Yamanote Line: Harajuku, Yoyogi, and Shinjuku

May 10, 2016November 1, 2020 marky star - JapanThis.com

All aboard the #YamanoteLine!

Next stop?
#Harajuku, #Yoyogi, #Shinjuku! Continue reading Yamanote Line: Harajuku, Yoyogi, and Shinjuku

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Japanese History2 Comments

Yamanote Line: Shibuya

May 9, 2016November 1, 2020 marky star - JapanThis.com

Shibuya is a neighborhood that makes a huge impact at first and soon becomes seriously irritating. Continue reading Yamanote Line: Shibuya

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Japanese History, Travel in Japan, Uncategorized10 Comments

300th Article Anniversary!

May 2, 2016May 2, 2016 marky star - JapanThis.com

I remember when I 0 readers. Thanks for all your support! We’ve made it to 300 articles on #etymology and #JapanHistory. Unbelievable. Continue reading 300th Article Anniversary!

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Japanese History, Travel in Japan2 Comments

Yamanote Line: Meguro and Ebisu

April 30, 2016November 1, 2020 marky star - JapanThis.com

The term “yamanote” is synonymous with “upscale” and both Meguro and Ebisu fit that description. Continue reading Yamanote Line: Meguro and Ebisu

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Japanese History6 Comments
yamanote line osaki

Yamanote Line: Ōsaki and Gotanda

April 28, 2016November 1, 2020 marky star - JapanThis.com

Not the most glamorous stations of the Yamanote Line, but Ōsaki and Gotanda are not without their charms. Continue reading Yamanote Line: Ōsaki and Gotanda

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Yamanote Line: Shinagawa

April 25, 2016November 1, 2020 marky star - JapanThis.com

First stop on the #YamanoteLine is #Shinagawa Station which used to be on #Tokyo Bay! Continue reading Yamanote Line: Shinagawa

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Japan, Travel in Japan9 Comments

Yamanote Line Extravaganza (intro)

April 23, 2016November 1, 2020 marky star - JapanThis.com

My long overdue exploration of Tōkyō via the Yamanote Line begins here. I hope you’ll stick around for the whole series! Continue reading Yamanote Line Extravaganza (intro)

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Japanese History, Japanese Sex, Tokyo Rivers7 Comments

What does Tachikawa mean?

April 12, 2016October 4, 2020 marky star - JapanThis.com

Tachikawa is a Tokyo suburb. It’s famous for Rainbow Pool, a former US Air Force Base, and a North Korean school! Continue reading What does Tachikawa mean?

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Japanese History, Japanese Shrines & Temples, Travel in Japan6 Comments

What does Harajuku mean?

April 7, 2016October 9, 2020 marky star - JapanThis.com

#Harajuku means a lot of things to many people, but the area was insignificant until the 1920’s and finally prospered in the post-war years. Continue reading What does Harajuku mean?

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Japan, Japanese Castles, Japanese History, Japanese Manners, Japanese Shrines & Temples, Japanese Subculture, Tokugawa Shogun Graves, Travel in Japan4 Comments

I Have a Huge Announcement!

March 24, 2016March 24, 2016 marky star - JapanThis.com

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!

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Japanese History6 Comments

What does Kioi-chō mean?

March 23, 2016March 24, 2016 marky star - JapanThis.com

JapanThis! Where etymology, Japanese history, and James muthafuckin’ Bond collide. Yeah, you read that right. Continue reading What does Kioi-chō mean?

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Japan Book Reviews5 Comments

Book Review – Photography in Japan

March 14, 2016October 31, 2020 marky star - JapanThis.com

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

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Japanese History4 Comments

What does Nagatachō mean?

March 9, 2016October 9, 2020 marky star - JapanThis.com

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?

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Japan Book Reviews6 Comments

Book Review – Hiroshige: 100 Famous Views of Edo

February 26, 2016October 31, 2020 marky star - JapanThis.com

This beautiful book let’s the art speak for itself but provides print-by-print commentary. It’s a coffee table book that I find irresistible. Of course, I’m biased. Hiroshige is my favorite Japanese artist. Continue reading Book Review – Hiroshige: 100 Famous Views of Edo

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Japanese History3 Comments

What does Ōme mean?

February 22, 2016October 9, 2020 marky star - JapanThis.com

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?

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Japanese History9 Comments

What does Shinjuku mean?

February 10, 2016October 9, 2020 marky star - JapanThis.com

Shinjuku is one of the craziest places in Tokyo. Guess what. It’s ALWAYS been like that! Continue reading What does Shinjuku mean?

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Japanese History8 Comments

What does Gotenyama mean?

February 4, 2016October 9, 2020 marky star - JapanThis.com

Goten’yama was one of Edo’s most famous spots for cherry blossom viewing… until it wasn’t. Continue reading What does Gotenyama mean?

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