-
Archives
- December 2013
- October 2013
- May 2013
- January 2013
- December 2012
- September 2012
- August 2012
- May 2012
- April 2012
- March 2012
- February 2012
- January 2012
- December 2011
- November 2011
- October 2011
- August 2011
- July 2011
- June 2011
- May 2011
- April 2011
- March 2011
- February 2011
- January 2011
- December 2010
- November 2010
- September 2010
- August 2010
- June 2010
- May 2010
- April 2010
- March 2010
- December 2009
- November 2009
- October 2009
- September 2009
- August 2009
- July 2009
- June 2009
- May 2009
- April 2009
- March 2009
- February 2009
- January 2009
- October 2008
- August 2008
- July 2008
- May 2008
- February 2008
- December 2007
- November 2007
- October 2007
- September 2007
-
Meta
Author Archives: Jim Buell
Nepal
My first stop after leaving my life in Japan was Nepal. I spent my time in Kathmandu and Pokhara. Kathmandu was bustling, charming and at times overwhelming. Life seemed to spill out everywhere. Pokhara was more laid-back, offering chances to relax or … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Leave a comment
Under the Gates
In my last week in Japan, I spent a couple days in Fukuoka on Japan’s Kyushu island. The city is famous for tonkotsu ramen of which I ate three bowls over the course of about 24 hours. No regrets. While … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Leave a comment
Japan in Summer
Summer vacation this year took me down to the cities of Osaka and Nara in the middle of Japan, and then up to the northern island of Hokkaido. We camped, slept in capsules, dug out hot springs, barbecued, rowed across … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Leave a comment
Bouldering on the Beach
The highlight of my trip to Okinawa, Japan’s southernmost prefecture, was bouldering next to the ocean. I’ve been bouldering in a gym in Tokyo for more than a year now, but this was the first time I’ve done it outside … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Leave a comment
Kamikochi
The mountainous valley of Kamikochi sits high in Japan’s Nagano Prefecture in what some call the Japan Alps. Surrounded by mountain peaks, the highland area features beautiful ponds, a peaceful shrine, and leisurely hiking trails. A number of dead trees … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Leave a comment
Awa Odori Festival
Dancers and musicians perform at the Awa Odori festival in Koenji in Tokyo on Sunday, August 26. The dance festival is part of the summer Obon celebrations in Japan in which Japanese honor the spirits of their ancestors. There are … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese Culture, Uncategorized
2 Comments
Angkor
A thousand years ago, visiting the region of Angkor in Cambodia might have been equivalent to visiting New York today – it might have felt like it was the center of the world. Angkor was the largest pre-industrial city in … Continue reading
All the World for a Drink
A delicious “reverse manhattan” made with chili-infused vermouth at Fuglen, a new cocktail bar near Yoyogi Park in Tokyo. That is all. Back to the drink.
Islands in the Sun
Sunscreen and sunglasses. Sand and sandals. Coconuts and crabs. Ahh the beach. The beautiful Philippine island Palawan played host to my recent relaxing vacation. Coconut trees dominate the coastline of Palawan. A local man helps guide a boat towards land … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
2 Comments