Making Mochi – Fun for Kids and Big Kids Alike

Dec 23, 2022 By Bert Wishart

When I first heard about mochi, my heart went out to Japan's children. You see, where I'm from, sweets really are just that: sweet. And so, when I was told that one of the most popular forms of confectionaries in Japan was a cake made from rice and typically stuffed...[ Click to read more ]

New Year Countdown Parties Near Nagoya 2022

Dec 13, 2022 By Bert Wishart

New Year is an important time in Japan, but things are celebrated differently here than back home. You are undoubtedly already clued up on Japan's New Year traditions, its New Year's foods, and the shrines to visit for Hatsumoude in Nagoya. But did you know that there are also New...[ Click to read more ]

Holiday Dining Options in Nagoya 2022

Nov 21, 2022 By Ray Proper

Nagoya has excellent local cuisine, and numerous wonderful options are available at any time of year. However, during the holidays, you may need some hints on where to get your fill of holiday tastes and treats. However, there is no cause for alarm, as we have you covered with a...[ Click to read more ]

Get Bowled Over by Nagoya’s Donburi

Oct 31, 2022 By Bert Wishart

Simplicity in itself, the donburi is the go-to dish for those who want a combination of filling food and flexibility. Though donburi literally means bowl, it generally refers to a bowl of rice with a single topping, often consisting of fish, meat, vegetables, or other ingredients simmered together. That is...[ Click to read more ]

The History of Japan’s Majestic Fall Colors

Oct 25, 2022 By Bert Wishart

Japan's most popular season for tourists is undoubtedly spring. When the cherry blossoms bloom, people from inside Japan and worldwide gather in popular, beautiful spots to bask in the traditional scenes of pinks, reds, and whites that form many of our preconceptions of Japan's natural state. However, what is less...[ Click to read more ]

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Getting Away in Japan: Nara

Oct 24, 2022 By Bert Wishart

A trip to the capital doesn't have to mean Tokyo's bright lights and bustle. Nara, in south-central Japan, was established as the nation's first permanent capital in 710 CE and, as such, remains an area of great historical interest. But Nara is not just a spot for history buffs as,...[ Click to read more ]

Yoro No Taki – Yoro Falls in Gifu

By Ray Proper

Yoro no Taki (Yoro Falls) is a great spot to get outside near Nagoya. Any time of the year is fine, but visiting the area in spring and fall is highly recommended, as both the spring blossoms and fall colors do an excellent job decorating the mountains surrounding the waterfall....[ Click to read more ]

Thanksgiving in Nagoya

Oct 13, 2022 By Bert Wishart

With Thanksgiving being a North American holiday, we aren't really within our rights to expect Nagoya to celebrate the fourth Thursday of November the same way it would in the US. However, like other international traditions such as Christmas, Hallowe'en, or Valentine's Day, there is a distinct feeling that Thanksgiving...[ Click to read more ]

Osu Street Performers’ Festival

Sep 17, 2022 By Bert Wishart

October brings the Nagoya Festival, a massive parade throughout the city celebrating three great warriors and historical leaders connected to the city: Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and Tokugawa Ieyasu. However, this is by no means the only - nor even the most interesting - of the festivals celebrating the city's great history this month....[ Click to read more ]

Must-Visit, Lesser-Known Shrines and Temples of Nagoya

Aug 31, 2022 By Bert Wishart

There are few more pleasant experiences in Japan than turning a corner of a seemingly ordinary street and suddenly finding yourself face-to-face with a beautiful old shrine or temple. This is particularly true in Nagoya, where you are regularly reminded of the ancient history of this historic land within the...[ Click to read more ]