Fukuoka: The Ancient Gateway to Japan
Fukuoka is the largest city in Kyūshū. From ancient times, the city’s proximity to the mainland has made it an
Author: Japan - Culture and History.
Historian, Researcher, Teacher, Writer
Medieval port town, Kusado Sengen.
Kusado Sengen is the name of a medieval town that once used to be situated close to the mouth of
Japanese Castles in Korea
I am aware of the Toyotomi campaign in Korea but I was pleasantly unaware to the extent of the construction
The Sakamoto Ryoma Memorial Museum
Details of the museum in English as follows: http://www.ryoma-kinenkan.jp/en/ Copied from the museum’s introduction of Ryoma. Sakamoto Ryoma, born in
A quick history of Yamagata Prefecture
The origins of the name “Yamagata” can be traced back to the early Heian Period (794-1192) of Japan. A dictionary
Kunisaki: Into a World of Moss and Stone
Wow, so busy teaching at the moment so I haven’t had time to do any more research into my next
The Ainu and Early Commerce in the Sea of Okhotsk
The Sea of Okhotsk to the north and northeast of Hokkaidō plays no significant role in recorded Japanese history until
A firsthand account of vice and profit in Edo – Book review.
Riding the circular Yamanote Line on a Sunday in Tokyo, it is easy to daydream. Those who have found themselves
Sapporo Beer Factory
Last year my family and I visited the Sapporo Beer Factory. I have been there a few times but the
Mt Hiei
I never get tired of going to Mt Hiei and taking photos. The three Enryakuji temple complexes are fabulous and
Meiji Period Kiyomizu Temple
Great photo of Kiyomizu Temple from the 1880s.
Book and Journal list
Updated Book and Journal list.
Battle of Tabaruzaka, Siege of Kumamoto Castle, February – April 1877.
Hi everyone. Please note that this was originally written back in 2016 I think, I am in the middle of
Travel books
Two of my favourite Japanese travel books were written by Alan Booth. The Roads to Sata (1986) and Looking for
Tokyo Ginza revisited.
Browsing my photos over the weekend I realised one of the photos I posted last week has a connection with
Old photos
I have a lot of old photos on my hard drive so I thought I would share some with you.
Resources: Journals on Japanese and Asian Studies
Found this comprehensive list of journals for Asia and Japan. I have used some of these but I will be
Trove of documents found from the Samurai era
Tokyo – A trove of ancient documents unearthed at the Vatican could shed light on the brutal crackdown on Christianity
Magome and the Nakasendo track
Famous old Kiso Kaido. Historic walk between two post towns that links Kyoto with Edo.
Japanese History and Culture 