❤️ IKIMASHO 2020 DARUMA! ❤️

January 4, 2020 by joostay

Do you know Japanese Daruma dolls? At the start of the year you colour one eye in black, set a goal for yourself, and then if you achieve your goal you colour the other eye. I am currently making a limited number of IKIMASHO Daruma postcards to welcome 2020. Each card will be individually drawn and painted, and come with a message from me. (Eyes will be left blank for you to colour!) If you would like one, please drop […]

Categories: Daily Life in Tokyo • Tags: art, CREATIVE, japan, japanese, justin egli, travel

Goodbye 2019. Hello 2020. / さよなら2019、こんにちは2020

December 31, 2019 by joostay

Daily life in Tokyo, Japan | IKIMASHO!

Categories: Daily Life in Tokyo • Tags: blog, japan, japanese, justin egli, travel, travel writer

From Tokyo with Love: November 2019

November 28, 2019 by joostay

Daily life in Tokyo, Japan / IKIMASHO

Categories: Daily Life in Tokyo • Tags: blog, blogging, buddhism, design, environment, japan, justin egli, lifestyle, photos, travel, travel writer

As the sun sets on summer / 夏の太陽が暮れる

October 22, 2019 by joostay

Daily life in Tokyo, Japan | IKIMASHO!

Categories: Daily Life in Tokyo • Tags: asia, daily life, japan, justin egli, photography, tokyo, travel, travel writer

Four (of many) Memorable Places in Japan

September 18, 2019 by joostay

Daily life in Tokyo | IKIMASHO!

Categories: Daily Life in Tokyo, Travel: Inside Japan • Tags: asia, japan, photography, travel

Postcards from America

September 8, 2019 by joostay

From Tokyo to California: Summer 2019

Categories: Travel: Outside Japan • Tags: California, justin egli, photography, travel, travel writer, usa

Kawasaki Daishi Fuurin-Ichi / Wind Chime Festival 川崎大師風鈴市

July 25, 2019 by joostay

Daily life in Tokyo, Japan | IKIMASHO!

Categories: Daily Life in Tokyo, Traditional Festivals & Matsuris • Tags: art, asia, blog, blogging, buddhism, design, japan, justin egli, life, lifestyle, photos, tokyo, travel, travel writing, video, writing

Old-school gyoza in Minowabashi

July 17, 2019 by joostay

Daily life in Tokyo, Japan | IKIMASHO

Categories: Daily Life in Tokyo • Tags: asia, food, japan, japanese, justin egli, photography, street, tokyo, travel

A walk around: Minowabashi, Tokyo

July 6, 2019 by joostay

Daily life in Tokyo, Japan | IKIMASHO!

Categories: Daily Life in Tokyo • Tags: architecture, blogging, design, environment, japan, japanese, justin egli, life, lifestyle, photography, photos, tokyo, travel, Travel blogger, travel writer, urban, writing

Fine Dining in Tokyo: LA TABLE de Joël Robuchon (2 Michelin stars)

June 18, 2019 by joostay

Daily life in Tokyo, Japan | IKIMASHO!

Categories: Luxury Travel • Tags: asia, blogging, design, food, japan, japanese, justin egli, luxury, Michelin, photography, travel, travel writer

Yakuza show of strength at Sanja Matsuri 2019

May 19, 2019 by joostay

Daily life in Tokyo, Japan | IKIMASHO!

Categories: Daily Life in Tokyo, Traditional Festivals & Matsuris • Tags: asia, asian, design, japan, japanese, justin egli, photography, tokyo, travel, Travel blogger, travel writer, underground, urban

JPN > NI 2019

May 11, 2019 by joostay

A photo essay of our 2019 trip to Northern Ireland

Categories: Travel: Outside Japan • Tags: design, holiday, ireland, justin egli, lifestyle, northern ireland, photography, travel, Travel Photography, travel writer, vacation

Under the falling petals / 桜の花の散る下に

April 14, 2019 by joostay

Daily life in Tokyo, Japan | IKIMASHO!

Categories: Daily Life in Tokyo • Tags: blogging, design, ikimasho, japan, japanese, justin egli, life, lifestyle, photos, tokyo, travel, travel writing, writing

Fine Dining in Tokyo: Nadaman at Shangri-La

April 4, 2019 by joostay

Daily life in Tokyo, Japan | IKIMASHO!

Categories: Luxury Travel • Tags: asia, design, five star, food, hotel, interior design, japan, japanese, justin egli, luxury, Luxury Travel, photography, Shangri-La, travel, Travel blogger, travel writer, travel writing

Into the Wild: Exploring the Ten-en Hiking Trail, Kamakura / 鎌倉の天園ハイキングコースに挑戦

March 24, 2019 by joostay

Daily life in Tokyo, Japan | IKIMASHO!

Categories: Daily Life in Tokyo, Travel: Inside Japan • Tags: blogging, buddhism, design, environment, escape, japan, japanese, justin egli, Kamakura, life, lifestyle, nature, photography, tokyo, travel, travel blogging, travel writer, travel writing, Zen

All is quiet in the streets / 長閑の道を進む

February 19, 2019 by joostay

Daily life in Tokyo, Japan | IKIMASHO!

Categories: Daily Life in Tokyo • Tags: asia, blog, blogging, design, environment, japan, japanese, justin egli, life, lifestyle, photo essay, photography, photos, space, street culture, tokyo, travel, travel blogging, travel writer, writing

Why I love living in Japan / 日本生活が大好きな理由

February 8, 2019 by joostay

Daily life in Tokyo, Japan | IKIMASHO!

Categories: Daily Life in Tokyo • Tags: art, blog, blogging, design, environment, fun, geek, ikimasho, japan, japanese, justin egli, life, lifestyle, photography, photos, random, tokyo, travel, travel blogging, travel writer, writing

AN ALTERNATIVE GUIDE TO TOKYO: 10 PLACES TO EXPERIENCE LOCAL LIFE

January 27, 2019 by joostay

Because there’s so much more to this city than Shibuya, Shinjuku and Akihabara.

Categories: Daily Life in Tokyo, Travel: Inside Japan • Tags: architecture, asia, blog, design, japan, japanese, justin egli, photography, streets, tokyo, travel, travel guide, travel writer, travel writing, writing

What’s around the next corner? / たまたま通りかかった街周り

January 16, 2019 by joostay

Daily life in Tokyo, Japan | IKIMASHO!

Categories: Daily Life in Tokyo • Tags: asia, family, ikimasho, japan, justin egli, photography, story, tokyo, travel, travel writer, travel writing

Our dual stay with Hotel Ethnography, Kyoto / 京都のホテルエスノグラフィで泊まった経験

January 8, 2019 by joostay

Exploring the city via two ambient properties

Categories: Travel: Inside Japan • Tags: boutique, design, hotels, ikimasho, interior design, japan, justin egli, Kyoto, Luxury Travel, travel, travel writer, travel writing, unique

Looking Back & Moving Forward: IKIMASHO! 2019

January 4, 2019 by joostay

Daily life in Tokyo, Japan | IKIMASHO!

Categories: Daily Life in Tokyo • Tags: 2019, asia, blogging, japan, justin egli, New Year, photography, tokyo, travel, travel writer

Eating our way through Kyoto / 京都での食べ巡り

December 27, 2018 by joostay

48 hours. Hundreds of flavours. A foodie adventure through the ancient capital.

Categories: Luxury Travel, Travel: Inside Japan • Tags: asia, blogger, blogging, christmas, design, food, japan, japanese food, justin egli, photography, travel, travel writer

As Christmas approaches / クリスマスを楽しみにしています

December 16, 2018 by joostay

Daily life in Tokyo, Japan | IKIMASHO!

Categories: Daily Life in Tokyo • Tags: asia, blog, blogger, christmas, design, interior design, japan, japanese, justin egli, lifestyle, New Year, travel, travel writer

Hunting for Autumn / 紅葉狩り

December 3, 2018 by joostay

Daily life in Tokyo, Japan | IKIMASHO!

Categories: Daily Life in Tokyo • Tags: asia, colour, design, japan, justin egli, nature, photography, quiet, tokyo, travel, Travel blogger, travel writer, Zen

Ramen: Bigiya, Gakugei-daigaku (Michelin Bib Gourmand)

November 27, 2018 by joostay

Daily life in Tokyo, Japan | IKIMASHO!

Categories: Daily Life in Tokyo • Tags: asia, blogging, design, food, japan, justin egli, lifestyle, photography, ramen, tokyo, travel, travel blogging, travel writing

Escape from the City: Day Tripping to Jogashima

November 11, 2018 by joostay

The rugged coastline of the Miura Peninsula, Kanagawa | IKIMASHO!

Categories: Daily Life in Tokyo, Travel: Inside Japan • Tags: asia, design, fall, ikimasho, japan, kanagawa, nature, photography, Seascapes, tokyo, travel, travel writer, travel writing, winter

Adventures in Aomori / Part 3: Among Nature

October 15, 2018 by joostay

Daily life in Tokyo, Japan | IKIMASHO!

Categories: Travel: Inside Japan • Tags: blog, blogging, design, food, ikimasho, japan, japanese, justin egli, photography, road trip, tokyo, travel, travel writer, travel writing

Adventures in Aomori / Part 2: An Unexpected Party

September 30, 2018 by joostay

Daily life in Tokyo, Japan | IKIMASHO!

Categories: Travel: Inside Japan • Tags: asia, blog, blogger, design, family, food, japan, japanese, justin egli, photography, travel, travel writer

Adventures in Aomori / Part 1: Heading North

September 25, 2018 by joostay

Part 1: Heading North | IKIMASHO!

Categories: Travel: Inside Japan • Tags: aomori, asia, blog, blogger, blogging, design, japan, japanese, justin egli, photography, tokyo, travel, travel writer, travel writing

Xuan Spa at Park Hyatt Saigon, Vietnam

September 13, 2018 by joostay

On Cloud Nine in District 1. My first ever massage experience.

Categories: Luxury Travel, Travel: Outside Japan • Tags: 5 star, asia, ho chi minh city, hyatt, ikimasho, justin egli, luxury, Park Hyatt, photography, Saigon, se asia, travel, travel blogging, travel writer, vietnam, Zen

Our stay at Park Hyatt Saigon, Vietnam

September 2, 2018 by joostay

Pure colonial elegance in bustling Ho Chi Minh City | IKIMASHO!

Categories: Luxury Travel, Travel: Outside Japan • Tags: 5 star, asia, blogging, design, food, ho chi minh city, hotels, interior design, justin egli, lifestyle, luxury, photography, Saigon, se asia, space, travel, travel writer, travel writing, vietnam

Chewed and Spat Out by District 4, Ho Chi Minh City

August 30, 2018 by joostay

Exploring Saigon’s Doan Van Bo Alleyways – once notorious for their criminal gangs and mafia personnel.

Categories: Bizarre/Unique, Travel: Outside Japan • Tags: asia, design, justin egli, photography, Saigon, se asia, street, travel, travel writer, travel writing, urban, vietnam, Vietnamese

Hello from Vietnam / ベトナムで過す夏休み

August 19, 2018 by joostay

IKIMASHO! | Daily life in Tokyo, Japan

Categories: Travel: Outside Japan • Tags: asia, photography, se asia, summer, travel, vietnam

Monkeying around in Sarushima /猿島でサルごっこ

July 26, 2018 by joostay

IKIMASHO! | Daily life in Tokyo, Japan

Categories: Daily Life in Tokyo • Tags: asia, asian, blogging, Boats, design, japan, japanese, justin egli, photography, sea, summer, sun, tokyo, travel, travel writer

What is visiting Tokyo really like?

July 16, 2018 by joostay

IKIMASHO | Daily life in Tokyo, Japan

Categories: Daily Life in Tokyo • Tags: architecture, asia, design, festivals, food, japan, japanese, justin egli, summer, sun, tokyo, travel, travel tips, travel writer

A walk around: Monzen Nakacho, Tokyo

May 22, 2018 by joostay

IKIMASHO! | Daily life in Tokyo, Japan

Categories: Daily Life in Tokyo • Tags: architecture, asia, design, japan, japanese, justin egli, old, photography, street, tokyo, travel, travel writer, urban

Oiran Dochu Procession 2018, Yoshiwara, Tokyo

April 15, 2018 by joostay

A return to the red-light district of the old Edo era | IKIMASHO! | Daily life in Tokyo, Japan

Categories: Daily Life in Tokyo, Traditional Festivals & Matsuris • Tags: asia, design, festival, japan, justin egli, photography, tokyo, travel, travel writing

Purification Of Fire: Japan’s Daruma Kuyo / 日本でのだるま供養

April 7, 2018 by joostay

A ceremonial burning performed once a year by monks in Tokyo.

IKIMASHO! | Daily life in Tokyo, Japan

Categories: Bizarre/Unique, Daily Life in Tokyo, Traditional Festivals & Matsuris • Tags: asia, festival, japan, japanese, justin egli, matsuri, Obscure, photography, tokyo, travel, travel writer, travel writing

Fine Dining in Tokyo: The Strings by InterContinental Tokyo

March 30, 2018 by joostay

IKIMASHO! | Daily life in Tokyo, Japan

Categories: Daily Life in Tokyo, Luxury Travel • Tags: architecture, asia, design, five star, food, food photography, Food Writing, hotel, Hotel Review, interior design, japan, japanese, justin egli, luxury, photography, se asia, tokyo, travel

A walk around: Sugamo, Tokyo

March 19, 2018 by joostay

IKIMASHO! | Daily life in Tokyo, Japan

Categories: Daily Life in Tokyo • Tags: architecture, asia, design, japan, japanese, justin egli, old tokyo, photography, Shitamachi, street, street photography, tokyo, travel, travel writer, urban, Urban Development

Delusions of Grandeur

March 12, 2018 by joostay

IKIMASHO! | Daily life in Tokyo, Japan

Categories: Daily Life in Tokyo • Tags: architecture, asia, daily life, design, japan, japanese, justin egli, photography, street photography, tokyo, travel, travel writer

The Colourful Chigosan of Takahatafudo, Tokyo / 高幡不動尊 金剛寺の稚児

February 26, 2018 by joostay

30 pictures from the annual Chigosan Gyoretsu parade – divine children who play an important role at this temple on the outskirts of Tokyo.

Categories: Daily Life in Tokyo, Traditional Festivals & Matsuris • Tags: asia, festival, japan, japanese, justin egli, photography, tokyo, travel, travel writer, travel writing

Temples, Trains & Trees: Station Hopping on the Oimachi Line

February 21, 2018 by joostay

IKIMASHO! | Daily life in Tokyo, Japan

Categories: Daily Life in Tokyo • Tags: architecture, asia, design, interior design, japan, japanese, justin egli, local life, Oimachi Line, photography, temples, tokyo, trains, travel, travel writer

Fine Dining in Tokyo: yakumo saryo

February 17, 2018 by joostay

Entering a world of blissful simplicity…

Categories: Luxury Travel • Tags: architecture, asia, Dining, fine dining, food, interior design, japan, japanese, justin egli, luxury, photography, tokyo, travel, travel writer

A walk around: Shoin Jinja-mae, Tokyo

February 8, 2018 by joostay

IKIMASHO! | Daily life in Tokyo, Japan

Categories: Daily Life in Tokyo • Tags: architecture, asia, colour, design, japan, japanese, justin egli, neighbourhood, photography, rural, tokyo, travel, travel writer, urban

The Wooden Train / 木製の電車

February 6, 2018 by joostay

IKIMASHO! | Daily life in Tokyo, Japan

Categories: Daily Life in Tokyo • Tags: asia, blog, daily life, design, ikimasho, japan, japanese, justin egli, photography, short story, tokyo, travel, writing

As the snow fell / 雪が降った時

January 25, 2018 by joostay

IKIMASHO! | Daily life in Tokyo, Japan

Categories: Daily Life in Tokyo • Tags: asia, blog, design, ikimasho, japan, japanese, lighting, photography, snow, tokyo, travel, travel writing, winter

Winter Sun in Shinjuku Gyoen / 新宿御苑での冬の太陽

January 21, 2018 by joostay

IKIMASHO! | Daily life in Tokyo, Japan

Categories: Daily Life in Tokyo • Tags: asia, Clothes, design, fashion, ikimasho, japan, japanese, Kimono, photography, tokyo, travel, travel writing

Kitsch Coffee vibes at Seven, Sangenjaya

January 20, 2018 by joostay

IKIMASHO! | Daily life in Tokyo, Japan

Categories: Daily Life in Tokyo • Tags: architecture, asia, cafe, coffee, Coffee shop, Colours, food, interior design, japan, japanese, justin egli, photography, Sangenjaya, tokyo, travel, travel writer

Christmas in Northern Ireland

January 9, 2018 by joostay

Right now I’m back in Tokyo after spending two full weeks visiting home in Northern Ireland. As well as being able to enjoy quality time with my family and friends, I was reminded of just how untouched and beautiful some parts of my country really is. There’s a simplistic beauty about our villages and coastlines, and I’m happy I could spend Christmas there with the people I love. ☘️ ❤ Follow IKIMASHO! on Facebook ❤

Categories: Travel: Outside Japan • Tags: bangor, design, food, ireland, irish, justin egli, northern ireland, photography, Scenery, travel, travel writer

JPN > NI

December 24, 2017 by joostay

From Japan to Northern Ireland for Christmas

Categories: Daily Life in Tokyo, Travel: Outside Japan • Tags: japan, japanese, northern ireland, photography, travel

The Sounds of the Streets / 沈黙の響き

December 21, 2017 by joostay

Daily life in Tokyo, Japan.

Categories: Daily Life in Tokyo • Tags: art, blog, design, environment, ikimasho, japan, japanese, justin egli, life, photography, photos, travel, travel writing, writing

As Winter Approaches / 冬の始まり

December 14, 2017 by joostay

Daily life in Tokyo, Japan.

Categories: Daily Life in Tokyo • Tags: asia, design, food, ikimasho, japan, japanese, justin egli, photography, tokyo, travel, travel writer

Oyster Shucking in the Oshika Peninsula / 牡鹿半島でのカキ殻剥き

December 7, 2017 by joostay

Working with nature – and against it. Local life in coastal Japan.

Categories: Travel: Inside Japan • Tags: asia, blog, coastal, food, japan, japanese, justin egli, photography, rural, sea, travel, Travel blogger, travel writer

Return to Todoroki Valley / 等々力渓谷に戻る

November 29, 2017 by joostay

Forest bathing in the koyo autumn colours

Categories: Daily Life in Tokyo • Tags: asia, autumn, blog, design, fall, Fall Colours, japan, japanese, justin egli, photography, tokyo, travel, travel writer

Wes Anderson’s Ramen Shop / ウェス・アンダーソンのラーメン屋

November 22, 2017 by joostay

Noodle Nostalgia. Hazy-hued vibes in a shop that time forgot…

Categories: Daily Life in Tokyo • Tags: asia, Colours, design, film, food, interior design, japan, japanese, photography, ramen, tokyo, travel, travel writer, Wes Anderson

Autumn Colours at Akiu Great Falls, Miyagi / 宮城県の秋保大滝の紅葉

November 13, 2017 by joostay

My visit to Miyagi Prefecture last weekend coincided with koyo season – the changing of the leaves. Driving through the winding roads of Akiu Onsen, an area famous for its hot springs, we eventually found ourselves at Akiu Great Falls. This 55-metre high waterfall is a nationally designated Place of Scenic Beauty, and really did look like something from a fairytale. Reflections from Tohoku, Japan Moments in Miyagi / 宮城でのひと時 IKIMASHO! on Facebook    

Categories: Travel: Inside Japan • Tags: asia, autumn, blog, Colours, ikimasho, japan, japanese, justin egli, Miyagi, nature, photography, travel, travel writer

Moments in Miyagi / 宮城でのひと時

November 9, 2017 by joostay

Right now I am back in Tokyo after spending a few sun-soaked Autumnal days in Miyagi prefecture. In recent months I have come to really appreciate and enjoy the contrast between urban city life and that of the Japanese inaka (田舎) rural countryside. Spending time with my girlfriend’s family who are volunteering after the tsunami, I feel incredibly lucky to have been introduced to life in Tohoku, absorbing everything around me. Above all, the last few days have reaffirmed my belief that […]

Categories: Travel: Inside Japan • Tags: asia, food, japan, japanese, justin egli, Miyagi, nature, photography, Tohoku, travel, travel writer, Writer, Zen

Amidst the pouring rain / 雨が降る中

October 29, 2017 by joostay

I’m writing this from a small cafe in Ikebukuro that I have come to like. The rain is pattering against the window, and while the setting right at this present moment in time is somewhat idyllic, the constant onslaught of rain over the last few weeks has been anything but. In Japan, typhoons are numbered rather than being given a personal name. Today is Typhoon Number 22 – the 22nd typhoon of the year and the second in as many weekends. […]

Categories: Daily Life in Tokyo • Tags: asia, blogging, daily life, japan, japanese, justin egli, photography, tokyo, travel, travel writer

IKIMASHO! x DAZED: JAPAN’S GROTESQUE MASK PROCESSION

October 24, 2017 by joostay

David Lynch vibes at Menkake Gyoretsu: a traditional festival of men wearing ancient and grotesque masks in Kamakura, a coastal city to the south of Tokyo.

Categories: Art Music & Culture, Bizarre/Unique, Daily Life in Tokyo, Traditional Festivals & Matsuris • Tags: asia, blog, festival, ikimasho, japan, japanese, justin egli, photography, travel, travel writer