Відео

In Kakunodate are several large and impressive samurai houses owned by high-level samurai and a rich merchant prior to the Meiji Restoration in the 1860s. These houses are maintained and can be toured (with an entrance fee).

One day in Tokyo. We start in Ameyoko, where we buy a bunch of candy to take home, and we eat sushi for lunch. My wife buys lipstick in a department store. This is surprisingly involved and ends with her name being engraved on the lipstick cylinder. We end by shopping on the old Yanaka Ginza shopping street.

Tsurugajo (jo=castle) is in Aizu Wakamatsu, which was the last real samurai holdout during Japan's civil war and the Meiji Restoration in the 1860s, when a central government was established in place of the feudal samurai system. (There was another holdout in Hokkaido after this, but this is where the war officially ended.)

Tram ride up the side of a mountain to visit the Nunobiki Herb Garden, which is on the side of the hill above Kobe. This is the largest herb garden in Japan, but this video does not show the garden. Rather it is a ride up the tram (ropeway) and two young boys playing hand games while standing in line.

A quick Look at selecting a restaurant from the displays in the cases of the restaurants on the top floor of a department store. Then eating the tempura-don and soba noodles.

Himeji Castle is a must-visit place if you're in Japan. This is the biggest and most beautiful castle, and it has been restored to its authentic origin (the inside of many castle are modern museums). We visited when the cherry blossoms were in bloom, so there are many more people than usual.

Hagi Castle is on the Japan Sea side of Japan north of Shimonoseki. The easiest way to get here is by car. The castle grounds are beautiful, especially when the cherry blossoms are in bloom, but all that remains of the castle is its foundation. Hagi also has an area with old samurai houses and an onsen.

The geisha (called geiko in Kyoto) and Maiko (geisha in training) put on a show (called the Miyako Odori, or dance) once each year. Visitors are not allowed to take photos or videos during the show. This video shows us walking the streets around Gion, the geisha district, a couple of photos from a promotional brochure. Because tourists taking photos of geisha living their everyday lives, some s...

Tsubosakadera is a Buddhist temple that has a large granite Daibutsu (Buddha statue) surrounded by thick cherry blossoms.

The top floors of many department stores have a number of good restaurants. We found one that serves tonkatsu (pork cutlets). We had to grind our own sesame seeds to make the dipping sauce.

The basement floor of many department stores hosts small booths selling everything from take-home dinners to expensive desserts. In this video we buy a small strawberry cheesecake, which the workers packages in a box with bumpers to protect it and ice.

Some of the sumo stables open their training to fans. Arashiya Beya lets us watch through a large window. It closes at 9:30 a.m., so you have to get here early. After the practice some of the sumo wrestlers come onto the street to take pictures with fans and visit. In this stable we saw Wakatakakage winding up his morning training along with some lower-level stablemates.

This is a quick walkthrough of a small part of the seven-story BIC Camera. This store, as well as Yodobashi and others, started as a camera store but now sells everything from electronics to toys, sporting goods, and clothing.

Adachiya Onsen and ryōkan near Fukushima is up a winding road to a sulphur-smelling spot with a handful of onsen ryōkans. This video is a walk-through of the onsen and the ryōkan. The onsen is open to women only from 5 to 7 p.m. It is otherwise co-ed with several nice private baths.

JAPAN-Kichitampo

JAPAN-Akita Matsuri Lantern Demonstation

JAPAN-Akita Castle Food Booths

JAPAN-Morioka Castle

JAPAN-Kōkoen Park

JAPAN-Kokura Castle

JAPAN-Kyoto Nishiki Market

JAPAN-4,000 Hinaningyo (Emperor and Empress Dolls) at Tsubosakadera

JAPAN-Tokyo as Seen from the Metropolitan Building

Actual Tenex Procedure for Tendinopathy in Achilles Tendon

JAPAN-Three Guys to Direct Construction Traffic

JAPAN-7-Eleven

Bike Ride to Farmington, UT

Semi Trucker Drives Stupid in Winter Weather

Snow Rollover Hwy 30