Hanami in Tokyo 2024

Feb 28, 2024 By Michael Stigall

Rejoice for the end of winter is nearly here, and one of the best times to be in Japan is almost upon us. I am speaking, of course, of cherry blossom viewing or hanami. Just picture it! The weather will soon be warmer, the days longer, and it'll be time...[ Click to read more ]

Top Musical Artists from Kobe

Jan 29, 2024 By Justin Hanus

Although it’s only a small city, Kobe is the birthplace of numerous musical artists of a range of genres. Checking out their music is a great way to gain a feel for what Kobe is about. Masaaki Suzuki In addition to being a musician, Masaaki Suzuki is a conductor and...[ Click to read more ]

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Ice Skating Rinks in Kanto

Dec 27, 2023 By Michael Stigall

For most of us from colder climates, it is hard to imagine winter without ice skating. Luckily, many in the metropolis share that view, and there is a wide selection of ice rinks to choose from. We’ve looked high and low for the best places to hit the ice this...[ Click to read more ]

Hatsumode in Nagoya – Shrines to Visit for New Years

By First Admin

Oshogatsu, or New Year, is the most important holiday in Japan. Businesses shut down from January 1 to January 3, and families gather to spend time together. During the New Year, most places around Japan look like ghost towns, as children fly kites, play card games or count their otoshidama...[ Click to read more ]

Winter Illuminations in Tokyo 2023

Nov 30, 2023 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 ]

Hiroshima Dreamination: One of the Best Winter Events in the City

Oct 27, 2023 By Justin Hanus

For more than two decades, Hiroshima has held Dreamination every winter. Downtown is transformed with around 500 figures and tunnels made from a million and a half LED lights. Dreamination has become one of the winter events the city is most renowned for, attracting thousands of people. After an inauguration,...[ Click to read more ]

The Nagoya Champagne Ball & Awards Evening

Oct 05, 2023 By Admin

Wild West Extravaganza at the 16th Champagne Ball & Awards Evening! Gather 'round, partners! 🤠 This November, we're transporting you straight to the Wild West for a night that promises to be as thrilling as a cowboy duel at high noon. Whether you're in the mood for high-energy networking, exciting...[ Click to read more ]

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Halloween in Kumamoto

Sep 28, 2023 By Justin Hanus

Halloween isn't as big a deal in Japan as it is in the US, so you won't see places filled with jack-o-lanterns, witches' broomsticks, or cobweb decorations. However, it has become a thing over the past couple of decades. Tokyo Disneyland and Universal Studios Osaka usually hold fright-fest events. Elsewhere,...[ Click to read more ]

Under the Bridge; Enjoy Nagoya’s Nayabashi Night Market

Sep 27, 2023 By Bert Wishart

While I absolutely love living in Nagoya, one thing frustrates me about this fair city. No, it's not that it has a reputation for being boring, and it's not that the subway stops at about midnight (this isn't Antarctica, you know!) My Nagoya bugbear is the Nayabashi area. Here, a...[ Click to read more ]

Nippon Domannaka Matsuri in Nagoya

Jul 31, 2023 By Ray Proper

The Nippon Domannaka Matsuri, commonly called Domatsuri, is the largest dance festival in the Nagoya/Chubu region and involves dancers from all over Japan and abroad. This festival is one of the highlights of the Nagoya summer. Every year over 200 yosakoi dance teams and 23,000 performers participate by sharing original music, costumes,...[ Click to read more ]