New Year’s Celebrations in Osaka: Ring in the Good Luck 2017
Dec 21, 2016 By Justin Hanus
Winter fun seeking in Osaka is an invigorating blend of the traditional and the modern. Consider the age-old practice of pounding rice to usher in the Japanese New Year. Foods made from mochi, the sticky paste that is molded into rice cakes, are considered a "Food for the Gods" and...[ Click to read more ]
Aichi Nagoya Yuki Festival
Dec 20, 2016 By
The Aichi Nagoya Snow Festival is 2000 tons of snow imported from Nagano and Gifu on an annual basis for our enjoyment! This family friendly festival offers an equivalent tonnage of fun things to do besides the 2000 tones of snow used to create a 50 meter snow slide which...[ Click to read more ]
Japan’s Winter Food
Dec 14, 2016 By Bert Wishart
[caption id="attachment_31602" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Oden, a Japanese winter favorite[/caption] As a Brit, I am used to winters being cold, wet and miserable, with skies as grey as the faces shielded from the perpetual sleet and drizzle. As such, it always baffled me when Japanese friends would claim, without a second's...[ Click to read more ]
Kyoto Hanatouro Illumination Festivals
Nov 14, 2016 By Ray Proper
Hanatouro is an "illumination festival" that happens in Kyoto twice a year at two separate locations. Actually there are two separate festivals that take place, the Kyoto Arashiyama Hanatouro and the Kyoto Higashiyama Hanatouro that feature different parts of the city. They are similar, but each offers a slightly different experience. Kyoto Arashiyama Hanatouro...[ Click to read more ]
Shorter Days + Cooler Weather = Momijigari
Oct 25, 2016 By Justin Hanus
There is only a relatively small band of latitudes across planet earth where the chlorophyll in the leaves of deciduous trees breaks down when the daylight shortens in the fall and the natural colors of red and orange and yellow remain. Japan is one of the fortunate places in that...[ Click to read more ]
It’s Fall in Japan; Time to get Nutty about Chestnuts
Oct 24, 2016 By Justin Hanus
For many folks autumn in Japan means chestnuts. Asia is known as both the largest producer and the largest consumer of chestnuts in the world. Scientists studying the remains of ancient hillside villages in Japan have documented the use of nuts as food sources as far back as 9,000 years....[ Click to read more ]
Hungry in Hiroshima?
Oct 21, 2016 By Jade Brischke
Feeling hungry? Well look no further than the annual Hiroshima Food Festival. It’s held every year in October and with hundreds of yatai, or stalls, there’s sure to be something for everyone. Located in both Chuo-koen (Central Park) and the Hiroshima Castle grounds in downtown Hiroshima it’s the perfect opportunity to...[ Click to read more ]
An Evening of Open Air Noh Performances in Komaki
Sep 28, 2016 By Ray Proper
The origins of Takiginoh, or noh plays held in the open air illuminated by firelight, can be found in rites from Shinto or Buddhist memorial services and is said specifically to have begun with a mysterious prayer practiced by a shaman at the Syunie of Kofukuji Temple in Nara in 869. In the modern...[ Click to read more ]
Kyoto’s October Festivals
Sep 27, 2016 By Justin Hanus
October’s cool temperatures and changing fall landscape makes it the perfect month to enjoy the rich history and beautiful natural scenery of Japan. Luckily, if you’re around the Old Capitol at all in October, you’ll be overwhelmed with options for getting outside and experiencing the culture and beautiful traditions preserved...[ Click to read more ]
Japan-Indonesia Friends Festival and Indonesian Restaurants in Tokyo
By Bert Wishart
As summer marches into autumn, the only thing that cant's be stopped other than the rolling of time is the parade of international festivals held in Yoyogi Park. The next one coming up is the Japan Indonesia Friends Festival. Japan-Indonesia Friends Festival Officially named the “Japan Indonesia Citizens Friendship Festival",...[ Click to read more ]
