Townsend Harris was one of the key figures that helped open Japan to the west, was first American consul-general in Japan and negotiated a treaty that established trade between the two countries.  A group from Shimoda, Japan makes an annual pilgrimage to his graveside in Brooklyn, New York to honor his memory.

Jim Allen writes that “Hideo Nomo changed Japanese baseball more than any player of his generation” in his weekly column for the Daily Yomiuri.

Lastly, this video from CNN offers some insight into Japanese culture and the rise in popularity of Butler Cafes, where customers are treated like princesses by western “butlers”.

Photo Credit:  Flickr, Otome Road omiyage

Post from: The Tokyo Traveler