Going Potty over the Setomono Matsuri
Aug 20, 2019 By Bert Wishart
Although Japan has one of the oldest ceramic traditions in the world, with earthenwares being created as early as the Jōmon period (10,000–300 BCE), as a heavily wooded country most domestic utensils in Japan were usually made of either natural or lacquered wood. This all changed when Katō Shirōzaemon, the...[ Click to read more ]
Morioka Marathon: Here for the Long Run
By Jade Brischke
Summer in Morioka is officially over which means the weather is starting to cool down and runners everywhere are taking advantage of it. Long winters can make running difficult, not to mention, dangerous, here and late spring and autumn are the perfect time to get outside and explore the city....[ Click to read more ]
Tokyo Tower is ‘Lit’ all Summer Long!
Jul 26, 2019 By Jason Gatewood
Tokyo Tower may have become Tokyo’s second tallest tower thanks to the new SkyTree in Sumida Ward stealing the title in 2010, but the Eiffel Tower lookalike is not to be outdone anytime soon thanks to it’s more central location and a constant stream of events like these. Milky Way...[ Click to read more ]
Light up the Beach at the Enoshima Toro Lantern Festival
By Jason Gatewood
The area to the southwest of Tokyo proper located in Kanagawa Prefecture called Shonan, is known for being a longtime beach playground for anyone into the summer beach scene in Japan, and a local getaway spot for those of us living in Greater Tokyo whenever the stifling heat of summer...[ Click to read more ]
Asakusa Samba Carnival in Tokyo
By Ray Proper
If you are looking for a lively and colorful way to draw your summer to a close there is no better option than the annual Asakusa Samba Carnival. This carnival is the largest Samba dance-related event in Japan, and it draws crowds of over 500,000 to view the spectacle of...[ Click to read more ]
Sansa Odori : THE Summer Festival of Morioka
Jul 16, 2019 By Jade Brischke
Mention the name, ‘Sansa,’ and many people will inevitably think of the character Sansa Stark from, ‘Game of Thrones.’ The word, ‘Sansa,’ in Morioka, however, is all about dancing and the annual festival. The Morioka Sansa Odori Festival is held every summer in August from 1-4 and is one of the...[ Click to read more ]
Gero’s Ryujin Fire Festival in Gifu
Jul 15, 2019 By Bert Wishart
While sitting in your air-conditioned room, sheltering from the humidity outside, perhaps the last thing that you would be thinking of doing is sinking into a nice hot bath. It seems somewhat counterproductive, doesn't it? However, here in Japan, there is a train of thought that says that it the...[ Click to read more ]
Climbing Mount Fuji
Jul 14, 2019 By Ray Proper
Fuji season is upon us again! The official climbing season for Fujisan, as it is known locally, is in July and August. While it is possible to climb during other months, it is a much riskier proposition that should be attempted only by experienced, physically fit, and well prepared climbers. ...[ Click to read more ]
Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Garden’s annual Night Zoo & Garden
Jul 10, 2019 By Ray Proper
Ever wonder what a polar bear does at night? Want to find out? This weekend is your last chance to take in the Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Garden’s annual Night Zoo & Garden event for 2010. For this annual event, the zoo extends its hours to 8:30 p.m. and the...[ Click to read more ]
Understanding Japan: The Tanabata “Star Festival”
Jul 08, 2019 By Bert Wishart
Tanabata, also known as the 'Star Festival', is a popular summer event celebrated all over Japan. As the festival's name suggests (literally 'Evening of the Seventh'), it is held on the seventh day of the seventh month, and depending on where in the country you are, this can follow either...[ Click to read more ]
