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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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A Modern Twist on an Ancient Rite of Spring

Susan Spann Blog March 16, 2022March 13, 2022Hakone, hanami, Japan, Murder is Everywhere

This week, I’m blogging at Murder is Everywhere – and sharing a modern twist on an ancient Japanese rite of spring. I hope you’ll click through and join me!

  • ← Living (Near) History in Tokyo’s Meguro Ward
  • The First Sakura of 2022! →

Recent Posts

  • Tokyo From 450 Meters Up: Sunset at the Skytree
  • Jiggly Souffle Pancakes and Sakura Soda at Tokyo’s Micasadeco Cafe
  • The Yamanashi Gem Museum: A Hidden Treasure Near Mt. Fuji
  • What Does it Mean to Live Your Best Life?
  • Visiting the Famous Snow Monsters of Mt. Zao

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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!

Thank you for visiting!

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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The #iris festival at Mizumoto Park began today, a The #iris festival at Mizumoto Park began today, and the guests of honor definitely got the memo. #irismatsuri #flowers #flowerphotography #mizumotokoen #tokyo #SpannInJapan
Scenes from my daily #walk in Mizumoto Koen, along Scenes from my daily #walk in Mizumoto Koen, along the #Edo #River in #Tokyo. It’s been a delight to watch the #park “spring” to life over the last few months. #Hiking #SpannInJapan
The first “harvest” from my baby #mulberry tre The first “harvest” from my baby #mulberry trees. There are more unripe ones, but I snagged these before the (crow) collective could. #berries #Japan #gardening #SpannInJapan
Favorite shot from a Mother’s Day walk in #Mizum Favorite shot from a Mother’s Day walk in #MizumotoKoen, #Tokyo. #dragonfly #nature #spanninjapan
A beautiful morning at the Imperial Palace #Garden A beautiful morning at the Imperial Palace #Gardens in #Tokyo. #spring #koi #GoldenWeek #Garden #Japan #SpannInJapan
First #kakigori (Japanese shaved ice) of 2023. Str First #kakigori (Japanese shaved ice) of 2023. Strawberry and condensed milk is always a winner… #shaveice #japan #summer #foodstagram #SpannInJapan
Central #Tokyo by night (with bonus planet). I lov Central #Tokyo by night (with bonus planet). I love my adopted #hometown so very much, in all her moods. #expatlife #Cityscape #SpannInJapan
Egrets flying over the #Edogawa last night on the Egrets flying over the #Edogawa last night on the walk home. Yep, this too is #Tokyo.
Koinobori flying high at #Solamachi #Skytree cente Koinobori flying high at #Solamachi #Skytree center in #tokyo, two days before #ChildrensDay2023. #koinobori #GoldenWeek #Japan #SpannInjapan
New acquisition: baby #loquat trees! Apparently it New acquisition: baby #loquat trees! Apparently it helps to have two for #fruiting. #garden #tokyo #expatlife #fruittree #SpannInJapan
Fiery red #azaleas on the trail last weekend. I lo Fiery red #azaleas on the trail last weekend. I love azaleas. Sadly, I’m also allergic to azaleas… #snifflehike #hikingjapan #takaosan #spanninjapan
She has opinions. #oobie #catsofinstagram #tortiet She has opinions. #oobie #catsofinstagram #tortietude
Jiggly soufflé #pancakes from #micasadecocafe in Jiggly soufflé #pancakes from #micasadecocafe in #Harajuku, #Tokyo: well worth the wait—both inside the cafe and outside (to get a table). Made with ricotta, and light and airy—I think these are the best in Tokyo. #foodstagram #jigglypancake #bestofTokyo #SpannInJapan
A 19-km Sunday #hike over Mt. Takao, Shiroyama, an A 19-km Sunday #hike over Mt. Takao, Shiroyama, and four other lesser #mountains, a couple of hours from central #Tokyo. #Waterfalls, fresh green #leaves — and many, many #stairs… #legday #hiking #hikingadventures #forest #SpannInJapan #Japan
Wild #wisteria (#fuji in Japanese) blooming on the Wild #wisteria (#fuji in Japanese) blooming on the mountains near Mt #Takao, Hachioji, #Japan. #hikingadventures #flowers #flowerstagram #SpannInJapan
#Oobie and the #heater: a #lovestory in three acts #Oobie and the #heater: a #lovestory in three acts. #catsofinstagram #tortiecat #expatcat
#Wisteria in bloom at #Hamarikyu gardens in #Tokyo #Wisteria in bloom at #Hamarikyu gardens in #Tokyo. Spring is rapidly moving toward summer…way too fast… #flowers #fuji #Japan #expatlife #gardens #SpannInJapan
Scenes from a #walk in Mizumoto #Park, along the E Scenes from a #walk in Mizumoto #Park, along the Edogawa. #Egrets, #Herons, and #Cormorants fishing. #urbanhikes #Japan #Tokyo #SpannInJapan
The pagoda at #kiyomizudera, in #kyoto, during thi The pagoda at #kiyomizudera, in #kyoto, during this year’s #sakura (cherry blossom) illumination. #temples #travel #Japan #SpannInJapan
Scenes from today’s 9.5-km #urbanhike through Mi Scenes from today’s 9.5-km #urbanhike through Mizumoto Park and Minato Park, in #Tokyo. #mizumotokoen #parks #parkwalks #birding #birdsoftheworld #egrets #spanninjapan
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