Sakura, kimono-clad geishas and the way of tea. These images flash upon my inward eye, so to speak, when I recall staring at the antique Satsuma tea set displayed in a Burma teak wood showcase in our dining room for hours. Thanks to my butterfingers I was, and still am, forbidden to touch the gold-plated crockery. But no one could stop me from visiting the country of its origin, I’d chuckle to myself, daydreaming in the midst of English literature classes where the Radiant Reader: Book Seven had a story of Japan called The Tidal Wave in which the village chief Hamaguchi heroically saves his Japanese hamlet from the tsunami.
Many moons later, when this dream finally took the shape of reality, Japan was far removed from the fairy-tale land my imagination had woven. In a good way. Because of all the things I learned whilst traversing the land of the rising sun!
Sakura or the sought-after cherry blossom was out of the question, given that airfares soar high during the season. Therefore, a more practical choice was the Tohuku region known for its scenic beauty. Perched at the tip of Honshu, the main island of Japan, this region comprises six prefectures namely Aomori, Akita, Fukushima, Iwate, Miyagi, and Yamagata.
MOVE OVER, COCKPIT!
Travelling in the iconic Shinkansen or bullet trains is a given in Japan, but ever thought of learning to operate one? This experience is made possible at The Railway Museum, Omiya, in the Saitama prefecture, which is about an hour-long drive from Tokyo. And since we flew into the capital, it was hard to resist a visit before exploring the Tohuku region.
Continue reading your story on the app
Continue reading your story in the magazine
More Than A Sporting Chance - Sunday Drive
The new SUV from the traditional AstonMartin may be the game changer the company needs
Time To Respect The Tandoor - Rude Food
No, it’s not just an oven for flabby broiler chicken tikka. It is India’s contribution to the global barbecue tradition.
YOUR TRYST WITH DESTINY
Astrologer, numerologist, tarot reader and vastu expert Mr P Khurrana looks at what the stars may have in store for you this fortnight
SUSHI SO FINE!
Meet former Nobu chef Edwin Sta, whose new restaurant in Pune is what every serious Japanese food lover is talking about
Past Perfect - spectator
There comes a time in life when looking back is as much of a joy as looking forward
BEYOND THE CHERRY BLOSSOM
There’s so much more to Japan than sakura, geishas and tea ceremonies
BEFRIENDING ECONOMICS
A courageous attempt at understanding the queen of the social sciences
ARTIST OF ALL TRADES
LEAVE ALONE CURATOR AND CREATOR, BOSE KRISHNAMACHARI IS ALSO A TRAINED DANCER, THEATRE ARTIST AND A FORMER RESTAURANT SKETCH ARTIST! WHAT DOES HE ENJOY THE MOST?
Six-Pack At Any Age!
IF AGE MAKES YOUR METABOLISM SLUGGISH, IS IT IMPOSSIBLE TO GET SIX-PACK ABS? IT’S NOT, SAYS ACTOR ROHIT ROY, AND SHOWS YOU HOW YOU CAN DO IT TOO!
Into The North Eastern Mist
Arunachal Pradesh is one of India’s most beautiful states and most of it is unspoilt and untouched by time
FAST TIMES
SHROUDED IN MYSTERY AND RULED BY SAMURAI CODE, TEAM MID NIGHT DOMINATED JAPAN'S STREET-RACING SCENE FOR TWO DECADES.
ON JAPAN'S FRONT LINES
Dispatches from Asia's new Cold War
Afro Zen
Fusing the mediative Zen school with the vibrant pulse of Africa.
How Uniqlo Became A Favorite in China
In addition to making popular styles, it's kept quiet about the country's human-rights record
Water Features for Small Gardens
Water features and garden fountains add charm and personality, so you can stylise your home outside as well as in.
TAKE FIVE:Chandler Massey (Will, DAYS)
SOUTH PARK - Guilty pleasure TV show
COLONIZED FROM WITHIN
THE WORLD'S ELITE WANT THEIR CHILDREN TO HAVE WHITE TEACHERS AND WESTERN OUTLOOKS, AND INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS AIM TO PLEASE
CRIMZON CLOVER
Revisiting a shmup that rivals the genre’s best.
JAPAN'S MITSUBISHI, ENERGY BODY JOIN GATES' NUCLEAR PROJECT
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and the Japan Atomic Energy Agency have signed an agreement to participate in a next-generation nuclear energy project with TerraPower, a company started by Bill Gates.
Early-Blooming Shrubs
Greet spring with pretty plants that shine all season.