This summer a new Starbucks opened in the ancient capital of Kyoto. To preserve the integrity of the area (and be allowed to open a store), they’re using a Japanese home that’s over 100 years old. The home was previously used by entertainers including geisha. After making some making some renovations, they recently opened shop. … More New Starbucks in Ancient Kyoto

Tokyo Street Photography on Tumblr has some of the best shots I’ve seen. Great stuff. I’ll share a few pics here:

Kokichi Sugihara, a professor at Meiji University in Japan, became famous for his ambiguous cylinder illusion when he took second prize in the “Best Illusion of the Year” contest. The object he created looks different when viewed from the front and back, yet deceptively looks symmetrical. The result is that the object looks very different … More Kokichi Sugihara’s Ambiguous Cylinder Illusion

This company called “Samurai-Age,” in Fukuoka sells custom armor for pets. https://www.samurai-age.jp/

While America debates building a wall, Japan is making it easier to obtain residency. New laws loosening the restrictions went into effect in March 2017. The main purpose is to attract highly skilled foreign professionals. Between Japan’s declining population and lack of workers with advanced skills, the Immigration Bureau of Japan decided to make it … More Becoming a Resident of Japan Keeps Getting Easier—Here’s How to Do It

The University of Tokyo held its May festival (gogatsusai) last weekend. One of the biggest surprises for me was the Lego club. I think it’s both odd and awesome that Japan’s most prestigious University even has a Lego club. Particularly amazing were the Lego portraits of two famous graduates, Dr. Kajita and Dr. Koshiba, who … More University of Tokyo’s May Festival (五月祭) : Legos and Kobudo

I woke up this morning to this. Fire trucks lined the whole street and smoke was billowing out of a traditional Chinese medicine shop. I breathed a lot of it in. Hopefully I’ll live to be 1000.

Ancient Mongol invasions, author Jack London, and my grandfather all have an odd kamikaze connection. I’ve been on a kick of reading classic books lately and just finished Jack London’s “The Call of the Wild.” The book is basically about a wild dog who is captured and forced to work pulling a dog sled in … More Kamikaze Connections

This Darth Vader inspired Samurai armor  is available at Toys R Us in Japan. 3 feet tall, about $3,800 USD. Kind of cool but…