Look, Up In the Sky – It’s a Bird, It’s a Plane…Yes, It’s a Plane
Oct 30, 2017 By Justin Hanus
People have been fascinated by spotting aircraft ever since Orville and Wilbur Wright bumped a fabric-covered airplane into the sky from the sand dunes in North Carolina in 1903. Even now, when more than 100,000 flights take off and land somewhere on the planet every day, plane spotting is pursued...[ Click to read more ]
The Danjiri Matsuri in Osaka is a Multi-Generational Thrill Show
Sep 14, 2017 By Justin Hanus
Autumn means the biggest event of the year for the southern Osaka city of Kishiwada - the Danjiri Matsuri. Danjiri are large wooden carts inside which religious tenets declare gods reside. The point of the festival is to honor the gods by having fleets of neighborhood men pull the carts...[ Click to read more ]
Tricks and Treats for All Ages at USJ for Halloween
Sep 07, 2017 By Justin Hanus
Although Universal Studios Japan is an exciting outing any time of year, during the Halloween season, USJ’s additional tricks and treats make for a particularly entertaining way to spend some free time. Whether you’ve got a whole family tagging along or you’re looking for a fun social option with friends,...[ Click to read more ]
The Yatai Festival at Osaka Castle
Aug 28, 2017 By
Picture in your mind the usual selection of Japanese yatai and festival foods, like karaage, tama sen, JUMBO hot dogs, "kakigori" shaved ice. Now throw all that out, because this is not that. The Yatai Festival at Osaka Castle is a very large outdoor festival that offers a wide variety of gourmet...[ Click to read more ]
Digging into the Rituals of Clam Digging
Aug 24, 2017 By Justin Hanus
They begin showing up on the beaches in late spring and continue to gather all summer long, armed with small rakes (kumades), plastic buckets, and mesh bags. It is Shiohigari time - literally “hunting in the tides.” The Japanese tradition of digging in the sand for shellfish, mostly clams, is...[ Click to read more ]
The Best Bike Rides Around Kansai
By Justin Hanus
Bicycles have long been a staple in Japanese life. Many of the roadways are built with designated bike lanes. Bicycle sheds are common at train stations to aid commuters and mechanical bicycle tree storage systems are familiar sights. Bike sharing systems and bike rental operations are ubiquitous and if you...[ Click to read more ]
The Meanings of Osaka’s One Million Candles Night
May 23, 2017 By Justin Hanus
For two hours on Wednesday night June 7 all of the lights in the Umeda district of downtown Osaka will be switched off. Umeda is the city's principle commercial core, noted for its skyscraper canyons and general hustle and bustle. It is not a place accustomed to being thrown into...[ Click to read more ]
A Reminder of the Time in Osaka When the World Came to Visit
By Justin Hanus
The Tower of the Sun stands in Expo Commemoration Park as the standout reminder of the first World's Fair ever held in Asia, Osaka Expo '70. The idea of a World's Fair took flight in London, England in 1851 under the banner of "The Great Exhibition of the Works of...[ Click to read more ]
Animal Rescue Kansai (ARK)
Apr 25, 2017 By
ARK is a non-profit, non-governmental private organization with the aim of forming a network of people who love animals, believe in sharing their lives with them, and who work actively to rescue them from suffering. ARK was established in 1990 and became officially recognized as an NPO (Non-Profit Organization) in...[ Click to read more ]
Live Action Ninja Show in Osaka
Mar 28, 2017 By
A ninja was a covert agent in feudal Japan who engaged in espionage, sabotage, infiltration, assassination and guerrilla warfare on a mercenary basis. Their methods were, irregular, and as a result they were considered "beneath" the samurai ruling class, whose strict rules of honor and regimented style combat were in direct...[ Click to read more ]
