“It’s really about the opportunity to meet up, and do something together in a safe, inclusive and fun environment,” they say.
Smith and Henshaw co-founded their own inclusive run club KICRUN in partnership with New Balance as a space accessible for women and runners of all levels.
“Running no longer has to be about marathons and smashing PB’s, instead, it’s about having fun,” they share, adding their club comes with no judgment and no expectations.
The KICRUN co-founders recently conducted their own survey with over 5000 women.
In the survey, they discovered one in five women have signed up for a run club or fun run with motivation, sense of community and boost in mood being the highest contributors.
“Run clubs are often male-dominated or aligned with an upcoming half/full marathon, with a focus on training and hitting PBs,” the duo add.
Together with New Balance, our KICRUN Clubs are different because they’re inclusive, they’re made for runners of all levels.”
On the flip side, the study found one of the things holding almost half the women back.
According to the findings, 41 percent of Aussie women fear they’re not fast enough to join and keep up with the more skilled runners while others felt intimidated.
But the KICRUN co-founders actually see running ‘slower’ as a positive thing.
Slow running has emerged as a popular trend across social media with influencers encouraging runners to run at their own pace no matter how slow that may be.
“We believe at Kic that your pace doesn’t define your ability to run and the first piece of running advice we give our running community is to actually slow down,” they say.
“Perhaps a better way to think of “slow running” is “easy running”, or running at a pace that you feel you could easily sustain for a long period of time,” they suggest.
According to Henshaw, who has long been an advocate for the benefits of running, the slow running trend is more about “mindfully tuning into your body”.
“Everyone’s running goals will be different, so we suggest focusing on your ‘why’ for running,” she says.
“Are you running for your mental health, or are you training for an event? Whatever it is, it can be a good idea to come back to this ‘why’ and embrace your own pace.”
One of the benefits of slowing down your running pace is actually reducing chances of injury by not exerting your body the duo reveal.
Additionally, slowing everything down can be an important part of recovering from injury and returning to exercise – something Henshaw, who was injured last year can attest to.
“We often focus a lot on the end goal and our past performances when we’re injured and rebuilding strength again,” Henshaw says.
“We end up focusing a lot on the distance we want to run, our old PB’s and other people’s pace in comparison to ours.”
Instead, the fitness guru suggests celebrating your personal journey when returning to running from an injury.
“We can forget to actually enjoy the process of achieving our goals and building up our strength again!” she tells 9honey Coach.
“It’s the resilience and self-belief, the good stuff that only comes through those challenging moments.”
“Whether it’s your first 5 minute run back or you’ve run an extra 1km than last time, celebrating each of those wins can help make the healing journey more enjoyable.”
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Forget the limited edition Jordans and ultra-rare collabs—some of the most popular sneakers right now are retro classics you can easily buy at the mall. Whether it’s the wildly-popular Adidas Samba, the Stan Smith, or the Nike Dunk, old school is omnipresent. But recently, a lesser-known retro sneaker has been popping up on celebrities, social media pages of in-the-know fashion enthusiasts, and even on dads reliving their high school days—and we found it on sale.
Of-the-moment kicks don’t typically get discounts, but the Reebok Club C 85 in white is on sale right now for as low as $46 on Amazon—up to 34% off the original $70 price. These classic white sneakers are backed by over 3,100 five-star ratings on Amazon from shoppers who are getting them for the first time while others are already on their “eighth pair.” Sizing is limited, so if you see yours we’d recommend acting fast.
Reebok Unisex Club C 85 Sneaker, From $46 (was $70) on Amazon
Reebok’s Club C 85 sneakers were originally designed to be tennis shoes. They’re neither as lean as the Sambas nor as chunky as Nike Air Force 1s, making them a Goldilocks pick that works with slim and baggy outfits alike. They have a cushioned EVA foam footbed and a leather upper with a perforated design that promotes breathability. Despite their court-ready construction, the cushioned comfort and grippy outsole are also suitable for a day spent on the go.
First introduced in the 1980s, some shoppers appreciated the nostalgia that comes with these sneakers. “Reeboks are fast becoming my favorite sneaker brand,” a shopper wrote. “They’re made well, the leather feels buttery smooth, and, to be honest, they look like a pair I had as a kid in the ’80s.” Another shopper wrote, “They are the same shoe I used exclusively for racketball in the ‘80s. I felt like I found an old friend.”
Many shoppers compared them favorably to other popular sneaker brands. “I got these to replace my On Cloud shoes, so the bar was set very high,” a shopper stated. “They’re super stylish and fit super comfortable. In terms of weight, they’re slightly heavier than On Clouds, but much lighter than Nike Air Force 1s.”
Although they’re pushing 40, it’s safe to say the Reebok Club C 85 is back, and the classic shoe hasn’t lost a step. Whether you wore them in your high school days when they debuted or you’re discovering them for the first time, they remain a timeless white sneaker that’s minimal but not boring. As the trend rises, stock will decrease, so make sure to get yours soon.
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Springtime is home to some of the best lightweight jackets for men. These lighter layers shed the bulk of fall and winter coats in favor of flexibility and breathability. Denim jackets and chore coats remain popular seasonal options, but the golf jacket is one of the most underrated styles to have in your spring arsenal, and recently, one of Amazon’s bestsellers got a massive price cut.
The Weatherproof Original Golf Jacket is on sale right now for as low as $47—up to 62% off the typical $125 price. These vintage-inspired jackets have earned more than 4,000 five-star ratings, which is enough to make them the No. 1 overall bestseller in their category. There are a variety of muted shades of gray, blue, and brown to choose from, as well as an eye-catching hue called Lemon.
Weatherproof Original Mens Golf Jacket in Fog, From $47 (was $125) on Amazon
Weatherproof’s golf jacket is a simple zip-up jacket with a pointed collar and ribbed cuffs and sleeves, similar to a bomber jacket or the Baracuta Harrington jacket. It features a spread collar with a button for extra coverage on blustery days, and the outer fabric is made from a blend of polyester and nylon. There are two welt pockets as well as an inner stash pocket. The roomy cut of the jacket makes it easy to move around in, whether or not you intend to play golf.
It’s also an incredibly versatile piece, which led one shopper to call it the “perfect lightweight jacket” and add that it’s “sufficient to protect against cold breezes.” Likewise, another shopper called it, “Stylish and comfortable,” adding that it’s “perfect for cool spring and autumn days.”
Weatherproof Original Mens Golf Jacket in Navy, $50 (was $125) on Amazon
Other shoppers have found Weatherproof’s golf jacket to be a great modern version of favorites in the past. “I have been looking for a good spring/fall jacket like this one for a long time,” a shopper said. “I had one years ago and my son borrowed it and, of course, left it somewhere…I have purchased at least three replacements, and none of them had the qualities I was looking for similar to my old one—comfortable fit, wrinkle-resistant, wind-resistant, and easy to clean. This jacket has all that and more.”
Thanks to its lightweight construction, warm lining, and water-resistant shell, this golf jacket is the ideal spring layer that can be worn on chilly summer evenings, too. If you think this is the best spring jacket for you, make sure to get one quickly while it’s still on sale.
The pop princess’ personal trainer, Kirk Myers, has unveiled Swift’s workout routine, admitting that it would make most people ill if they attempted it.
Speaking to Vogue, the Dogpound owner revealed Swift’s “work ethic is just incredible” after working with her for almost a decade.
Swift performs her Eras Tour shows for three hours and 15 minutes straight, achieving her fitness level through “tailored” workouts.
“We approached her training for the Eras Tour with the mindset of a professional athlete. There was an ‘off-season’ when she wasn’t touring and ‘in-season’ when she was.”
Myers says that the off-season for the Cruel Summer singer is even more intense: “When she’s not touring, we’re in the gym up to six days a week for sometimes two hours a day.”
It didn’t matter if Swift was performing, the training didn’t stop: “Taylor trained during the entire tour. We would average two times a week. In-season training was more about maintenance, and so it was more like stability, mobility, biomechanics.”
“If you’ve seen the show, you know how intense it is physically. Imagine doing that three, four days in a row and then you finally have a few off days and you’re still showing up to gym. That’s Taylor.”
“I knew this tour was harder than anything I’d ever done before by a long shot,” she said.
“Every day I would run on the treadmill, singing the entire set list out loud,” she added.
“Fast for fast songs, and a jog or a fast walk for slow songs.”
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It’s difficult not to be impressed by what Michter’s is doing down in Shively, Kentucky, these days.
The sterling American whiskey brand is responsible for some of the most sought-after spirits currently on shelves, and the talented folks behind those liquids have found a way to routinely bottle sensational bourbons bearing extended age statements (upwards of two decades), despite the fact that most comparably aged bottlings tend to be well past their prime.
So remarkable is the string of successes, in fact, that last year the brand was crowned the “World’s Most Admired Whiskey” in an independent survey of whiskey experts, journalists, bartenders, and consumers.
Proving it has no plans to rest on its laurels, Michter’s has just dropped its first significant release of 2024. The latest batch of Michter’s 10-Year Bourbon is here—and it’s a banger.
Michter’s 10-Year Boubon
Courtesy Image
Unlike other exalted expressions in the whiskey world, this single-barrel offering—recognizable by a cork topper sealed in black wax—doesn’t come around with any sort of confirmed regularity. We previously saw an edition arrive in late autumn of 2023. Before that, it hadn’t hit shelves since 2021.
“Our production team has always given tremendous consideration to what they feel is ready to release, but after this honor, the stakes seem even higher,” says Michter’s president Joseph Magliocco, alluding to the “Most Admired Whiskey” accolade.
As always, though, he entrusts the process to master distiller Dan McKee and master of maturation Andrea Wilson. Together, they sample thousands of casks, pulling only the ones which fit an exacting flavor profile—after a minimum of 10 years of patient aging, of course. According to Wilson, they typically err on the side of selecting casks that go well beyond that decade benchmark.
At any rate, age is just a number on the bottle. What they’re seeking in the liquid—traditionally proofed at 94.4—is something that noses with confectionery aromas, and drinks with dried fruit delicacy, delivered on a creamy, burnt-auburn body. The exact nuances might fluctuate slightly from cask to cask, but that’s a feature, not a flaw, in any single barrel release. And the goalposts stated above hold true in every last drop of the 2024 edition.
“It’s brimming with all the characteristics that I look for in a special bourbon,” McKee explains.
He’s biased. We’re not. It took barely a sip before we were comfortable calling this yet another great Michter’s release. But what would really impress us is a bottle shop willing to fork one over at the $185 suggested retail price. The 2023 edition is already hard to find at under $650. Admiration comes with a cost.
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Lululemon is one of the most popular men’s athleisure brands, expertly fusing the “ath” and “leisure” parts of the equation. The brand’s ABC pants are ideal for travel, commuting, and lounging, while the Pace Breaker and License to Train collections are designed for tackling any workout and grabbing lunch right after. Recently, Lululemon restocked its “We Made Too Much” section, which includes specials on the brand’s bestselling workout gear, including one of its most popular pairs of shorts that’s now under $40.
Right now, you can score a pair of the normally $68 Lululemon Pace Breaker Linerless Shorts for as low as $39, depending on the color and length. These multi-purpose shorts have earned over 300 five-star ratings at Lulu by shoppers who admit they’re “the only shorts” they’ll wear. They’re available in a 7- or 5-inch inseam with eight colors to choose from, including eye-catching corals and magentas, neutral blues, and iridescent-inspired prints. Sizes are starting to sell out, so you’ll want to move quickly.
Lululemon Pace Breaker Linerless 7-Inch Short in Night Sea, From $39 (was $68) at Lululemon
The linerless design of these Lululemon shorts is more versatile than lined shorts, and they’re perfect for both workouts and just hanging around. The shorts are made from recycled polyester, with ultra-stretchy elastane for ease of movement. They feature two side hand pockets, as well as a zippered side pocket for secure, low-bounce storage of phones and other essentials while running. The shorts also have a mesh panel along the back for breathability. The textured waistband is designed to feel comfortable against the skin, keeping chafing to a minimum.
Shoppers appreciated the breathability and comfort of the fabric, with one calling them “lightweight and super comfortable.” Similarly, another wrote, “They are light enough to feel comfortable yet have good quality to know you have a good product. Great for casual and exercising.” Another called them “great for working out or just for casual wear.”
Lululemon Pace Breaker Linerless 7-Inch Short in Magenta Purple, From $39 (was $68) at Lululemon
Versatility was a key selling point, with one shopper saying the “comfortable four-way stretch fabric makes it easy to wear. You could dress these shorts up or down.” Another wrote, “These shorts provide a comfortable fit without feeling too restricted in the legs or hips like some shorts. There are plenty of pockets to store your phone, key fob, and headsets. They’ve been washed a few times and so far no signs of wear or pilling.” They also called them the “best all-around workout shorts.”
If you’re looking for stylish workout gear, Lululemon’s entire “We Made Too Much” section is worth checking out, but the most popular styles tend to sell out quickly. That includes the Pace Breaker shorts, which are already in limited supply, so you’ll want to act fast.
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Sir Elton John once admitted to having a whopping quarter million pairs of sunglasses. While that’s more than any one person could need, there’s a case to be made for having a few for different occasions. Polarized sunglasses are best for driving while inexpensive shades are a better option for the beach. But a stylish pair of designer sunglasses is the one to rock when you want to look your best, and there’s no better place to get them right now than at Nordstrom Rack.
Nordstrom Rack just went live with thousands of new markdowns, some of the best of which are on designer shades from brands like Ray-Ban, Carrera, and Tom Ford, among others, with styles starting at just $20. All types are on the table—everything from aviators to classic wayfarers and even trendy round frames are on sale, and there’s a style to fit every face shape perfectly. After Men’s Journal looked through the hundreds of designer sunglasses on sale at Nordstrom Rack, we found these four that even the Rocketman himself would want to pick up for spring and summer.
Salvatore Ferragamo’s 57mm sunglasses are a unisex style that features a dramatic squared-off silhouette with a double-bridge design that gives it a retro ’70s look. The lenses feature subtle Ferragamo branding, and the wide frames and 100% UV protection keep your peepers protected. Italian-made, they’re one of the best deals you’ll find now that they’re 75% off.
What Shoppers Are Saying: “I often find sunglasses tight and uncomfortable. These are so comfortable and easy to wear.”
These Ray-Ban aviator sunglasses feature a squared-off silhouette that offers a unique alternative to the traditional pointed shape. They feature the Ray-Ban logo at the temple and the lens but it’s not too loud. The dark lens is ideal for sunny days and the classic frame means unbound versatility—they’ll work with all types of outfits. Typically $180, these are just under half off, dropping the price to $91.
What Shoppers Are Saying: “Great fit. They’re long enough to go behind the ear and fit a bigger/elongated face.”
Gucci may be known for its bold, statement-making pieces, but the Italian label also knows how to nail the classics. These Gucci glasses are on sale for over $250 off and feature a classic aviator silhouette with gold-colored accents and the brand’s signature stripe on the temples. They scream summer in the villa and look as luxe as those who choose to wear them.
What Customers Are Saying: “Color combo is beautiful, size is great for a guy, and the quality is what you’d expect from Gucci.”
From Le Specs to Quay, it’s no surprise that sunny Australia is home to some of the best independent eyewear brands. Quay’s Big Time sunglasses are a bold pair of retro-inspired frames, with a hexagonal shape and a rose-tinted gradient. They have a premium look, but the sub-$40 price means you don’t have to be too precious with them.
What Customers Are Saying: “These were my first Quay sunglasses, and I am so happy I chose to get myself a pair. I love the fit, and am so far impressed with their quality.”
Getting enough fruit and vegetables in our diet each day has an incredible impact on our health.
They’re both great sources of a range of vitamins and minerals, as well as dietary fibre which helps us feel fuller for longer and promotes healthy bowels.
Eating the recommended servings of fruit and veg daily has been associated with many health benefits, particularly reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease.
There’s also strong evidence that for each serving of vegetables eaten each day, the risk for heart disease is reduced even further.
In other words, the more veggies we eat, the more health benefits we reap!
On top of all of this, eating enough fruit and veg can help with losing and maintaining a healthy weight.
The problem is, most Australians are only eating half the recommended amount of veggies each day.
If that’s your case, read on as Amelia Banderas, a dietitian at Juniper, walks us through some ways that you can work towards meeting your recommended two and five.
Make up half your lunch and dinner meals with colourful vegetables
Aiming for half your lunch and dinner meals to be colourful veg can help get up to approximately four to five servings of veg across your day.
A variety of vegetables means a variety of nutrients, which you can get by adding green, red, purple, and orange vegetables to your plate.
Having options for convenient ways to get veggies in can help make it easier to add to your meals.
Try having pre-bagged salad bags at home or at work to add to the side of your meals, frozen fruit, and veg in the freezer, or tinned veggies to add to soups, curries, or stews.
Having meals like pasta, soups, stews, and even protein shakes is a great opportunity to add in extra veg.
Try adding in frozen veggies, or legumes like lentils and chickpeas.
Make up half your lunch and dinner meals with colourful vegetabless to your stews and curries.
Frozen veg, in particular, are great at soaking up flavours and they’ll help your meals go further (more volume for not that many calories!).
Blitzing or grating veggies like zucchini, eggplant, mushrooms, carrot, and celery and adding them to pasta sauces is another great idea.
Or try adding a cup of spinach or half a cup of frozen cauliflower to your smoothies for an extra serving of veg (that won’t change the flavour profile of your smoothie).
“I’ve had Juniper patients add this to their Juniper Nourish Shakes as a breakfast option.”
Hack your environment
Changing your environment to keep fruit and veg in your line of sight can help ‘nudge’ you to choose these more often.
This might look like having a fruit bowl in your line of sight, chopping up veggies at the beginning of the week to include with snacks or having veggies pre-prepared to make it easier to add to meals you’re preparing during the week.
Adding fruit to your brekkie can actually be a great way of satisfying your sweet tooth, so why not top your cereal or yoghurt with fresh or frozen fruit or grate some apple into your overnight oats?
Even veg can be a good addition to your breakfast – simply add chopped-up veg such as onion, zucchini, tomato, and capsicum to an omelette or frittata. Or make a veggie-packed option like a shakshuka or homemade baked beans.
Swap staple ingredients for veggie alternatives
Try swapping out half of your usual serving of pasta for zucchini noodles, or half your rice with cauliflower rice.
Include fruit and veg in your snacks
The following options are a great way to create a protein and fibre-rich snack while getting in your two and five a day:
Natural yoghurt with fresh or frozen fruit.
Four rice thins or grainy crackers with a sandwich-size slice of cheese, sliced tomato, and sliced cucumber.
A cup of veggie sticks (like celery, carrot, cucumber, capsicum) with a high protein dip (such as low-fat cottage cheese).
Savoury frittata muffins with grated veg.
Apple with a closed fist-full of unsalted nuts.
Find interesting new ways to cook with veggies
Finding new flavours and ways to cook with veggies can keep things interesting and avoid food fatigue!
Looking at what fruit and veggies are in season – and what recipes you can make with them – is a fun way to find new ways to cook old favourites and new veggies, too.
Your supermarket websites will often have recipes for what’s in season – otherwise, TikTok and Pinterest are also great sources of cooking inspo!
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Shōgun hit its stride right out of the gate when its first two episodes were released in late February, becoming Disney’s No. 1 scripted series premiere globally. With its finale scheduled for April 23, the 10-episode FX/Hulu series based on the bestselling 1975 James Clavell novel has confirmed that samurai battles, feudal-era court intrigue, and the introduction of “pillowing” to the sexual lexicon are pure streaming gold. The show also offers a big-budget introduction to traditional values that still run deep in Japan—and, in particular, the veins of history that remain relevant there to this day.
British sea pilot John Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis) meets early-17th-century Japan in ‘Shōgun.’ The finale of the hit FX/Hulu series airs on April 23.
Courtesy image
At the center of Shōgun is the relationship between British sea pilot John Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis) and Lord Yoshii Toronaga (Hiroyuki Sanada), a fictionalized version of the real-life Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first shogun, or military dictator, credited with unifying the Japanese islands into one country in 1600.
Though the show was primarily filmed in British Columbia, Canada, it still serves as an epic primer on historical Japan—if you know where to look. With the final episode fast approaching, the limited series is now sure to inspire pilgrimages to Shōgun‘s homeland by ardent fans pinning slim hopes on a season two (not likely, according to the creators). From the Tokyo Ninja Museum to the country’s most famous samurai battlefield, here are the seven most exciting historic sites across Japan that Shōgun devotees need to see for themselves.
Gifu Sekigahara Battlefield Memorial Museum: Gifu Prefecture
Sekigahara: The biggest samurai battle of all time (170,000 warriors) happened in this tranquil mountain valley over four centuries ago.
Visit Gifu
Just as Americans know Gettysburg, all Japanese know Sekigahara. In the mountains of central Honshu in Gifu Prefecture, Sekigahara was the site of a ferocious battle in 1600 between various alliances of feudal clans. The biggest samurai battle in history saw more than 170,000 warriors arranged into Eastern and Western armies, fighting to the death in this now-serene mountain valley. The first shogun, Tokugawa Ieyasu (Toronaga), prevailed, ending Japan’s Sengoku or Warring States Period, unifying the country and establishing the Tokugawa Shogunate that ruled Japan for more than 250 years.
Opened in 2020, the large, state-of-the-art, experience-based museum and information center standing there now presents recreations of the Battle of Sekigahara. A VR attraction “allows you to experience firsthand man-to-man combat of the Sengoku period.” But this is also hallowed ground in a rural part of Japan where spirits can still seem nearby.
Though author Clavell disappointed many readers by only referencing Sekigahara, fans of the FX/Hulu series are anticipating the climactic battle here to be depicted in gut-spilling fashion. Either way, Sekigahara occupies the martial heart of Shōgun.
Getting There: The trip takes about two hours by Tokaido Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Nagoya Station, then an additional 45 minutes by JR Tokaido Main Line from Nagoya Station to Sekigahara Station. From Sekigahara Station, it’s a quick cab ride or 10-minute walk to the battlefield and museum. Though possible to do as a long day trip from Tokyo, instead Gifu City, about 30 minutes away by train or taxi, is the best place to overnight.
Osaka Castle: Osaka Prefecture
A CGI rendering of Osaka Castle appears in the ‘Shōgun’ opening credits, and occasional establishing shots throughout the series. The real thing dates back to 1586.
Osaka Info
Feudal Japan was a risky place to wield a sword. Warfare was widespread as lords plotted against other lords, then sent faithful samurai to risk their lives when swordplay was required. In the meantime, nobles not prone to death-wish culture took refuge behind castle walls whose fortress architecture of wood and stone evolved into a classic design featuring a tall, central tower.
In Shōgun’s premiere episode, Lord Toronaga is summoned to Osaka Castle for a tense meeting with the Council of Regents, which wishes to impeach him. From there, the castle is featured as a place of intrigue and danger, then the planned target of Toranaga’s “Crimson Sky” attack. In reality, the castle was a power center in the historic negotiations and battles that ultimately unified the country. Built by 100,000 workers between 1583 and 1586, it was renowned both for its imposing tactical fortifications and extravagant interior décor. Tokugawa (Toronaga) and his 200,000-man army eventually laid siege to Osaka, capturing the castle in 1615. After that, its relevance faded, though Osaka grew into Japan’s third-largest city. A CGI rendering of Osaka Castle appears in the opening credits and occasional establishing shots throughout the series.
Reconstructed many times—lightning strikes in the 1600s set the castle on fire, while American planes bombed it during World War II—Osaka Castle is now one of Japan’s top tourist attractions. The castle tower is surrounded by citadels, gates, turrets, stonewalls, moats, and 600 cherry trees. Self-guided tours take a couple hours, but your grandpa could easily linger all afternoon reading signs.
Getting There: Osaka Castle is surrounded by five different train stations, but the best access is via either Morinomiya or Osakajokoen Station. The approach from both follows a pathway toward the castle through its extensive gardens.
References to “Edo” (Lord Toranaga’s fiefdom) are scattered throughout Shōgun, but little action is depicted there. Though important to Toranaga, Edo didn’t become Japan’s central city until after Tokugawa (Toranaga) established the Tokugawa Shogunate there in 1603, after the Battle of Sekigahara. Though Edo grew into a city of over a million in the 1700s, Kyoto remained the formal capital of the nation. Only when imperial rule was restored in 1868 did the Emperor move to Edo. The city was renamed Tokyo and became the capital of Japan.
While no worthwhile series-specific sites are found in modern Tokyo, the city is home to a fun samurai museum. It features interactive exhibitions, including hands-on samurai and ninja experiences. Visitors can handle weapons, try on suits of armor, and learn skills like throwing shuriken (ninja star blades) and using a blowgun. The collection of artifacts and models is remarkable and exhibits explain the enduring cultural legacy of samurai and ninjas.
Getting There: Tokyo’s Samurai Ninja Museum is a two-minute walk from Tawaramachi Station on the Tokyo metro Ginza Line; a two-minute walk from Asakusa Station on the Tsukuba-Express; or an eight-minute walk from Asakusa Station on the Tokyo metro Ginza Line/Asakusa Line.
Ajiro Onsen Hiratsuru: Atami City, Shizuoka Prefecture
Ajiro Onsen Hiratsuru in Atami: The first shogun, Tokugawa, bathed in the local hot springs here in 1604.
Ajiro Onsen Hiratsuru
After narrowly escaping an assassination attempt in Osaka, Blackthorne is removed to the fishing village of Ajiro (Clavell called it Anjiro), the southernmost part of the modern town of Atami, on the Izu Peninsula, about two hours south of Tokyo by train. Among other lessons in his new home, Blackthorne learns the importance of bathing—the Japanese far outpaced lice-ridden Europeans when it came to personal hygiene.
Though modernized, scenic Atami remains an excellent spot for a soak at Ajiro Onsen Hiratsuru, the local hot springs (onsen) where Tokugawa himself is recorded to have bathed with his sons in 1604. At Ajiro Onsen Hiratsuru, the indoor and open-air baths come with amazing views of Sagami Bay.
Getting There: Travel time from Tokyo Station to Atami Station is about 50 minutes by the Tokaido Shinkansen Kodama train. Travel time from Tokyo Station to Atami Station is about 90 minutes by the JR Odoriko or Super Odoriko limited express trains.
Furuya Ryokan: Atami City, Shizuoka Prefecture
Furuya Ryokan’s traditional tatami guest rooms connects guests with deluxe digs of the past.
Furuya Ryokan
Ajiro Onsen Hiratsuru can be managed as a day trip from Tokyo, but an overnight at a traditional Japanese inn (ryokan) connects you with the kind of lavish lifestyle Blackthorne enjoyed as a prisoner on the Izu Peninsula (minus the gratis consorts). Among many in the area, Furuya Ryokan, established in 1806, gets the nod for its magnificent tatami guest rooms, artistically presented cuisine, on-site onsen baths, and English-friendly staff.
Getting There: From Atami Station (see above), the ryokan is five minutes by taxi and 15 minutes by foot.
Dejima: Nagasaki City
Dejima 2.0: A faithful reconstruction of secluded dwellings in the heart of Nagasaki sheds light on the sequestered lives of ‘Shōgun’-era Europeans.
Discover Nagasaki
Culture clashes that resulted from early Japanese interactions with Europeans during the Age of Discovery provide the emotional fuel in Shōgun. Japan’s first contact with the West came in 1543, when three Portuguese merchants landed in the country’s southern islands. (Shōgun moves this location north to the Izu Peninsula.) The Portuguese brought trade but also Catholicism, which spread so quickly that local leaders adopted a policy of seclusion, in particular confining missionary movements.
In Shōgun, Japanese attitudes toward the Portuguese interlopers are rightly portrayed as a mixture of opportunism and suspicion—particularly toward Father Martin Alvito (Tommy Bastow) and Blackthorne’s frenemy, the sailor Vasco Rodrigues (Nestor Carbonell).
Today, engulfed by the city of Nagasaki in southern Japan, Dejima was a man-made island constructed in 1636 to segregate Portuguese residents from the Japanese population. After the Portuguese were expelled, the Dutch were restricted to Dejima during Japan’s two centuries of isolation as the only Westerners allowed in the country.
Now surrounded by urban modernity, more than 15 of Dejima’s historical structures have been painstakingly reconstructed, including furnished warehouses and residencies such as those where the Portuguese of Shōgun might have concocted their get-rich-save-souls schemes. After a facelift, the area was reopened in 2006 with walking maps and English signage. Allow an hour or two to tour.
Getting There: Dejima is a 20-minute walk from Nagasaki Station. Or you can take streetcar No. 1 and get off at the Dejima stop.
Sendai-ya: Tokyo
Natto, still an acquired taste.
JNTO
Nothing separates cultures like food—and a British sailor washing up in Japan in 1600 would likely have been at least a little freaked out by the local fare. In Shōgun, however, the English pilot Blackthorne performs admirably at the supper table, impressing the natives by displaying openness to exotic grub of which they’re exceedingly proud.
In a key scene, he bravely takes on natto—a sticky concoction made from fermented soybeans that’s notoriously challenging for Western palates—then raises eyebrows by going back for seconds. Blackthorne compares the taste to a particularly rank cheese. In another scene, however, he betrays his barbaric tendencies by forcing a sake-chugging contest on a rival.
While you can get natto (and sake) pretty much anywhere in Japan, the specialists at Tokyo’s Sendai-ya serve several varieties of natto, including, for those channeling Blackthorne courage, natto ice cream. You know you’re in for an experience when the shop’s owners vow, “Our mission is to contribute to Japanese food culture through safe, secure, and delicious natto.” Safe and secure, maybe. As for delicious, this is a great spot to decide if Blackthorne was faking it all along.
Getting There: Sendai-ya is located in suburban Setagaya, a special ward about eight miles southwest of the Tokyo metropolis. Setagaya is accessed from Tokyo by taxi (fastest) or regular rail service on various Tokyo Metro lines.
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Whether navigating waitlists or wading into the murky gray market, buying a great watch can be difficult. That’s why, for the sake of one’s wallet (and sanity), many set their sights on reasonably-priced timepieces from highly-regarded brands like Seiko, Hamilton, and Citizen. Bulova is among the best on this list, and recently, one of its most popular dive watches received a tremendous discount.
Right now, a popular Bulova Marine Star ‘Series B’ quartz watch is on sale for $201—a 43% discount on the normal $350 price. This watch has earned over 350 five-star ratings from stylish shoppers who have called it “intrinsically handsome” and the “perfect size.” The savings are significant, leaving you with enough scratch to pick up a G-Shock or a couple of Timex watches to occasionally switch things up.
Bulova Marine Star ‘Series B’ Watch, $201 (was $350) on Amazon
This watch is a hefty 43mm, but the black face and stainless steel case give it a simple and sleek look that’s perfect for any dressy or casual outfit. It has a three-hand design and a date window and features a rotating bezel that lets you measure elapsed time (and is also fun to fidget with). In keeping with the nautical theme, it’s water-resistant up to 100 meters, which makes it capable of handling a swim. It’s also powered by a quartz movement, making it an accurate and low-maintenance option.
Shoppers were impressed with the looks and quality of the watch. “I’ve worn this watch almost every day for the last year and absolutely love it,” a shopper said. “It looks just as much at home in formal wear at work as it does out on the weekends or working on my car.”
Others were impressed with how the watch compared to more expensive timepieces, with one writing, “Everyone always thinks it is a Rolex until they stare at it long enough.” Another shopper called it a “good travel watch to replace your Rolex Submariner,” adding, “The quality is really good and it really looks like a Sub.”
If you’re looking for an affordable watch from a trusted brand, this Bulova Marine Star is a steal at just $201 and it’s a great watch to wear in any setting. The sale is only live for a limited time, so if this is the right one for your style, pick it up before the clock runs out.
