Secrets from Japan and Beyond | Substack

The Osaka Origins of Kim Jong Un

There is a persistent taboo surrounding the origin story of Kim Jong Un, the leader of North Korea.

Feb 15 • Secrets from Japan and Beyond

Most Popular

The Strange, Secret Life of Bamboo

Apr 20, 2025 • Secrets from Japan and Beyond

A Prayer Between Trains: A Sacred Tree at an Osaka Station

Aug 24, 2025 • Secrets from Japan and Beyond

Following Haruki Murakami on a walk from Nishinomiya to Kobe

Sep 14, 2025 • Secrets from Japan and Beyond

The Case for Breakfast

Dec 14, 2025 • Secrets from Japan and Beyond

Recent posts

Looking for Early Spring

In early February, much of Japan is still steeped in winter, but small signs of spring begin to appear.

Feb 8 • Secrets from Japan and Beyond

On the Comfort of a Strawberry Sandwich in Winter

Walking against a strong wind, I stepped into the café, still cold from the street.

Feb 1 • Secrets from Japan and Beyond

On a Hillside Outside Kyoto, a Museum for a Slower Afternoon

Just outside Kyoto, the town of Oyamazaki rises toward the hills.

Jan 25 • Secrets from Japan and Beyond

Gifts Speak Louder Than Words In Diplomacy

It has been hard to miss diplomatic gifts in the news recently.

Jan 18 • Secrets from Japan and Beyond

One Last Walk in Kobe: Leaving Japan for Brazil

In the spring of 1930, a young writer watched the rain in Kobe.

Jan 11 • Secrets from Japan and Beyond

#nojs-banner { position: fixed; bottom: 0; left: 0; padding: 16px 16px 16px 32px; width: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; background: red; color: white; font-family: -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol"; font-size: 13px; line-height: 13px; } #nojs-banner a { color: inherit; text-decoration: underline; } This site requires JavaScript to run correctly. Please turn on JavaScript or unblock scripts