Diamond Magic – Witness The Diamond Fuji Phenomenon
Dec 26, 2019 By Bert Wishart
Diamond Fuji is a twice annually occurring phenomenon during which the sunrise and sunset align perfectly with Mount Fuji’s summit, looking for all the world like a bright shining jewel placed atop the nation’s crown. There are many great places from which you can witness this startling sunset just a...[ Click to read more ]
Snow Festivals in Japan
By Jason Gatewood
Because Japan is over 70% mountainous and located in the temperate latitudes of the western Pacific where the moist ocean air continually does battle with dry, cold Siberian and Mongolian air coming in from China, the Japan Alps enjoys a healthy dusting of snow every winter. No part of Japan...[ Click to read more ]
Cultural Kawabun – Exploring Japanese Culture at Nagoya’s Oldest Restaurant
By Bert Wishart
Japan has a rich and long artistic heritage, something that many people travel from all over the globe to see. For the most part, they go to Kyoto and Tokyo to see the best-known events, but did you know that here in Nagoya, you can get up close and personal...[ Click to read more ]
Chichibu Night Festival Near Tokyo
Nov 26, 2019 By Jason Gatewood
Located about 2 hours northwest of Central Tokyo, Chichibu is a small mountain community that is popular for weekend getaways thanks to it being the home of Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park and a very picturesque and historic area. Celebrating some of that history is the Chichibu Yomatsuri night festival. This is...[ Click to read more ]
Christmas in Japan
Nov 10, 2019 By Ray Proper
While less than 1% of Japan's population identifies themselves as Christian, Japanese families still look forward to and enjoy Christmas festivities in their own distinctly Japanese way. Encouraged by businesses and the global entertainment industry's power, people in Japan largely celebrate a non-secular version of Christmas, complete with lights and...[ Click to read more ]
Get a Sugar Rush at the Aichi Sweets Marathon
Oct 29, 2019 By Bert Wishart
Are you too keen on candy to run a marathon? Do you need sugary enticement to get you to that finishing line? Then the Aichi Sweets Marathon in Moricoro Park is right up your, um, running track. While gobbling down sweets mid-run may seem like a major contradiction, the Sweets Marathon...[ Click to read more ]
English Stand-up Comedy Around Tokyo
By Jason Gatewood
Turn on the TV at any given moment during “Golden Hour” (what we Yanks call Primetime) and you’ll no doubt see comedy duos interspersed in the endless waves of food tasting, international shenanigans, and celebrity anecdotes that seem to permeate the average Japanese media diet. Those comedy teams, called manzai,...[ Click to read more ]
Tokyo Motor Show 2019
Sep 27, 2019 By Jason Gatewood
Japan's motorcar industry is one of, if not the most important exporter and revenue generator in the economy here. Brands like Toyota, Honda, Nissan, and Mitsubishi are known all over the world for their quality and innovation. Not to mention more than a few people swear by these brands. So...[ Click to read more ]
Nagano Ebisuko Fireworks Festival, Where It’s All Going off This Autumn
By Bert Wishart
For most of Japan, the coming of autumn marks an end to the almost nightly banging, crashing and gunpowder-scented air of the fireworks festivals. Yes, there may be a few straggling events at the beginning of September, but that is pretty much it. But then, in late November, when the air...[ Click to read more ]
Festival Tokyo – Theatre, Dance, Music, Visual art, and Film
By Jason Gatewood
One of the benefits of living in the world’s largest urban area is the simple fact that there’s always something going on in town for you, no matter what you’re into. Take the arts for example. There have been no less than 3 performing arts fairs around the Metropolis just...[ Click to read more ]
