Field Report: Matsuyama, Japan (12 February 2014) – Part 3/3

Old-fashioned onsen bathing is an experience one normally associates with resort towns or rustic mountain hideaways, but Matsuyama’s own hot spring district brings the experience a little closer to downtown.

Field Report: Matsuyama, Japan (12 February 2014) – Part 2/3

All right, I’ll admit it: I’m a castle nut. Not once in my several visits to Japan have I ever failed to visit at least one of these striking symbols of the country’s feudal history, and on several occasions (such as here and here) I didn’t hesitate to invest hours of travel time just toContinue reading “Field Report: Matsuyama, Japan (12 February 2014) – Part 2/3”

Field Report: Sapporo, Japan (09 February 2014)

Remember the little mahō shōjo we met at Ōdōri Park a few days ago? Remember how I mentioned that there’s just no avoiding her, especially considering that Sapporo is her home turf? Well, guess who I ran into one Sunday morning in Hokkaidō’s snowy capital.