Plum Viewing in Tokyo – The Top Umemi Spots in 2024
Jan 29, 2024 By Michael Stigall
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. Sporting reddish pink or white flowers, they are distinguishable from the sakura by their split ended petals and their strong,...[ Click to read more ]
Himakajima – Aichi’s Octopus Island
By Bert Wishart
Have you ever wondered what the planet would look like if it was taken over by octopuses? No? Ah, well that kind of messes up my introduction to this article. But let's imagine you had said yes, because I would now say 'Well, imagine no more, just head over to...[ Click to read more ]
Hatsumode in Tokyo – Making Your First Shrine Visit of 2024
Dec 27, 2023 By Michael Stigall
New Years in Japan is laser-focused on firsts. You have your first sunrise of the year, which is very important, and other firsts like the Shinnenkai parties to bring in the New Year. Easily the most important of these New Year’s rituals is hatsumode. Hatsumode is the first visit of...[ Click to read more ]
Ice Skating Rinks in Kanto
By Michael Stigall
For most of us from colder climates, it is hard to imagine winter without ice skating. Luckily, many in the metropolis share that view, and there is a wide selection of ice rinks to choose from. We’ve looked high and low for the best places to hit the ice this...[ Click to read more ]
Cool Japan – How to Stay Warm in the Japanese Winter
By Bert Wishart
While winters in Japan’s more mountainous and northern regions get pretty chilly, here in Nagoya, temperatures rarely drop below zero. However, for some reason, I constantly feel frozen to my marrow, and I bet I'm not the only one. This is partly because few homes and office buildings are sufficiently...[ Click to read more ]
Hiroshima Cinemas
Nov 30, 2023 By Matt Mangham
We’re fast approaching the peak cinema season as the weather chills, the nights draw in and this year’s big winter blockbusters hit our screens. Japan has a rich culture of film-making and its citizens love going to the movies as much as anyone else. The cinema experience in Japan is...[ Click to read more ]
Odaiba’s Misfit Museum: The Unko Museum
By Michael Stigall
Maybe I've been here too long but sometimes I forget that Japan has a reputation for being, well, a weird place. Occasionally, I come across something that surprises and delights me as much as it reminds me that there is a reason for the weird reputation. This brings us to...[ Click to read more ]
Tokyo’s Christmas Markets 2023
By Michael Stigall
Some years ago, I had the opportunity to visit Europe right before the holiday season was underway. One upside to this trip was experiencing the Christmas Markets that pop up in both major cities and small villages. These markets sell festive food and drink and all sorts of Christmas decorations....[ Click to read more ]
Winter Illuminations in Tokyo 2023
By Michael Stigall
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 ]
Hiroshima Dreamination: One of the Best Winter Events in the City
Oct 27, 2023 By Justin Hanus
For more than two decades, Hiroshima has held Dreamination every winter. Downtown is transformed with around 500 figures and tunnels made from a million and a half LED lights. Dreamination has become one of the winter events the city is most renowned for, attracting thousands of people. After an inauguration,...[ Click to read more ]
