Day trips from Nagoya – Tajimi, Gifu
Dec 26, 2018 By Bert Wishart
Just over the border from Aichi into Gifu Prefecture is the town of Tajimi, an area renowned for its ceramic manufacture, great natural beauty and peaceful streets. Being just 40 minutes by train from Nagoya it is an excellent destination for a day trip Tajimi's Famous Ceramics With clay in...[ Click to read more ]
Do You Know Nags? Nagoya’s Hidden Gems – Part 2
Nov 30, 2018 By Bert Wishart
Whether you have been here for a few weeks or know the city like the back of your hand, Nagoya is a city that is full of surprises. New restaurants and bars pop up all the time, and you can be strolling down a familiar street and suddenly notice a...[ Click to read more ]
Onsen In and Around Hiroshima
Nov 27, 2018 By Matt Mangham
Hot springs (or onsen) are a great idea any time of year, but there’s something about being outside and up to your chin in hot water that just really appeals in the depths of winter. Fortunately, you don’t need to book a room at one of the famous Kyushu hot...[ Click to read more ]
Fall Festivals in Tokyo
Oct 30, 2018 By Jason Gatewood
Just because the leaves are golden (or gone), and the temperature has fallen, doesn't mean the festival numbers have gone down along with it. As always, you'll be able to eat tasty yatai street food, purchase cool trinkets, and enjoy being outside in the crowd… Just remember to bring your jacket!...[ Click to read more ]
Hiroshima’s Ebisuko Festival 2018
Oct 29, 2018 By Matt Mangham
Across Japan, Ebisu is one of Shinto’s most popular deities. Deaf and lame, and always laughing (hence the Japanese term ‘ebisugao’ for a smiling face) Ebisu is the god of fishermen and good fortune. The old tenth lunar month was called ‘kannazuki,’ or the month without gods because the entire...[ Click to read more ]
Firewalking at Miyajima 2018
By Matt Mangham
Japan has a slew of fire rituals, the most famous of which being Kyoto’s famous Daimonji Festival. These festivals, leveraging ancient notions of purification and renewal, continue to draw people even in the modern world. In Hiroshima, November offers two chances for visitors to experience ‘Hiwatari,’ or firewalking. The first...[ Click to read more ]
Hiroshima Grand Inoko Festival
By Matt Mangham
Inoko Festivals are a familiar feature of autumn across western Japan. Hiroshima has been running its own Grand Inoko festival since 1990, although there was a 17-year hiatus prior to 2013. This means the 2023 festival marks the 10th anniversary and so should be extra special. What Are Inoko Festivals?...[ Click to read more ]
Christmas Present Ideas From Japan
Oct 22, 2018 By Bert Wishart
Whether you love it or loathe it, Christmas shopping time is pretty much here. Personally, I'm in the latter camp. As the eldest of 13 cousins (and now countless cousins-once-removed) Christmas shopping becomes a Herculean task, as coming up with ideas for presents becomes increasingly difficult. Thankfully, being here in...[ Click to read more ]
Free Places to Visit During the Nagoya Festival
Sep 27, 2018 By Bert Wishart
Nagoya has a long and rich history, and The Nagoya Festival is a great time to celebrate this great city in which we live. Of course, the parade through the town is the festival's greatest spectacle, but you may be surprised to know that there are also plenty of other...[ Click to read more ]
Down With The Kids (TV Shows)
By Bert Wishart
For children making friends can be so much about shared knowledge and experience. This can be difficult when moving to a new country where cultural references are different (and I will never forget the sting of being told, as I sat outside of my new American home after having moved...[ Click to read more ]
