It promised to rain South of Tokyo, for days on end; no break in the clouds, grey, cold, and miserable. The crowded capital itself too, already hectic with blue skies,…
“Somewhere with Beaches”
When I first started studying Japanese five years ago, my Dad, a slightly sceptical man, started funneling funds into a ‘just-in-case-he-doesn’t-give-up’ piggy bank. As the years passed, and it became…
My Private Island
Several weeks ago, when Indi was travelling the hill country of Northern Thailand and had left me to my own devices, I visited a lesser known island off the Coast…
Fully Booked – My Love for Onsen, and Why Mishima Killed Himself
The question Japanese people like to ask me most frequently is why I study Japanese. I thought I’d address the matter here, clearly, once and for all. It gives me…
Of Yuna and Dennis, people like Fireworks
I spent only four nights on the small and remote island of Rebun, population 3000, seeking quiet solitude. However, the universe had other plans, and threw some of its most…
From Izakaya to Digsite
Rebun is a small island off the Northern coast of Hokkaido, often compared to Scotland or Norway. Despite its sheer cliffs and green meadows, it’s mostly known for the more…
How we Gave Up on being Pilgrims
For a while now Indi has been talking about going on a pilgrimage. The hikes have been going great, goals reached, peaks climbed. So she wants to increase the challenge,…
Fully Booked – Fully Hooked, The Gambler
The other day a voice beamed through the air and convinced me that I should write about books. So in case this is boring, don’t blame me. What prompted the…
Different Priorities
Indi and I get along really well. Be it movies, music, or people, we often find our interests aligning, long conversations blooming where they cross, while also maintaining a sense…
Indi Tells a Story
The sky was blue and beautiful, a good day was in sight. Despite the poor sleep of our previous night, we were ready to hike up to Mount Gassan. The…