Previews

Through three great festival parades, Kyoto residents breathe life into the past, transforming the streets into a living museum of the city’s history and traditions.

Step into Kyoto’s imperial past, where the Hina dolls come alive in a procession of elegance, tradition, and literary intrigue.

What does Kyoto’s imperial heritage reveal about the city today? At Heian Shrine, palace architecture, seasonal gardens, and living traditions bring the legacy of Japan’s ancient capital to life.

The humble Japanese bento brings together rice, vegetables, meat, fish, and an increasingly international workforce. So what, exactly, makes a Japanese bento Japanese?

What can 1980s Hawaii teach modern Kyoto about overtourism? A deep dive into balancing local heritage with global popularity, and why “Don’t” campaigns fail.

Is AI writing the final chapter for native English translators? A humorous yet cautious look from the corporate trenches on why fluent AI prose can be dangerously deceptive—and why humans must stay in the driver’s seat.

How does an American literature student with $300, a mountain backpack, and zero Japanese end up as a translator in Osaka for 30 years? A humorous reflection on the winding path of curiosity, fixing broken sports cars, and the art of trusting that everything will work out.

In the dog days of August, as the cicadas pass the baton to dragonflies darting above rice fields, families throughout Kansai prepare their homes to welcome special guests: their departed ancestors. From August 14 to 16, people in the Kansai region celebrate the Buddhist practice of Obon, a three‑day homecoming in which those inhabiting the … Continue reading “Where the Obon Homecoming Begins”

Together, Tenjin Matsuri and Kyoto’s Gion Matsuri are two of Japan’s three great festivals. While both trace their origins to ancient rites meant to appease vengeful spirits, the manner in which they honor their respective deities is as different as the flavor of the dashi they use to season their food. For those interested in … Continue reading “Kampai to the Gods: Why Osaka’s Biggest Festival Feels Like a Block Party”

As the colorful hydrangeas of the rainy season in June fade from memory, Kyoto transforms for the month of July. Paper lanterns hang beneath downtown awnings, massive yamaboko floats emerge from their storehouses, and the kon-chiki-kon rhythm of Gion-bayashi echoes through crowded sidewalks and covered shopping arcades. These are the unmistakable signs that Gion Matsuri … Continue reading “Gion Matsuri: Bridging Tradition and Modernity”