Japanese culture – Susan Spann, Adventure, Mystery, and Mountains

Osaka’s Famous Dotonbori Lights Up the Night

Susan Spann Blog, Travel & Tourism January 23, 2023January 22, 2023dotonbori, Japanese culture, Japanese food, Osaka, travel

A couple of months ago, I spent the night in Osaka. I had to leave the next morning, but made the most of the time I had with an evening trip to Dotonbori – an entertainment district not far from Osaka Namba Station that’s famous for good food and over-the-top neon lights.

Saitama’s Famous Icicles, By Night

Susan Spann Blog February 14, 2022February 13, 2022Ashigakubo, Ashigakubo Icicles, Famous icicles of Saitama, icicles, Japan, Japanese culture, Saitama, winter hiking

Last weekend, I hopped an Express LaView for a two hour ride to Saitama Prefecture (which borders Tokyo to the north) to visit one of the Three Great Icicles of Chichibu.

Happy Halloween Tea!

Susan Spann Blog October 31, 2021October 31, 2021food, Halloween, Halloween treats, High Tea, Japan, Japanese culture, Japanese food

Themed high teas are very popular in Tokyo, and in the spirit of the season, I decided to try the “take home” Halloween High Tea from the Tokyo Grand Hyatt on Halloween Day.

Happy (Hokkaido) Halloween!

Susan Spann Blog October 29, 2021October 29, 2021Hokkaido, jack-o-lantern, Japan, Japanese culture, pumpkins

During my recent hiking trip to Hokkaido, I stopped by Niseko to see the town’s unusual–and delightful–Halloween display.

The Tō-ji Cherry Blossom Illumination in Kyoto (Tō-ji, Part 3 of 3)

Susan Spann Blog July 2, 2021June 27, 2021Japanese culture, Kyoto, Kyoto temples, sakura, Tō-ji, Tō-ji temple, Toji Temple

n April 2019, while finishing the 100 mountain climbs that became the basis for CLIMB, I visited Kyoto with my friend (and fellow author) Laura VanArendonk Baugh. By chance, our day in the ancient capital coincided with the final nights of the annual sakura (cherry blossom) illumination at Tō-ji, the UNESCO World Heritage temple that also happens to be one of Kyoto’s oldest sacred sites.

Visiting Tō-ji: a Temple Tied to Kyoto’s Ancient Past (Part 1 of 3)

Susan Spann Blog June 28, 2021June 27, 2021Buddhist temples, food, Japan, Japanese culture, Kyoto, To-ji, Toji

In 794, Kyoto (then renamed Heian-kyo) became the capital of Japan. At that time, the official entrance to the city was in the south (the direction visitors came when approaching from the former capital of Nara). A pair of guardian temples stood on either side of the entrance, at the start of an enormous, broad, flat road that led from the official city entrance all the way to the Imperial Palace in the northern part of the city.

For Love of the Japanese Vending Machine

Admin Uncategorized January 4, 2016Asahi, beverages, Japan, Japanese culture, vending machines

During my research trip to Japan last summer, I fell in love with vending machines. No matter where you go in Japan, you’re likely to find an assortment of large, well-lit machines selling everything from beverages to toys…and I do mean everything. We even saw one selling ladies’ underwear. On a public street. (And NOT in a questionable district.) It’s difficult to walk a block in Japan without passing a vending machine–or two, since they usually seem to appear in pairs–and every train or subway station platform has at least one set. The drink selection in vending machines depends on the company that owns and

Hanging Out With the Noren

Admin Uncategorized May 16, 2013advertising, Japan, Japanese culture, medieval Japan, noren

Noren are traditional Japanese doorway hangings. Most noren are made of fabric panels, with a slit cut up the center to permit passage through the door. Japanese businesses traditionally hang a noren in the entrance during business hours. The presence of the noren indicates the shop is open for business. The lack of a noren in the doorway means the shop is closed. During the medieval period, many noren were made from indigo-colored cloth. White characters on the noren announced the shop’s name and, sometimes, the type of business conducted. Commercial houses often had a shop name ending in -ya (meaning “house