Growing up in Florida’s endless summers, I’ll admit that my current all-encompassing love for the changing seasons was hard won. I moved from Florida to California, living blocks from the beach, and did not own a pair of closed-toed shoes until I made the unfortunately timed decision to move to Virginia at the tail end…
Tag: japan
The Gorgeous Winter Wonderland of Nikko, Japan
Just after Thanksgiving, we decided to take advantage of the long weekend (thanks American holidays!) to drive up to a gorgeous city in Japan, Nikko. We’d heard it was beautiful and serene, and those both seemed like things we’d really appreciate with a new three-month-old in our household. So we packed both our kids up…
Todaiji Temple & Namba Yasaka Shrine
These two spectacular locales in Nara and Osaka are worth a trip.
Sunflowers in Japan
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Sunflowers in Japan!
Sake Brewing in Osaka
Since I was pregnant most of our first year in Japan, once our second year began (I mean, obviously once our daughter was born) I was most excited about learning to love sake! To get ready for that momentous occasion, we stopped into a sake museum/brewery in the Osaka area and learned how it was…
Osaka Castle
Osaka Castle brings Japan’s samurai history to life.
Hiking Kawazu Seven Falls
Just before the heat of the summer got unbearable, a dear friend and I took all our kids down for a weekend away on the Izu Peninsula. We’d been on the lookout for easy road trips, and this fit the bill for a seven-month-pregnant person: all its famous hikes were reputed to be ridiculously easy…
Fuji Peace Park
In early summer, we took a quick day trip to Fuji Peace Park, a couple hours away from our house. We’d seen some incredible views of Fuji-san from here on a friend’s Facebook photos, and my hardcore FOMO kicked in – I had to see it for myself. The views didn’t disappoint. From the moment…
How Japan Prepares Its Children for Independence – SavvyTokyo
I couldn’t be more thrilled to write a monthly column for SavvyTokyo on parenting in Japan. The culture and community mindset is so fascinating to me, and I see so much I’d like to emulate in raising my own children. Teaching them to be confident and independent is a major quality we noticed right from…
Hakone Open Air Museum
About an hour or so outside Tokyo is Hakone, which might as well be another world. Nestled in the mountains and accessed by winding roads, Hakone is quite simply stunning. We took off on a gorgeous late Spring day for the Hakone Open Air Museum, which had come highly recommended. It didn’t disappoint. The day was…
Kate Has Thoughts 