Jan Bono’s Blog

I’m a very sentimental old cuss. Other people have fond memories; I have flashing neon red-letter Special Events. And when it’s an actual anniversary or birthday, I’ve been known to pull out all the stops, adorn myself with sequins, and shout “Hallelujah!” from the...

By special arrangement, we had our "traditional Japanese breakfast" a half hour before the upstairs restaurant actually opened. Again, a picture menu frought with soy products, but I was not bashful about pointing to each item and asking our server if "sho-yu" was in...

In direct contrast to Tokyo, Hakone is a tiny, quaint little town known for its mineral hot springs, hiking trails, ropeways, cable cars, and pirate boat cruises on the extremely picturesque Lake Ashi. I felt like we’d been dropped deep into the previous century—on...

Our second day in Japan, we were "on your own," which meant we had no tour schedule, no set place to be at any particular time, and no worries about catching a plane or train or other mode of transportation. In other words, we could go and do totally at our own pace....

The drizzle let up after we left the Meiji Jingu Shrine, and during our short walk through the Imperial Palace Garden, umbrellas were pretty much “optional.” Those of us raised in the Pacific Northwest are drip-dry, and sprinkles, especially when it’s 80 degrees out,...

You're right! Meiji Jingu Shrine isn't in Korea! After a week with Don and Chris in Seoul, Miriam and I set off "alone" to spend a week in Japan! Don set it all up months ago, so it's not like it wasn't all planned out, but actually, it WASN'T all planned out!...