Unexpected Adventures

Curated events designed to maximize your discovery, connection + fun!

From Scavenger Hunts in Central Park, to Hiking + Meditation, to intimate Sake Tastings, we create rich experiences where you can learn new things + meet new people + have fun!

12/05/2025

Kyo no Ame or Sweets of Kyoto is a 130 year old shop selling traditional Kyoto hard candies. The current owner is the 5th generation.

I’ve been coming here since 2018 and each time I’ve bought the distinctive shiso-flavored candy. I love these!! But, this year they had a historic “old recipe” candy made before sugar was introduced to Japan. Wow—very interesting! I had to buy that!

I hope you can visit!

Unfortunately I don’t have the exact address for this shop. But, it is next door to the Shinshindo bakery and cafe in Teramachi. This is a chain but the address for this particular one is below:

Shinshindo - Teramachi 進々堂寺町店
Japan, 〒604-0993 Kyoto, Nakagyo Ward, Kuenin Maecho, 674

進々堂寺町店
〒604-0993 京都府京都市中京区寺町通竹屋町下る久遠院前町674

Enjoy!

12/04/2025

What a surprise! After biking and then hiking along narrow paths through mountain villages, past persimmon trees and temples to an open forest trail and then up to the top of the mountain—we encountered this amazing artwork by Christian Boltanski, La fôret des murmures.

Hundreds of wind chimes installed in the forest, ringing lightly in the breeze. On strips of transparent material hanging from each bell are names of loved ones written by past visitors

This installation is located on the island of Teshima in the Seto Inland Sea in Japan. Teshima is best known for the Teshima Art Museum designed by architect Ryue Nishizawa. It is one of the Benesse art islands.

After coming back down the mountain on foot we rode our bikes up and down a few more hills to the Museum. The hike was the perfect physical prelude to the calm and quiet needed to truly experience the meditative space inside the Teshima Art Museum.

No talking or photos allowed. Just people, seated on the ground gazing at the sky through the openings in the roof. This otherworldly space has been described as a spaceship or a womb. Regardless of the reference, it cannot really be described. One must experience it.

More on the Teshima Art Museum in the next post.

12/03/2025

The Kite Dance! Edo Kabuki Ren 江戸歌舞伎連in Kōenji 高円寺11/23/25。

#阿波踊り
#江戸歌舞伎連
#高円寺マシタ

12/03/2025

Edo Kabuki Ren 江戸歌舞伎連dancing in Kōenji 高円寺on 11/23/25! So many great moments, it’s hard to pick one!!

#阿波踊り
#江戸歌舞伎連
#高円寺マシタ
#高円寺阿波踊り

Photos from Unexpected Adventures's post

05/04/2025

After weeks of practicing Awa Odori 阿波踊り「男踊り」I was given my own fan!! And was simply thrilled!! Today I was lucky to get a lesson in fan twirling from a visiting member of in Tokushima, where the dance began 400 years ago. This man was an incredible dancer + blew us away with his powerful moves.
I am not sharing the video where he showed me his secret to twirling the fan. It’s his intellectual property I think!! But I am studying and practicing with one week left before the Japan Day Parade next Sat 5/10. I will be dancing Awa Odori down Central Park West. Come say Hi—or join in! With Awa Odori everyone is welcome!