Postcards: a couple in Kyoto
This scene from Kyoto last year reminded me of a Haruki Murakami novel, and I suddenly felt elated thinking about Murakami’s somber prose that flow so beautifully across each page. I thought of Norwegian Wood, where he establishes such rich relationships between characters that you feel like you’re physically there listening to their conversations. I imagined...
Guest Post: Jace eats Osaka
Thanks to Jace from Lost in the ROK, Mapping Words is publishing its first guest post! Today, Jace exposes an array of Japanese food porn from his trip to Osaka and Kobe with the intention of making us all really hungry. Should we all travel to Japan with the mere intention of stuffing our faces?...
2012 In Photos: the year that I never fully unpacked
Last year I summarized my travels through a photo essay called, 2011 In Photos: a year of transition and travel, so I decided to do the same for 2012. This year, thanks to my three extensive vacations and a slew of Adventure Korea-sponsored weekend trips, I never fully unpacked, continually leaving items throughout various backpacks...
Capture the Colour
TravelSupermarket is currently hosting a photography contest called, Capture the Colour, where participants are encouraged to explore visual storytelling through color. Jessica from Curiosity Travels nominated me. (Thanks, Jessica!) You must upload five photos that capture each color, white, red, yellow, green and blue, and tell a bit about each photo. There’s a chance to...
How to travel on a budget in Tokyo
My budget travel guide, How to travel on a budget in Tokyo, was published today on Matador Trips! If you’re planning a trip to Tokyo soon and you don’t want to break the bank, check out these tips. Also, feel free to share or leave a comment if you enjoy the article. ^^ -Text...
Snapshots from Tokyo
Wow, it’s been four months since I returned from my trip to Japan, and I still haven’t posted my photos from Tokyo. Here’s a mini collection of the sights and people that inspired and intrigued me. Cute Japanese snacks. I would like one Japanese house with a garden and bonzai trees, please. Meiji Jingu, a...
A Traditional Japanese Wedding Ceremony at Meiji Jingu
On a mild February day in Tokyo, I set out to see the elaborate costumes and anime character look-a-likes that Harajuku has to offer. I wanted to verify what Gwen Stefani raved about in her song, “Harajuku Girls.” Although I saw many elaborately dressed young females with stage make-up caked on their faces, I spontaneously...
Photo Essay: Koya-san, Japan
Recently, I visited Koya-san (Mt. Koya) in Japan, located about 50 kilometers south of Osaka. The Buddhist monk Kobo Daishi founded a temple on Koya-san in the early ninth century, and ever since, the Shingon sect of Japanese Buddhism has thrived on this sacred mountain. An array of monasteries, temples, pagodas and burial grounds are...
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