A New Year’s Travel Resolution
December 31, 2007 | Written by Steve Smith & Christine Johnson
All good travel starts with an idea. And what’s a more comfortable way to gather those ideas than armchair traveling with In The Know Traveler?
To get your adventures started, let In The Know Traveler and a list put together by the United Nations help. While the UN is an organization that you don’t usually associate with travel recommendations, each year they rank their 175 member countries on living standards... [Read more]
Getting ‘Dirty’ in Japanese
June 27, 2007 | Written by Devin Galaudet
Even though I know English is widely spoken in Japan, I have often pointed out the importance of letting the locals know that I bothered to learn something of their language before traveling there. I usually memorize a few essential phrases and courtesies and then pull out my trusty crash-course language pamphlet to shamelessly plow ahead. I have butchered many a “thank you” and salutation as a result. Fortunately,... [Read more]
Carving it up in Japan (video podcast)
February 20, 2007 | Written by Devin Galaudet
Devin catches up with Yohko Scott to learn a little about travel in Japan at the LA Times Adventurers Travel Expo on February 10, 2007, and then some master wood carving with Komiko. For more on Japan at ITKT.
This... [Read more]
The Year of the Boar, 2007
January 4, 2007 | Written by Devin Galaudet
From the files of what does this have to do with travel comes…”The boar is the 12th animal in the Chinese horoscope. In ancient China, it was believed that people would have the characteristics of the element and the animal that ruled the year of their birth. Just as modern astrogists believe that people born under a certain sign of the zodiac will have common characteristics. People born in the Year of the... [Read more]
Vote for the New 7 Wonders
December 26, 2006 | Written by Steve Smith & Christine Johnson
In what could be the largest vote ever, the world will soon choose the New Seven Wonders of the World to stand alongside the Ancient Seven Wonders of the World. In January, the New7Wonders committee, chaired by Dr. Federico Mayor, selected 21 finalists out of the 77 nominated sites. You can have a say in the selection of the final seven by casting your vote. From anywhere in the world, call +423 663 90 02 99 and use the... [Read more]
A Taste to Die For
November 21, 2006 | Written by Devin Galaudet
Aichi Fugu: a Taste to Die for If you consider yourself an adventurous eater, and have tried all manner of sushi and sashimi now idely available throughout North America, perhaps a trip to Aichi prefecture is just what you need for your next culinary challenge. From late October and throughout the winter, the region is one of Japan’s premier spots for fugu, or poisonous blowfish.
Mmm…poison.
Many North... [Read more]
Tips for a Japanese Business Meeting
September 24, 2006 | Written by Devin Galaudet
On a recent business dinner of 20 tourism professionals in Japan, I represented the lone American. We sat on the floor... [Read more]
Mt. Fuji Climbing Season to Begin
July 1, 2006 | Written by Devin Galaudet
Mount Fuji (Fujisan) is with 3776 meters Japan’s highest mountain. It is not surprising that the nearly perfectly shaped volcano has been worshipped as a sacred mountain and experienced big popularity among artists and common people. Mount Fuji is a dormant volcano standing on the border between Yamanashi and Shizuoka Prefectures and can be seen from Tokyo and Yokohama on clear days. ... [Read more]
Koya-San, Sacred Japan
June 30, 2006 | Written by Devin Galaudet
Only 2-hours away from the flashing neon of the karaoke and pachinko parlors of... [Read more]
Aichi’s Spring Festivals
April 14, 2006 | Written by Devin Galaudet
From The What’s Up in Aichi Newsletter
The advent of spring and frenzy over hanami coincide with two Aichi festivals, both of which are nationally recognized cultural assets. The Handa Spring Festival takes place from late March to early May in one of ten different townships almost every weekend. Thirty-one “dashi” or handsomely decorated wooden floats that typically stand 30 feet tall and weigh 4... [Read more]
Must Sees in Ishikawa-ken
January 27, 2006 | Written by Devin Galaudet
Here are some great attractions for those visiting Ishikawa-ken and particularly Kanazawa City.
Oyama Shrine
Oyama Shrine’s unique blend of East and West distinguishes it as a symbolic landmark of Kanazawa City. Designed in part by Dutch architect Holtman, the three-story structure not only features a stain glass window but also has served as a lighthouse to sailors because of its visibility... [Read more]
Southern Japan’s Undiscovered Paradise
January 4, 2006 | Written by Devin Galaudet
When one thinks of Japan, images that come to mind might include crowded cities, sushi bars and exotic white-faced geishas.
But Japan as a tropical dive destination? Japan as a vast expanse of clear blue ocean teeming with marine life, dotted with strings of white-sand... [Read more]
Chatting with the Maiko
December 24, 2005 | Written by Devin Galaudet
Well, I will not be buying the CD anytime soon, but I sat attentively watching their purposeful powdered-faces. They moved methodically to the twanging of the Japanese three-stringed instrument. It was a bit hypnotic. With the movie coming out based on the popular book “Memoirs... [Read more]
Lost in Translation
December 20, 2005 | Written by Devin Galaudet
At first consideration, a trip to Japan can appear to be anything but simple. Certain visions persist of a crowded country featuring a complex maze of subways, trains and rickshaws moving at light speed whirling under the umbrella of that impossible language. It is all true. However, don’t let potential overwhelm get in the way of a great vacation. [Read... [Read more]
Memories of Kabuki
December 20, 2005 | Written by Devin Galaudet
For the past 25 years the JACCC has presented Japanese Culture through performances and other events to enthusiastic crowds in Losd Angeles, like Kabuki Theater. [Read more]
Written by Devin GalaudetKnowing Osaka
December 14, 2005 | Written by Devin Galaudet
Osaka is located on the main island of Honshu, roughly in the center of Japan. [Read more]
Written by Devin GalaudetKanagawa this month
November 4, 2005 | Written by Devin Galaudet
Latest Tourist Information for Kanagawa October 2005
Kanagawa Prefecture updates “The Latest Festival & Event News at Kanagawa” every month. We will be happy if our information would be able to help your travel around Kanagawa and Japan. [Read more]
Written by Devin... [Read more]TOKYO NOTES Vol.12 PHOTO
November 4, 2005 | Written by Devin Galaudet
TOKYO Microsoft Corp opened its first Xbox cafe in Tokyo on Wednesday as part of its strategy to gain ground in the Japanese game console market. [Read more]
Written by Devin GalaudetTokyo: 5 Sights not in your guidebook
October 26, 2005 | Written by Devin Galaudet
For a gaijin living in Tokyo, weekend explorations can become repetitive. You’ll find yourself retracing your steps repeatedly. Shopping in Shibuya amongst tech-saavy teeny-boppers and taking photos with the Harajuku girls. I don’t know many... [Read more]
Classic Kyoto
October 10, 2005 | Written by Devin Galaudet
All I could do was stare as I watched her glide across the cobblestone path in the Gion District of Kyoto. Her steps were small and elegant and her bright patterned kimono (to symbolically reflect the coming spring) was perfectly fastened... [Read more]
Japan’s Chubu Airport
September 15, 2005 | Written by Devin Galaudet
Several announcements of new and expanded service to Chubu Int’l Airport (Centrair) have been made in the past few weeks. [Read more]
Written by Devin Galaudet
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