Summer Events in Kobe 2021
May 26, 2021 By Justin Hanus
Kobe has a vibrant summer culture with many family-friendly activities and a few annual events and festivals that draw the crowds in. As with most other cities across the globe, things are slightly scaled back this year due to the impact of Covid-19. However, you can still find great events...[ Click to read more ]
Where to See Fireflies in Kansai
By Justin Hanus
Whereas many years ago, fireflies were everywhere in Kansai throughout the summer months, you now need to head to specific places to see them. Luckily, you do have a range of options, including festivals in urban areas like the gardens of hotels, restaurants, and shrines. However, these events tend to...[ Click to read more ]
Nagoya’s Magical Summer Fireflies
May 17, 2021 By Bert Wishart
With the rainy season and the humidity ramping up like an overly-confident Evil Knievel, June is perhaps one of the least favored months in Japan. However, with that said, this combination of conditions is precisely what is required for one of the more beautiful, natural sights: the glow of the...[ Click to read more ]
Flower Power! Getting Outdoors And Staying Safe
Apr 30, 2021 By Bert Wishart
It's frustrating. Every time it feels like Aichi has turned a corona corner, there's another spike, followed by tighter restrictions, and yet more events fall by the wayside. Of course, we want to be responsible and halt the spread, but there is a mental strain that results from spending so...[ Click to read more ]
Pretty in Pink – Finding Hiroshima’s Beautiful Plum Blossoms
Feb 26, 2021 By Bert Wishart
While the cherry blossom is the flower that tends to dominate the imagination of Japanese botanic appreciation, it is perhaps the plum (ume) blossom that should be the more celebrated. Reddish pink or white flowers distinguishable from the sakura by their split-ended petals and their strong sweet smell, before the...[ Click to read more ]
Plum Blossom Viewing in Tokyo – The Top Umemi Spots!
Jan 29, 2021 By Bert Wishart
While the cherry blossom is the flower that tends to dominate the imagination of Japanese botanic appreciation, it is perhaps the plum (ume) blossom that should be the more celebrated. Reddish pink or white flowers, they are distinguishable from the sakura by their split ended petals and their strong sweet...[ Click to read more ]
Winter Attractions in Tokyo
Jan 26, 2021 By Jason Gatewood
Wintertime around these parts usually means either taking in some winter sports like skiing and snowboarding or soaking in one of the numerous hot spring onsens around the countryside surrounding the metropolis. But there are a few other things you can check out around Greater Tokyo in the cold part of...[ Click to read more ]
Viewing the Magical Diamond Fuji from Tokyo
Dec 15, 2020 By Bert Wishart
Diamond Fuji is a twice annually phenomenon when 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 in Tokyo and the...[ Click to read more ]
Winter Illumination in Tokyo 2020
Nov 26, 2020 By Jason Gatewood
Christmas Day in Japan is just another working day for the most part. The most interesting facet of the Christmas and holiday season in Japan is that all traces of it will be gone by morning on December 26th. Without fail, every bell, light, and garlands; every decoration will come...[ Click to read more ]
Winter Illumination in Kansai 2020
Nov 19, 2020 By Justin Hanus
Don’t let the cold stop you from heading outside as there are beautiful displays of holiday lights throughout the Kansai region. Get out of the house and away from your kerosene heater to see as many of the winter illuminations as possible this December. They’ll leave you feeling full of...[ Click to read more ]
