Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in Hiroshima
Feb 22, 2016 By Justin Hanus
For many people around the world, the month of March means St. Patrick’s Day and all of the fun celebrations that come along with it. These days, it’s not just Western countries or predominantly Irish populations of people who join in the cultural festivities. Many parts of the East, including...[ Click to read more ]
Mihara Shinmei-ichi Daruma Festival in Hiroshima
Jan 26, 2016 By Justin Hanus
If you’ve spent some time in Japan, you’ve probably come across more than a few of those small, round, brightly colored dolls that sit on shelves and stare at you from one or two white eyes. A bit unsettling at first, these legless, armless, “daruma” dolls are quite charming when...[ Click to read more ]
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 ]
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 ]
Salsa Street and Caribbean eating in Tokyo
Jun 11, 2015 By Bert Wishart
As the weather heats up in the city, what better way is there to celebrate the summer steam than with Salsa Street, the Caribbean and Latin American festival in Yoyogi park on June 20 and 21, 2015. There will be food and drinks – tacos, cerveza, rum – from all...[ 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 ]
Japanese Festival (matsuri) Food Explained
Mar 05, 2015 By Bert Wishart
The arrival of spring means only one thing in Japan: hanami. Hanami is a great time when people get together in parks all over the country to see the beautiful cherry blossoms. They gather with family, friends and coworkers to eat, drink and be merry. As with most Japanese matsuri (festivals),...[ Click to read more ]
Girls Day and Hina Matsuri Events in Nagoya and Aichi
Feb 23, 2015 By Ray Proper
March starts out with a holiday for girls. The aptly named “Girls Day” coincides with the Hina Matsuri (Doll Festival), or Peach Blossom Festival, featuring a very traditional display of dolls. Complete doll sets will contain representations of the Emperor and Empress, three female attendants, five musicians, and assorted nobles...[ Click to read more ]
