Author: Sébastien Duval
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Kura Sushi — With Plant-Based Foods
Surprisingly, the standard menu of Kura Sushi chain restaurants in Japan includes diverse plant-based sushi and desserts. We just savoured: Kura Sushi operates 543 restaurants in Japan. Its 61 restaurants in the USA and 56 in Taiwan have different menus. In the frame of the 2025 world expo in Osaka, Kura Sushi launched an Expo…
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Expo 2025 World Cuisines — Everywhere In Japan!
Today, world cuisines of 70 countries appeared at Kura Sushi chain restaurants all over Japan as part of a 2025 World Expo campaign. For practical reasons, each restaurant only features one world cuisine in addition to the standard menu. You’d currently have to eat at 70 restaurants to taste all the dishes… Still, that’s great…
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Male Geisha Met In Tokyo
The flurry of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) discussions following the start of the 2025 Trump presidency reminded me of my most surprising encounter in 20 years in Japan: a male geisha! Respect to him for overcoming stringent Japanese traditions, respect to his community for making it happen, and respect to Tricolage travel agency for…
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Atomic Bomb Survivor Met In Nagasaki
Nowhere else in the world, and only for a few more years due to ageing… Meet an atomic bomb survivor in Japan like I recently did thanks to Nagasaki International Tourism & Convention Association! Discussing with this 90 y.o. Japanese was my most special moment of 2024 ✨ It also gave a special feeling to…
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On Bluesky As SebastienPlus
I just created my Bluesky account “SebastienPlus“. My first post was: Hello Blue Sky! Excited to join the community 🙂 I’m Sébastien Duval, based in Tokyo. My passions include unearthing unique Japan, rejuvenating hot springs, delicious vegan cuisines… and helping develop regenerative tourism. Like-minded? Let’s chat! I’m looking forward to this fresh start on social…
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Professional Photographer In Japan – For You, Your Couple, Your Family
Why should you hire a professional photographer while travelling solo, as a couple, or with your family in Japan? To capture your joy & surprise, frame you with selected landmarks under a specific angle, document your adventures with little-known sights appearing only at that time, during that season, with that weather… and immortalise you with…
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Nogaku – Noh Drama & Kyogen Comic Theatre
Nogaku (aka Nohgaku) is a type of Japanese theatre. Its two components, Noh drama and Kyogen comic theatre, are performed in the same space, including a walkway and stage. Traditional intermission between Noh acts, Kyogen makes the audience laugh in sharp contrast of the formal, symbolic, and solemn aspects of Noh. Nogaku typically features tales…
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Takasago — With Wonders By Gods & Artisans
Advising businesses in Takasago city (Hyogo prefecture) yesterday & today, I caught the opportunity to visit the Shinto shrine related to the famous Takasago Noh play and another shrine that holds an unusual annual festival featuring “futon” Japanese mattresses. It reminded me of guiding a French group in Takasago city as part of a spiritual…
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Matoi-no-kai – A Rising Music Community
Matoi-no-kai’s founder and his team charmed me during the Ziqqurat concert this afternoon at Saitama Arts Theatre. Their captivating performance audaciously blended traditional Japanese music, reflections about civilization, and elements of the Book of Genesis common to the Hebrew Bible and Christian Old Testament. And despite a busy sweltering summer (“only” 36℃ outside today), this…
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Happo-en — Historic Venue Reimagined For Modern Events
I just attended the 2025 Renewal Plan Briefing Session of Happo-en, a renowned Japanese venue with a rich history dating back over four centuries as a garden and restaurant. Getting ready for its centennial anniversary in 2043, Happo-en is embarking on a transformative renovation to remain a premier destination for weddings, MICE events, and corporate…