The Amazing and Baffling World of Nagoya’s Manga Cafes
May 30, 2023 By Bert Wishart
Comic books are popular worldwide, but in Japan, reading manga is, for many, something akin to an obsession. Everyone reads manga, from little kids to fully grown adults, but it wasn't always this way. "Manga" literally translates to "whimsical pictures." The term was first used in 1798 in a book...[ Click to read more ]
Arimatsu Shibori Festival
May 07, 2023 By Ray Proper
Shibori is a style of dyeing cloth in patterns by binding, stitching, folding, twisting, compressing, or capping the fabric before the application of dye, you can think of shibori as a kind of Japanese tie-dye, but it is a vastly more significant and more beautiful form of art than that...[ Click to read more ]
The Hunt is Afoot! Clam Hunting with the Kids in Mikawa Bay near Nagoya
Apr 28, 2023 By Bert Wishart
Clam hunting is a fun and educational activity that kids and adults alike can enjoy, especially in the beautiful Mikawa Bay area. Located in southern Aichi, Mikawa Bay has a rich and diverse marine life ecosystem, including a wide variety of clams popular for 'hunting.' This family-friendly activity is a...[ Click to read more ]
Kites and Nights at the Hamamatsu Festival
Apr 27, 2023 By Bert Wishart
As fun as most Japanese festivals can be, do you ever get the impression that they start winding down just as things get interesting? For the most part, as soon as the sun sets and the canned beers kick in, festival stalls close their shutters, the last fireworks fade, and...[ Click to read more ]
Top Five Parks Near Nagoya
Apr 17, 2023 By Ray Proper
A list of the top 100 Japanese city parks was compiled by the Japan Green Parks Institute in 1989, and on that list, you can find five parks in Aichi Prefecture, all within a reasonable distance from Nagoya City itself. If you are looking for a great day trip for...[ Click to read more ]
English language bookshops in Nagoya
Mar 28, 2023 By Bert Wishart
With the advent of e-readers and smartphones, getting your hands on English language literature in Japan isn't the challenge it once was. However, whether the book you are looking for isn't available online, or you just like the feel and smell of turning pages, sometimes you must hold the book...[ Click to read more ]
Inuyama City: Historical Castle Town and Much More…
Mar 23, 2023 By Bert Wishart
Just half an hour from Nagoya is Inuyama, an ancient town once one of the most important domains of the ruling Oda clan. It is especially renowned for its stunning castle that overlooks the Kiso River, a popular spot for viewing cherry blossoms in spring and the turning of the...[ Click to read more ]
Inuyama Festival Near Nagoya
Mar 21, 2023 By Bert Wishart
Not content with being the site of Japan's oldest (arguably most elegant) castle or being a staggeringly beautiful city, Inuyama hosts a particularly spellbinding festival every spring. The Inuyama festival is held annually on the first weekend of April and was begun under the orders of Owari clan retainer Hayatonosho...[ Click to read more ]
Seeking Nagoya’s Sushi
Mar 15, 2023 By Bert Wishart
Think 'Japanese food,' and your mind automatically goes to sushi, right? It is the food that typifies the nation and is the first thing most people want to eat when they come to Japan. Nagoya isn't known for sushi, but having the second-largest fish market in Japan, it should come...[ Click to read more ]
Paintballing at Kakamigahara
Feb 28, 2023 By Bert Wishart
If you're looking for an adrenaline-fueled activity to get the blood pumping, you might find that paintballing is the sport for you. From amateur enthusiasts to professional players, paintballing provides an exciting opportunity to experience a simulated combat scenario while promoting teamwork, strategic thinking, and physical fitness. It has become...[ Click to read more ]
