Hiroshima from Tokyo: by bullet train (2 hours 30 minutes) Nagasaki from Tokyo: by bullet train to Fukuoka (4 hours) then by special express (2 hours)

There is a lot more to both these vibrant cities than that they alone, of all cities on earth, were once atomic bomb targets. But let’s be honest, we go there for one main reason. More »

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Wait, wasn’t it just Sunday? Well, it’s Sunday once more so it’s time for another installment of The Weekly Bento. This past week saw the nearing conclusion of Rekuru’s Akira Kurosawa Tribute Month, so if you haven’t been checking out the plethora of posts on the famed director’s work, do so now. In addition, there were plenty of other posts this past week such as the next installment in Jacob’s popular Japanese travel guide series, news of a new Inuyasha compilation album soon to be released, two Playstation 2 game reviews in celebration of the PS2’s 10 year anniversary, and even an interesting look at the growing trend of people sleeping in the streets of Japan. All fascinating stuff, check it out. More »

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Where: Kamakura Station on the I-forget-the-name-of-the-line from Tokyo (app. 1 hour) What to do: See ancient temples and one giant buddha What not to do: Buy anything–tourist trap alert, level orange–go to the beach

Moving out in a widening gyre from Tokyo, and in tune with the oldschool stylings of Akira Kurosawa, let’s take a look at a nearby center of traditional Japanese culture: Kamakura. The second capitol of Japan (after Nara, and before Kyouto and Edo/Tokyo), Kamakura hosts well-preserved Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines, as well as one of Japan’s two great daibutsu (big ol’ Buddha statues). More »

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It’s that time again bento boxers. This week saw the kickoff of two Rekuru specials, the Akira Kurosawa Tribute Month as well as our New Year’s Resolution Week so if you haven’t checked them out, do so. Between a classic film review and a hoard of new year’s resolutions, there’s plenty of good readin’ to be had. Also of note this week was the next entry in Jacob’s continuing Japanese travel guide as well as a look at Japanese music group SMAP’s NYC filmed commercials and news on the unemployment crisis in Japan. That’s it for this week, see you next Sunday. XOXO More »

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What: Studio Ghibli Museum and Nakano Broadway indoor shopping mall Where: Tokyo Area, Nakano and Mitaka stations on the Chuo-Sobu line What to do: Get out of Tokyo, but still enjoy all the good things about it

Go West, Young Man is proverbial advice, funny when you consider that Japan (the “East”) is actually west of the States; but this is also good advice if you find yourself in Tokyo and crave a bit more animanga culture than Akihabara gives you, and especially if you’re a fan of director Hayao Miyazaki. Just jump on a west-bound train to the suburb of Mitaka for the Studio Ghibli Museum, and hit up Nakano Broadway en route. More »

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Where: Tokyo, Akihabara station on the Yamanote and Keihin-Tohoku JR lines What to do: Thank God (as you understand Him/Her) for the gift of life What not to do: Leave, ever

It was only a matter of time before I wrote something about the happiest place on earth, Tokyo’s Akihabara, AKA Electric Ladyland. In fact I tried to spin it as a feature for date week, since apparently one can find love even in Akihabara, but let’s be honest: being in Japan’s (and by extension the world’s) otaku and electronics capital is infinitely better than the highest raptures of earthly love. More »

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