CIR:Victor Chuah CONTENT
CIR column
19-04-2016 Tourism: Pain or Gain
Ishikawa has waited year upon year for the Hokuriku Shinkansen to open with the belief that it would inject new life into the prefecture. 1 year has passed since the line opened and it has certainly boosted the level of visitors, particularly to Kanazawa. Businesses may have profited greatly but how has this influx affected the locals?
18-02-2016 Music and Coffee
There is a quaint little street in Kanazawa where one can go to have a freshly brewed hot drink served in an artistic fashion, and on the odd occasion hear the sounds of soothing musical performances. This place isn’t the tea houses in the tourist ridden Higashi Chaya District,
10-09-2015 The Perception of Beauty
As the phrase goes, “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder” and this couldn’t be truer when it comes to comparing what British and Japanese see as beautiful. Any non-Japanese person who has lived in Japan for more than a month will no doubt see the stark differences in taste with their home country, some of which I have come to understand and some which still baffles me.
07-05-2015 Through the Eyes of First-Timers to Japan
Bum-squirters, the aged, convenient convenience stores. What do these things have in common? Japan! The land of the rising sun is filled with unique and traditional culture which leaves a lasting impact on anyone who visits - however what Japanese people would like visitors to remember and what visitors actually remember may differ greatly. I took note of some friends from England who recently visited Japan for the first time and observed what they found interesting.
12-02-2015 Peace on the Piste
If you ask the average Ishikawa local what springs to mind when you mention “winter in Ishikawa”, most will probably reply “crabs” as your answer. For me however it is snowboarding. Whilst many fear the harsh weather and prefer to take refuge under their kotatsu, winter for me is a time to get out and hit the slopes.
15-12-2014 Rock On!
Ishikawa prides itself on its traditional culture and crafts that has been passed down for generations. However there is another art scene that appears to get little attention – rock music! Coming from London, the rock scene here may seem minuscule compared to back home but there are a number of places in Ishikawa (mainly in Kanazawa) where you can enjoy all kinds of rock music. Here are a few highlights during my time so far in Ishikawa.
27-06-2014 Football in Ishikawa
Football*, invented in Britain and officially the most popular sport in the world is one of the many sports that Ishikawa Prefecture has many fans of. As a lifelong fan myself this makes me extremely happy to know that this beautiful prefecture appreciates the beautiful game.