Diego

Field Report: Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), Paju, South Korea (11 December 2014) – Part 1/2

On a freezing winter’s day late in 2014, I briefly traded the dazzling wealth and modernity of Seoul for a no-man’s land of guns, mines, and hundreds of kilometres of barbed wire … a place where the Korean War drags on even now in a strange, almost surreal state of suspended animation. Welcome to theContinue reading “Field Report: Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), Paju, South Korea (11 December 2014) – Part 1/2”

Field Report: Unhyeongung, Seoul, South Korea (10 December 2014)

On a dim, chilly, overcast winter’s day in Seoul, Diego pokes around one of the Korean capital’s smallest royal residences.

Field Report: Himeji, Japan (25 November 2014)

On the last day of our autumn holiday in the Kansai region, we headed west to visit one of the largest, and arguably one of the most splendid, castles in all of Japan.

Field Report: Nara, Japan (24 November 2014)

After our morning visit to Hōryū-ji, we set off on a short train ride to the nearby city of Nara for some architecture, a bit of street food … and deer. Lots and lots of deer.

Field Report: Hōryū-ji, Nara Prefecture, Japan (24 November 2014)

Our family holiday in Japan continues with a trip to an ancient temple compound, featuring the oldest intact wooden buildings in the world … some of which have serenely witnessed the passing of more than 1,300 years.

Food Report: Ichiran (Dōtonbori branch, Ōsaka)

I enjoy trying new restaurants and tasting new dishes as much as the next unadventurous chap, but there are times when the tried-and-true exerts a pull that doesn’t simply pass unnoticed. In this case, it was my favourite ramen at my favourite ramen chain … though I can at least claim the excuse that thisContinue reading “Food Report: Ichiran (Dōtonbori branch, Ōsaka)”

Field Report: Ōsaka, Japan (23 November 2014)

Every visit to Japan is full of surprises, but who could have imagined that a hankering for ramen would land me in a police station?

Field Report: Kyōto, Japan (23 November 2014)

Our itinerary for the 23rd of November was light, open, and relaxed – it was Sunday, after all. A hearty breakfast to start, followed by mid-morning Mass at a Catholic church in downtown Ōsaka, and then a quick day trip to see the gilded precincts of what may well be the grandest house in allContinue reading “Field Report: Kyōto, Japan (23 November 2014)”

Field Report: Kyōto, Japan (22 November 2014) – Part 3/3

After our daytime walk across Arashiyama, we headed back to Kyōto Station for some food, a bit of rest, and an opportunity to plan our next move.

Field Report: Kyōto, Japan (22 November 2014) – Part 2/3

As beautiful as the autumn leaves in Tenryū-ji’s garden might have been, they were but a taste of the seasonal splendour that had spread all across the hills of Kyōto’s Arashiyama district.