Amy Chavez
The Japan Times
Japan
Contact Amy
Discover and connect with journalists and influencers around the world, save time on email research, monitor the news, and more.
| Recent: |
|
| Past: |
|
Past articles by Amy:
Lifestyles on the Seto Inland Sea change with advancements in the fishing industry
When I first came to Japan, I was stunned by the beauty of the Seto Inland Sea. Its thousands of peaked islands look as if they'd dropped straight from the → Read More
Humanity is sure to come through for those on a modern pilgrimage
As I made my way up the steep road to Kakurin Temple — aka Temple No. 20, I realized how foolish I had been to have bought a bicycle. Rising at dawn, → Read More
One woman's story illustrates the bittersweet charm of life in the Seto Island Sea
Mitsuko Amano was born in year 19 of the Showa Era (1944). World War II was still a year away from ending, and at the time nearly 2,000 people made their l → Read More
The lesson from one student-led trash pick-up is that everyone needs to do their part
It's April on Shiraishi Island in Japan's Seto Inland Sea. The nights are still crisp, dipping to 4 degrees Celsius, but the sky is clear and the stars arc → Read More
If you want to fix the problem of over-tourism then just look overseas
I was speaking with a woman the other day who had recently been to Japan. She acknowledged that Japan is the "in" place to travel to and, as if to qualify → Read More
Same gripes, different country: Japan ain't the only place with squat toilets and table charges
It's not easy being an expat. While most of us choose to live in Japan of our own volition, there are still times when we're frustrated with the way things → Read More
Submitting to the masters on Onomichi's Path of Literature
The Onomichi Path of Literature is a short 1-kilometer walking trail that introduces the many famous literary masters associated with the Japan Heritage city. → Read More
One man's labor-of-love museum captures Seto Inland Sea island's storied stone history
Build a stone museum and they will come? That's the idea behind the K's Labo museum on Kitagi Island in Okayama Prefecture. → Read More
Chichibu: Steeped in tradition, but challenged by industry
The city of Chichibu, about 90 minutes by train from Ikebukuro, Tokyo, has a population of approximately 60,000. The region, which sits in the shadow of Mount Buko and alongside the Arakawa river is steeped in tradition with more than 300 festivals taking place each year. → Read More
What's behind Japan's enduring love of Emily Bronte's 'Wuthering Heights'?
Emily Bronte's only novel, "Wuthering Heights," set in the moors of Yorkshire in the late 18th century, has long held a special place in Japanese hearts. → Read More
Launch a tourist-friendly Seto Inland Sea ferry system and they will come
The 250 or so inhabited islands scattered like pebbles between Honshu and Shikoku have been unfairly relegated to guidebook sidebars labeled "Off the beaten track." → Read More
Short Kyoto hike packs in plenty to stimulate the mind and palate
History and spirituality abound on the trail from Kibune to Kurama. → Read More
Edo Period 'post town' in Okayama re-imagines its past and reaps tourism dividends
Yakage is the only preserved town along the Sanyo Road that survives in it's near-original form, and tourists are flocking there. → Read More
Slow food and easy pedaling along Seto Inland Sea's Shimanami Kaido
Japanese-Western fusion cuisine abounds along this six-island cycle path connecting Hiroshima to Ehime. → Read More
Business cards in Japan: So many rules, so easily and often broken
One of the first things visitors learn about Japan is the importance of business card etiquette. Yet when it comes to the content of cards, many Japanese let rip and get creative. → Read More
Six temples, 60 km and countless bowls of Sanuki udon in Kagawa
For foodies, Kagawa can mean just one thing: the prefecture's signature noodles. → Read More
Eating a way through the Nakasendo's lower Kiso Road
The Nakasendo was an Edo Period (1603-1868) road used for travel between the capital of Edo (Tokyo) and Kyoto, the former capital. The 69 post towns along → Read More
Blame for 'bad tourists' to Japan lies with the advice they never receive
The answer to holidaymakers' poor behavior isn't shutting out "bad tourists" but educating all tourists. → Read More
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 h → Read More
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 → Read More