Oeshiki Festival of Light at Ikegami Honmonji Temple in Tokyo
Sep 21, 2016 By Bert Wishart
In the autumn of 1282 Nichiren, the founder of the branch of Buddhism that now bears his name, plagued by ill health, was persuaded to leave his home of Minobu and seek out hot springs for their perceived medicinal benefits. In the company of a handful of his most trusted...[ Click to read more ]
The Appetite of Autumn: Japanese Fall Foods
Sep 09, 2016 By Bert Wishart
The return of oden to convenience stores in around mid-August Japan is a signal that fall is coming, and for many this means relief from the oppressive heat and humidity that kills the appetite. In fact its rather good timing, as autumn foods are especially delicious; they even have an old adage...[ Click to read more ]
It’s All Happening at the Tennoji Zoo – At Night
Aug 20, 2016 By Justin Hanus
We have all gone to a zoo on a summer day and seen the animals snoozing or lying around doing nothing - just what you would expect animals to be doing on a sweltering hot day. As you shuffled past the enclosures disappointed did it ever occur to you that...[ Click to read more ]
Tokyo Jazz Festival 2016
Jul 25, 2016 By Bert Wishart
It may surprise you to know that the Tokyo Jazz scene is one of the biggest (if not brightest) in the world. In fact, with so many cafes, bars and clubs across the capital, only the New York City scene is comparable for sheer quantity. If you feel that hunting out...[ Click to read more ]
TeamLab Event in Hiroshima for the Young and the Young at Heart
By Jade Brischke
Summer vacation can be a difficult time for parents, especially when their children utter that dreaded phrase, “I’m bored!” Never fear! This summer there is plenty to do in Hiroshima and the interactive exhibition by the creative people at teamLab will no doubt keep both children and adults alike entertained...[ Click to read more ]
Toyohashi Gion Festival
Jul 14, 2016 By Ray Proper
If you are looking to get a festival in, it is on and popping in Toyohashi City on July 16th! The Toyohashi Gion Matsuri features hand held fireworks on Friday, and aerial fireworks on Saturday. On Sunday is the Mikoshi parade. Saturday is probably the best day to go, and in my experience fireworks...[ Click to read more ]
Tanabata Star Festivals Around Nagoya
Jun 22, 2016 By Ray Proper
The Tanabata Festival is celebrated annually on either July 7 or August 7, depending on where you are in Japan. The festival celebrates the legend of two lovers, represented by the Altair (Cowherd Star) and Vega (Weaver Star), tragically separated by the Milky Way and allowed to meet only once a year....[ Click to read more ]
The Kyoto Gion Festival – Biggest Festival in Japan
Jun 08, 2016 By Bert Wishart
Summertime in Japan is all about festivals, or matsuri, and one of the most popular summer festivals is Kyoto’s Gion festival, known in Japanese as Gion Matsuri. In fact, running through the entirety of the month of July, it is not only one of Japan’s best known festivals, it is also perhaps the...[ Click to read more ]
The Great Japan Beer Festival Tokyo – Beer Fest 2017
May 11, 2016 By Bert Wishart
When I first arrived in Japan, I was somewhat disappointed by my perception of limited decent beer selections. It seemed that no matter where I went I could find nothing more on draft than the near identical brews of the ‘big 3’: Sapporo, Kirin and Asahi. While these can be refreshing and...[ Click to read more ]
Vietnam Festival and Vietnamese Restaurants in Tokyo
May 10, 2016 By Bert Wishart
Some years ago, as those with youth and a seeming abundance of time on their hands tend to do, I went backpacking around South East Asia. Whilst there I fell deeply in love with Vietnam. Its scenery was staggering, its people were on the whole cheerful, and the food... My...[ Click to read more ]
