Beware of mamushi (a type of poisonous snake). In the mountains near my house.

Lanterns at bon odori.

This is an excellent example of why not to install a toilet under a staircase. Taken at an unremarkable Korean yakiniku shop in Sannomiya last night.

Bill warming up for the doubles finals match after an improvised tequila-and-ramune infusion. At this point in the day, his blood alcohol can usually be used as fuel for small…

My Vaio U3 is the handiest computer I have ever used. Even though it’s long out of production, people still approach me with offers and questions all the time. I…

Kobe’s Port Terminal is a berth for cruise ships from around the world, but it sure didn’t seem like it on Sunday. The buildings were deserted except for the darts…

The last photo taken in my twenties, preserved for posterity (sniffle).

This huge double rainbow against a gray sky made me feel really strange. I felt a weird obligation to be happy, but it was actually quite gloomy. Maybe this is…

This is one of the best commonly available brands of mugi cha (barley tea). When served cold, it has the perfect afterbite that makes this type of tea so addictive.…

There are two books you will find in any hotel room in Japan (love hotels excluded): A Gideon’s Bible and The Teachings of Buddha. The latter must be the most…

Took a nice early morning stroll and saw this reflection of my hotel on the HAL building, which houses Mode Gakuen, a trendy art school that many people with green…

Undoubtedly the most expensive SPAM on the planet. And $3.50 for a mini can of corned beef hash! Taken at the local “gourmet” grocery store.