Kinkakuji, also known as the Golden Pavilion, shines beautifully in the scorching summer of Kyoto. It’s been over three months since my last article, but I happy to announce that I have safel…
Aug 13, 2022 • Subscribe
More like this


Aesthetic Dining Experiences in Kyoto, Japan Vol. 2
Entering the alternate noodle dimension at Vegan Ramen UZU. Whenever I travel to a new place, I like trying a combination of the local cuisine and the craziest…
Osaka Summer Highlights: Tsukenkaku and Unique Gourmet Experiences
Braving the skies of Shin Sekai at Tsutenkaku Tower! After spending a lovely two nights in Kyoto and revisiting one of my favorite temples, I decided to take…


Review – “Illusory Dwellings: Aesthetic Meditations in Kyoto”
Mystified by the depths of Japanese aesthetic tradition? Then Allen S. Weiss' new book, "Illusory Dwellings", may be for you.


Super Aesthetic Adventures in Okinawa and Miyako
Okinawa in a bottle as it appears in Non Non Biyori. With the end of sakura season in central Japan, it’s time to start thinking about plans for…


The 90s Anime Aesthetic
90s anime represents the height of traditional cel animation. This is what gives 90s anime a certain glow or aesthetic that is hard to match.


The Top 5 “Solitary Gourmet” Spots in Tokyo
Inogashira Goro has eaten his way through Japan. Here are the top five Tokyo spots from The Solitary Gourmet you should absolutely visit.


Aesthetic and Gameplay Thoughts on Pyra and Mythra in Smash Ultimate
The newest DLC characters for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate are Pyra and Mythra (also known as Homura and Hikari in Japanese) from Xenoblade Chronicles 2. I’ve never played…


Are Video Game Experiences “Real” Experiences?
Flashes of magical energy engulfed my cohealer, and an explosion rocked the top of the tower. The creature–a disembodied head and hands the size of a house–smacked the…
Arte – 09 – The Tiny Gourmet
Katarina proves to be a handful to Arte, who is still disoriented by Venice, where not only do people dress differently but the very air she breathes smells…


Shounen Aesthetic & The Big 3
Plugs: I take requests but if you really wanna influence me consider going by the tip jar: Also consider investing in me & my friends over on patreon…


Review: Gourmet Hound
Fans of The Bear will find a lot to enjoy in this hit by Leehama about food, love, loss and grief leading to the feeling of home in…


Revisiting Spice and Wolf
Spice and Wolf first released as an anime in 2008. The series has a soft spot in my heart; I watched it when I was going through a…


Wandering through Neon Aesthetic Paradise in Naha
Lost in paradise in the infinity pool at Hotel Aqua Citta. After an extremely fulfilling first day in Naha sipping on premium fruit cocktails and chilling at the…


Revisiting Sakuragi and the Glorious Slam Dunk!
Slam Dunk is the greatest sports anime of the 90s. Sakuragi Hanamichi is rough around the edges, but nothing will get in the way of the glorious slam…
Revisiting Old Friends and Celebrating Yuri Anniversaries in Doujinshi!
Some of you may have followed the saga of my recent package from Japan, that sat in a warehouse in Kawasaki for 7 weeks because it was supposed…


Gourmet Hound – Webtoon Recommendation
Gourmet Hound is a sweet food based romantic comedy. It also happens to be one of the few webtoons that incorporates music and sound.


5 Make-Your-Own Experiences in Tokyo
It's the new year, so why not try something you've never tried before? Here are our top five choices for make-your-own experiences in Tokyo.


Kyoto Koyo Diaries – Ohara and Hosen-in
Another fall season almost gone. Where does the time go? Read more


Exploring Aesthetic Museums and Glass Shrines on Naoshima
Glass shrine floating on a pond at the Benesse House Art Site. Over the last three days I have been traveling through a chain of tropical art islands…


Revisiting “The Transformers: The Movie”
The 1980s Transformers movie looms large in my memory. I can still feel a part of me reacting to moments I first saw when I was maybe five…


10 Everyday Experiences You Should Try in Japan
Here are some everyday experiences you should try in Japan to experience all the little things that make the country so great.


5 Everyday Experiences You Should Try in Japan
Making your first trip to Japan? Don't forget about all the little things that make the country so great!
Five cultural experiences you must have in Toyama
Like this post? Help us by sharing it! When The Telegraph journalist, Gemma Knight-Gilani, saw our Hidden Zen trip, she was so excited by the itinerary, it became…


My experiences with Hololive Vtubers in 2020 (English)
Hi. If you haven’t seen me post a blog post before, what I use this for is that, once a year is finished, as I’m a bit of…


Nagoya World Cosplay Summit Review and Top Gourmet Recommendations
Oasis21 in Nagoya, Japan — an iconic location of World Cosplay Summit with a courtyard and fountain. Earlier this month I had the honor of attending the 20th…


Revisiting Love, Chunibyo, and Other Delusions
Love, Chunibyo, and Other Delusions explores the psychology of avoidance, coping with change, and seeing magic in everyday things. And it is a love story. The story…


Revisiting Love, Chunibyo, and Other Delusions
Love, Chunibyo, and Other Delusions explores the psychology of avoidance, coping with change, and seeing magic in everyday things. And it is a love story. The story…
In re Kyoto Animation
I can't remember how long the blurb at the top left corner of my blog has referenced Haruhi in some way. Probably at least a decade by now.


What are your best and worst convention experiences?
What and where was your best con experience? The worst? What event or panel is the most memorable you’ve been to?
Revisiting Shuffle!
I had watched Shuffle! back at the beginning of my anime-watching career, and it was my first exposure to harem anime. For perspective, the anime released back in…


Revisiting Horimiya
When Horimiya: Pieces released, I decided to revisit the original season. My original observations still hold. The series offers a heartfelt, nostalgic feeling toward growing up. For those…
Revisiting Horimiya
When Horimiya: Pieces released, I decided to revisit the original season. My original observations still hold. The series offers a heartfelt, nostalgic feeling toward growing up. For those…


Revisiting Bleach
When I revisited Bleach, I decided to give it what I call the “kai” treatment. Named after Dragon Ball Z Kai, the kai treatment is how I approach…
Dragon Ball Z Kai, Naruto, Bleach, Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Z
Revisiting Shuffle!
I had watched Shuffle! back at the beginning of my anime-watching career, and it was my first exposure to harem anime. For perspective, the anime released back in…


Revisiting Bleach
When I revisited Bleach, I decided to give it what I call the “kai” treatment. Named after Dragon Ball Z Kai, the kai treatment is how I approach…
Bleach, Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Z, Dragon Ball Z Kai, Naruto


This Week in Anime - Revisiting The Timeless Millennium Actress
Nicky and Steve revisit the journey of Chiyoko, an actress always running towards something across the many eras of the silver screen.


Monogatari Series – Off and Monster Season – 07 (Wazamonogatari 01) – The Vampire Gourmet
Wazamonogatari casts aside all of the mundane everyday qualities of previous arcs this season and goes Full Gothic. We’re in the age of fairy tales and legends, where…
Revisiting the Tropical Cities of Naha and Okinawa-shi
Though it’s called “Moon Beach”, you can definitely soak up the rays here! Exactly one year ago before the Golden Week rush, I decided to fly to Okinawa…


Revisiting the Popularity and Cultural Context of Vampire Knight
For better or for worse, there’s nothing quite like Vampire Knight out there. Revisiting the series today—about 15 years after its release—reveals not only a lot of its…


The Boy and the Heron | Miyazaki’s Latest and Probably Most Personal Film
This weekend I finally had the opportunity to catch the latest Ghibli film in theatres. The Boy and the Heron is Miyazaki’s supposed final film (we’ve all been…


My Best Anime and Manga Experiences of the Month - November 2021
I talk about the best anime and manga experiences I've had last month and recommend the best anime and manga and recommend them in the most spoiler-free way…
Emma Dreams of Stars: Inside the Gourmet Guide
Before Yelp! and Open Table made it easy to find a good restaurant, you had two options: consult your local newspaper’s Arts & Leisure section, or buy a…


Purple Eyes in the Dark | KYOTO VIDEO
You've got a popular and well-regarded shoujo manga that can be adapted to anime. But why do that when you can just make a video using cover art…


The places in-between: Kyoto by the Sea
Like this post? Help us by sharing it! The places in-between: Kyoto by the Sea Just two hours from Kyoto lies the place in where rice was first…


Review—Structures of Kyoto: Writers in Kyoto Anthology 4
Judith Clancy and Alex Kerr book-end this remarkable publication offering insight into the physical, spiritual and artistic elements of Kyoto.


Review—Structures of Kyoto: Writers in Kyoto Anthology 4
Judith Clancy and Alex Kerr book-end this remarkable publication offering insight into the physical, spiritual and artistic elements of Kyoto.


Revisiting the Sailor Moon Iceberg
A tale so good it deserved a sequel. A follow up _deep_ dive into the fandom of the seminal 90's magical girl show, Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon. Corrections,…


In Pursuit of New Experiences: A Sign of Affection
A Sign of Affection is a shoujo anime that makes a powerful impression. Based on the manga by Morishita Suu, it features a hearing-impaired protagonist in her first…


My experiences with Hololive Vtubers in 2020 (Japanese/Indonesian)
Hi. If you haven’t seen me post a blog post before, what I use this for is that, once a year is finished, as I’m a bit of…


Unico: Awakening Article in Latest MOE Magazine
The latest MOE magazine was released this month and features an article about Unico: Awakening!