Oagata Shrine Fertility Festival, Celebrating the Power of Femininity
Feb 26, 2018 By Bert Wishart
If you have spent any time in Nagoya or its surrounds, then it is a good chance that you have heard of the Hōnen Matsuri harvest festival at Komaki. You, know that one. The one with the huge phallus that gets paraded around the city streets and everyone goes a...[ Click to read more ]
Food & Drink Unique to the Kansai Region
By Justin Hanus
If you're a foodie, a trip to the Kansai region is a must if you visit Japan. Kansai folk love their food and there are many regional specialities to savour. Osaka, sometimes called the 'kitchen of the country', is known for its street food. Two of its most popular dishes...[ Click to read more ]
Kobe’s Nightlife
By Justin Hanus
Are you ready to explore Kobe’s nightlife but are not sure where to go? I have got some great suggestions for you. Kobe has something for everyone in the Sannomiya area and even better, all of the bars are within walking distance from each other. You can easily change from...[ Click to read more ]
8 Things to Do on Awaji Island near Kobe
By Justin Hanus
Island life is always serene and stress free. There’s that come hither idea of jumping on a boat and going on an adventure in a place where time is barely moving and life is stripped to its bare essentials. What better way to spend a relaxing weekend on an island...[ Click to read more ]
8 Most Popular Samurai Castles in the Kansai Region
By Justin Hanus
The Shogunate has been the most influential and highly esteemed form of government that began in Medieval Japan when the Imperial Court announced its birth through Minamoto no Yoritomo. Although the Imperial Palace still existed and headed the religious and bureaucratic leadership, the Shogunate became the de facto form of...[ Click to read more ]
8 Most Unique and Fun Themed Cafes and Restaurants in Tokyo
By Justin Hanus
If you think it’s only in anime, manga, tv shows and movies that Japan can be unique and creative, think again. Their culture whether in the ancient times or today has been the most colorful and out of the box. It reflects in all aspects of their lives no matter...[ Click to read more ]
Mother’s Farm: Mountaintop Petting Zoo and More in Chiba Prefecture
Feb 21, 2018 By Jason Gatewood
Ok, that may have been a bit of an over-simplification. Mother Farm (マザー牧場) is an expansive working entertainment farm that is located in the Chiba’s central Boso Peninsula countryside sitting 300m atop Mt. Kanozan. All of these qualities comebine to create the perfect outing for those wanting to getaway from...[ Click to read more ]
Sample Food From All 47 Prefectures Of Japan in Tokyo!
By Jason Gatewood
It’s impossible. Even in my almost 2 decades of traveling all over Japan, I have yet to hit the magic number 47, the number of prefectures that make up Japan. This means there’s forty-seven different regions that proclaim to be home to the best beauty, culture, and nature representing Japan....[ Click to read more ]
How to “Spring Clean” Your Japanese House
By Jason Gatewood
You may have noticed not needing to crank the heater up as much, or seeing a bit more light in the skies past 5pm because the days are slowly getting longer. Soon springtime will be here, along with a sudden urge to clean, organize and sort your entire abode. And...[ Click to read more ]
Hinamatsuri, or the Doll’s Festival in Hiroshima
By Matt Mangham
“Hinamatsuri,” also called Girl’s Day or the Doll’s Festival, is a day that will either charm you or leave you cold. If you have a domestic bent, or a fondness for dolls or traditional craft, it’s sure to win you over. Officially, the day itself is on March 3, although...[ Click to read more ]
