15 Things You Must Do in Harajuku

You’ve likely heard of Harajuku through songs or perhaps via a grape vine of travelers who have been to Tokyo (東京). Or maybe you’ve heard of the “Harajuku Girls” in a fashion magazine somewhere. But none of that really elaborates on just what Harajuku is, what you can do there or what you should make SURE to do there on your epic trip to Japan. So allow me to divulge all you need to know for your day in this fashion forward mecca of the Tokyo Metropolis. 😉

Experiencing Japan: Printing Your Own Ukiyo-e Via Mokuhanga

If you ever visit Japan, you’ll often see prints and recreations of old Ukiyo-e, such as “The Great Wave off Kanagawa”, or “Kanagawa-oki Nami Ura” (神奈川沖浪裏), that were originally made via Mokuhanga. But it’s possible to get an even more enriching experience when it comes to Ukiyo-e instead of just buying a modern print reproduction of one. That’s what I want to tell you about today in recounting a super unique experience I had while in Japan – and one that you can have too!

Shinjuku BLAZE

This is surprisingly, another one of those “I can’t believe I haven’t written about this sooner” posts. But then again, when you’re in Japan, there’s next to no time, zilch, to really document it other than via photos. As such, 4 years later, let’s talk about concerts in Japan, and specifically, my first concert in Japan.

Travels: Amazing Milky Way Sweets in Ikebukuro

Recently I appeared as a guest writer on the Japan Living and Lifestyle blog run by the lovely Urano family. What did I write on? Well of course, one of my favorite places on earth: Ikebukuro (池袋)! More specifically though, I discussed some of my favorite places to get great sweets and treats in and around the Sunshine Street and City areas. So in addition to that article, today, I’m sharing here a little more on my favorite place in Ikebukuro for sweet things: Milky Way!

Travels: My First Night in Japan. No Really.

I’ve retold this story many a time for friends and family alike, but I’ve never written about it here, which feels like a glaring flaw on this blog. This is because, as it was my first experience in Japan, I would say that even though it wasn’t when I moved to Japan, it is certainly important enough to document (at least in my mind anyway). So what happened? How did I get there anyway? And what made it my first night so memorable? To tell the whole story, we have to start back in 2012.

A Kabuki Experience: The Significant Reunion (Part 1)

My first time going to a Kabuki (歌舞伎) show and the significant reunion was in 2015. I stood in a striped black and white shirt and a black vest finished with a black skirt in the Ginza (銀座) district in Tokyo (東京) in front of the theater, Kabuki-za (歌舞伎座), holding onto the strap of my purse and my phone waiting nervously, hoping I’d be easy to spot. My eyes darted around, trying to find someone I knew in a sea of faces.