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Featured image for Ulysses Grant and Emperor MeijiBackground image for Ulysses Grant and Emperor Meiji

Ulysses Grant and Emperor Meiji

In the summer of 1879, Ulysses Grant visited Japan. The former U.S. president and Civil War general spent two months in Tokyo, where he had several meetings with…

Tokyo Tom Baker: The Blog

Featured image for A tiny speck of immortalityBackground image for A tiny speck of immortality

A tiny speck of immortality

Earlier this year, at my local public library, I was looking for the novel “Ancillary Justice” by Ann Leckie. Unfortunately, they didn’t have it. But there on the…

Tokyo Tom Baker: The Blog

Featured image for Around Japan in 47 curries: Fukushima fire curryBackground image for Around Japan in 47 curries: Fukushima fire curry

Around Japan in 47 curries: Fukushima fire curry

This is Part 17 of a 47-part series of occasional blog posts looking at curries from each of Japan’s 47 prefectures. Fukushima Prefecture has a long history of recovering from…

Tokyo Tom Baker: The Blog

Featured image for Pool review: Amusing art near the Shinjuku Sports CenterBackground image for Pool review: Amusing art near the Shinjuku Sports Center

Pool review: Amusing art near the Shinjuku Sports Center

Getting off the subway at Nishi Waseda Station on the Fukutoshin Line last month, I intended to go directly to the Shinjuku Sports Center for a swim. But…

Tokyo Tom Baker: The Blog

Featured image for Two new curry snacksBackground image for Two new curry snacks

Two new curry snacks

At the convenience store the other day, I found two new curry-flavored products on the snack shelves. On the left, there is curry-flavored kaki-pi, which is light on…

Tokyo Tom Baker: The Blog

Featured image for Swim like Kermit and feast on bagels in SetagayaBackground image for Swim like Kermit and feast on bagels in Setagaya

Swim like Kermit and feast on bagels in Setagaya

If you’re a swimmer who likes bagels, you should pay a visit to the Setagaya Chitose All-Season Swimming Pool in Tokyo. What are quite likely the best bagels…

Tokyo Tom Baker: The Blog

Featured image for You shouldn’t swim in the Meguro RiverBackground image for You shouldn’t swim in the Meguro River

You shouldn’t swim in the Meguro River

But there is a great place to swim right next to it. The photo above shows a view of the river from a bridge that you can find…

Tokyo Tom Baker: The Blog

Featured image for Pool review: Swim like a hero in Taito WardBackground image for Pool review: Swim like a hero in Taito Ward

Pool review: Swim like a hero in Taito Ward

On July 21, one of my favorite Tokyo pools opened for the summer. The Taito Riverside Sports Center’s outdoor pool – barely visible through the trees in this…

Tokyo Tom Baker: The Blog

Featured image for On the ingenuity of Japanese crowsBackground image for On the ingenuity of Japanese crows

On the ingenuity of Japanese crows

A pair of architects recently built and moved into a new home just a few blocks from my apartment. The high-rise residence uses traditional building methods to re-purpose…

Tokyo Tom Baker: The Blog

Featured image for I love oystersBackground image for I love oysters

I love oysters

I love oysters. I love the pleasure of eating them. I love their succulent mouthfeel and their umami flavor. I love the fact that they are considered a…

Tokyo Tom Baker: The Blog

Featured image for I swim like a samurai (and didn’t even know it)Background image for I swim like a samurai (and didn’t even know it)

I swim like a samurai (and didn’t even know it)

Not long ago, a member of my sports club noticed that I was swimming sidestroke in the pool. He was curious enough to ask how it was that…

Tokyo Tom Baker: The Blog