Before the pandemic began, I maintained a comfortable habit of visiting Japan and Korea on an annual basis…and venturing pretty much nowhere else. (Not even to other parts of the Philippines outside my home region.) Sure, the occasional family holiday would take me on detours beyond that well-trodden path, but as a solo traveller myContinue reading ““Tell the Queen I’ve come for tea”: Day 1 of my UK adventure (5th June 2022)”
Tag Archives: Museums
Field Report: A Morning Trip to Kitakyūshū, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan (23 September 2018)
I’ve been to Kitakyūshū before, but that initial foray was so brief that I had no choice but to come back. And I’m glad I returned, because I found myself rewarded with glimpses at both life during the Edo Period and contemporary expressions of Japanese culture – all in the space of a single morning.
Field Report: A Sunny Sunday in Sunny Naha, Okinawa, Japan (06 May 2018)
Japan’s Okinawa Prefecture is famous for its beaches, but what’s a chap to do when he hates going to the beach? No worries – there’s plenty to see, do, and taste in the capital city of Naha, even for someone who loathes the sea and sand.
Field Snapshots: Something old, something new in Seoul, South Korea (19 February 2018)
I didn’t do much on the last day of my February vacation in Korea, so let’s close the book on this journey by assembling a simple photopost. Now if you’ve been keeping up with my blog over the past few years, you’ll know that I’ve seen these places before … but then again, I can’tContinue reading “Field Snapshots: Something old, something new in Seoul, South Korea (19 February 2018)”
Field Report: Two Days in Gyeongju, South Korea – Day 2 Part 2 (17 February 2018)
During the last few hours of my first visit to Gyeongju, I explored the ruins of what had once been amongst Silla’s greatest temples – now reduced to a grassy field littered with weathered stones and the ghostly outlines of long-lost buildings. Empty, silent, desolate … and for all that, a fitting canvas upon whichContinue reading “Field Report: Two Days in Gyeongju, South Korea – Day 2 Part 2 (17 February 2018)”
Field Report: Two Days in Gyeongju, South Korea – Day 2 Part 1 (17 February 2018)
In my last few posts (here, here, and here), we’ve seen some of the remarkable architectural relics of the long-lost Kingdom of Silla. Now we’re off to visit one of Korea’s finest museums, where we can admire and appreciate other historic treasures that might be far smaller in size, but are the equal of anyContinue reading “Field Report: Two Days in Gyeongju, South Korea – Day 2 Part 1 (17 February 2018)”
Field Report: Three Galleries and a Plate of Dumplings, Seoul, South Korea (29 January 2017)
A Sunday in Seoul can never be complete without the following: Mass, museums, and a meal. Fortunately, the South Korean capital isn’t short of places where one might satisfy the need for all three.
Field Snapshot: Kyōto National Museum, Japan (25 November 2016)
Another short and sweet snapshot post, just to tide us over until the next proper field report. Today, let’s have a look at one of my favourite hangouts in Kyōto … which, surprise surprise, happens to be a museum.
Field Report: The Kamihaga Residence, Uchiko, Japan (22 November 2016)
In my previous post, we saw some of the splendid buildings that the town of Uchiko was endowed with by its leading families, back during its heyday as a centre for sumac wax production. Now let’s take a look at one more architectural treasure, and at the same time learn about the industry that onceContinue reading “Field Report: The Kamihaga Residence, Uchiko, Japan (22 November 2016)”
Field Report: Fukuyama, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan (18 November 2016)
A short hop on the San’yō Shinkansen brought me to Fukuyama, near the border between Hiroshima Prefecture and Okayama Prefecture. Although this place doesn’t figure very highly in Chūgoku itineraries – save perhaps for the lovely old port of Tomonoura in its southern reaches – history enthusiasts will no doubt share my interest in theContinue reading “Field Report: Fukuyama, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan (18 November 2016)”
Within striking distance 