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Susan Spann, Adventure, Mystery, and Mountains

Susan Spann, Adventure, Mystery, and Mountains

Author of the Hiro Hattori (Shinobi) mysteries

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Month: March 2020

Summit #1: Mt. Akagi (赤城山)

Susan Spann 1000 Summits, Blog March 22, 2020March 22, 2020Akagi, hiking, hyakumeizan, Japan
Summit #1: Mt. Akagi (赤城山)

In addition to being one of the Nihon Hyakumeizan, (100 Famous Mountains of Japan) Mt. Akagi is also a beloved symbol of Gunma Prefecture and one of the Jomo Sanzan (Three Famous Mountains of Gunma).

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The Distance Between Us

Susan Spann Blog March 16, 2020March 16, 2020coronavirus, coronavirus tips, social distancing
The Distance Between Us

Here are some of the things I’m doing to bridge the physical gaps and the isolation that comes from “social distancing” to help flatten the coronavirus curve:

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Welcome, Spring!

Susan Spann Blog March 1, 2020March 1, 2020Murder is Everywhere, spring, ume
Welcome, Spring!

“Springtime in Japan” conjures mental images of sakura – cherry blossoms – but in reality, the first colorful harbingers of spring are the ume (plum, or Japanese apricot), and the beautiful blossoms have now arrived once more.

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Recent Posts

  • Visiting the Famous Snow Monsters of Mt. Zao
  • Osaka’s Famous Dotonbori Lights Up the Night
  • The First Ume of 2023
  • Happy New Year from Tokyo!
  • Riding the Akechidaira Ropeway to a Bird’s Eye View of Nikko’s Kegon Falls

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BETRAYAL AT IGA

BETRAYAL AT IGA Autumn, 1565: After fleeing Kyoto, master ninja Hiro Hattori and Portuguese Jesuit Father Mateo take refuge with Hiro’s ninja clan in the mountains of Iga province. But when an ambassador from the rival Koga clan is murdered during peace negotiations, Hiro and Father Mateo must find the killer in time to prevent a war between the ninja clans.

Available now from Seventh Street Books!

WELCOME!

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I’m the author of CLIMB and the Hiro Hattori mystery novels. I’m also an avid hiker, photographer, and lifelong student of Japanese culture and history. Welcome to my website…

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susanspann.author

Cherry #blossoms in hell? Yep! Blooming #sakura at Cherry #blossoms in hell? Yep! Blooming #sakura at Oniishibozu Jigoku (the monks’ head hell) in #Beppu—named for the bubbling clay hot springs, which look like the bald heads of Buddhist monks. #oniishibozujigoku #travel #cherryblossoms #japan #SpannInJapan
Cloudy day, but the #sakura are in bloom, so it’ Cloudy day, but the #sakura are in bloom, so it’s beautiful despite the clouds. Sakura at Hiei Jinja #Katsushika, #Mizumoto Park, and along the Edo River. Bonus: sakura #icecream with matcha warabimochi. #hanami #sakura2023 #expatlife #flowerstagram #SpannInJapan
A beautiful morning on Hakone-Komagatake, with per A beautiful morning on Hakone-Komagatake, with perfect views of Mt #Fuji! #hiking #Japan #travel #SpannInJaoan #Hikingadventures
Another great—if cloudy—afternoon at Owakudani Another great—if cloudy—afternoon at Owakudani, in #Hakone, riding the Hakone Ropeway and eating black #curry by the #volcano. #owakudani #Japan #SpannInJapan
The tomb of #Tokugawa Ieyasu (1543-1616), the samu The tomb of #Tokugawa Ieyasu (1543-1616), the samurai who unified #Japan. A brilliant warrior and statesman, a complex figure, and a man who lived a fascinating life. I’ve photographed his tomb for almost a decade, and finally captured a shot that does it justice. #history #Nikko #Toshogu #Nikkotoshogu #unescoworldheritage #SpannInJapan
Jiggly soufflé #pancakes and #sakura soda at #mic Jiggly soufflé #pancakes and #sakura soda at #micasadeco cafe in #Harajuku. Even more delicious than they look—and well worth the 30 minute wait! #foodstagram #Japan #Tokyo #foodie #jigglypancakes #soufflepancake #SpannInJapan
Early #sakura in bloom at Mizumoto Park, in #Tokyo Early #sakura in bloom at Mizumoto Park, in #Tokyo. The blossoms have begun! #cherryblossom #sakura2023 #lifeinJapan #tokyolife #SpannInJapan
St. Marc Cafe is celebrating White Day (March 14)—a day when people give gifts and chocolates to reciprocate gifts received on Valentine’s Day—with a “melting silver dark and white chocolate” croissant. And since I gave myself chocolates on Valentine’s Day, it’s my cultural duty to reciprocate…#stmarcchococro #japan #chocolate #croissant #foodstagram #lifeinJapan #SpannInJapan
Full #moon rising over Hiei Jinja (a #Shinto #shri Full #moon rising over Hiei Jinja (a #Shinto #shrine in Katsushika, #Tokyo). This is a side of Tokyo I love, that many people never get to see. #expatlife #shrinesofJapan #Japanlife #SpannInJapan
Dungeon Meshi (sometimes translated “Delicious i Dungeon Meshi (sometimes translated “Delicious in #Dungeon” is a popular #manga here in #Japan. The creators just started a real-life #dungeonmeshi collaboration with several restaurants in #Shibuya. Stopped in today for the #pancake platter. Delicious in dungeon, indeed! Also pictured: collectible card I got with my meal and the famous #Hachiko statue. A fun afternoon! #SpannInJapan #Japanlife #expatlife
First #sakura ice cream and first real sakura (#ch First #sakura ice cream and first real sakura (#cherryblossoms) of the year! Tokyo is gearing up for #spring! #tokyo #icecream #tokyolife #SpannInJapan
Icy winds blow across the sea from Siberia and acr Icy winds blow across the sea from Siberia and across the top of #Japan’s Mt. #Zao, creating giant corniced trees that look like looking #monsters. They’re only visible for a few weeks each #winter, and this year I finally got to see them! #snowmonsters #juhyo #zaojuhyo #travel #SpannInJapan
First #snow at the new house, and in my neighborho First #snow at the new house, and in my neighborhood. So pretty!! #snowfall #japan #tokyo #tokyosnow #SpannInJapan
#Strawberry picking at the strawberry house in #Gu #Strawberry picking at the strawberry house in #Gunma Prefecture. Strawberries are a winter crop in #Japan—and they’re magnificent. #fruit #strawberrypicking #SpannInJapan
Buddhist statues and images of Jizō (the bodhisat Buddhist statues and images of Jizō (the bodhisattva known as a patron of children, travelers, and the lost) in the #snow at #Yamadera (#Risshakuji), a famous mountain #temple sacred to the #Tendai sect of #Buddhism. #Travel #Japan #Tohoku #SpannInJapan
The views from #Yamadera, in #Yamanashi Prefecture The views from #Yamadera, in #Yamanashi Prefecture. Well worth the 1000 snowy stairs I climbed to get there. #Risshakuji #snowhiking #mountains #SpannInJapan #Climb
A janitorial #robot cleaning the floors at #Ueno s A janitorial #robot cleaning the floors at #Ueno station, #Tokyo. He works alone. This is the way. #Mandafloorian. #robotics #expatlife #SpannInJapan
#Koi at the Imperial Palace gardens in #Tokyo. I l #Koi at the Imperial Palace gardens in #Tokyo. I love walking in the #gardens at any time of year, but clear, cold #winter days are special! The palace gardens are a lovely place to visit, if you’re ever in Tokyo. #Japan #travel #koifish #garden
My adopted hometown, from 350 meters up on the low My adopted hometown, from 350 meters up on the lower observation deck of the #tokyo #skytree. #cityscape #bladerunner #SpannInJapan
The #tokyo skyline by night, from our table on the The #tokyo skyline by night, from our table on the #NewYear’s Eve cruise, #SymphonyCruiseTokyoBay. A beautiful evening, delicious food—an excellent adieu to 2022! #harborcruise #skyline #spanninjapan
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