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    • Spring
      • video

        Finding the Flow from Kansai to Kochi

        Shikoku’s many mountains, valleys and proximity to the ocean has made it a hidden gem for rafting, kayaking and canyoning enthusiasts willing to take a step or two further from the Golden Route of Kyoto and Osaka.

        Solace and Giant Salamanders in Akiota

        Just beyond Hiroshima City is a tranquil outdoor destination home to some of Japan's last remaining oosanshouo, the elusive giant salamander.
        Kyoto Oni Trail Outdoor Japanvideo

        The Oni Trail: Hiking Coastal Kyoto

        The mystical oni is prevalent in Japanese children’s stories, usually as a way to scare kids straight. Adventure Travel Kyoto is shedding a new light on this folklore and developing a new hiking route in the countryside of Kyoto.
    • Summer
      • the nomad pasche family

        The World is Our Playground

        The Pasche family has been cycling and living out of a tent in remote corners of the planet for the past 13 years on four continents spanning 50 countries.
        adventure travel world summit in hokkaido

        Adventure Travel World Summit in Hokkaido

        The ATTA will host their first Adventure Travel World Summit in Asia in Hokkaido, Japan. We caught up with ATTA Director Shannon Stowell to find out more about the adventure travel industry and how it continues to grow and evolve.
        mead brewing in japan

        The Sweet Secrets of Brewing Mead

        Wander into the world of mead brewing and find yourself immersed in a fascinating journey spanning centuries and continents.
        the knights in white lycra

        The Knights in White Lycra

        Each year a group of cyclists head to the deep north towards Tohoku’s vast rice fields and coastal trails to help transform the lives of neglected children.
        sea to table yamagata

        Sea to Table in Yamagata

        An unforgettable way to intimately explore the Shonai Region in Yamagata is a culinary experience bringing bounty of the sea straight to your table.
    • Autumn
      • Pow Bar Founder Megumi Scott

        Beyond the Brand: Pow Bar

        An interview with Megumi Scott, the founder of Niseko brand Pow Bar.
        Churamura Okinawa Sea Turtle Marine Conservation

        Churamura: Footprints in the Sand

        Churamura, an NPO in Okinawa, work to conserve marine life and protect endangered sea turtles in Japan's southernmost prefecture.
        Kawazu

        Fall in Love with Kawazu

        Enjoy waterfall hikes and hot springs, beautiful beaches and delicious seafood in Kawazu on the western coast of Izu Peninsula.
    • Winter
    • Near Tokyo
      • getting dirty in japan

        Getting Dirty in Japan

        “Getting Dirty in Japan” is about getting out of your comfort zone and into some exciting outdoor adventures and destinations in Japan.
    • Near Kyoto
      • video

        Finding the Flow from Kansai to Kochi

        Shikoku’s many mountains, valleys and proximity to the ocean has made it a hidden gem for rafting, kayaking and canyoning enthusiasts willing to take a step or two further from the Golden Route of Kyoto and Osaka.
    • All Regions
    • Article Map
    • Ocean and Beach
      • getting dirty in japan

        Getting Dirty in Japan

        “Getting Dirty in Japan” is about getting out of your comfort zone and into some exciting outdoor adventures and destinations in Japan.
    • River and Lake
      • getting dirty in japan

        Getting Dirty in Japan

        “Getting Dirty in Japan” is about getting out of your comfort zone and into some exciting outdoor adventures and destinations in Japan.
    • Mountain and Land
    • Sky
      • getting dirty in japan

        Getting Dirty in Japan

        “Getting Dirty in Japan” is about getting out of your comfort zone and into some exciting outdoor adventures and destinations in Japan.
    • Snow and Ice
      • climbing mt. fuji off season

        Mt. Fuji: The Path Less Traveled

        Fuji-san is the most climbed mountain in the world. If you are in good shape, there is a way to avoid the traffic for a more peaceful Mt. Fuji experience during the off-season.
    • Travel
      • the nomad pasche family

        The World is Our Playground

        The Pasche family has been cycling and living out of a tent in remote corners of the planet for the past 13 years on four continents spanning 50 countries.
        adventure travel world summit in hokkaido

        Adventure Travel World Summit in Hokkaido

        The ATTA will host their first Adventure Travel World Summit in Asia in Hokkaido, Japan. We caught up with ATTA Director Shannon Stowell to find out more about the adventure travel industry and how it continues to grow and evolve.
        getting dirty in japan

        Getting Dirty in Japan

        “Getting Dirty in Japan” is about getting out of your comfort zone and into some exciting outdoor adventures and destinations in Japan.
        maota sustainable fashion

        Weaving Stories with Maota

        Maota is a small-scale clothing line working with local craftsmen in the countryside of Aichi and Gifu prefectures. While their focus is on small, local and “slow” fashion, they are moving fast toward some big goals.
        the knights in white lycra

        The Knights in White Lycra

        Each year a group of cyclists head to the deep north towards Tohoku’s vast rice fields and coastal trails to help transform the lives of neglected children.
    • Food and Drinks
      • the nomad pasche family

        The World is Our Playground

        The Pasche family has been cycling and living out of a tent in remote corners of the planet for the past 13 years on four continents spanning 50 countries.
        adventure travel world summit in hokkaido

        Adventure Travel World Summit in Hokkaido

        The ATTA will host their first Adventure Travel World Summit in Asia in Hokkaido, Japan. We caught up with ATTA Director Shannon Stowell to find out more about the adventure travel industry and how it continues to grow and evolve.
        getting dirty in japan

        Getting Dirty in Japan

        “Getting Dirty in Japan” is about getting out of your comfort zone and into some exciting outdoor adventures and destinations in Japan.
        maota sustainable fashion

        Weaving Stories with Maota

        Maota is a small-scale clothing line working with local craftsmen in the countryside of Aichi and Gifu prefectures. While their focus is on small, local and “slow” fashion, they are moving fast toward some big goals.
        the knights in white lycra

        The Knights in White Lycra

        Each year a group of cyclists head to the deep north towards Tohoku’s vast rice fields and coastal trails to help transform the lives of neglected children.
    • Races and Events
      • fuji rock japan

        2023 Summer Music Festivals

        Get into the groove this green season while enjoying the great outdoors with family and friends.
        Summer Events Fireworks Festivals in Japan

        2023 Fireworks Festivals in Japan

        Enjoy these fireworks festivals held throughout Japan this summer and autumn.

A Walk About With Curly Giraffe

The bassist from a popular band went solo (under a pseudonym) and then created the band Curly Giraffe. Although already widely known among fans, he’s yet to officially make his true identity public.

The group’s sound brings back the sweet, soft sounds of America’s West Coast surf scene, but for some reason his tip on where to travel was simply “Kanazawa.” Should we assume he isn’t American; perhaps Japanese?

Musicians are always touring. Late nights, overworked livers and liquored memories come with the territory. Our guest begins, “Ten years ago I was out drinking ’til dawn and not eating worth a damn. Now I find myself waking up early and taking walks around the hotel.”

Although I’m unsure of his exact age, 10 years on tour means it’s unlikely he’s younger than 30. Making the change from all night hell-raising to quiet morning strolls could be a sign of age or maturity.

During last year’s tour stop in Kanazawa, he was out for a morning walk. Having left the hotel and headed off in no particular direction, he stumbled into the Omicho Market, which was abuzz with the “Shrimp Festival,” or so the sign said.

“Whoa, what could this be?” he continued. “I put off checking out the event until the afternoon, when I would be able to head over with the whole band.”
The “Shrimp Festival” was completely filled with stalls of shrimp burgers, shrimp curry and other assorted delights. However, what really caught his eye was the “Shrimp Peeling Contest.”

“The judges were wearing these painfully ridiculous shrimp hats,” he recalled, “and because no one was willing to participate, we all threw up our hands. In the end some old locals also bellied up.”

With the time limit set at one minute and the rules stating that shrimp had to be peeled leaving the head and tail, our traveler stated, “This was tough, and none of us were up to the challenge.

We were impressed by the speed of some of the old men but, upon further inspection, we noticed they were pulling the heads and tails off—lclearly not paying a bit of attention to the rules. Even so, the winner cleaned 10 shrimp.”
Curly Giraffe’s talent as musicians clearly surpassed their shrimp-peeling skills, but they were allowed to take the crustaceans back to the hotel for dinner. However, they were soon forgotten and turned brown.

“I was never a big shrimp fan,” he confessed. “And even the festival didn’t turn me into a shrimp lover. I will say, though, that the battered shrimp on rice was a real treat!”

In terms of turning on the shrimp appetites of Curly Giraffe, the “Shrimp Festival” was a failure. However, the memories of battered shrimp delight might have saved the day.

Perhaps our traveler’s recommendation isn’t as much about Kanazawa as getting out for a morning walk to explore the area. You never know what you might get into.

New licks and old favorites from Curly Giraffe

Curly Giraffe

CURLY GIRAFFE
「CURLY GIRAFFE」 (Burger inn)

Straight from the Giraffe’s mouth: “If you’re looking for something to listen to on a walk, please put some Curly Giraffe in your ears.”

Curly Giraffe

NED DOHENY
「HARD CANDY」 (Sony)

His second album, released in 1976, “…features the track ‘When Love Hangs in the Balance’ and is the story of my life. His voice comes across so clean and gets you hooked.”

Curly Giraffe

JUDEE SILL
「HEART FOOD」 (Water)

This American female singer/songwriter’s second album features a “voice of an angel that will knock you out. All the tracks are great!”

Curly Giraffe

JIM NOIR
「TOWER OF LOVE」 (Warner)

This newcomer from England “was someone I got into when I happened to spot his music video, then bought the CD. His homemade sounds make you feel happy.”

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