Author: Philbert Ono

I have created an portal page for Shiga Prefecture (next to Kyoto). As of this writing, I have over 2,000 photos of almost all cities, towns, and villages in Shiga.…

To make this site a true photo guide to Japan, I have begun to upload my photos of Japan. There are about 1,000 images so far, and this number will…

This flower expo is being held until Oct. 11, 2004 along the shore of Lake Hamana near Hamamatsu in Shizuoka Prefecture. The official name in English is “Shizuoka International Garden…

I wrote an article about hula in this month’s March 2004 issue of WINGSPAN magazine which is ANA’s inflight magazine. It is the magazine’s main article with 10 pages of…

I can’t believe it, but the Tourist Information Center in Kyoto (inside the building where you can go up to Kyoto Tower) has closed on Jan. 31, 2004. Just when…

The newly-opened Mori Art Museum atop the new Roppongi Hills complex is another must-see art gallery in Tokyo. The space was much larger than I had expected. It’s very big.…

Akebono Tribute Contents After 13 years in sumo, Akebono retires and holds his retirement ceremony in the Kokugikan sumo arena in Tokyo on September 29, 2001. *This article first published…

Akebono Tribute Contents Akebono is promoted to yokozuna in January 1993 in record time of five years. *This article first published in 1993, updated in May 2023. Many people (mostly…

Akebono Tribute Contents Akebono wins the May 1992 sumo tournament, ensuring his promotion to Ozeki. His sumo stable was jam-packed with fans. *This article first published in 1992, updated in…

Akebono Tribute Contents Visited Azumazeki-beya Stable in August 1991 while Akebono was still a maegashira. Also had a casual interview with Akebono over lunch. *This article first published in 1991,…