Why Uncharted Japan
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Why Uncharted Japan

I’m John Haynes and my wife, Josephine is the fourth generation in her family to have been born in Japan with her great, great-grandparents having arrived in September 1861 from New York only a few years after Japan opened to the west. Her ancestors served as missionaries there when Ronin (former Samurai) still roamed the countryside. It was very much unlike today’s Japan. Therefore her family has a very long history retaining many contacts and the family still keeps the family home there north of Nagano. No one of whom I’m aware in the Japan travel community online or on Youtube has such a background. We both love Japan and enjoy sharing our experience with others. Read on to learn more.

From The Blog
Izushi, A Little Known Castle Town
To get a sense of the real Japan, one needs to get off the beaten path which requires a little effort, but given the excellent rail network of Japan, this is not as hard as it sounds, provided you are okay renting a car. Don’t be dissuaded about driving, especially...
Making Traditional Japanese Sweets In Yokohama
While in Japan, there are numerous experiences one can enjoy as a way to gain a deeper appreciation for the unique things you’ll see and do in Japan. Japanese wagashi is a luxury item that is typically part of ceremonial tea services. Wagashi is a soft sugary dough...
See Tokyo From The Water
Many folks don’t realize that Tokyo grew up on the water of Tokyo Bay. Long before it became the world’s largest metropolis, it was a port city, and remains so today. However, its lost its look and character as such because so many manmade islands have been created...