Japanese gardens

The Vibrant Allure of Tokyo, Japan

Published May 15, 2018 | By Clark Norton

Some cherry trees still held their blossoms.

Fourth in a Series

In most years, we would have landed in Tokyo right at the peak of cherry blossom season.

Alas, my wife, Catharine, and I arrived in the Japanese capital a few days too late in early April this year because the winter there had been unseasonably warm and most of the delicate cherry blossoms had already drifted off the trees in this breezy city.

Nonetheless, some trees remained in full bloom, as did many other types of fruit trees. And as we walked through parks that offer a wonderful respite from Tokyo’s crowded streets, scores of Japanese families were still laying out their traditional picnic blankets and baskets under the cherry trees, blossoms or no. And having a great time of it.

From our little Airbnb-rented apartment in the teeming Shinjuku district, we set out to explore… Continue reading →

Posted in Asia, Baby boomer travel, cultural travel, Foreign travel, Japan | Tagged Japan, Japan travel, Japanese cherry blossoms, Japanese gardens, Tokyo, Tokyo travel, Tsukiji Outer Market | Leave a comment

Eight Great Reasons to Visit Japan

Published April 24, 2018 | By Clark Norton

A shrine near Kyoto boasts hundreds of vermillion-colored gates.

First in a Series

My wife, Catharine, and I are just back from two weeks in Japan, with the jet lag to prove it. And while I don’t count jet lag among the reasons to travel to (or from) Japan, it would never be enough to keep me away.

Here are eight great reasons to travel to Japan — 10-hour trans-Pacific flights notwithstanding. (This list is intended to provide an overview — I’ll get into the nitty-gritty of traveling there in future posts.)

The People. We were continually amazed and impressed by how polite and helpful the Japanese people are. This ranged from our airbnb hosts and attendants in subway stations to cashiers in grocery stores, servers in restaurants, and just about everybody else we came in contact with. We were never made to feel unwelcome or rudely dismissed by… Continue reading →

Posted in Baby boomer travel | Tagged Japan travel, Japanese gardens, Japanese public baths, Japanese trains, Kyoto travel, Nara travel, Nikko travel, sushi, Tokyo travel, UNESCO World Heritage Sites | 5 Comments

According to government and private surveys:

Leading-edge baby boomers (born between 1946 and 1955) and seniors account for four out of every five dollars spent on luxury travel today.
Roughly half the consumer spending money in the U.S.--more than $2 trillion--is in the hands of leading-edge baby boomers and seniors.
Baby boomers (born 1946-1964) travel more than any other age group.
When asked what they would most like to spend their money on, baby boomers answered “travel” more than any other category, including improving their health or finances.