Family Winter Sports Guide to Tokyo
Dec 25, 2024 By Michael Stigall
Besides skiing and snowboarding, there are a variety of family friendly options to get outside and active this winter. From ice skating to “snow rafting” and even a snow tractor adventure ride for those less interested in getting sweaty; there is no reason to miss out on the great outdoors just...[ Click to read more ]
Skiing in Kanto: Day and Weekend Trips!
By Michael Stigall
Watch the news and you’ll see that skiing here in Japan is going through a boom period. Some slopes in places such as the Japan Alps and Hokkaido are absolutely overrun with inbound travelers from abroad. Here in Tokyo, we are also pretty lucky in that we can trek to...[ Click to read more ]
Hatsumode in Tokyo: Where to Go to Ring in 2025
By Michael Stigall
New Years in Japan is laser-focused on firsts. You have your first sunrise of the year, which is very important, and other firsts like the Shinnenkai parties to bring in the New Year. There are also the “first sales” of the year where retailers put out goods at bargain prices....[ Click to read more ]
Christmas Markets in Tokyo and Yokohama
Nov 29, 2024 By Michael Stigall
This year went by quick. It seemed like only yesterday that summer would never end and now, all of a sudden, it is time for the holidays. Or maybe autumn in Japan just feels that short. The upside of the encroaching cold is looking forward to the year end holidays...[ Click to read more ]
Winter Illuminations in 2024
By Michael Stigall
Christmas Day in Japan is just another working day for the most part. The most interesting facet of the Christmas and holiday season in Japan is that all traces of it will be gone by morning on December 26th. Without fail, every bell, light, and garlands; every decoration will come...[ Click to read more ]
Tokyo’s Best Flea Markets
By Michael Stigall
With the holidays coming up, you may be thinking of what to get for your special someone. Or if you're heading to your home country, you may be wondering about finding the perfect souvenir. If you’re searching for a truly unique curio or gift for someone here around Tokyo or...[ Click to read more ]
The Tokyo International Film Festival
Oct 31, 2024 By William Farrow
It is no surprise that the country of legendary and lasting film directors like Akira Kurosawa, Ishiro Honda and Yasujiro Oz would have an international film festival. As of 2024, the Tokyo International Film Festival is on its 37th run and will be held from October 28th until November 6th....[ Click to read more ]
The Tokyo Ramen Festa
By William Farrow
I will open this with a confession: This article was painful to write. Not in the sense of finding the prose to convey the message nor in the sense that the subject matter was utterly devoid of inspiration to help its transition to the written word, but rather...well...just look at...[ Click to read more ]
Kawagoe Festival 2024
Sep 27, 2024 By Michael Stigall
Taking place annually on the 3rd Saturday and Sunday of October, the Kawagoe Festival is the pride of the City of Kawagoe every year and has over 360 years of traditions behind it. The entire "Little Edo" area of town is blocked off to automobile traffic and the Karazukuri Old...[ Click to read more ]
Halloween in Tokyo 2024
By Michael Stigall
Halloween is probably one of the greatest examples I can think of when I reflect on how Japan has changed over the last decade or so as well was the friction generated by those changes. You see, once upon a time in Tokyo, celebrating Halloween meant dressing up in a costume...[ Click to read more ]
