Hiroshima’s Miroku no Sato Amusement Park
Apr 25, 2018 By Matt Mangham
Tokyo has Disneyland, Osaka has Universal Studios. Hiroshima prefecture has, well, Miroku no Sato. Despite feeling somewhat like an abandoned theme park that people haven’t quite abandoned yet, Miroku no Sato (the name means Village of the Future Buddha) is a lot of fun, and a bargain to boot. It’s...[ Click to read more ]
Experience a Firelit Noh Performance at Nara’s Kofukuji Temple
Apr 24, 2018 By Justin Hanus
Traditional Noh performances might occur at temples across Japan, but Nara’s Kofukuji Temple is the original home of the sacred event, and seeing a performance there is a truly unforgettable experience. Noh, which is derived from a Japanese word meaning “talent,” is a coveted musical drama performance that began in...[ Click to read more ]
Mie’s Iga-Uena Ninja Festival, and a History of Shinobi
By Bert Wishart
If you were told that there was an annual, family-oriented festival celebrating some of the most feared mercenary assassins and terrorists that the world has ever seen, you'd probably think it was an idea in quite poor taste. However, the Iga-Uena Ninja Fest is endearingly popular, and quite a lot...[ Click to read more ]
Smoking Alternatives in Japan for World No Tobacco Day
Apr 23, 2018 By Bert Wishart
While in some areas such as AI, robotics and technology Japan is considered very much an advanced nation, there are some areas in which the country remains in the dark ages. A prime example of this is its attitude towards smoking. While in much of the developed world, lighting up...[ Click to read more ]
Nagoya Antique Fair
By Bert Wishart
No matter how long or short your stay in Japan is, when you eventually end up going home, you really ought to bring a piece of the country back with you as a reminder of your time here. Antiques are perfect for this, as placing an object in your home...[ Click to read more ]
Ukai Cormorant Fishing in Gifu and Aichi
Apr 22, 2018 By Bert Wishart
Whether your fish comes from the supermarket or you are a master fisherman who has trawled the seven seas, it is unlikely that you have ever witnessed anything quite like 'ukai' cormorant fishing. What is Ukai? Ukai is an ancient form of fishing in which master fishermen, 'ushō', use trained...[ Click to read more ]
Sanja Matsuri, Tokyo’s Wildest Festival
Apr 20, 2018 By Bert Wishart
Tokyo has many festivals, and particularly as we head towards the summer months they will be coming thick and fast. But none are quite so wild as Sanja Matsuri in Asakusa. The History of Sanja Matsuri On the morning of March 18, 628 CE, so the story goes, two fisherman brothers, Hinokuma...[ Click to read more ]
Tokyo Summer Sumo Basho 2018
Apr 17, 2018 By Justin Hanus
Out of the six annual grand tournaments of sumo wrestling, Tokyo hosts three. Of those the Tokyo Summer Sumo Basho in May in particular is an experience like none other! For fifteen days all levels of athletes show up and hope to advance along in the tournament, while their fans...[ Click to read more ]
Thai Festival in Tokyo
Apr 10, 2018 By
The annual Thai Festival in Tokyo's Yoyogi Park is a great place to find excellent Thai food, as well as enjoy a diverse stage schedule including martial arts demonstrations, musicians, dancers, and artists. The festival's main selling point is Thai food and drink, in copious quantities, prepared by virtually every...[ Click to read more ]
Learn About Tokyo’s Yesteryear At Taito Shitamachi Museum
Mar 27, 2018 By Jason Gatewood
Sooner or later as you become acclimated to this place, you’ll start learning about the different eras of Japan. For example as of March 2018, we are living in the Heisei Era, as defined by the sitting emperor. It’s how the year is officially calculated, and loosely defines a generation’s...[ Click to read more ]
