Field Report: Nagoya, Japan (13 February 2014) – Part 1/2

13Feb14 Nagoya Castle Japan 004

Another day, another castle. Diego travels to the historic city of Nagoya and visits one of its most prominent landmarks.

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

12Feb14 Dogo Onsen Matsuyama Ehime Shikoku Japan 004

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.

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

12Feb14 Iyo Matsuyama Castle Ehime Shikoku Japan 030

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 to see some castle or other.

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Field Report: Matsuyama, Japan (12 February 2014) – Part 1/3

12Feb14 JR Shikoku 8000 series Green Car Shiokaze 004

I’ve got plenty to look forward to in the historic capital of Ehime Prefecture – but of course, I’ll need to get there first. It’s a good thing I love long train rides.

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Field Report: Ōsaka, Japan (10 February 2014)

10Feb14 Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan 034

From the wintry wonderland of Sapporo, I flew hundreds of miles south to the (somewhat) warmer climes of Ōsaka, where I enjoyed a visit to one of the country’s finest aquatic attractions.

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Field Report: Otaru, Japan (09 February 2014)

09Feb14 Otaru 033

Otaru may be a rather small city – and yes, I was here just a couple of days ago – but it’s got more than enough attractions to justify a second day-trip from Sapporo.

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Food Report: Ezokko (Sapporo)

09Feb14 Sapporo Ramen Ezokko 002

Rāmen is a food for all seasons, but it takes on a special appeal when the mercury drops below freezing point.

With Sapporo’s cold winter air sucking all the heat out of my tropic-reared body, is it any wonder that I was game for another steaming-hot bowl just a day after my last one?

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Field Report: Sapporo, Japan (09 February 2014)

09Feb14 Sapporo 011

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.

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