The Isetan flagship store in Shinjuku is considered to be one of the most influential department stores in Japan...
Isetan-tan-tan…
Looming Bracelet Crafts…
In a few weeks I return to Japan for the 4th time in 4 years. Our church is continuing our support of SOLA in Ishinomaki, Japan. SOLA is a non-profit working with children in the Tohoku region that was devastated by the earthquake/tsunami combo on March 11, 2011. Last year, my family took a family …
Japan is Too Cool part 3 – Wet + Wash + Dry
On the Shinkansen to Sendai, I had to go to the bathroom. When I came out of the lavatory, I washed my hands at this wonderful contraption. It has soap, water, and a dryer! WAH! 3-in-1! It's so much more convenient that to have to move around to get these three things done. And they …
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Japan is Too Cool part 2 – Zunda Mochi
As we traveled through Sendai, Tomomi bought us some of the regional mochi. Zunda mochi is made with sweetened, crushed edamame (soy bean) instead of the traditional red bean. It has a nuttier flavor and texture, but WOW is it good. Eating foods like this really helps me to appreciate the different regions in Tohoku. …
Japan is Too Cool Part 1 – Mobile Grocery Store
In Ishinomaki, there are some neighborhoods with a lot of grandmas and grandpas. So what did the Japanese do? They created a mobile grocery store that can drive up the hill to their neighborhoods! It's a converted bus with baskets, a refrigerator section, fresh veggies, etc. Check it out. TOO COOL.
Kaerimasu.
After a full year, I have returned. One year ago, I was able to lead a short term team from my church to the Tohoku region of Japan (in Iwate) to help in the relief effort with CRASH Japan. This year, I have returned with another team (the 3rd official team from our church to …
Sakurajima in the news
I happened to fall upon an article about active volcanoes on Yahoo news. They highlighted another volcano near Kagoshima, but you can also see Sakurajima in the picture! It's the smaller smoking mountain in the middle of the bay. Sigh... Kagoshima is beautiful. I don't know why, but I equate smoking volcanoes with beautiful instead …
From Blue to Brown
Uncool. Just went from this: To this: me not happy. I suppose I'm mentally blocking out all the destruction and discomfort we experienced in Iwate. But even in the midst of the Tsunami wreckage and recovery, the people of Iwate made the country beautiful still. I like LA, but I miss Japan. I'm back for …
Last hours in Tokyo…
Not sure whether I'll have time (or the ability) to update in the airport, but I have to leave my room and my internet access... I'll be hitting up Tokyo for some last minute shopping and AT LEAST one more onigiri. 🙂 It's been a great trip in so many ways. I've learned much and …
Rest, Rain, and Robot Cafes.
Today I rested... sort of. I started off the day by sleeping in, then headed out to do some shopping. I chose Akihabara because it was only a short distance from my hotel. I ended up walking the entire way... it was nice... only about 10-15 minutes away. There are a ridiculous amount of shops …
Onigiri Everyday 