Writing

Travel writing and journalistic writing published in print and online, in English and in German.

Wide range of topics: destinations, lifestyle and gaijin, urban and rural, business and markets, nature and environment, culture and tradition, wellness and activities.

Site-visit and interview-based articles. Taking photos for my articles.

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GaijinPot

Alternative Paths in Wakayama: Foreigners Making Homes in Rural Japan (Feb, 2022)

Japan Today

In Search of Forest Medicine in Japan (Jan 2022)
Giving Back – Recycling Abandoned Homes in Rural Japan (Dec 2021)

JNTO UK

Metropolis (my profile)

Experience Deep Koyasan (Apr 2016)
Reborn in Kumano: Refreshing Body, Mind and Soul (Jan 2015)
Zao Onsen in Winter (Feb 2013)
Kumano: Hikers’ Heaven Meets Onsen Paradise (#950, Jun 2012)
Into the Abyss – Exploring Kyushu’s Tectonic Nether Regions (Jul 2011)
Sakata – Searching for the Legacy of a Japanese TV Heroine (#891, Apr 2011)
Off the Beaten Park – Discover Western Tokyo’s Parks (#891, Apr 2011)
Dewa Sanzan – In the Realm of Yamabushi Ascetics … (#889, Apr 2011)
Get a Glimpse behind the Scene of Japan’s Samurai Movies (#859, Sep 2010)
Kanda River – Hop on a Bicycle and Head Upstream (#852, Jul 2010)
A Kenzo Tange View of Tokyo (#844, May 2010)
Yamadera mountain temple complex (#815, Nov 2009)
New Collaboration Seeks to Drum up the Future of Taiko (#811, Oct 2009)
Shima Onsen – Secluded Gunma Hot Spring Makes Ideal Getaway (#791, May 2009)
On the Olympic Trail – Discovering the Legacy of the 1964 Olympics (#783, Mar 2009)
Tram Tours Backstreets of Setagaya (#775, Feb 2009)
Rhythmic workouts: sweat at Tokyo’s taiko salons (#770/1, Dec 2008)
Sugami – The Obachan Version of Takeshita Dori (#761, Oct 2008)
Kyoto’s Hidden Palaces – Escape the Tourist Mobs at the Imperial Villas (#755, Sep 08)
Iriomote Island – Go Trekking through Forest Primeval … (#753, Aug 2008)

Kansai Scene (my profile)

Shikouan Farmhouse Stay in the Foothills of Mount Koya (Sep 2020)
Summer in the Land of Water (Jun 2020)
The Kii to Unlock your Winter (#224, Dec 2019)
Get Spirited Away in Shikoku (Jun 2018)
On Call: Kansai Medical Interpreter (#207, Aug 2017)
Bathing in the Forest (#207, Aug 2017)
Shaking off the Winter Blues with Ume in Tanabe (Feature, #200, Jan 2017)
Summer on Noto (Aug 2016)
Himeji Beyond the Castle (Feature, Apr 2013)
Tanabe: Gateway to the Kumano Kodo (Feature, #154, Mar 2013)
Rinku Town: the last stop before KIX (#139, Dec 2011)

Japan Travel (my profile)

Temple Camp in Kumano – Sauna and Zen at Daitai-ji (Oct 2021)
One Day in Nachi-Katsuura – UNESCO Site and Fishermen’s Town (Oct 2021)
Autumn Road Trip in Iwate, the “Last Frontier of Japan” (Sep 2021)
Road Trip to Kimino – There is Nothing There, or Is There? (Apr 2021)
Making Kakinoha-zushi at Kuwaraku (Apr 2021)
Tono Furusato Village in Autumn – In Love with Old Farm Houses (Apr 2021)
Forest Therapy – A Popular Wellness Trend Born in Japan (Mar 2021)
A Visit to Kushigaki Village of Katsuragi (Mar 2021)
Virgin Forest in Hyakkenzan Gorge – Nature Education and Local Stories (Aug 2020)
Scuba Diving in Kushimoto – First Time Experience (Aug 2020)
Okinawa Longevity Cuisine – Trendy Food for a Long Life (Apr 2020)
Okinawa Cooking at Yonner Food – Hands-on in Kazumi’s Kitchen (Apr 2020)
Introducing Historic Imai-cho – A Merchant Town Born in the Cross-fire… (Dec 2018)
Fujiwara Capital and Palace Ruins – Flower Fields on Ancient Grounds (Dec 2018)
Shiraraso Grand Hotel – Enjoy a Relaxing Break at Shirahama Onsen (May 2017)
Halal Foods and Activities in Kansai – Mabruk Assists Travelers (Apr 2016)
Shingu – Gateway to the Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Trails (Nov 2016)
Yamadera in Winter – A Mountain Temple in Snow and Ice (Jan 2013)
Dewa Sanzan Shojin Ryori – The culinary way to enlightenment (Feature, Jan 2013)
Kurama Temple – A Tale of Mountain Goblins, Samurai and a Reiki Master (Dec 2012)
Ginzan Onsen – Yamagata’s Most Romantic Onsen (Mar 2012)

JapanDigest (in German)

Das etwas andere Setsubun: Gute Dämonen in Yoshinoyama (Jan 2022)
Traum und Albtraum im Kaki-Land: Probleme der japan. Kaki-Bauern (Dec 2021)
Kaki – Japanische Traditionen rund um die Götterfrucht (Oct 2021)
Wakayama – Abenteuer im Wasserland (Sep 2021)
Den Legenden von Tōno auf der Spur (Jun 2021)
Unterwegs im Yaeyama-Archipel – Die Insel Iriomote (May 2021)
Unterwegs im Yaeyama-Archipel – Die Insel Ishigaki (Apr 2021)
Mit Ume in den Frühling und durchs Jahr (Feb 2020)
Mikan – Das japanische Zitrusfrucht-Wunder (Dec 2020)
Der Kumano Kodō: Unterwegs auf Japans alten Pilgerwegen (1) (Nov 2020)

Tokyo Journal

Who are the Yamabushi? (#269: winter 2009/2010)
Senshusei – Aikido Elite in the Making (#268; autumn 2009)
In the Realm of Reiki – Holistic healing or horrendous hoax? (#267: summer 2009)
The Ikebana Rebel – Frontiers of freestyle flower arranging (#266: spring 2009)

VIA

I love Japan: From Butoh to Pottery (summer 2012)
I Love Japan: Devoted to the Way of Tea (spring 2012)
I Love Japan: A Life in Taiko (summer 2011)

Eye Ai

Eye on 3/11: My Japan and my story: don’t forget the people in Tohoku (Feb 2013)
Eye on 3/11: Life After 3/11: a personal story (Apr 2012)
Eye on Work: Doing Business the JMEC way (Feb 2012)
Eye on Culture: KODO through the seasons (Aug 2011)
Eye on Occupations: Dream Job: Forest Educator (Apr 2011)
Eye on Culture: Okawa vs. IKEA (Feb 2011)
Eye on Entertainment: Jun & Nene (Dec 2010)
Eye on Customs: Spiritual Mountains: Koyasan (Oct 2010)
Eye on Movies: Shugendo Now – In the Making (Aug 2010)
Eye on Martial Arts: The Senshusei Legacy (Jun 2010)
Eye on Customs: Spiritual Mountains: Dewa Sanzan (Apr 2010)
Eye on History: Fall of the Berlin Wall: 20 years on (Dec 2009)
Eye on Sports: In the mood for a marathon (Oct 2009)
Eye on Tradition: Kumano Pilgrimage (Aug 2009)
Eye on Entertainment: The taiko bond: Japanese drummers inspire… (Jun 2009)
Eye on Performing Arts: Taiko – Introducing Japanese drumming (Feb 2009)

japan-i by Tokyo Chizu Publishing Co.

Shojin Ryori: Meals for Monks – Enlightenment through Edibles (#39, Apr 2012)
Nagasaki: The Spirit of the Foreign Pioneers (#38, Mar 2012)
Power Stone Bracelets: Where Healing Meets Fashion (#37, Feb 2012)
Taiko Today – Hearts that Beat to a Different Drum (#32, Sep 2011)
Visiting Sakata (#31, Aug 2011; in Chinese)
Tottori’s Sand Dunes (#30, Jul 2011; in Chinese)
Secrets of Hida-Takayama Pastures: Happy Cows (#28, May 2011)
Okinawa Castle Crawl (#26, Mar 2011)
Nara – Mysterious Charm of an Ancient Capital (#26, Mar 2011)
Haguro-san: The Three Mountains of Dewa (#23, Dec 2010)
Modern Martial Arts: Alive and Kicking (#22, Nov 2010)
Renowned Ramen: the Best Noodles in Ebisu (#22, Nov 2010)
Oxfam Trailwalker: on the Road to Cures (#19, Aug 2010)
Gero Onsen – Healing Hot Spring Heaven (#17, Jun 2010)
Fish & Fun – Niigata’s Refined Culture & Cuisine (#17, Jun 2010)
Protocols of Kyoto – Making Sense of the Plethora of Choices (#16, May 2010)
Following in Nikko’s Sacred Footsteps (#15, Apr 2010)
Himeji Castle: A Fairytale Tour of a World Heritage Site (#14, Mar 2010)
Adventure in the “Back of Beyond” Shikoku (#13, Feb 2010)
Nature’s Festival of Colors – Best Spots for Autumn Leaves in Tokyo (#10, Nov 2010)
Mt. Fuji Onsen Wonderland: Hot Spring Retreats, Relax Options (#9, Oct 2009)
Sakura-jima: Volcanic Island off Kagoshima has Fiery History (#9, Apr 2009)
Memorable Miyazaki: A Forgotten Summer Paradise (#7, Aug 2009)
Kawaguchi-ko: Lapping Up a Cool Lake (#7, Aug 2009)
Yebisu Garden Place (#6, Jul 2009)
Miyajima: Gateway to the Inland Sea (#5, Jun 2009)
Ibusuki Onsen (#2, Mar 2009; in Chinese)
100 % Chocolate at Choco Cafe (#1, Feb 2009; in Chinese)

Japan Times

From East Berlin to the Far East and Vice Versa (Nov 2010)
Oxfam Trailwalker – Meeting the Charity Challenge (May 2009)

Tokyo Weekender

Beating the New Year’s Resolution Blues (Jan, 2012)
Tokyo marathon adventure, following the footsteps of the runners (Mar/Apr 2009)
Heavenly lights: Tokyo’s festive twinkles (Dec/Jan 2009)
Saijo Sake Town: drinking at Japanese traditional breweries (Dec 2008)
Talking to the dragon: Is Chinese the next hot language? (Dec 2008)
Walk, run or cycle in the city: green spots for outdoors exercises in Tokyo (Nov 2008)
Keyshots does Shibuya shots: talking to photographer to Kerry Raftis (Oct, 2008)
Hot matchmaking: what have volunteering and dating got in common? (Sep/Oct 2008)
Proud to be unique: Introducing Children’s Garden Int’l School (Sep, 2008)
Right here, right now: how expats can gain from a yen loan (Jul 2008)

Being a Broad (BAB)

Feature: Saving Lives at Animal Friends Niigata (#63, Jan 2011)
Music: KODO – Taiko Beats throughout the Year (#62, Dec 2010)
Community: TELL – Always the Season to Help (#60, Oct 2010)
Wellness: Reiki – Healing Energy for Life (#58, Aug 2010)
Real-life Story: A Japanese Pilgrimage (#57, Jun/Jul 2010)
Beauty: Sin Den: the Legacy (#53, Feb 2010)
Mothers: The Thing with the Baby Sling (#50, Nov 2009)
Sports: Senshusei: Aikido – Mind over Matter (#50, Nov 2009)
Feature: The Oxfam Trailwalker (#46, Jul 2009)
Learning: Tokyo English Life Line: Staying Alive (#44, May 2009)
Working: Alison Smyth at NTT World (#42, Mar 2009)
Feature: Running the Tokyo Marathon for Charity (#41, Feb 2009)
Feature: Taiko is Life (#40, Jan, 2009)
Working: Melanie Taylor at KODO (#39, Dec 2008)
Sports & Fitness: Access to Martial Arts: Aikido (#38, Nov 2008)
Working: The ETP Girls: thriving in Japan Inc. (#37, Oct, 2008)

Japan Markt (in German)

Im Land der Schneemonster – Zao Onsen (Mar 2012)
Yuzawa Onsen – Reise ins Schneeland (Feb 2012)
Chirans Tragische Helden (Jun 2011)
Auf Streifzug durch Kyotos Vororte (Apr/May 2011)
Yaeyama Inseln – Wo die Uhren langsamer ticken (Mar 2011)
Mout Fuji – Ein Wintermärchen (Jan 2011)
Geheimnisvolles Kumano (Nov 2010)
Mit dem Radl unterwegs auf Sado (Oct 2010)

EURObiz

Feature: Winds of Change: Progress, Obstacles in Japan’s Wind Power (Feb, 18, p.14/15)
Feature: A Way Out for Overworked Japan: Alternative Work Styles (Aug, 2017)
Feature: Japan’s Pollen Problem, and The Business Bringing Relief (Feb, 2017)
Feature: Melting Away – The Manufactured Butter Crisis (Oct, 2016)
Green Biz. Solar Leadership: a New Way of Capturing the Sun’s Energy (Mar, 2014; p. 25)
Focus: Do you Kyoto? Japan’s Culture Capital Projects to the World (Dec, 2013; p. 20/21)
Focus: Entrepreneur: Many Problems, Many Opportunities (Nov, 2013)
Culture Shock: Esoteric Encounter [with a Koya Monk] (Oct, 2013)
Green Biz: Urban Green (Oct, 2013)
Green Biz: Certified Organic – Pioneers Stay True to their Origin (Sep, 2013)
Green Biz: Make Mine Organic – Delivery Services (Aug, 2013)
Green Biz: Fuel from Trash: Catalytic Conversion Revisited (Jul, 2013)
Focus: Life Science Kansai – EU and Japan biotech players (May, 13, p. 10/11)
Culture Shock: World of Washi [of a Dutchman] (May 2013)
Focus: Japan Licensing – Characters for Adults Lead the Field (Mar, 2013)
Focus: Counting Carbon: New Standards Guide Corporations (Jan 2013)
Event Report: Deshima Business Awards (Dec 2012)
Culture Shock: A Finn with Affinity [for the Ainu] (Dec 2012)
Focus: Energy Unlimited: Japan Prepares to Tap Geothermal Energy (Nov 2012)
Green Biz: Ethical Fashion Japan – Carving out a niche (Oct 2012)
Culture Shock: Passion in Clay [of a Frenchman] (Jul, 2012)
Green Biz: Organic Cosmetics: Expanding a Promising Niche (Jul, 2012)
Focus: Nordic Balance: Scandinavian Health, Wellness, Happiness (Apr 2012)
Culture Shock: Now and Zen [with a German Zen Monk] (Mar 2012)
Green Biz: Old-new Bamboo (Feb 2012)
Green Biz: Suck it up: Vacuum Cleaner uses Ocean Plastic (Jan 2012)
Green Biz: Gunze – You Can Have any Color, as Long as its Green (May 2011)
Green Biz: PET Project: New Twist on Eco-Marketing (Sep 2011)
Event Report: FOODEX on Regional Brands – Protecting the Authentic (Apr 2011)
Focus: Euro Cool – How European Design Conquered Japan (Nov 2010)
Culture Shock: The Power of KI [from a Reiki Master] (Oct 2010)
Focus: European Lifestyle Cosmetics Enjoy Sweet Smell of Success (Jun 2010, p. 18/19)
Focus: Foodex Japan 2010 – EU Importers and Japans Tariffs (May 2010)
Focus: EU Gateway Program – Knocking on Japan’s Door (Apr 2010)
Culture Shock: A Life in Aikido (Jan 2010)

TopMBA

Going Green in Japan (Jul 2014)
Asia: the Future of Business Education (Nov 2010)

PR for JMEC

Japan Markt: Management in Tokyo: Die Alternative am Markt (Apr 2013)
ACCJ Journal: Doing Business the JMEC Way (Aug 2011)
The Canadian: Canadians who do business the JMEC way (summer 2011)
Business Enterprise (India): From Pune to Tokyo: Entrepreneur with JMEC (Feb 2011)
Ambassadeur: JMEC – Unlocking Potential in Japan (Sep/Oct 2010)