For many, the island country of Japan is a far distant place characterized by temples, shrines, Noh, tea ceremonies, kimonos, geisha, manga and maid cafes. They often dream about visiting this alluring nation, but few actually have an opportunity to do so. However, for those who do travel to Japan, it becomes a destination that they visit over and over again.
I had the pleasure of traveling to Japan numerous times since 2007, immersing myself in the local culture and learning about the history and traditions of this magnificent place that once I only dreamed about. I fell in love with Japan and its people and wanted to share my experiences with others. Thus, my travel blog, Traveldreamscapes was born.
A Blogger's Guide to Japan is a collection of my blog posts and photos gathered during my travels. It will enable you to learn about the history and background of each destination and help you develop a greater appreciation for the sites you visit. Discover places that are popular with tourists and travel to attractions off the beaten path. Uncover festivals and traditions unique to each area and familiarize yourself with local cuisines.
The book is organized by region/prefecture and the various locations/points of interest are listed in English, Japanese, and Romaji. You will find that regardless of whether you are traveling for a week, a month or several months, you can use this book not only as a companion guide to other travel books to help plan your travels but also to explore Japan further once you are there. Where available, the web page address, physical address, and travel tips will enable you to obtain current, detailed information for each venue.
Ohkubo, Kristine: - KRISTINE OHKUBO is a Los Angeles-based author and editor whose work emphasizes topics related to Japan and Japanese culture. While growing up in Chicago, she developed a deep love and appreciation for Japanese culture, people, and history. Her extensive travels in Japan have enabled her to gain insight into this fascinating country, which she shares with you through her work.Her first book, a travel guide to Japan, was published in 2016. In 2017, she released a historical study of the Pacific War written from the perspective of the Japanese people, both those who were living in Japan and in the United States, when the war broke out. Two years later, she supplemented her earlier releases with the story of an infamous twentieth century geisha, who was both a victim and an aggressor, struggling amidst a strict patriarchal culture and a rapidly changing social system. In 2019, she followed up her 2017 release, The Sun Will Rise Again, with a book titled Sakhalin. The work examines the far-reaching impact the island changing hands had on its inhabitants and resources and culminates with the tragic events which took place in August 1945.Beginning in 2020, Kristine turned her attention to rakugo, Japan's 400-year-old art of storytelling. She released two books, Talking About Rakugo 1: the Japanese Art of Storytelling followed by Talking About Rakugo 2: The Stories Behind the Storytellers. Through a succession of biographical information, anecdotes, interviews, and rakugo scripts, the author explains why this traditional art form has endured for many years.In 2022, Kristine contributed her editing skills to yet another rakugo book, this one authored by English rakugo storyteller Kanariya Eiraku entitled Eiraku's 100 English Rakugo Scripts (Volume 1). Following its release in August of the same year, she revisited a work she had first published three years earlier. Originally released in January 2019, Asia's Masonic Reformation: Freemasonry's Impact on the Westernization and Subsequent Modernization of Asia examines how Freemasons have historically been the catalysts for change throughout Asia and the rest of the world. Utilizing careful research and setting aside the misinformation and various conspiracy theories that have emerged throughout the decades, the revised second edition presents the details and irrefutable historical facts demonstrating how Freemasons have notably been at the forefront, ushering in rapid change, modernization, and enlightenment. As an author, Kristine believes that writing from other cultural perspectives encourages empathy and understanding, and at the same time it broadens our knowledge of the events that have unfolded over the years.
