Since it's Obon season in Japan, a time when many families visit ancestral graves and remember those who came before them, I thought I'd share one of the more unusual places I've enjoyed visiting in Yokohama.

Most people head to Yokohama for the waterfront, Chinatown, or the shops and restaurants. But tucked away on a hillside overlooking the harbor is the Yokohama Foreign General Cemetery, one of the most interesting pieces of international history you'll find in Japan.

Read more by clicking on the link.

One of the joys of living in the Bay Area is discovering random Japan connections close to home.

Last week, I joined a guided tour of the Oakland Bonsai Garden at Lake Merritt. The tour was organized by AARP, which admittedly made me feel about 20 years younger than the average participant, but it was a lot of fun. And although the garden is only a short drive away, I took BART because every adventure sounds more legitimate if a train is involved.

If you've never been, it's a lovely spot. A small oasis in Oakland filled with bonsai trees that have been patiently shaped and cared for over decades. In some cases, over a century.

Read more by clicking on the link.