Writing
I have written for several publications, including The Japan Times, The Financial Times, All About Japan, Metropolis, Monocle, The Face, and Black+White. I generally write on Japanese art, culture, and now wine. This a selection of my articles:
All About Japan (online)
Rainbows and Resilience: Hiking the Michinoku Coastal Trail
The 1000-kilometer trail that hugs Tohoku’s Pacific coastline offers hikers some incredible natural scenery and dramatic evidence of the disastrous tsunami of 2011. Andrew Lee hiked some portions of the trail and shares his experience.
Savoring Shizuoka: A Gourmet Adventure
A short distance south of Tokyo, Shizuoka Prefecture is earning a reputation as a luxury destination for those in search of unique accommodations and culinary discoveries.
Three of Japan’s Wine Regions You Need to Visit
With around 350 wineries scattered across Japan, using some of them to craft a travel itinerary is a wonderful way to experience the country.
The Japan Times (online)
Chisou Nishi Kenichi: Modern French with unrivaled Shizuoka seafood
When a chef relocates to be within walking distance of his favorite fishmonger, you know the fish must be truly special.
Ca’enne: Into the Yatsugatake mountains for Nagano’s freshest produce
For a restaurant that only uses ingredients from a landlocked region, there is a surprising amount of excellent fish on chef Noriyuki Usui’s menu.
Jimgu: A farm-driven restaurant of outstanding local variety
Three years before chef Tashi Gyamtso served his first meal at Jimgu, he arrived in Oita Prefecture to build the farm that stocks his kitchen today.
Elezo Esprit: A visceral celebration of Hokkaido’s wild game
Game meat specialist Elezo Esprit has hunters on staff who are directed to ensure the animals they supply arrive at the butchery within an hour of being killed.
A new brew for Ebisu, the town that beer made
Ebisu and its beer are unique among communities with drinking histories. Here, the beer named the town.
What’s driving Japan’s love affair with wine certifications?
Studying wine is an extremely popular pastime in Japan — despite the number of students without a professional need to do so.
Japan’s first master sommelier dreams of Hokkaido wine glory
Interview with Toru Takamatsu MS, the youngest person to reach the rank of Master Sommelier (at just 24), and the first Japanese person to do so. (January 21, 2024)
Takashi Murakami: The face of Japanese contemporary art abroad, underappreciated at home
Profile of Japanese artist Takashi Murakami for the Heisei Icons series (October 9, 2019)
Takashi Murakami: A reluctant homecoming
Interview with Japanese artist Takashi Murakami on the occasion of his exhibition “500 Arhats” at Mori Art Museum (November 19, 2015)
Eating the dreams of Keiichi Tanaami
Review of Japanese artist Keiichi Tanaami’s exhibition at Nanzuka gallery (July 4, 2017)
Ebisu Food Grand Prix: Searching for the taste of Ebisu
Article on the annual Yebisu Beer x Ebisu Food event. (October 9, 2019)
Inside author David Mitchell’s metaphysical mind
Interview with British author David Mitchell (August 30, 2014)
‘Battle Royale’ wins the game for hungry fans
Review of the fifteenth anniversary edition of “Battle Royale” by Koushun Takami. (
A volunteer’s journal of hope for Tohoku
My personal account of volunteering in Ishinomaki after the earthquake and tsunami of March 11, 2011. (May 8, 2011)
The complete archive of my writing for the JT can be found here
Metropolis magazine (print version PDF)
Sword Play
Interview with “Afro Samurai” creator Takashi “Bob” Okazaki (October, 2007)
The Financial Times (print version PDFs)
Problem Children
Interview with Japanese artist Yoshitomo Nara (with David Pilling. August 5, 2006)
Japan Through Hollywood’s distorting lens
Opinion piece on the film “Memoirs of a Geisha” (December 13, 2005)
Hello Kitty and associates are suppliers of style to the globe
FT Special Report on Japan (October 12, 2005)
Ties that bind
Interview with photographer Nobuyoshi Araki on the occasion of his exhibition “Araki: Self. Life. Death” runs at the Barbican Art Gallery. (October 22, 2005)
Kamikaze Kittens
Article on the state of Japanese art on the occasion of the exhibition “Little Boy: The Arts of Japan’s Exploding Subculture” (July 9, 2005)
Black+White magazine (print version PDFs)
Hello Naked Kitty
Article on the eropuri (erotic print club) phenomenon and magazines for teenage girls in Japan. (July 2006)
Shintaro Shiratori
Interview with Japanese photographer. (June 2006)