Your Summer Prep Checklist
May 31, 2024 By William Farrow
As the sun begins its daily climb earlier and earlier with each passing day, the familiar signs of summer have begun to show. Experienced Japan residents know what this means - Long, humid days interspersed with intense rainfall depending on how the typhoons play out for the season. Summer can...[ Click to read more ]
Kiyosu Castle, The ‘Other’ Nagoya Castle
By Bert Wishart
For first-time visitors to Nagoya, Nagoya Castle is usually the first port of call. This is kind of understandable, as both its grandness and its location makes it an obvious focal point. That said, having been built after the Warring Period (15th-16th century) had come to a close, it is...[ Click to read more ]
Tokyo Fireworks Festival in 2024
By Michael Stigall
Fireworks and summer festivals are arguably the best part of summertime in Japan, with days spent wearing yukata and jinbei traditional clothing while munching street food and nights spent outside watching literally hours of explosions and enjoying the atmosphere of the festival, and the crowds. Summer festivals are a rare...[ Click to read more ]
Tokyo Oktoberfest 2024
Apr 30, 2024 By Michael Stigall
We've said it before, and we'll say it again: Japan loves beer. So it's no surprise there's an Oktoberfest festival happening somewhere at any point in the year. For Golden Week, Octoberfest is coming nearly half a year early in late April and early May. For those of you who...[ Click to read more ]
Yoyogi Park – Where The World Comes to Tokyo
By Michael Stigall
Situated south of Shinjuku, north of Shibuya and just west of Harajuku, the expanse of lush greenery, rolling hills and clear ponds known as Yoyogi Park serves as an oasis of refreshing nature in the concrete jungle known as Shibuya Ward. It’s also the home of Meiji Jingu, the shrine...[ Click to read more ]
Chubu Walkathon and International Charity Festival 2024
By Admin
The Chubu Walkathon is an exciting event that raises money for charity and offers a great family-friendly day in the park for adults and children alike. The Walkathon is not just a walking course. This fun and memorable family event has excellent food, live music, stage shows, a children’s activity...[ Click to read more ]
Bonus Flower Viewing with the 2024 Sakura Tulip Festa
Mar 26, 2024 By Michael Stigall
So we’ve talked about plum blossom viewing and cherry blossom viewing, but what if I told you there is a third type of flower viewing you could do here in Kanto? Spring doesn’t only bring cherry blossoms, it also brings tulips. These tulips can be found in Sakura City, Chiba...[ Click to read more ]
Easter in Kansai
Mar 25, 2024 By Justin Hanus
Are you an expat from a Christian country living in Japan? If so, you may have noticed a lack of general excitement each year around the Easter period. Although the Japanese have taken Christmas to heart in recent years, they’ve been slower to adopt Easter traditions. That said, you can...[ Click to read more ]
Hanami in Tokyo 2024
Feb 28, 2024 By Michael Stigall
Rejoice for the end of winter is nearly here, and one of the best times to be in Japan is almost upon us. I am speaking, of course, of cherry blossom viewing or hanami. Just picture it! The weather will soon be warmer, the days longer, and it'll be time...[ Click to read more ]
Snow Festivals in 2024
Jan 30, 2024 By Michael Stigall
It been a warm winter so far, but it is finally beginning the drop into the single digits. With that said, the possibility of snow begins to come to mind. You see, because Japan is over 70% mountainous and located in the temperate latitudes of the western Pacific where the...[ Click to read more ]
