Hi. I’m Homa Pourasgari, the author of The American Outsider. In this blog, you will find some of the scenes that I write about in The American Outsider, as well as places that are not included in the book. I will continue adding various posts about Japan and the U.S.
Matsuo Bashō, the haiku poet and literary wanderer, and Nihonbashi, an old neighborhood in Tokyo. Read More...
This blog is about Uji, known for the world's first Novelist named Murasaki Shikibu, The tale of Genji museum, great teas, scenic paths, and the Byodo-in Temple. Read more...
Osaka is the city where everything goes wrong for Tessa and she never gets a chance to visit all the sites. Read More...
Kyoto—time travel to the past (for old souls). Part II Read More...
Kyoto—time travel to the past (for old souls). This is where Tessa and Toshiro spend a lot of time together as Tessa learns more about the Japanese culture and has a run in with the authorities. Read More...
Dolphins, whales and other animals alike suffer immensely in captivity. The zoos or aquariums may seem like a place where kids can learn about other creatures. The problem is that people are not aware of the animals’ sufferings. I was guilty of that as well when I took my nieces to see shows. Nowadays, I explain to them why they should not attend ticketed venues. Read More…
Takashita dori, a famous street in Harajuku, and Purikura, a photo sticker booth where Toshiro and Tessa hang out. Read more...
This blog is a special addition. There are lots of photos and footage of all the interesting things you can do at a large temple such as Sensoji. Also, this is where Tessa and Toshiro get closer and Toshiro finds out how important dolphins are in Tessa’s life. Read more…
Happy Holidays from Los Angeles to Japan. Christmas comes as early as November in Japan. Read more...
This is the entrance to Meiji Shrine in Tokyo. I was here with my tour guide, Mari. There was an adjacent park where I saw a traditional Japanese wedding. And from there we headed to Shinjuku Gyoen where Tessa runs into Toshiro for the second time. Read more...
On her second day in Tokyo, Tessa is writing to Bruna about how much she loves vegetarian Okonomiyaki—a savory Japanese pancake. Here is a local restaurant in Asakusa where patrons sit on the floor and make Okonomiyaki. Read more...