Jonelle Patrick's Blog

In Japan, you’re never too young to…

think of chickens as walking yakitori. If you’ve never had the pleasure of overhearing what Japanese people talk about at the aquarium, it may come as a surprise that when they see a chicken, the first thing they think isn’t ” Ooo, colorful feathers!” but “Yum, skewered and grilled with a little yakitori sauce!” TheseContinue reading "In Japan, you’re never too young to…"

If you think box wine is bad, wait ’til you try box whisky!

If you didn’t think there were new depths to be plumbed on the way to getting hammered as cheaply as possible, I’ve got two words for you: box whisky. Some beleaguered marketing exec obviously consulted their Japanese-English dictionary and tried to swank up their bottom-of-the-barrel brand by calling it “Snazz,” and they even had theContinue reading "If you think box wine is bad, wait ’til you try box whisky!"

The most charming demons you’ll ever meet

Demons have taken over the National Cultural Treasure steps at the Hotel Gajoen, where their gallery curators have whipped up a show riffing off the Japanese summertime tradition of telling ghost stories that send a chill up your spine. These playfully scary oni deliver more delight than jump scare, as their artists present a uniqueContinue reading "The most charming demons you’ll ever meet"

Pay your respects like you’re living in 2050

Q: How do you pay your respects to the ancestors without burning down the house? A: Plug in a stick of electronic incense, of course! The fear of fire still runs strong in Japan, because within living memory, everyone still lived in houses built of wood and paper. Incense burning before the ancestral name tabletsContinue reading "Pay your respects like you’re living in 2050"

Stunning woodblock prints capture the joy of Japanese festivals

Special Days in Tokyo: A Decorated City and Its People This special exhibit at the Kokugakuin Museum features rare examples of woodblock prints from the 1800s that are so perfectly preserved, the brilliant colors look like they were printed yesterday! They depict the citizenry having fun, watching impromptu skits at the Niwaka Festival in Yoshiwara…Continue reading "Stunning woodblock prints capture the joy of Japanese festivals"

Come for the wisteria, stay for the only-in-Japan sights!

Sometimes you just have to take a trip outside Tokyo to see things you can’t see in town, and these four destinations are absolutely worth the travel time during wisteria season. If you’re in Japan in late April to early May, GO! • ASHIKAGA FLOWER PARK This first one is all wisteria all the time,Continue reading "Come for the wisteria, stay for the only-in-Japan sights!"

The train station with a foot bath!

The minute you get off the train at Kamisuwa Station in Nagano, you know there’s something a little different about it… and then you see the sign! Yes, there’s a free hot spring foot bath for weary travelers, and all you have to do is take off your shoes and wait for a seat! AndContinue reading "The train station with a foot bath!"

The Tokyo Kimono Show 2025 delights and amazes

One again, the Tokyo Kimono Show does not disappoint! This year’s extravaganza of style started off with a contrast between past and future, with a parade of nicely curated Edo Period clothing on the left… and futuristic manga-inspired costumes by a Taiwanese artist on the right. A photo spot featured two bunraku puppets made especiallyContinue reading "The Tokyo Kimono Show 2025 delights and amazes"

Sashiko: Japan turns mending into a high art

If quilting and embroidery had a child, this would be it. Sashiko isn’t the only mundane chore Japan has made into a high art (check out the everyday objects that inspired the Mingei Movement) but it’s one that anyone who lives anywhere in the world can enjoy…and do themselves! I first encountered sashiko at theContinue reading "Sashiko: Japan turns mending into a high art"

Most baffling holiday mash-up yet

Is this the holiday where the bunny comes down the chimney with a sack of presents? • If you love strange Japanese stuff you’d never see anywhere else…