Spring Love Harukaze Music Festival in Tokyo 2020
Feb 26, 2020 By Jason Gatewood
We got you covered when it comes to checking out all the pink-tree goodness when it comes to cherry blossom viewing parties in Tokyo. But if you want to level-up your hanami experience this year, you can’t go wrong with the free Spring Love Harukaze concert on the weekend of...[ Click to read more ]
Where to Enjoy Jazz in Kobe
By Justin Hanus
If you’re a jazz fan, Kobe is a place you must visit during your time in Japan. The city is arguably the origin of jazz in Japan as it was here in April 1923 that the first professional jazz band was formed. Plus, Louis Armstrong and his orchestra famously visited...[ Click to read more ]
Setsubun Festivals in Hiroshima – Out With the Bad, in With the Good!
Jan 31, 2020 By Hugh Cann
Each year, on the third of February, harried fathers across Japan put on paper demon masks and are pelted with roasted soybeans by their children, who cry “Oni wa soto, Fuku wa uchi!” (Demon out, Fortune in!) until dad flees out the front door into the night air. Or turns...[ Click to read more ]
Chocs Away! Where to Buy Valentine’s Chocolate in Nagoya
Jan 30, 2020 By Bert Wishart
Valentine's Day is nearly upon us, and in Japan, that means just one thing: chocolate. Now, everyone knows that here in Japan, we do things a little differently, namely that on February 14, women are the chocolate givers, whether it be a heartfelt indication of love for their chosen partner,...[ Click to read more ]
Setsubun Festivals in Tokyo 2020
Jan 25, 2020 By Jason Gatewood
So you survived oshogatsu (Japanese New Year's) and are looking forward to the end of March and the blooming of the cherry trees, but the reality is there are at least 60 more days to go before a single pink blossom appears. While it will not bring the blossoms any...[ Click to read more ]
‘Jewels of the Sea’ Miyajima Oyster Festival near Hiroshima
Jan 23, 2020 By Jade Brischke
Although Hiroshima is famous for its oysters throughout the year, it is during winter, in the coldest month of February that they're at their best. Sure you can go to a famous restaurant or oyster bar in Hiroshima to enjoy them, but for something more fun (and certainly cheaper!), why...[ Click to read more ]
Chichibu Night Festival Near Tokyo
Nov 26, 2019 By Jason Gatewood
Located about 2 hours northwest of Central Tokyo, Chichibu is a small mountain community that is popular for weekend getaways thanks to it being the home of Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park and a very picturesque and historic area. Celebrating some of that history is the Chichibu Yomatsuri night festival. This is...[ Click to read more ]
Christmas in Japan
Nov 10, 2019 By Ray Proper
While less than 1% of Japan's population identifies themselves as Christian, Japanese families still look forward to and enjoy Christmas festivities in their own distinctly Japanese way. Encouraged by businesses and the global entertainment industry's power, people in Japan largely celebrate a non-secular version of Christmas, complete with lights and...[ Click to read more ]
The Nipponbashi Street Festa in Osaka
Oct 18, 2019 By Justin Hanus
Back in 2005, Osaka was not nearly as popular a tourist destination as it is today. The city decided to host a cosplay and otaku festival called Nipponbashi Street Festa to improve things, and it was a huge success. In the first year, 130,00 tourists came to see the festival,...[ Click to read more ]
Japanese Sake: Sake Festival in Hiroshima
Sep 27, 2019 By Hugh Cann
To begin with, we all know the word sake (pronounced sa-keh not sa-ki). But in fact, that is the generic term in Japanese for alcohol. If you want to order it and not sound like a complete “blow-in” you would be better ordering it as Nihon-shu. Most Nihon-shu (from my...[ Click to read more ]
