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Author Archives: YomoYama Magazine
Fukuro Chan: Eco Manga and New Directions in Enviornmentalism
by Whitney Conti In 2008, Mastumoto based artist Charlie Ward drew an upside down plastic bag with the simple idea that, “if you find rabbits cute, you might feel bad eating one.” He named the wide-eyed plastic bag Fukuro chan … Continue reading
Dave Carlson on making the Matsumoto Based Japan-o-files podcast
I was really excited when I heard that YoMoYaMa Magazine would be doing an issue devoted entirely to SOUND. Yes! All my life I’ve been fascinated with sound. I remember how, as a little kid, I used to love putting … Continue reading
Posted in 5 Sound. JuneJuly. 2010, Arts and Culture, Reflections, The YomoYama
Tagged japan o files, Matsumoto, podcast
2 Comments
Nagano Summer Music Festivals
photos and write-ups by Whitney Conti Ueda Joint August 6,7,8: Ueda Castle, Ueda Sandwiched between the Ueda city outdoor skate park and Ueda Castles’ high stone walls, Ueda Joint combines earthtones with skateboards and psychedelic jazz with jam band rock. … Continue reading
Posted in 5 Sound. JuneJuly. 2010, Hakuba, Iiyama, Japan Travel, Kiso, Nagano, Places, Ueda
Tagged Peaceful Garden Festival, Sagawa Festival, Ueda Joint Festival
2 Comments
Nagano in a Nutshell: N,S,E,W,Central
photos and text by Whitney Conti Nagano is the kind of inaka which attracts famed artists, first class alpinists, and a rich culture based around local food and unique landscape. However, the prefecture’s English tourism information is limited and often … Continue reading
Posted in Azumino, Hakuba, Japan Travel, Kamikochi, Kiso, Matsumoto, Nagano, Nagano City
Tagged Nagano
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Zen Soba Bar and Restaurant, Hakuba
Zen is frequently recommended by locals for its combination of traditional architecture and the diversity and locality of its menu. Local wine and sake, traditional soba with mountain vegetables, and newer variations like octopus with spicy olive oil and garlic … Continue reading
Posted in Hakuba, Japan Travel, Japanese, Nagano, Places
Tagged Hakuba, soba, zen restaurant
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Kiyousumi-Shirakawa: Escaping Tokyo’s Heat withContemporary Art and Traditional Gardens
photos and text by Whitney Conti Accessing Tokyo’s best arts can mean massive crowds, busy train stations, and oceans of concrete, but it doesn’t have to. The 15 minute walk to Tokyo’s Museum of Contemporary Art, or MOT, from Kiyousumi-Shirakawa … Continue reading
Posted in Japan Travel, Tokyo
Tagged Featured, Kiba Park, Kiyosumi Garden, Kiyosumi Shirakawa
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Getting in and Out of Nagano: Highway Buses, Trains, and Tolls
There are 3 main forms of transportation around Nagano prefecture: 1) JR Trains ( Check www.hyperdia.com or www.jorudan.co.jp for train times and stations) 2) Highway Bus 3) Car (Driving Directions: maps.google.com) -The InterChange or I.C. is often the fastest and … Continue reading
Posted in Transportation, Travel Japan
Tagged Highway Bus, Highway Rest Stops, JR trains, Transportation
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Young Love for the New and Old of Japanese Enka Music
It is hard to trace where my love for Japanese Enka first began. I can say that I grew up listening to it my whole life. My early childhood was spent living in Taiwan where Enka at the time was … Continue reading
Posted in 5 Sound. JuneJuly. 2010, Enka Music, Music Japan
Tagged enka, Featured, japanese music
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Gen Macrobiotic Kitchen Matsumoto
Matsumoto finally has an organically minded, vegetarian option thanks to the two month old Gen Macrobiotic Kitchen. Not that every city mandates local and organic cuisine options (though it should) but the absence of a local vegetarian based restaurant in … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Matsumoto, Nagano, Organic, Places
Tagged farm, local, macrobiotic, Matsumoto, organic, vegetarian
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Jump into Summer…literally: Lake Aokiko
In tourism materials, Nagano’s alpine peaks and winter skiing usually outshine most of the prefecture’s arts, culture, and other outdoor activities. But in summer, locals know that the most refreshing way to enjoy the mountain’s lush greens is from the … Continue reading
Posted in Hakuba, Nagano, Places, Water
Tagged lake aokiko, lake nojiriko, lakes, swimming
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The Buisness and Burritos of Surviving as a Community Art Space in Tokyo
by Whitney Conti Traci Consoli is an idealist and a workaholic. Ten years ago, she was an active painter living in Tokyo, but since opening Shibuya’s international art mecca and burrito haven, The Pink Cow, she works 100 hours a … Continue reading
The Matsumoto Craft Fair: Upholding the Arts and Crafts Movement in Soft Toned, Natural Style
by Whitney Conti The Matsumoto Crafts fair is burgeoning all weekend in Agatano Mori park. Attendants and artisans have come from Tokyo, Kyoto, and all over Japan to showcase a slice of Japan’s arts and crafts subculture at one of … Continue reading
Posted in Exhibits, Museums and Arts
Tagged arts and crafts, Featured, matsumoto art fair
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Koiwa Workshop Blog May 19th
by Tom Jones After a request from an Australian guest, Ryokan-keeper Tyler Lynch arranged a hands-on tour of the Koiwa Workshop, where traditional Ueda Tsumugi techniques are still in use. As well as learning about the history of silk production, … Continue reading
Introducing Uniquely Nagano
Uniquely Nagano Uniquely Nagano is a think tank enthusiastic about sharing Nagano’s culture through participation. Traditional and contemporary arts thrive thourghout the prefecture and Uniquely Nagano is developing the English language resources and connection to bring those practices to a … Continue reading
Posted in Uniquely Nagano
Tagged geisha, kimono, ninja, silk weaving, Uniquely Nagano, workshops
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The Hidden Kaiten Gem Under Shinjuku Bus Terminal
photo and text by Whitney Conti When a friend in Nagano told me that her favorite sushi in all of Tokyo was located below Shinjuku’s highway bus terminal I thought I had misunderstood her Japanese. However, if you venture down … Continue reading
Spring Cleaning Guide for Homemade Natural Products
by Erika Pyle You make sure to recycle your garbage into thirteen different categories every day. Paper towels are not allowed in your home anymore and the thought of driving to the convini four blocks away makes you ill. You … Continue reading
Thoughts on Aroma Therapy
by Mary Shannon Teague I’m not an aroma therapist. I have been focusing more on what I’m touching rather than what I’m breathing. However, I am slowly becoming aware of aromatherapy and how easy it can be to change your … Continue reading
Posted in Arts and Culture, Do it Yourself, Living Local
Tagged aroma therapy, natural alternatives
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Judgement and Justice: A Dialogue
by Justin K. Ellis DOXA: You know Elenchus, I look around the world, and I don’t like what I see. ELENCHUS: You’re not the only one. DOXA: But really, I mean all the war and strife that covers the world … Continue reading
Posted in Arts and Culture, Reflections
Tagged cultural relativity, ethics, Philosophy
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All Natural Edible Body Wax Recipe:
DYI コーナー by Erin King Does Japan leave you feeling like a huge hairy beast? Body hair got you down? Have no fear, DIY advice is here! Continue reading to discover how you can remove the “hair” from your J-insecurities! … Continue reading
The Sixth Scent: How Scents Evoke Memories
by Lauren Koors While walking home from school a few weeks ago, I stopped on a bridge to admire the view. Being a believer in the motto “stop and smell the roses,” the beautiful colors enveloping Mount Asama in the dwindling sunlight … Continue reading
Your Olfactory’s Dream Dessert
by Karen Ricks Many years ago, I stumbled across an amazing series of recipes that used herbs and flowers to add an unexpected twist of fragrance and flavor to a variety of desserts. The site caught my attention, and I … Continue reading
A Brazilian Portrait of Life in Japan
All the Colors of My Japan by Nixon Ribeiro My Japan has always been marked by different colors: while they are most often colorful, sometimes they are gray and without much joy. But I like Japan and I feel good … Continue reading
U.S. for Okinawa Report
From April 1st to April 4th US for OKINAWA, a Tokyo-based peace action network, organized a study program to Okinawa’s main island. The goal was simple: to experience what is really happening in regards to the U.S. military’s Futenma Air … Continue reading
Posted in 4 Smell. April. May. 2010, News, Okinawa, Politics, The YomoYama
Tagged activism, Featured
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Tokyo’s Cat Cafes
Cattery Will Get You Nowhere by Michael Richey When some friends asked me and my wife if we wanted to go to a cat cafe, I did as I should have and shrugged a “Sure,” as my wife jumped up … Continue reading
Hiyori Café, Nagano City
text and photos by Whitney Conti Hiyori Café is a literary lovers’ garage turned hip café space. Above Hiyori café’s basement location is the headquarters of Nagano magazine publishers, Country Press. Country Press’ most recognizable publication is Kura magazine, which … Continue reading
Posted in Bakeries and Cafes, Nagano, Nagano City, Places
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Tsubu Tsubu, Nagano City Peace Food
“Peace Food since 1983″ “TsubTsubu Café proudly presents creative dished made with different grains that feature the grain’s best characteristics.” (Tsubu Tsubu sweets menu) If earth tones, vegetables and soft toned conversations sound lovely to you then Tsubu Tsubu is … Continue reading
Posted in Bakeries and Cafes, Nagano, Nagano City, Nightlife, Organic, Places
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9kjikan Café, Nagano City
Straight coffee in a simple setting 9kjikan (rest time) makes simplicity stylish. Their walls are clean, white, and bare with the exception of a pinned up pocket size calendar and post card sized Abbey Road placard. Tables are simple with … Continue reading
Need brand new kanji flashcards? Enter Wide Island View’s Spring Photo Contest
For full contest details visit Wide Island View’s contest and submission guidelines The Contest Hiroshima JET based webzine, Wise Island View, is holding a spring photo contest with prizes from White Rabbit Press, known for their popular kanji study materials. … Continue reading