The Tokaido (東海道)

The Tokaido (東海道)

When I lived in Japan I became aware of the Tokaido (東海道), an ancient road which once connected Tokyo (then Edo) to Kyoto. The Tokaido was the most important of the Edo Five Routes (Gokaidō / 五街道), five routes set up by the shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu (徳川 家康) (1543 – 1616) to connect Edo to other parts of Japan during the … Continue reading »

A to Wa of Japan: Week 16

A to Wa of Japan: Week 16

It’s time for A to Wa of Japan again! Last week’s post was about things beginning with せ (se) and we looked at Senso-ji (浅草寺). This week we are looking at things beginning with そ (so). A big thank you to everyone who joined in with suggestions this week:  Jay Dee suggested soba (そば / a kind of noodle), soki soba (ソーキーそば … Continue reading »

Introducing: RAYCHELL

Introducing: RAYCHELL

My knowledge of current Japanese pop music is not all it could be, but I became quite excited when I first heard RAYCHELL’s new album, which will be released on 24th April. RAYCHELL’s debut album, L>R, is a delightful mix of rock, pop and dance, with a couple of sway-inducing ballads thrown in for good … Continue reading »

Theatre Review: Siro-A

Theatre Review: Siro-A

I went to the theatre last night and now I’m going to try to review what I saw, but I’m still a little lost for words to be honest. I hoped that after a day Siro-A’s performance at the Leicester Square Theatre would have sunk in and I would have found a way to describe … Continue reading »

A to Wa of Japan: Week 15

A to Wa of Japan: Week 15

It’s time for A to Wa of Japan again! Last week’s post was about things beginning with す (su) and we looked at Sushi (寿司). This week we are looking at things beginning with せ (se). A big thank you to everyone who joined in with suggestions this week: Japan Australia suggested Senso-ji (浅草寺 / a temple in Tokyo), sento (銭湯 / bath house), and … Continue reading »

A to Wa of Japan: Week 14

A to Wa of Japan: Week 14

It’s time for A to Wa of Japan again! Last week’s post was about things beginning with し (shi) and we looked at Shimokitazawa (下北沢). This week we are looking at things beginning with す (su). A big thank you to everyone who joined in with suggestions this week: UK Seikatsu suggested sushi (寿司), Sugamo (巣鴨 / ‘Harajuku for old ladies’, … Continue reading »

Kawaii Hello Kitty stuff…

Kawaii Hello Kitty stuff…

Miss Kitty White sure is a popular girl here in the UK, and recently I’ve been spotting her everywhere! Here are a few places I’ve caught Kitty-chan recently… She was in the window of the Build-A-Bear Workshop in Covent Garden, and I have to confess I was tempted to build a Kitty! Aren’t they cute? … Continue reading »