James Sherard

Another hectic workweek is behind you and Saturday has thankfully arrived. The scent of freshly cut grass lingers pleasantly in the air as you tee up for the first round of the day. With your practice swings completed you eagerly approach the ball, establish your stance, and strike.

Japan has four distinct seasons and enjoys a relatively mild and temperate climate, with the exception of Hokkaido to the north, and the subtropical area of Okinawa to the south. Each season has its own characteristics, with the highest precipitation in most areas falling during the rainy season,...

The Japanese are a practical people. In the past most young adults lived with their parents until they married, and it was not unusual to find three generations living under one roof, separated only by paper thin walls or shoji screens.

Bowing, known as “ojigi” in Japanese, is one the most common and important forms of nonverbal communication in Japan. Although sometimes looked upon as an expression of subservience in the West, bowing is an integral part of Japanese society that is incorporated into every aspect of daily life,...

For new arrivals in Japan riding trains quickly becomes a necessity of life. Taking on the challenge of a crowded morning rush hour train is a right of passage, and foreigners who pass this grueling test are promoted to the ranks of those tenacious individuals able to adapt to this country's major form of transportation.

Japan. The name evokes images of cherry blossoms and temples, of Samurai and Kimono clad Geisha. The contemporary Japan of today is a diverse conglomeration of history and tradition merging with a future that often struggles to understand itself.

Religion in Japan more than a specific set of beliefs or doctrines practiced on a daily basis, is a blend of traditions that stem from the early teachings of Shintoism and Buddhism, and which most Japanese have incorporated into rituals and customs that are applied on special occasions, such as visiting a Shinto shrine to mark the birth of a new baby, or attending wedding ceremonies performed by Shinto priests.

A land richly steeped in history and culture, legend attributes the creation of Japan to the sun goddess Amaterasu, whose claim to the throne by her grandson Emperor Jimmu in 660 B.C, was a traditional belief that constituted official recognition until 1945.

Watching and participating in various sports are popular activities in Japan enjoyed by people of all ages and walks of life. The origin of sports in Japan dates back to the twelfth century, when military nobility known as samurai introduced events such as kendo, ...

Japan, and especially it's capital city of Tokyo, have been notoriously famous throughout the years as being among the world's most expensive places to live. Those who have experienced a ten dollar cup of coffee in the Ginza, or noticed the stylishly packaged melons for sale at airport tourist shops for 10,000 yen will attest to this fact.

Bowing, known as “ojigi” in Japanese, is one the most common and important forms of nonverbal communication in Japan. Although sometimes looked upon as an expression of subservience in the West, bowing is an integral part of Japanese society that is incorporated into every aspect of daily life,...

Religion in Japan more than a specific set of beliefs or doctrines practiced on a daily basis, is a blend of traditions that stem from the early teachings of Shintoism and Buddhism, and which most Japanese have incorporated into rituals and customs that are applied on special occasions, such as visiting a Shinto shrine to mark the birth of a new baby, or attending wedding ceremonies performed by Shinto priests.

With Japan rated as the third largest coffee consumer in the world, it comes as no surprise that coffee shops (kissatens) abound, with Tokyo alone home to over ten thousand. Shops come in all sizes and styles, but the smaller versions usually include only a counter and a few tables that are often sole proprietorships run by a husband and wife team who are helped by a part time waitress.

Another hectic workweek is behind you and Saturday has thankfully arrived. The scent of freshly cut grass lingers pleasantly in the air as you tee up for the first round of the day. With your practice swings completed you eagerly approach the ball, establish your stance, and strike.

Japan, and especially it's capital city of Tokyo, have been notoriously famous throughout the years as being among the world's most expensive places to live. Those who have experienced a ten dollar cup of coffee in the Ginza, or noticed the stylishly packaged melons for sale at airport tourist shops for 10,000 yen will attest to this fact.

A land richly steeped in history and culture, legend attributes the creation of Japan to the sun goddess Amaterasu, whose claim to the throne by her grandson Emperor Jimmu in 660 B.C, was a traditional belief that constituted official recognition until 1945.

Japan. The name evokes images of cherry blossoms and temples, of Samurai and Kimono clad Geisha. The contemporary Japan of today is a diverse conglomeration of history and tradition merging with a future that often struggles to understand itself.

Watching and participating in various sports are popular activities in Japan enjoyed by people of all ages and walks of life. The origin of sports in Japan dates back to the twelfth century, when military nobility known as samurai introduced events such as kendo, ...

The Japanese are a practical people. In the past most young adults lived with their parents until they married, and it was not unusual to find three generations living under one roof, separated only by paper thin walls or shoji screens.

The word kimono literally translates to “something worn” and has been considered the national attire of Japan since its inception in the fifth century. The earliest kimono were influenced through extensive cultural exchanges between China and Japan, when Chinese traders introduced traditional clothing known as Hanfu,...

A land richly steeped in history and culture, legend attributes the creation of Japan to the sun goddess Amaterasu, whose claim to the throne by her grandson Emperor Jimmu in 660 B.C, was a traditional belief that constituted official recognition until 1945.

Another hectic workweek is behind you and Saturday has thankfully arrived. The scent of freshly cut grass lingers pleasantly in the air as you tee up for the first round of the day. With your practice swings completed you eagerly approach the ball, establish your stance, and strike.

Often referred to as the “flowers of the willow world” Geisha are an enduring symbol of Japan whose inherent beauty, grace, charm, and artistic talent have been admired for centuries. The word geisha means artist in Japanese,...

If you're looking for a night out on the town the famous entertainment hub of Tokyo known as Roppongi is a must see. Though the origin of the name is unknown, the word Roppongi literally means “six trees”, ...

Japan, and especially it's capital city of Tokyo, have been notoriously famous throughout the years as being among the world's most expensive places to live. Those who have experienced a ten dollar cup of coffee in the Ginza, or noticed the stylishly packaged melons for sale at airport tourist shops for 10,000 yen will attest to this fact.

Watching and participating in various sports are popular activities in Japan enjoyed by people of all ages and walks of life. The origin of sports in Japan dates back to the twelfth century, when military nobility known as samurai introduced events such as kendo, ...

Religion in Japan more than a specific set of beliefs or doctrines practiced on a daily basis, is a blend of traditions that stem from the early teachings of Shintoism and Buddhism, and which most Japanese have incorporated into rituals and customs that are applied on special occasions, such as visiting a Shinto shrine to mark the birth of a new baby, or attending wedding ceremonies performed by Shinto priests.

Japan. The name evokes images of cherry blossoms and temples, of Samurai and Kimono clad Geisha. The contemporary Japan of today is a diverse conglomeration of history and tradition merging with a future that often struggles to understand itself.

The setting sun cast a shimmering hue of gold across the cerulean sea as I made my way past the outcropping of rock that dotted the pristine shoreline. I was making good time, though thoughts of why and where I was bound seemed inconsequential as I luxuriated in the exquisite feeling of weightlessness that enveloped my body.

For new arrivals in Japan riding trains quickly becomes a necessity of life. Taking on the challenge of a crowded morning rush hour train is a right of passage, and foreigners who pass this grueling test are promoted to the ranks of those tenacious individuals able to adapt to this country's major form of transportation.