Sapporo Snow Festival 2016
Jan 20, 2016 By Bert Wishart
If you crave the wintery beauty of ice and snow, you might be interested in the Sapporo Snow Festival, where snow is not in short supply, at least partially thanks to organizers having it shipped in by the truckload. What is the Sapporo Snow Festival? One of Japan's most popular...[ Click to read more ]
Toyohashi Demon Festival 2016
By Bert Wishart
There are many elements of Japanese folklore that instantly grab the attention, but at this time of year, thanks to the upcoming Setsubun celebrations it is probably the 'oni' - roughly translated as demon or ogre - that is the greatest focus. At the beginning of Spring you can often find depictions...[ Click to read more ]
The First Month of the Year, Kansai Style!
Dec 24, 2015 By Justin Hanus
With the holidays over and the winter cold setting in, it can be difficult to find reasons to leave your house in the first month of the new year. Fortunately for people living in the Kansai region, there are too many exciting traditional events and festivals in January to risk...[ Click to read more ]
The Entire History of the World Squeezes into Kobe City Museum
Dec 21, 2015 By Justin Hanus
In the interconnected world of the 21st century you never know where a cultural phenomenon will spring from. But one of the most unlikely origin stories belongs to “A History of the World in 100 Objects” which resulted from a collaboration between the 262-year old British Museum and BBC Radio...[ Click to read more ]
Japanese Cooking Classes with Toyota International Association
Nov 23, 2015 By Ray Proper
Did you know that high quality green tea is produced in Toyota City? Learn all about Japanese green tea, from the health benefits to the brewing techniques, from Mr. Yoshitaka Noba, one of the highest ranked tea connoisseurs in Aichi, and the owner of a local tea producer, Koukaen. You...[ Click to read more ]
Nagoya Meshi Expo
Oct 20, 2015 By Bert Wishart
In Japan, the cuisine of a local region is something of which to be particularly - sometimes fiercely - proud, and Nagoya is no exception to this. Nagoya food (Nagoya Meshi) is hugely varied and diverse cuisine, encompassing the traditional 'washoku' as well as the more modern 'yōshoku'. Whether it is...[ Click to read more ]
Watching the Rugby World Cup in Tokyo
Sep 11, 2015 By Bert Wishart
Whether you are a dyed in the wool 'egg chaser', or totally new to the sport, now is the time to get really interested in rugby. With origins going as far back as ancient Greece, it gained popularity and codification in Victorian era Britain, and is enjoyed all over the globe....[ Click to read more ]
BBQ Beer Gardens in Tokyo
Jul 15, 2015 By Bert Wishart
In summer, is there anything better than sipping on an ice cold beer as the city temperature rises? Well yes, actually there is. And that is digging into a freshly grilled piece of meat that perfectly accompanies your frosty glass. There are of course many beer gardens across the city right...[ Click to read more ]
Nagoya’s Beer Gardens
Jun 26, 2015 By Bert Wishart
It could be argued that one of the greatest things on Earth is sitting outside on a warm summer’s day with an ice cold beer. Being from the south west of England I am used to having a pub on every corner, and almost all of them will have a...[ Click to read more ]
Tsushima Tenno Festival – Japan’s Most Spectacular Summer Festival
May 28, 2015 By Bert Wishart
If Kyoto’s Gion festival is the biggest of the summer festivals, the Owari Tsushima Tenno Matsuri in Aichi is perhaps the most spectacular thanks to its beacon of shining lights floating down the Tenno river. What is the Tsushima Tenno Festival? For 500 years people have been braving Aichi’s mid-summer...[ Click to read more ]
