Otaru Beckons: March 2025 Tourism Report Hints at a Vibrant Spring Mark your calendars, wanderlusters! Otaru, the charming port city on the island of Hokkaido, Japan, has just released its tourism report for March 2025 (published on April 23rd, 2025), hinting at a vibrant spring season and promising a delightful travel experience. While we don’t … Read more
Okay, let’s break down Governor Christopher Waller’s remarks from April 23, 2025, and explain the key takeaways in a clear and concise way. Keep in mind that because I don’t have the actual content of the speech itself, I can only provide a hypothetical summary based on common themes discussed by Fed officials, and reasonable … Read more
Prepare for a Roar of Tradition: The Bishamon Festival National Cry Sumo Tournament in Hachimantai! Imagine a scene of raw, unbridled emotion echoing through the crisp mountain air. Tiny faces contorted in determined cries, cheered on by a captivated audience. This isn’t a playground squabble; it’s the Bishamon Festival National Cry Sumo Tournament, a unique … Read more
The Perks of Clustering: How U.S. Manufacturing Benefits from Grouping Together The Federal Reserve Board (FRB) recently released a research paper, titled “Agglomeration and sorting in U.S. manufacturing,” exploring a crucial trend in the U.S. manufacturing landscape: the tendency of businesses to cluster together in specific locations. This isn’t just a coincidence; it’s a deliberate … Read more
Step Back in Time: Discover the Charm of Nagamachi Samurai Mansion District in Kanazawa Imagine strolling through narrow, winding streets lined with earthen walls, the air thick with the echoes of a bygone era. This isn’t a movie set; it’s the Nagamachi Samurai Mansion District in Kanazawa, Japan, and it’s ready to transport you back … Read more
Become a Host Family in Shunan City, Yamaguchi: An Opportunity to Connect with the World and Discover Hidden Japan Do you dream of connecting with people from different cultures and sharing the beauty of your everyday life? Do you want to experience the joy of seeing your own home through fresh eyes, as a visitor … Read more
No News is Bad News: How the Fed is Watching Commercial Real Estate Closely The Federal Reserve (the Fed), America’s central bank, is paying close attention to the health of the commercial real estate (CRE) market. Why? Because CRE – think office buildings, shopping malls, hotels, and industrial warehouses – is a massive sector of … Read more
Welcome Spring with Blessings: Experience the Toyokawa Inari Spring Festival (First Year Prayer Festival) Imagine yourself surrounded by vibrant colors, the rhythmic beat of taiko drums, and the scent of incense wafting through the air. This is the atmosphere of the Toyokawa Inari Spring Festival (First Year Prayer Festival), a captivating celebration held in Aichi … Read more
Uganda: Reconsider Travel Due to Crime, Terrorism, and Anti-LGBTQI+ Legislation (April 23, 2025) The U.S. Department of State has issued a Level 3 Travel Advisory for Uganda as of April 23, 2025, urging U.S. citizens to reconsider travel to the country. This advisory is based on concerns about crime, terrorism, and anti-LGBTQI+ legislation. What does … Read more
Step Back in Time: Explore the Former Nagamachi Samurai Residence Area in Kanazawa Imagine stepping back in time to a world of meticulously manicured gardens, silent cobblestone streets, and the austere elegance of traditional samurai homes. This is exactly what awaits you in the Former Nagamachi Samurai Residence Area in Kanazawa, Japan. Preserved as a … Read more