I tread the five longest escalators I’ve ever descended on my way from the metro’s entrance to its far-off platform. But after a mere minute in the monorail, the carriage…
China is Friendly
Twelve hours on a night train and between hundreds of Chinese travellers to Xi’an, I am the only foreigner. I don’t mind, in fact, it’s part of why I’m here….
China is Safe
To be totally honest with you, Beijing cuisine didn’t blow me away. It’s made up of beans, grease, and a distinct muteness of flavour. After a tiring day, even the…
The Colony
Up until about 1870 Japan lived in a state of relative isolation. After centuries of bloody civil war, the military Tokugawa government ensured the unification of Japan, bringing peace and…
Waiting for Winter
After seven months living in Japan I can confidently state the archipelago’s nature is nothing less than stunning. Coming from the grey drizzle of Belgium at the edge of the…
“Don’t make me regret this”
I’ll have to be honest. Renting a car to explore the Japanese Alps two days after Mom arrived might not have been my best idea ever. She felt exhausted by…
As our Eyes Followed his Hands
Sometimes it’s my birthday. This year, though I’d rather have lost a year and gone back to 21, I turned 23. Mom came to visit me in Tokyo, and we…
Harvesting Puppets and Liquor
When you think of Japan, agriculture might not be the first word that comes to mind. Considering the digital reach of Sony and Nintendo, or the global presence of Toyota,…
Frost might Crack the Trees and Split Rocks
It is undeniable that Japan has recently grown into a global tourism superstar. The numbers look tremendous on paper: arrivals increasing year after year, bringing money and energy into the…
The Japanese like strange things
What do you think this post will be about? Maybe you’re well read on cuisine and are thinking about the crime that is natto; sticky, slimy, and stinky. Or perhaps…