Amy Chavez - The Japan Times

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Amy Chavez

For Amy Chavez's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:

Japan Times

LIFE / Food & Drink / Gourmet Trails

Aug 26, 2017

Treats and traditions on the trail in Kyoto

I stood under the looming Shinto torii gate with my guide Mish Haddad, an expert on Kyoto culture with a passion for the local food. Our goal was to both hike and eat our way along the Kyoto Trail from Fushimi Inari Shrine (Marker 1) to Kiomizudera Temple and end at Ginkakuji Temple (Marker 47).

Japan Times

COMMUNITY / Our Lives / JAPAN LITE

Jul 30, 2017

Red tape must go if Japan is to woo seafaring visitors

Japan has no system in place for admitting small craft into its waters. As a result, pleasure boats are, across the board, treated the same as commercial ships.

Japan Times

LIFE / Food & Drink / Gourmet Trails

Jul 22, 2017

The Kumano Kodo: Hot spring-boiled eggs and ancient bento along the trail

I alighted at Kii Tanabe Station to hike the Kumano Kodo, a wooded trail through Japan's spiritual heartland in Wakayama Prefecture that leads to the Three Grand Shrines of Kumano: Hongu Taisha, Hayatama Taisha and Nachi Taisha.

Japan Times

COMMUNITY / Our Lives / JAPAN LITE

Jun 25, 2017

Remembering the life and works of Boye De Mente, a giant of writing on Japan

Any Japanophile will have at least one of the 30 or so books authored by Boye Lafayette De Mente during his long and prolific writing career in Japan.

Japan Times

COMMUNITY / Our Lives / JAPAN LITE

May 28, 2017

In Kyoto, a jarring one-off encounter or the tip of the iceberg?

Kyoto is adapting to meet the needs of hordes of tourists, but importing foreign customs purely for profit is not the way to go.

Japan Times

COMMUNITY / Our Lives / JAPAN LITE

Apr 23, 2017

There's something about Miffy, the gender-bending bunny

Tackling the mysteries of why Japan is one of the largest markets for Miffy merchandise — and whether Miffy is a boy or a girl.

Japan Times

COMMUNITY / Our Lives / JAPAN LITE

Mar 26, 2017

The confessions of a Japanese-to-Hungarian translator

Over some Hungarian wine, a translator who does not wish to be identified spills the beans on the juicier bits of her job.

Japan Times

COMMUNITY / Our Lives / JAPAN LITE

Feb 26, 2017

At the site of WWII Japanese POW breakout in Australia, a space for peace

In the early hours of Aug. 5, 1944, more than 600 Japanese POWs attempted an escape, knowing full well that most, if not all, would be killed before they could reach freedom.

Japan Times

COMMUNITY / Our Lives / JAPAN LITE

Jan 29, 2017

Caroline Kennedy's legacy in Japan will be her message of equality and reconciliation

Caroline Kennedy left a deep impression upon Japan and will long be remembered for her positive role here.

Japan Times

COMMUNITY / Our Lives / JAPAN LITE

Dec 25, 2016

Discovering the mystery behind 'Goat Island' in the Seto Inland Sea

There was a man living on a small island in the Seto Inland Sea who had a goat. He was not an old man, and he didn't know much about ruminants, so when his goat grew bigger, and its stubbornness exceeded its usefulness, the man started looking for a way to get rid of it. Rather than roast the goat, he put it in his boat and left it on an uninhabited island.

Japan Times

COMMUNITY / Our Lives / JAPAN LITE

Nov 27, 2016

Finding fishy enlightenment and sustenance on the Mackerel Trail

The Wakasa Road is a historical trail that helped advance Japan's culture and cuisine. The Wakasa region of Fukui Prefecture, on the nation's west coast, was one of the strategic miketsukuni regions of Japan that produced food for the emperor in ancient times.

Japan Times

COMMUNITY / Our Lives / JAPAN LITE

Oct 23, 2016

Uninvited pair of animal invaders leave island in a tizzy

When a boar and a deer show up offering diversity and hope to repair our ecosystem, we should be honored that they'd even consider taking up residence here.

Japan Times

COMMUNITY / Our Lives / JAPAN LITE

Sep 25, 2016

If you don't feel accepted in Japan, join the far-from-exclusive club

If you feel you've never been accepted in Japan, then welcome to the club: Many Japanese people don't feel accepted here either.

Japan Times

COMMUNITY / Our Lives / JAPAN LITE

Aug 28, 2016

Japan's men and women must stand together against the scourge of sexism

Sexism is one of the scourges of the nation. Fortunately, it's a problem that can be tackled through education. So why isn't anyone doing this?

COMMUNITY / Our Lives / JAPAN LITE

Jul 24, 2016

Cruel wind of circumstance blows islanders’ plans off course

The story of how one small accident heralded the abrupt end of a seafaring lineage.

Japan Times

COMMUNITY / Our Lives / JAPAN LITE

Jun 26, 2016

Never mind Japan's looming pension disaster — here's a cute squirrel

On our island of just 529 people in the Inland Sea, we have one post office and one bank. The bank, run by the almighty JA (Japan Agriculture), shares an office with the JA dry goods store, which offers everything from rodent poison to a new water heater.

COMMUNITY / Our Lives / JAPAN LITE

May 29, 2016

Plenty of blame to go around for the young and older alike

The 50s must be the point where you can no longer blame things on young people and so switch to blaming middle age.

Japan Times

COMMUNITY / Our Lives / JAPAN LITE

Apr 24, 2016

Guesthouses are proliferating in Japan's countryside, but at what cost?

To ensure they can continue working into their twilight years, many owners of traditional Japanese inns are keen to change their business model.

Japan Times

COMMUNITY / Our Lives / JAPAN LITE

Mar 27, 2016

Seto Inland Sea island finds salvation through art, but on its residents' own terms

Until recently facing a shrinking, aging population, Ogijima is growing thanks to its thriving community-based art scene.

Japan Times

COMMUNITY / Our Lives / JAPAN LITE

Feb 29, 2016

Alarm over the death of a doctor ripples across the Seto Inland Sea

The death of the island's only doctor has come as a major shock to the islanders of Shiraishi and beyond.

From easily navigable train stations to the helpfulness of its municipal staff, Tokyo has earned high praise for its commitment to accessibility for disabled travelers.

[Rebroadcast] Japan is doing better on accessibility than you may think

When trying to trace your lineage in Japan, the "koseki" is the most important form of document you'll encounter.

Climbing the branches of a Japanese family tree

By Alex K.T. Martin

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

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