Towada, Japan - 29 September, 2017

Greetings from Japan. It’s been 10 years since I’ve been here so it’s good to be back. I only have a short trip here on behalf of a tourism board writing for their website. I have some free time in Tokyo though, which is an enticing location independent destination.

This weeks links includes a selection of Japan links that I’ve read recently.

~ James

Travel Reads

Air travel is better than ever. So why do we feel like it sucks?

“At some point, we were socialized to hate flying.”

How booking.com uses stress to rush your decisions

“Many websites and applications these days are designed to trick you into doing things that their creators want.”

Proterra’s big electric bus can go 1,102 miles on one charge

“With cities and countries about to put bans on internal combustion engines in the next couple of decades, electric bus technology needs to advance. Proterra thinks it just proved it’s already there.”

African Architecture Awards recognizes Ghana, Congo, Senegal designs

“The first Africa Architecture Awards will be held this month. It’s easy to be cynical about handing out trophies when so much development still needs to happen on the continent. Still, judging by the shortlist, the awards could help to identify what a uniquely African aesthetic is, while also highlighting the importance of incorporating environmental requirements and cultural identity.”

Japan

Japan, and How I Failed to Figure it Out

“Okay wait, I take back what I said about Russia being weird.”

An older post but a great introduction to Japan.

Female Samurai Warriors Immortalized in 19th Century Japanese Photos

“Known as onna bugeisha, these fighters “find their earliest precursor in Empress Jingū, who in 200 A.D. led an invasion of Korea after her husband Emperor Chūai, the fourteenth emperor of Japan, perished in battle.” Empress Jingū’s example endured. In 1881, she became the first woman on Japanese currency.”

Japan's Rural Aging Population

“Small towns across Japan are on the verge of collapse. Whether they can do so gracefully has consequences for societies around the globe.”

World’s first MUJI hotels to open in China and Japan

“The Japanese lifestyle brand is building their first-ever MUJI hotels in China and Japan designed in their beloved minimalist style.”

A Mirrored Train Ride Through Tokyo Leaves You Wondering Which Way Is Up

“By simply vertically mirroring footage from a commuter train ride through Tokyo, YouTube channel afridimensional made Japan’s capital look like the backdrop for a futuristic sci-fi film in this chill short film, Neo Tokyo Metro.”

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While sake is not my proverbial cup of tea, I do love these ornamental barrels.