
Yamanote Line: Hamamatsu-chÅ and Tamachi
Today we reach the last 2 stations, Hamamatsu-chÅ & Tamachi. Continue reading Yamanote Line: Hamamatsu-chÅ and Tamachi
Today we reach the last 2 stations, Hamamatsu-chÅ & Tamachi. Continue reading Yamanote Line: Hamamatsu-chÅ and Tamachi
All aboard the #YamanoteLine!
Next stop?
#Harajuku, #Yoyogi, #Shinjuku! Continue reading Yamanote Line: Harajuku, Yoyogi, and Shinjuku
Not the most glamorous stations of the Yamanote Line, but Åsaki and Gotanda are not without their charms. Continue reading Yamanote Line: Åsaki and Gotanda
Continuing with our 28th installment of exploring Edo-TÅkyÅ Continue reading Åedo Line: Shin-Egota and Nerima
Kiyokawa HachirÅ was a duplicitous terrorist whose final days Continue reading Kiyokawa HachirÅ and the Mystery Graves Nobody Cares About
Shinagawa Station in History I havenât updated in a while, so please accept my apologies. Iâve got a lot on my plate at the moment but there is an article in the works. That said, an idea came to me while on the shitter thinking about Edo Bay vs. TÅkyÅ Bay (as one does). So I thought Iâd share a bunch of cool pictures of Shinagawa. In the Edo Period, the Shinagawa/Takanawa area was a collection of bustling seaside villages, but compared to castle town of Edo, it was quite rural. It was the literal edge of Edo. The TÅkaidÅ, … Continue reading Shinagawa Station – Then and Now
å±±æãšäžçºYamanote to Shitamachi (the High City and the Low City) Why Am I Re-Writing My Yamanote vs Shitamachi Page? Yes, there was another page here that explained â in a really scattershot way â my experiences with å±±æ yamanote the … Continue reading Yamanote and Shitamachi
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
Exploring one neighborhood in Japan’s largest medieval post town. Continue reading What does AomonoyokochÅ mean?
What do cedar trees, post towns, and sexxxy parties have in common?
What does Takaido mean? Continue reading What does Takaido mean?
Let’s explore the old TÅkaidÅ road on the outskirts of Edo. Continue reading What does Shimbamba mean?
A neighborhood in TÅkyÅ forgotten by time, but cool af. Continue reading What does Tachiaigawa mean?
Gotenyama was the premiere hanami spot in Edo. Not much remains today. Continue reading Where is Gotenâyama today?
Today we’re going to visit 4 stations on the Yamanote Line. I hope you’ll join me for this whirlwind tour of Edo-TÅkyÅ! Continue reading Yamanote Line: Åtsuka, Sugamo, Komagome, Tabata
Shinjuku is one of the craziest places in Tokyo. Guess what. It’s ALWAYS been like that! Continue reading What does Shinjuku mean?
Umayabashi is not the most famous bridge in TÅkyÅ by a long shot, but it does have an interesting story and etymology. Continue reading What does Umayabashi mean?
Honjo began as one of Edo’s elite areas but soon developed a rich commoner culture. By the ShÅwa Period it was a polluted flophouse on a filthy river. Continue reading What does Honjo mean?
In the spring, I happened upon a shrine that was almost in ruins. I finally got around to researching and it found it the shrine has a fascinating history! Continue reading What does Shiogama mean?
Continuing with our 21st installment of exploring Edo-TÅkyÅ via the Åedo Line. Continue reading Åedo Line: Roppongi
Continuing with our 9th installment of exploring Edo-TÅkyÅ via the Åedo Line. Continue reading Åedo Line: Kuramae
Continuing with our 2nd installment of exploring Edo-TÅkyÅ via the Åedo Line. Continue reading Åedo Line: Shinjuku Nishiguchi
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?
My final word on Setagaya for now. But what a long strange trip it’s been!!
Continue reading What does Taishido mean?
What does Mishuku mean? It looks like “three post towns,” but linguists think it originally meant “the place where water abounds.” Continue reading What does Mishuku mean?
What do you get when you mix seaweed, archaeology, paleolithic pottery, and an execution ground on beachfront property? Åmori!!! Continue reading What does Omori mean?
Samezu was a fishing/seaweed village, but today, it’s just a shitamachi neighborhood in Shinagawa. Continue reading What does Samezu mean?
Today, the area called Ohanajaya refers to three blocks in Katsushika Ward, but in the Edo Period, this was the countryside and was used for falconry by the Tokugawaw shÅguns. Continue reading What does Ohanajaya mean?
Today’s etymology is super easy, but it touches on a fascinating aspect of Edo Period culture and economics. Check it out, y’all. Continue reading What does Kuramae mean?
Today, I’d like to answer a few readers questions in one post. In short, how can I get an overview of Japanese History? I’m also going to recommend a few online sources that will help you broaden your understanding of Japanese history and culture. Continue reading 10 Ways to Learn Japanese History
Middle class and upper middle class samurai? Yes, please! Continue reading What does Ushigome Tansu Machi mean?