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 ]
‘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 ]
‘Spirited Away,’ to a Day Trip from Hiroshima
Dec 26, 2019 By Jade Brischke
The cold weather at this time of year is the perfect opportunity to embrace the Japanese spirit and head to an onsen or hot spring. Although there are options within the surrounding area, and of course, to the north, people who dislike the cold may look for an alternative. That...[ Click to read more ]
Sake Bank Hiroshima: Japanese Sake Tasting
By Hugh Cann
In my work in tourism, I’ve often had the pleasure of taking guests to breweries or to bars in other cities where we sample the delights of high-quality "nihon shu," or sake, which is what prompted my article about Japanese sake a month or so back. I know you’re probably...[ Click to read more ]
Color Bathing at Sandan-kyo in Hiroshima
Oct 31, 2019 By Hugh Cann
photo by Netanya Fink Come Autumn (or Fall, if you’re from the USA or in the unlikely event that you’re from pre-industrial revolution England), the colours of the leaves change into vibrant shades of orange, red, yellow, and brown. It’s a magnificent sight that has inspired artists and poets for...[ Click to read more ]
Miyajima: The Shrine Island of Hiroshima
By Hugh Cann
The tradition of Miyajima centers on the belief it is the place where the Gods dwell and by virtue is a sanctified place. The Great Torii gate, which according to the Shinto faith is a boundary between the spirit and human worlds, boldly marks the landing entrance to the island....[ Click to read more ]
Hiroshima`s Autumn Leaves
Oct 28, 2019 By Jade Brischke
Starting in mid September the "koyo front" slowly moves its bands of color south from Hokkaido to central and southern Japan and the end of November where it turns to winter, and many families will head to local parks, or to the mountains and countryside to enjoy the cooling temperatures...[ Click to read more ]
Sushi: a Short History and Where to Get It in Hiroshima
Sep 27, 2019 By Hugh Cann
The earliest form of sushi, known today as narezushi, most likely originates in the paddy fields along the Mekong River in Southeast Asia. The prototype narezushi is made by lacto-fermenting fish with salt and rice to control putrefaction. It then spread southward. In Japan, the dish's introduction overlaps with the...[ Click to read more ]
The Red Capped Statues – The Patron Saint of Children.
By Hugh Cann
If you’ve visited Mitaki Temple on the city outskirts or perhaps Daishoin Temple on Miyajima (or many other places throughout Japan) you will surely have come across small stone statues of monks wearing red knitted caps and bibs across the chest. These are statues honoring the Jizo Bosatsu. Jizo is...[ Click to read more ]
Japanese Sake: Sake Festival in Hiroshima
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 ]
