The Himeyuri Peace Museum in Itoman reopened after a renovation on Apr. 12, 2021. The renovation gave the exhibits a facelift and tweaked their presentation in order to better reach a modern, younger audience growing more distant from the war.…
Eight Minutes Over Nagoya: The Nagoya Garrison and the Doolittle Raid
Meiji-mura is an open air architectural park with dozens of architectural and still functional technological wonders from turn-of-the-century Japan. I came ready to see the era and even dressed in a yukata with fedora, like all the old Japanese men…
Castle Air Museum: Cold War and World War II Aviation Treasure Trove in the California Desert
Throughout the Cold War the scream of jet engines could be heard over the California desert at Atwater, California. It was here Strategic Air Command bombers, from the World War-veteran B-29 to the massive aluminum overcast that was the B-36,…
Okinoerabujima: One of Japan’s Hidden Tropical Getaways
(This is a version of the story originally published in Stripes Japan’s Destination Paradise) As the interisland ferry approached Okinoerabujima, I still wasn’t sure if I’d made a mistake coming here. Before us was an island of high sea cliffs…
Relax and Explore Scenic Japan with Laid-Back Camp!
Who needs fantasy escapism when Japan’s natural beauty is pretty amazing already? With all the COVID travel restrictions in place, it’s a good time to watch TV shows to help you distress while you’re stuck at home and that show…
David’s Top Five Museum Ships
I did a Top Five Tanks a few years back so decided now would be a good time to do another one but with my top five favorite museum ships. I’m a guy and I love history, so my favorite…
Real World Demon Slayer Location Then and Now: Asakusa
This mini article was first published Jan. 21, 2020 on Wayfarer Daves Facebook. These will not be replacing regular full-length articles but may supplement from time to time on off weeks. Last week I went to Tokyo for the Suzu’s…
Historic Birthdays: Saigo Takamori (1828)
Saigo Takamori was born Jan. 23, 1828 in Kagoshima, Satsuma Domain. The son of a samurai tax clerk in the poorest samurai district of Kagoshima, I don’t imagine anyone that day would expect this boy to be one of the…
Sakura Wars’ Steampunk Steam Car
This mini article was first published May 21, 2020 on Wayfarer Daves Facebook. These will not be replacing regular full-length articles but may supplement from time to time on off weeks. Dave and I have been pretty busy during this…
A Soldier of Kumamoto Castle: Tanimura Keisuke
If you ever visit Kumamoto Castle you’ll notice this statue inside without much explanation. The soldier’s name is Tanimura Keisuke and he served at the castle when it was besieged by Saigo Takamori’s rebels during the Satsuma Rebellion / Seinan…