Jonelle Patrick's Blog, page 17

Kawaii Masks

[image error]Nyan, nyan, y’all!

Hey, just because we all have to wear masks now doesn’t mean we have to look like grim extras from ER. In Japan, face masks have been a fashion go-to forever, because everyone still wanted to look kawaii while not spreading around their sneezy, cough-y plague-droplets in public. But it wasn’t long before the masters of style realized that masks weren’t just edgy accessories – they could be like wearing a hat on a bad hair day. No time for hours of makeup? No sweat. Clothes, mask, DONE.

[image error]These are (no surprise) are sold out online until the next millennium, but fear not! You can totally make your own, and rock your own style while doing it

Anyone who’s stuck at home with a spare sewing machine can whip up some masks that you’ll still want to wear, even if there isn’t a plague going on.

[image error]Finally, a great use for all those adorable tenugui towels I was powerless to resist, but couldn’t quite figure out what to do with



[image error]And even though you can’t see I’m smiling (because mask), these kittehs can do the smiling for me



[image error]These Kuniyoshi woodblock nyan-nyans used to be a dishtowel



[image error]But I think my favorite mask is this one, made from a scrap that was too small to really do anything with, but I couldn’t bear to throw it away PACKRATTING VINDICATED

I made all of these masks from a really excellent pattern on the Craftpassion website – all you have to do is download it and print it out. They have sizes for men, women and children. I used the women’s mask with the seam allowances already added.

[image error]The only changes I made were to round off the pointy bit above the nose so it would look a bit more friendly, and sew a little pocket at the top edge to insert some thin wire so it would mold to my regrettably tall nose better



[image error]I made a few larger ones too, for men-persons

Of course, fabric masks can’t protect you from catching (or giving) the ‘Rona as well as genuine surgical masks, but they’re WAY better than nothing. According to this study that was published in Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness, masks made from two layers of tightly woven fabric (think tea towels) filter out 83% of germs, and masks made from two layers of 100% cotton t-shirts filter out 70% (compared to genuine surgical masks, which catch 95% of germs).

[image error]As someone who’s had to wear surgical mask in Japan because I didn’t want to give anyone my cold, I was pleasantly surprised that the cloth ones are SO much more comfortable!

Anyway, I hope you all are keeping safe, and your Netflix queues are long and satisfying. Looking forward to getting out the other side of this, when the best reason to wear my new cute masks will be allergy season!

If you know someone who’d love some face mask inspiration, share this! The link is: https://bit.ly/3btsETd

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Hey, so glad our paths have crossed! Come join me?

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It’s easy to get all the amusing Japan swaglets, the minute I post them. Scroll down to the “I want more Japan” button, enter your email, and click the button. You can unsubscribe at any time, of course, and I promise: no ads and no sharing of your information EVER

Jonelle Patrick writes novels set in Japan, produces the monthly newsletter Japanagram, and blogs at Only In Japan and The Tokyo Guide I Wish I’d Had

Artist Turns The Best Pet Tweets Into Hilarious Tiny Sculptures

If I had to nominate one artist for Most Sanity-Saving In The Time of Coronavirus, it would absolutely be @meetissai, whose miniature sculptures inspired by pet tweets never fail to make me laugh out loud. Step away from your keyboard if you’re drinking tea, because I now present, for your spench-worthy enjoyment, these.

[image error] This was the tweet that rocketed @meetissai to internet stardom



[image error] It’s not just his obvious skill at capturing the exact likeness of his subjects…



[image error] …he’s also some kind of wizard at finding these hilarious photos in the first place



[image error] and seeing them a bit differently than most people



[image error] Of course, he doesn’t just do cats



[image error] Pretty much any animal is fair game, as long as it becomes even better in micro-scale. And sometimes a photo will send him off on a whole riff…



[image error] and he’ll imagine other animals, in other circumstances, like these pets melting in the summer heat, in front of the air conditioner



[image error] And sometimes he doesn’t stop at meticulously recreating a funny photo…



[image error] …he re-poses them in different ways, to make them even funnier



[image error] Naturally, it was only a matter of time before photos that should be internet-famous if they weren’t already came under his knife



[image error] And some were so great he didn’t stop with making a replica of this six-legged cat…



[image error] …he couldn’t resist imagining it going about its daily life



[image error] This one too…



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[image error] Sometimes he even imagines ordinary pet pix as odd new creatures…



[image error] …if a panorama-fail phone shot hasn’t done it already!



[image error]And in case you need someone to envy today, how about this Friend of the Artist? I’d pretty much die and go to heaven if I got to hang one of these from my backpack. These aren’t gachapon yet…but they SHOULD BE!

If you aren’t already following him by now, what are you waiting for? For your own mental health in this time of virus, he’s @meetissai on Twitter and @meetissai417 on Instagram!

And because you shouldn’t be alone in experiencing the joy of tea all over your phone, please feel free to pass on the LMAOs. If you know someone whose day might be cheered by these, share it! Here’s the link: https://bit.ly/2QALgce

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And by the way, don’t miss all the amusing stuff that you’ll only see in

It’s my new monthly newsletter, and when you join, you’ll be automatically entered to win the monthly book giveaway, get directions to a fabulous Beyond Tokyo destination, learn to make a Japanese home cookingdish & more! And, of course, it’s free. (Here’s what was in the first issue, if you’d like to check it out.)

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(Just so you know, I hate spam too, so I’ll never share or sell your info.)

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Jonelle Patrick writes novels set in Japan, produces the monthly newsletter Japanagram, and blogs at Only In Japan and The Tokyo Guide I Wish I’d Had

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Every year, in every season: These lovely Tokyo sites light up at night

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One of the most entertaining things you can do in Tokyo is wander around the city after the sun goes down, if you know where to look. The wizards of stagecraft have worked their magic all over town, and all kinds of interesting stuff lights up after dark, in dramatic and technologically inventive ways. And ogling everything from traditional temples to crazy giant robots is something everyone can enjoy, because even if you’re a woman, Tokyo is one of the safest cities in the world.

Plus, this gorgeous stuff is all free!

TIMELESS BEAUTIES

Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa

[image error]At night the crowds have deserted the most-visited temple in Asakusa, and it’s lit up like a diva on stage

Kanda Myojin shrine in Akihabara

[image error]This fabulous red and gold shrine is sacred to anime and manga artists by day, but by night it’s the darling of photographers

Hanazono Shrine in Shinjuku

[image error]This shrine is open all night long, to cater to the Kabuki-cho district entertainers whose day starts at sundown and doesn’t end until dawn

LANDMARKS

Tokyo Tower in Kamiya-cho

[image error]Tokyo Tower is the locally-beloved copy of the Eiffel Tower in Paris (only it’s orange, and slightly taller) and you can catch a glimpse of it from all over Tokyo.



[image error]And if it’s cheery orangeness wasn’t enough, on Friday and Saturday nights from 20:00-24:00 it’s lit up in all kinds of other colors, according to the occasion. You can find out what special light-ups are scheduled on the handy Tokyo Tower light-up calendar



[image error]Tokyo Tower is even pretty awsome in the rain

Skytree near Asakusa

[image error]That big needle-ish thing is Skytree, Tokyo’s latest tall thing, and while I personally abhor the way it photobombs pretty much every Tokyo snapshot, it does light up every night and change colors with the seasons. Here’s the Skytree light-up calendar

The Rainbow Bridge spanning Tokyo Bay between Shibaura and Odaiba

[image error]If you walk across the Rainbow Bridge from Tamachi Station to Odaiba at sunset, you’ll get to feast your eyes on this ever-changing lightshow of a view



[image error]And from the other side of the Rainbow Bridge, the city skyline, with our old friend Tokyo Tower

Sumida River bridges

[image error]The many bridges spanning the Sumida River are lit up in lovely ways, and there are brightly-lit pleasure boats steaming up and down most evenings. You can see them all from the nice pedestrian walkway that borders the river

Giant Gundam robot in Odaiba

[image error]The famous five-story Unicorn Gundam robot outside the DiverCity mall in Odaiba lights up at night, and transforms from Unicorn to Destroy mode at the light and sound show that happens every 30 minutes from 19:30 – 21:30

NEON NEIGHBORHOODS

Just walking the streets through some of Tokyo’s neighborhoods at night is an entertaining experience.

Kabuki-chō , Shinjuku’s red light district

[image error]You’ll practically need sunglasses at midnight to stroll through the neon alleys of Kabuki-chō, Shinjuku’s adult entertainment district. (See how much more beautiful it is in the rain?)



[image error]The bars and clubs are all crazy bright and busy, and even I couldn’t resist going to the Robot Restaurant at least once!

Akihabara , the electronics district

[image error]The busy backstreets of Akihabara attract a different crowd, with gaming and maid cafes lighting up the night



[image error]And if you don’t have anywhere special to go, follow the Blue Lines as they chart a path up the stairs, through the fountains, and between the skyscrapers

Odaiba

[image error]If you head over the Rainbow Bridge to see Odaiba lit up at night, be sure to stop by the Giant Gundam, check out the view from the huge ferris wheel near Borderless, and stroll along the boardwalk at the Decks mall or down along the beach to see the pleasure boats setting out around 19:00

Asakusa

[image error]And a neighborhood doesn’t have to be modern to be lively at night – Asakusa is gorgeous in a more cozy and old-fashioned way when the sun goes down and the lights come on

SEASONAL DELIGHTS & EVENTS, ALL YEAR LONG

Cherry blossom season is when everybody thinks they should come to Japan, but if you come (with all the other hordes) in the spring, you’ll miss these.

Winter: DEC-FEB

[image error]The winter illuminations all over Tokyo are one of the best free attractions all year! Here’s where & when to see the best holiday lights in Tokyo



[image error]Before any other flowers bloom in the spring, the plums burst forth for the whole month of February! Yushima Tenjin shrine has begun to light them up at night, and they’re well worth seeing, because the shrine itself is so gorgeous

Spring: MAR-MAY

[image error]Not to be outdone, spring brings cherry blossom-themed light-ups all over town in March and April. (This one was at Tokyo Midtown, and you can check check their event schedule as the season draws near)



[image error]Not to mention the real deal – here are the best places to see REAL cherry blossoms lit up at night



[image error]MAY brings out the wisteria in incredible lavender profusion, and you can get a twofer at the Kameido Tenjin shrine, with the vines all lit up and a purple Skytree all photobombing in the background



[image error]Here’s where to see the best wisteria in Tokyo, including the Ashikaga Flower Park, which lights them up most gloriously



[image error]In MAY, there’s an all-night art event called Roppongi Art Night that features international artists who specialize in pieces that light up the night

Summer: JUN-AUG

[image error]Summer has its own charms, like this installation at Tokyo Midtown, where visitors could dangle their bare feet into cooling mist and watch a fog-and-light show while sipping alcoholic slushies. You can check Tokyo Midtown’s event schedule as the season draws near



[image error]On one warm night every JULY, flickering lanterns are launched in Asakusa’s Shinobazu Pond for the toro nagashi ceremony, but if you’re not there on that exact day, there are other places to see this lovely summertime event in Tokyo too, stretching into AUGUST



[image error]In Japan, fireworks aren’t just for Fourth of July, Bastille Day or New Year’s! There’s a whole summer season that runs from JULY-AUGUST, and the displays will knock your socks off.

Autumn: SEP-NOV

[image error]Every OCTOBER, the Ikegami Hongan-ji temple hosts a Parade of 10,000 Lanterns, and meticulously-crafted models of every Nichren temple’s pagodas are paraded through the streets at night, festooned with flowers



[image error]Not to be outdone, the autumn leaves get their turn lit up at night at several gardens around Tokyo



[image error]Nice way to spend an evening, don’t you think?



[image error]At the end of OCTOBER/early NOVEMBER, artists transform Yokohama’s entire waterfront into a fabulous lit-up outdoor museum for the Yokohama Smart Illuminations

Know someone who’s planning a trip to Japan? If you think they might enjoy, this, share it! Here’s the link: http://bit.ly/2IP9xHc

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And if you’d like even more good stuff like this, don’t miss all the amusing features that you’ll only see in

It’s my new monthly newsletter, and when you join, you’ll be automatically entered to win the monthly book giveaway, get directions to a fabulous Beyond Tokyo destination, learn to make a Japanese home cooking dish & learn of little-known Seasonal Secrets! And, of course, it’s free. (Here’s what was in the first issue, if you’d like to check it out.)

You can easily unsubscribe at any time, of course, using the link at the foot of every newsletter. And, just so you know, I hate spam too, so I’ll never share or sell your info.

Jonelle Patrick writes mystery novels set in Tokyo, the monthly Japanagram newsletter, and blogs at Only In Japan and The Tokyo Guide I Wish I’d Had

Cutest Curry Rice Molds On The Planet

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I thought I’d seen it all when it comes to Japanese curry rice molds, but these two cuties redefine ADORABLE. The only problem is that it comes in both cat and panda, and it’s too hard to decide (would it be greedy to get both? SHUT UP)

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Found these at the Don Kihote in Shibuya

Not only does the pack include an easy-release mold for shaping the rice (conveniently sized to perfectly measure out the recommended serving of 160 g), it’s got cutters to punch out the features from a sheet of nori, so you don’t have to get out your tweezers and nail scissors at 5:00 am to make lunch.

If you’d like to search these out at the Shibuya Don Kihote the next time you’re in Tokyo, a map is on my website, The Tokyo Guide I Wish I’d Had.

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And hey, if you’d like a killer curry rice recipe to go with your new kitteh rice mold, there are step-by-step directions for Niku-jaga Curry (my favorite!) in the March Japanagram, just sayin’

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Japanagram is my new monthly newsletter, and it’s got all-new features you won’t see unless you subscribe: a fabulous Beyond Tokyo destination, A Japanese Home Cooking recipe, a book review & giveaway, and more. And, of course, it’s free!

(Just so you know, I hate spam too, so I’ll never share or sell your info.)

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Jonelle Patrick writes novels set in Japan, produces the monthly newsletter Japanagram, and blogs at Only In Japan and The Tokyo Guide I Wish I’d Had

Nine spectacular cherry blossom gardens, a firewalking field trip & a book giveaway!

It’s already that time again!

The March Japanagram is out, and if you’re not a subscriber yet, here’s what you’re missing:

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I’m sorry that these aren’t clickable like last month – I really want to entice you to join me in my secret underground lair, so if any of these look interesting, please sign up! You’ll be automatically entered to win the March book giveaway, and you won’t miss all the amusing stuff that you’ll only see in

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You can easily unsubscribe at any time, of course, using the link at the foot of every newsletter. And, just so you know, I hate spam too, so I’ll never share or sell your info.

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Jonelle Patrick writes mystery novels set in Tokyo, the monthly Japanagram newsletter, and blogs at Only In Japan and The Tokyo Guide I Wish I’d Had

Five Japanese flower seasons that will make you happy you missed the cherry blossoms

If you have to postpone your Japan trip and miss the cherry blossoms this spring, don’t despair! There are other flower seasons you can catch after the current contagion dies down that deliver just as much flowers-as-far-as-the-eye-can-see amazement, without the crowds. If eye-popping flowers are what you’re longing to see, here are my five favorites, that burst into gorgeousness later in the year.

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Mid-late April

AZALEAS!

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Pinkness of a different sort

I once asked a Japanese friend why azalea season wasn’t celebrated a much as the cherry blossoms, and her answer was, “Because they last too long.” This, however, is only a downside if you’re a haiku poet jonesing for a subtle reference to the fleeting nature of life. For the rest of us, hillsides paved with solid red, magenta, purple and white are eye candy of epic proportions.

If you need more convincing, these.

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Ni-no-maru garden, in Tokyo

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Nezu Shrine, in Tokyo

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Jindai Botanical Gardens, half an hour from Shinjuku Station, in Chofu

Click here for photos, info and maps to the six most amazing places to see azaleas in Tokyo.

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Early May 

WISTERIA!

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Everybody’s got photos of cherry blossoms, but how many people do you know who’ve seen this? (At Ashikaga Flower Park, an easy day trip from Tokyo)

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Or walked across a bridge like this? (Ashikaga Flower Park)

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Or taken I-am-definitely-in-Japan pix like this? (Kameido Tenjin Shrine, in Tokyo)

Japanese gardeners must have wizarding skills, because they can make wisteria bloom in ways that are magical. Here are eight places to see over-the-top wisteria in Tokyo with info & maps.

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Early to mid-May

SHIBAZAKURA!

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How do they manage to make it bloom so perfectly, with no holes in the patterns? (Hitsujiyama Park, in Chichibu)

You’ve probably never heard of shibazakura, but if you visit one of the places where they plant whole landscapes of it, I can guarantee you’ll never forget it.

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At Hitsujiyama Park, in Chichibu

This carpet o’ flowers blooms for pretty much the whole month of May, and although the areas with enough real estate to stage something like this are a little outside of Tokyo, you can easily see them in a day trip. Here’s where to see excellent shibazakura.

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Early to mid-May

BABY BLUE EYES!

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Pink. It’s so last millennium (Hitachi Seeaside Park, in Hitachi)

Masses of flowers don’t have to be pink to be mesmerizing. These hillsides covered with Baby Blue Eyes (called nemophila, in Japan) deliver the kind of delightful punch you get the first time you see the fluffy pink trees, but without the three-ring-circus of The Season.

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At Hitachi Seeaside Park, in Hitachi

Am I right, or am I right? Here’s where you can see hillsides covered with Baby Blue Eyes (and more) in an easy day trip from Tokyo, at Hitachi Seaside park.

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Late September

RED AMARYLLIS!

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This place feels like an enchanted forest when the higanbana bloom (Kinchakuda, near Koma Station)

These native Japanese amaryllis (called higanbana) bloom in vermilion profusion, as far as the eye can see, at a huge riverside park that’s within an hour of Tokyo. Over five million bulbs burst forth like this around the fall equinox, and I think you’ll agree that they easily rival the cherry blossoms in their splendor.

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Meandering paths lined with knee-high amaryllis take you through fields of red that go on and on and on

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Up close, they’re gorgeous too (at Kinchakuda, near Koma Station)

Here’s where to see the enchanted forest of gorgeous red higanbana.

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And guess what? If you can’t reschedule your trip when these five are blooming, there are lots more!

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Nearly every month of the year offers spectacular flowers that will quell your regrets that you missed the famous pink ones. Click here to see them all:

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If you know someone who’s trying to figure out when to go to Japan, share this! Here’s the link: 

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If you’d like to get more Japan travel sec rets and insider must-sees, subscribe to

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It’s my new monthly newsletter, and it’s got all-new Japanatastic features you won’t see unless you subscribe, plus a chance to win a Japan-centric book.(And, of course, it’s free!)

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(And just so you know, I hate spam too, so I’ll never share or sell your info.)

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Jonelle Patrick writes novels set in Japan, produces the monthly newsletter Japanagram, and blogs at Only In Japan and The Tokyo Guide I Wish I’d Had

More Haiku Musings On The Ironies Of Modern Life

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Elderly uncle buying sake.

Do I really have to

Check his ID?

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This odd store.

I’ve never seen a customer here,

Yet, it survives.

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The forecast changes

To match the weather.

Sneaky.

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Why was my prayer

So much shorter?

I’m embarrassed.

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That gangster

Would be more frightening

Without the child seats.

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Are you free tomorrow?

Sure, let’s do something!

No reply.

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Non-smoker standing

With the smokers

Lazy bastard.

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Time to refill

Why is it always

My turn?

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All of these were written and drawn by the inimitable Yamada Zenjido, the artist who goes by y_haiku and posts killer stuff like this on Instagram

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And you’re still here, so maybe you like the same crazy Japan stuff that I do…?

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Come on – join my crew! Scroll down to the “I want more Japan” button, enter your email, and click the button. I’ll send you a silly mix of Japan stuff a couple times a month, and I promise: never boring.

If it is, of course, you can unsubscribe at any time. Also: no ads and no sharing of your information EVER

Should I cancel my trip to Japan because of coronavirus?

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If you’ve got a trip to Japan planned this spring, you’re probably asking yourself this question. So am I. But I have the dubious advantage of having lived in Japan during the SARS epidemic (the first coronavirus outbreak) and here’s what you should know:

Coronavirus (of which SARS and COVID-19 are two varieties) is spread by sneezing, coughing, and leaving traces of virus on surfaces that are then touched by others.

Is there a dangerous level of coronavirus in Japan?

As of this writing, there are not many cases (a fraction of the number in China, for example), although they have been well-publicized, due to the government’s controversial handling of the Diamond Princess cruise ship (they quarantined it dockside in Yokohama and didn’t let anyone off the ship, but didn’t do enough to keep it from spreading to uninfected passengers who were trapped on board). COVID-19 is still in its early stages, though, and it’s not yet known whether the well-publicized closure of schools and cancelling of other crowd-attracting events will prevent COVID-19 from spreading as much as infectious diseases usually do.

However, as you can see by this map, as of this writing, cases have been found everywhere in the world.

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Source: World Health Organization (WHO)

The number of cases will peak earlier in Asia, because it began spreading outward from China, but because of modern air travel, the danger of encountering coronavirus is worldwide, not just in Japan/Asia.

In other words, even staying home will eventually present the same risk of being exposed to coronavirus as traveling to Japan, and you should practice good preventive precautions if you don’t want to catch it.

For most people, getting a coronavirus (even SARS or COVID-19) is no worse than getting the flu, but if you’ve got other health problems or are especially susceptible to pneumonia or other respiratory illnesses, it’s far more dangerous, and you should be far more careful about exposing yourself.

How can I tell the difference between coronavirus and a common cold/flu? If you start having cold/flu symptoms (runny nose, sneezing, coughing, etc.) and also have shortness of breath and/or a fever over 37.5°C (99.5°F), it’s possible that you have coronavirus. You can be tested and (if you have it) treated at a hospital. If you are more vulnerable than average health-wise, go sooner rather than later.

You can protect yourself from getting it (no matter where you are) by:

• Washing your hands with soap for 20 seconds (time it by singing the Happy Birthday song to yourself twice)

• Rubbing your hands thoroughly with a hand sanitizer that has at least 60% alcohol content (for example, Purell)

• Don’t touch your face, eyes or mouth before washing your hands for 20 seconds or using hand sanitizer

• Don’t use your hands to eat anything before washing them for 20 seconds or using hand sanitizer

• Avoiding crowds, where the chance of coming in contact with an infected person is greater.

But back to today’s burning question: Should I cancel my trip to Japan?

Q. I’ve heard that the Japanese government has closed schools and requested that sporting events, concerts and conventions be cancelled or performed to empty arenas and broadcast instead – does that mean I won’t be able to participate in/watch the festival/event I’m going there to see?  

A. If the main reason you’re going to Japan is to participate in/watch an event, check the website of the event/festival or sponsoring group to see if there’s a cancellation notice. (Use Google Translate if it’s only in Japanese.) If it’s been cancelled or postponed, you can decide if there are enough other reasons to go to Japan now, or whether you want to wait.

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Q. Won’t it be hard to avoid crowds on the trains and at the places I want to visit, like museums, restaurants, and cherry blossom viewing? How dangerous will it be to do these things during a coronavirus outbreak?

A. It’s true that while traveling in Japan, you’ll probably find yourself in crowded situations much more often than if you stay home. However:

First of all, you should know that it’s utterly frowned upon in Japan at any time (not just during a coronavirus outbreak) not to wear a mask in public if you show any sign of illness – sneezing, coughing, runny nose, etc. – even if you know your affliction is caused by allergies (which are not in any way communicable). As a general way of life, Japanese people are extraordinarily courteous and careful about not exposing others to their germs, so (from my personal experience) you’ll actually be more protected from getting a contagious illness in Japan than you would be in a crowd at home.

Second of all, because so many people have been scared away by the news reports, this is going to be an extraordinarily (and delightfully) uncrowded year to see the cherry blossoms and visit Kyoto. All those dire articles you’ve read about “over-touristing”? Not this spring! In fact, if there were restaurants/traditional inns were sold out/totally booked when you planned your trip, check back with them now, because they’ve probably got openings and may be discounting their prices because of the cancellations from more-fearful travelers.

And third, unless you go to Ueno Park during peak season (see above, UGH, not recommended even when there’s no coronavirus outbreak), you’re less likely to be exposed than if you’re hanging out in enclosed places. Most of the popular cherry blossom viewing spots can be seen from points where you can keep a safe distance from other fans of the pinkness.

Q. What if I get coronavirus while I’m in Japan? Can I get good medical care there? What should I do if I feel sick?

A. If you have a runny nose, sneezing or coughing, go to the nearest hospital if you also have shortness of breath or a fever over 37.5°C (99.5°F). How will you know if you have a fever? You’ll buy a thermometer at any convenience store and take your own temperature.

Medical care in Japan is top-notch, and unlike in the West, where going to the hospital is only for very serious injuries/illnesses, hospitals in Japan are the usual point of entry for people who want to be tested for a disease or have relatively minor complaints. Hospitals are already set up to do coronavirus testing and treatment in Japan, and in major cities, they have staff who can speak English as well as Japanese.

Medical care in Japan is also far cheaper than it is in the U.S., so going to a hospital won’t land you with a staggering bill at the end. (For example, when my friend broke her shoulder while visiting me, the entire bill for the doctor visit, full set of X-rays, stabilization of the joint for her flight home, and pain meds cost ¥8200, or about $82.)

Bottom line: In my humble opinion, it’s as safe to come to Japan as it is to travel anywhere in the world, as long as you take sensible precautions against catching coronavirus.

If you’ve got other questions, ask me in the comments and I’ll try to answer them for you, either from my own experience from living in Japan during the SARS outbreak or by finding a reputable source to point you to.

If you know anyone who might find this useful, please share it. Here’s the link: https://jonellepatrick.me/2020/02/29/should-i-cancel-my-trip-to-japan-because-of-coronavirus/

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Jonelle Patrick writes novels set in Japan, produces the monthly newsletter Japanagram, and blogs here at Only In Japan and The Tokyo Guide I Wish I’d Had

 

Feast Your Eyes On This: A Shop Full Of Taisho, Meiji & Showa Era Kimonos

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Whoa, is that a Meissen silk…? ga-ZINGGGG!

Today I was beelining toward a garden, through a neighborhood I never visit, when I was stopped cold by the kimono lovers’ equivalent of Aladdin’s Cave.

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Your nose would have been glued the glass too, if you’d spotted this many brilliant & pristine Meissen silk kimonos in one place

Before I knew it, I was inside, powerless to resist. Which is a good thing, because otherwise I never would have discovered that this emporium of jazz-age kimonos, obis, and accessories is owned by the woman who literally wrote the book on Japanese vintage kimono designs!

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I never dreamed I’d actually meet Kumiko Nagata, the woman responsible for the swoonworthy eye candy that modern princess-style kimono fans like moi can sigh over for days

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Beautiful, bright silk kimonos and obis woven in bold motifs were stacked three-deep, all around. Everything was calling to me so loudly, I couldn’t decide where to look first

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You should be glad that photos can’t begin to capture how want-worthy these were, or you’d have been elbowing me aside to make it to the cash register first

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The owner rotates the stock in and out with the seasons, which means…

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…MASSIVE FOMO! I mean, if this is merely the tip of the iceberg, what treasures will surface the minute I leave the country?

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I found out just how much I’d miss, when the owner handed me the flyers of goods from seasons gone by!

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Goldfish, dragonflies & musical motifs!

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Ant party and lemurs

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At least I didn’t miss the golden cat obi

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Or the accessories to die for, tucked in between the kimonos

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There were a few cases of truly choice antique obijime and obidome

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And even the office was hung with a stunner of a furisode

The owner happened to be there when my gawk-a-thon began, so I had the pleasure of chatting with one of the world’s most passionate kimono dealers. I think I’d better make the Lunco kimono shop a regular stop in every season!

Lunco vintage kimono shop

Website: http://www.lunco.net

Open: Every day

Hours: 12:00 – 19:00

Address: 3-14-8 Toshima (near Mejiro Station)

MAP

•

Hey, have you heard about

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It’s my new monthly newsletter, and it’s got all-new Japanatastic features you won’t see unless you subscribe. Like…

• A Beyond Tokyo destination that most people don’t know about (and how to get there)

• A Japanese Home Cooking recipe that’ll conjure up some delicious Japan magic right in your own kitchen

• A monthly book review and giveaway of a page turner set in Japan

• Why, Japan, Why? – some entertaining food for thought

• And a pointer to a Seasonal Secret – what to buy that’s only available that month, photos you can only take that month, festivals you can only see that month…you get the idea!

If you think you might enjoy a fresh dose of Japan goodness, plus a chance to win a book every month, sign up! (And, of course, it’s free!)

 

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Here’s the February 2020 book review and how you can enter to win a copy of Convenience Store Woman

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Spring Arrives Early: Flowers by Naked 2020

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Just when you’re beginning to long for spring but it’s still shivery and damp and gray outside…Flowers By Naked arrives! The projection-mapping environment group Naked is staging its annual flower-themed extravaganza again for the whole month of February, so hop on over there and get a dose of spring fever.

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This year’s theme is “Sakura” so you can expect more than average pinkitude

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All-new larger-than-life animations of growing things surround you as you make your way through the exhibition

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And this year, there’s a fanciful flowers and fairies animation that will delight young fantasy fans

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They seem to be taking a page from TeamLab’s seductive use of mirrors to create infinity environments that multiple the flower mandalas all around, for a much more immersive environment than in previous years

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There’s always a section given over to extravagent floral design using the kind of unusual combinations you usually don’t see outside of the Flower Dream Expo, and this year they’re incorporated bonsai trees into the mix

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It’s fun to go with friends (or on a date) because the last room is always a bar offering original cocktails and other festive drinks

The annual Naked production has gotten a little pricey and it’s not as sophisticated or technically boggling as TeamLab’s Borderless, but it’s a charming and entertaining show nevertheless, and always worth a look.

Open: Every day from January 30 – March 1

Hours: 10:00-20:00

Address: Coredo Nihonbashi Mitsui Hall, 2-2-1 Nihombashi Muromachi

Admission: Adult: ¥1800 on weekdays, ¥2200 on Sat, Sun & holidays; Children: ¥1200

Website: https://flowers.naked.works/2020nihonbashi/

MAP

(All photos courtesy of Flowers By Naked)

•

Hey, have you heard about

[image error]

It’s my new monthly newsletter, and it’s got all-new Japanatastic features you won’t see unless you subscribe. Like…

• A Beyond Tokyo destination that most people don’t know about (and how to get there)

• A Japanese Home Cooking recipe that’ll conjure up some delicious Japan magic right in your own kitchen

• A monthly book review and giveaway of a page turner set in Japan

• Why, Japan, Why? – some entertaining food for thought

• And a pointer to a Seasonal Secret – what to buy that’s only available that month, photos you can only take that month, festivals you can only see that month…you get the idea!

If you think you might enjoy a fresh dose of Japan goodness, plus a chance to win a book every month, sign up! (And, of course, it’s free!)

 

[image error]

 

Here’s the February 2020 book review and how you can enter to win a copy of Convenience Store Woman

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