Jonelle Patrick's Blog, page 5

Art with a side of quirk

Tokyo Art Fair checks all the Serious International Art Exhibition boxes, but this year’s artists went above and beyond in displaying that unique Japanese mix of fabulous craftsmanship and quirky worldview. Like Tetsuya Noguchi’s spoof on famous Western general statues and portraits of wealthy worthies… Or Kawai Tokuhiro’s Byzantine-looking icon, executed with the care usuallyContinue reading "Art with a side of quirk"

These weeping plums will make you smile

There are other reasons to come to Japan in February, but basking in the goodness of weeping plum trees in full bloom is reason enough to say TAKE MY MONEY. Nowhere are they more glorious than at Soga Bairin, a plum-growing region just a short train ride from Tokyo in Odawara. If you really wantContinue reading "These weeping plums will make you smile"

A flowery splash of an exhibition at Tokyo Node

The new Tokyo Node site is attempting to bring a little life and culture to the stark and soaring new office/mall complex at Toranomon Hills, and this Mika Ninagawa exhibition at first seems hellbent on going just as extreme in the other direction. The poster for her “Eternity in a Moment” exhibition suggests it’s goingContinue reading "A flowery splash of an exhibition at Tokyo Node"

Weird Japanese burger sighting: The Big Mac (and Cheese)!

It’s been a while since I spotted a Japanese burger worthy of sharing, but even I had to stop and laugh when I saw THIS: And lest you be tempted to give it points for at least being plant-based, there really is a big old burger o’ beef beating at the heart of that cheesyContinue reading "Weird Japanese burger sighting: The Big Mac (and Cheese)!"

Old skool Japanese illuminations are the most beautiful of all

One of the things I love about the nighttime light displays in Japan is that they’re not “holiday lights” that become obsolete the minute Santa and his reindeer are yesterday’s news, they’re “winter illuminations” that light up the long nights from the beginning of November to the end of February. And even though Japan’s cutting-edgeContinue reading "Old skool Japanese illuminations are the most beautiful of all"

Art brings light into the chilly heart of Toranomon

Gazing up at Tokyo Tower from the perpetual construction zone at street level around Toranomon Hills delivers a first glimpse of the art that’s breathing a little life into the stark and chilly office towers of Tokyo’s newest mega-office complex. Seven delightful sculptures are lighting up the winter night within a short meander of ToranomonContinue reading "Art brings light into the chilly heart of Toranomon"

In Yokohama, new year’s is lit!

If basking in the glow of a giant multifaceted cube that’s illuminated by an ever-changing light show is on your bingo card for the new year, get thee to Yokohama right now, because you’ll never see a more illuminating sight. The Yorunoyo nighttime light-up extravaganza is all along the waterfront in Yokohama through January 4,Continue reading "In Yokohama, new year’s is lit!"

Be wowed by all the mega-illumination crowd-pleasers without leaving Tokyo!

Tokyo Mega-Illumi is back! It’s got all the crowd pleasers of more remote illuminations displays but is just a two-minute walk from Ōi-keibajō-mae Tokyo Monorail station. As a veteran of scouting illuminations displays—from the in-town twinklers to the far afield—I can vouch for the fact that the Mega-Illumi designers really did pick the best ofContinue reading "Be wowed by all the mega-illumination crowd-pleasers without leaving Tokyo!"

Things I Do Not Want To Worry About At A Public Bath

If Godzilla rising from the depths to bite your butt while you’re naked and can’t escape doesn’t eclipse your fear of bathing nude with absolute strangers, nothing will. • If you enjoy finding new fears to stoke your anxiety…

Where there be dragons

If dragons are on your fantasy bucket list, get thee to Ryōanji temple in Kyoto and feast your eyes on these beauties! From now through March 31, 2023, the legendary lizards take over Ryōanji temple in Kyoto, and they do not disappoint! Imagine having a real live dragon to bork at burglars! Or one thatContinue reading "Where there be dragons"