

Shelley Dark
- Apr 6, 2017
5. before we go....
Himeji Castle The Japanese concept of beauty is about the imperfect, subtle, transient, simple and understated. There was a little about...

Shelley Dark
- Mar 30, 2017
4. Top 10 do's and don'ts for Japan
I love it in a foreign country if someone asks me directions as if I’m a native and not the gauche tourist I am. It means I can melt into...


Shelley Dark
- Mar 26, 2017
3. itinerary
This post expands a little on the itinerary I outlined in my first post.... I've booked the flights, one ryokan, tours and guides, and...


Shelley Dark
- Mar 19, 2017
2. a carry-on wardrobe
For this post I feel like typing just EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEK, carry-on only? I've always thought that carry-on and wardrobe are mutually...

Shelley Dark
- Mar 7, 2017
1. planning Japan
To start the ball rolling, I took the only available dates at a lovely Zen ryokan which had stolen my heart, and after that, I could see we&


Shelley Dark
- Jan 26, 2017
How beautiful is Japanese Calligraphy?
The Calligraphy Lesson, Kitagawa Utamaro (Japan, 1753-1806) I love a mystery don't you? I thought you might like an update on the...


Shelley Dark
- Jan 9, 2017
Telling Your Wabi from Your Sabi
Because my next trip is to Japan, I've been thinking about the Japanese perception of beauty, and terms like wabi-sabi. It pops up willy


Shelley Dark
- Jan 22, 2016
16. Asakusa rickshaw riding
What a sight on waking! Our beautiful flowers from the Aoyama market, and that stunning view of Tokyo. This morning at breakfast we were...