Ume Matsuri – Plum Viewing in Tokyo
Jan 30, 2025 By Michael Stigall
Plum blossoms are severely overlooked. When asked to name the most quintessential example of Japanese flora, most people immediately name the cherry blossom. I frequently argue however that it is perhaps the plum (ume) blossom that should be the more celebrated. Sporting reddish pink or white flowers, they are distinguishable...[ Click to read more ]
Get Your Groove On! A Thrifty Guide to Buying Guitars in Japan
By William Farrow
For those who love to hit, pluck, strike or strum their instrument of choice, moving to Japan can provide a few challenges. Short-term expats looking at only a few years in the country may not want to risk damaging their beloved instrument during the moves in and out of the...[ Click to read more ]
Winter Illuminations in 2024
Nov 29, 2024 By Michael Stigall
Christmas Day in Japan is just another working day for the most part. The most interesting facet of the Christmas and holiday season in Japan is that all traces of it will be gone by morning on December 26th. Without fail, every bell, light, and garlands; every decoration will come...[ Click to read more ]
Tokyo’s Best Flea Markets
By Michael Stigall
With the holidays coming up, you may be thinking of what to get for your special someone. Or if you're heading to your home country, you may be wondering about finding the perfect souvenir. If you’re searching for a truly unique curio or gift for someone here around Tokyo or...[ Click to read more ]
The Tokyo International Film Festival
Oct 31, 2024 By William Farrow
It is no surprise that the country of legendary and lasting film directors like Akira Kurosawa, Ishiro Honda and Yasujiro Oz would have an international film festival. As of 2024, the Tokyo International Film Festival is on its 37th run and will be held from October 28th until November 6th....[ Click to read more ]
Kawagoe Festival 2024
Sep 27, 2024 By Michael Stigall
Taking place annually on the 3rd Saturday and Sunday of October, the Kawagoe Festival is the pride of the City of Kawagoe every year and has over 360 years of traditions behind it. The entire "Little Edo" area of town is blocked off to automobile traffic and the Karazukuri Old...[ Click to read more ]
Learn All About Tokyo’s Most Famous Artist at the Sumida Hokusai Museum
Aug 28, 2024 By Michael Stigall
It sometimes can be a bit surprising to learn that at one point in time the busiest parts of Tokyo weren’t the bustling areas of Shinjuku and Shibuya but were actually located to the East. Indeed, in old Edo (the former name for Tokyo), the Eastern area of the city...[ Click to read more ]
Craft Workshops for an Interactive Experience in Kumamoto
Jun 26, 2024 By Justin Hanus
Seeing crafts in exhibitions gives you a good sense of the culture that created them and an idea of the craftsmanship involved. However, nothing compares to having the experience of making something yourself. Visitors to Kumamoto can participate in interactive experiences at various craft workshops around the prefecture. Kumamoto City...[ Click to read more ]
Akechi Mitsuhide – The Chūbu Traitor Who Shaped Japan
Apr 30, 2024 By Bert Wishart
If you've been watching the epic Disney+ remake of Shōgun (and if you've not, you need to remedy that!) then you most likely have been impressed by the character Lady Mariko. A strong woman in a male-dominated world, she is by far the best (or at least well-rounded) character. Perhaps...[ Click to read more ]
Yoyogi Park – Where The World Comes to Tokyo
By Michael Stigall
Situated south of Shinjuku, north of Shibuya and just west of Harajuku, the expanse of lush greenery, rolling hills and clear ponds known as Yoyogi Park serves as an oasis of refreshing nature in the concrete jungle known as Shibuya Ward. It’s also the home of Meiji Jingu, the shrine...[ Click to read more ]
