Category Archives: Travel

Life In Japan: Onsen

Posted on September 11, 2018 by johnrachel

An onsen — 温泉 — is a hot spring for bathing. Onsens come in all shapes and sizes. Some indoors, some outdoors. Some are spartan. Others indulge in lavish aesthetics and connecting with nature. Continue reading →

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Life In Japan: Festivals

Posted on August 25, 2018 by johnrachel

While Japan is called The Land of the Rising Sun, my personal preference would be The Land of the Festivals. The entire calendar is littered with fascinating, extremely entertaining, family-oriented festivals. Continue reading →

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Life In Japan: Western Food

Posted on May 5, 2018 by johnrachel

Though my taste buds were born, raised, and trained in America, I love Japanese food! I really do. I now regularly eat many things I would have considered very special treats for very special occasions — sushi, tempura, edamame, teriyaki — and eat some things I never would have attempted before — octopus, squid, rice daily. Continue reading →

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Life In Japan: New Years

Posted on January 30, 2018 by johnrachel

Oh yes, what a wild time we had bringing in the New Year. Fasten your seat belts and savor the events which surrounded the onset of 2018 for us here in Japan. Continue reading →

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Life In Japan: Benten Shrine Ceremony

Posted on July 12, 2017 by johnrachel

This past weekend was our annual Benten Shrine ceremony. The whole celebration took about an hour. Lots of smiles, good will, warm feelings. Life in Japan is still full of wonder for me. What a fascinating country! Continue reading →

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Kingda Ka, oh baby!

Posted on June 24, 2016 by johnrachel

Nothing like the thrill of a high-speed roller coaster and the boredom of sitting in a traffic jam. America is a land of contradictions. Or is that contrariness. Continue reading →

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Beauty . . . is everywhere!

Posted on August 28, 2015 by johnrachel

“There is beauty everywhere.” I am learning to look for it. Continue reading →

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