Japan Travel
![How Mountains Move](https://hobblecreek.us/assets/images/rou20220212-412tn.jpg)
How Mountains Move
Mountains grow, shrink and change shape both slowly and suddenly, and human behavior is changing them in alarming ways.
![The Sustainable Culture of Yogurt Jars](https://hobblecreek.us/assets/images/Yogurt-jars-12tn.jpg)
The Sustainable Culture of Yogurt Jars
Cute little glass and ceramic yogurt jars have become a DIY trend and recycling strategy.
![Comeback of the Courtyard House](https://hobblecreek.us/assets/images/IMG_3381tn.jpg)
Comeback of the Courtyard House
The pandemic, soaring cost of housing and environmental concerns are renewing interest in courtyard houses, albeit on a miniature scale.
![Japan’s Golden Pavilion](https://hobblecreek.us/assets/images/rou20180402-294tn.jpg)
Japan’s Golden Pavilion
The Golden Pavilion in Kyoto, Japan, is evidence of Japan's aesthetic balance of restrained simplicity and bursts of opulent grandeur.
![Japan’s Poignant Cherry Blossom Season](https://hobblecreek.us/assets/images/rou20170406-118tn.jpg)
Japan’s Poignant Cherry Blossom Season
Japan's annual cherry blossom season conveys a timely message of renewal, transience and death in a year of global tragedy.
![Gift Wrapping](https://hobblecreek.us/assets/images/IMG_2467tn.jpg)
Gift Wrapping
Wrapping gifts beautifully can help take the edge off of social distancing during the holidays.
![A World of Pickles](https://hobblecreek.us/assets/images/rou20200827-124tn.jpg)
A World of Pickles
Pickling is one of the most common ways of food preservation the world over. See our recipes and information about pickles.
![How Crafts Help Us Cope](https://hobblecreek.us/assets/images/rou20200728-114tn.jpg)
How Crafts Help Us Cope
Crafts are booming as people shelter at home during the pandemic. We explore why, as well as ways to learn a new craft without stressing out.
![Meditation and Japan’s Rock Garden](https://hobblecreek.us/assets/images/rou20180402-043tn.jpg)
Meditation and Japan’s Rock Garden
Meditation is the theme of the Ryoanji dry rock garden. Find out why the garden inspires meditation and how to meditate.
![Sustainable Tourism for Holidays](https://hobblecreek.us/assets/images/rou20180402-129tn.jpg)
Sustainable Tourism for Holidays
Packing for travel this holiday season should include a primer on how to be responsible, sustainable tourists. Here it is.
![Din Tai Fung Sightings](https://hobblecreek.us/assets/images/rou20170407-140tn.jpg)
Din Tai Fung Sightings
Din Tai Fung restaurants' delicious takes on common Taiwanese foods, especially steamed dumplings, have brought a devoted global following.
![Giant Buddha, Giant Hall](https://hobblecreek.us/assets/images/Yodaiji-Buddha.jpg)
Giant Buddha, Giant Hall
An emperor built a giant Buddha to unify his struggling country, as the center of a network of Buddhist temples throughout Japan.
![Japanese Design Past and Present](https://hobblecreek.us/assets/images/Kengo-Kuma-garden-tn.jpg)
Japanese Design Past and Present
Architect Kengo Kuma's village at the Portland Japanese Garden blends modern architecture with traditional Japanese design.
![Yearning for Yogurt](https://hobblecreek.us/assets/images/yogurt-bottle-tn.jpg)
Yearning for Yogurt
Yogurt is one of the oldest and most popular foods and a booming global industry. Here's our recipe for creamy mild yogurt.
![Dolls with Souls](https://hobblecreek.us/assets/images/Japanese-empresstn.jpg)
Dolls with Souls
Japan's magnificent tradition of fine doll making is a miniature window into the nation's culture and history.
![Travel is So Daily](https://hobblecreek.us/assets/images/Japanese-fabrics-tn.jpg)
Travel is So Daily
As more and more travelers are discovering, travel is more about enhancing the life you have than escaping from it.
![Battle of the Samurai](https://hobblecreek.us/assets/images/Osaka-Castle-tn.jpg)
Battle of the Samurai
Osaka Castle marks the site of an epic samurai battle and one of the most important turning points in Japanese history.
![Scaffolding the World](https://hobblecreek.us/assets/images/Forbidden-City-scaffoldingtn.jpg)
Scaffolding the World
Finding a historical site shrouded in scaffolding is disappointing, but it is a valuable tool for preserving the world's heritage.
![A Minimalist Tries Marie Kondo](https://hobblecreek.us/assets/images/Clothestn.jpg)
A Minimalist Tries Marie Kondo
A confirmed minimalist finds that Marie Kondo's tidying method helps her to refine an understanding of what brings joy.
![Katsura Villa’s Enigmatic Design](https://hobblecreek.us/assets/images/rou20180404-270tn.jpg)
Katsura Villa’s Enigmatic Design
Modernist architects admired Katsura Villa as the pinnacle of Japanese architecture and design. It is more complex than they thought.
![Green thumb challenged? Grow rocks](https://hobblecreek.us/assets/images/rou20180408-389tn.jpg)
Green thumb challenged? Grow rocks
Okay, so you don’t have green thumbs. We don't either. Not to worry. Rock gardens are the next best option.
![Making a Japanese Gate](https://hobblecreek.us/assets/images/rou20180914-013tn.jpg)
Making a Japanese Gate
We were charmed by the beautiful gates that are the entrance to homes in Kyoto and Nara, Japan, so we decided to make our own.
![A Palace to Remember](https://hobblecreek.us/assets/images/rou20180330-213-1-tn.jpg)
A Palace to Remember
Visible traces of the Heijō Palace, Japan's palace from which the emperor ruled in splendor, were gone, until the site was restored.
![Sustainable Bamboo](https://hobblecreek.us/assets/images/Bamboo-tn.jpg)
Sustainable Bamboo
Eat it, build a home or furniture with it, use it in the kitchen, use it for plumbing, wear it, make fences or containers with it.
![Retreat by Design](https://hobblecreek.us/assets/images/rou20180401-151-copy.jpg)
Retreat by Design
What makes a retreat restful and soul restoring? A former imperial retreat in Kyoto, Japan, gets retreat design just right.
![Elements of a Japanese Garden](https://hobblecreek.us/assets/images/rou20170803-085tn.jpg)
Elements of a Japanese Garden
Imagine you're sitting in Los Angeles traffic on a hot day. Take a break and head for a cool green oasis - Suihoen Japanese Garden
![Traces of an Ancient Superpower](https://hobblecreek.us/assets/images/Horyujitn.jpg)
Traces of an Ancient Superpower
Traces of an ancient Chinese superpower remain far away in Japan, the eastern end of the Silk Road.