Spring Pickings – Strawberry Picking around Tokyo
Feb 13, 2015 By Bert Wishart
Japan has a wonderful association with fruit. While it tends to be a little expensive (at least to the eyes of foreigners used to supermarkets crammed with the stuff for next to nothing), it is revered in status: apples are grown to extraordinary sizes and famed for the ‘honey’ within, mangoes are...[ Click to read more ]
Ise Grand Shrine, Mie – One of the Most Sacred Spots in Japan
Jul 22, 2014 By Bert Wishart
Japanese folklore has it that Yata no kagami, or the "eight hand mirror," was brought to earth by Ninigi-no-Mikoto; legendary ancestor of the Japanese imperial line. The mirror is one of the Three Imperial Regalia or Three Sacred Treasures of Japan, and possession is passed from emperor to emperor to confirm the divine...[ Click to read more ]
Gattan Go!! Rail Mountain Biking in Hida Gifu
Jul 16, 2014 By Ray Proper
Looking for an interesting family day trip and adventure? You may enjoy enjoy Gattan Go!!, an innovative hybrid of bicycle and railroad comprised of two bikes linked to each other and set on an out-of-service railroad line in the mountains of Gifu Prefecture. You have a variety of options of...[ Click to read more ]
Hiking, Walking and Biking Nagano: Nagano City
Jun 19, 2014 By
Mystical Forests, Ninja Adventures, WWII Tunnels and Mountains Galore Many Japanese associate Nagano City with the iconic Zenkoji Temple, home to the oldest Buddha image in Japan. For non-Japanese, this temple is certainly worth a visit, to appreciate its soaring architecture, and grope around in its pitch-black underground tunnel where...[ Click to read more ]
Golfing in and around Tokyo
Jun 12, 2014 By Bert Wishart
Being packed, seemingly shoulder-to-shoulder, with people you could be forgiven for thinking that Tokyo is not the best place to, to paraphrase Mark Twain, spoil a good walk. However, there are plenty of excellent golfing areas around the capital. Of course there are many roof-top driving ranges, hammering balls into...[ Click to read more ]
Mt Togoku Fruits Park in Nagoya – Fruit Picking
Oct 28, 2013 By Ray Proper
Fruit picking is a popular family activity in Japan, and farms across the country offer the opportunity to pick fruit directly from the tree from their orchards. Typically farms will charge visitors a set amount for a set period of time; fees range from 800 to 3000 yen or more,...[ Click to read more ]
10 Things Japanese People do in Autumn
Sep 05, 2013 By Ray Proper
Dig up the old camcorder for Sports day festivals at schools Bring along a book for reading at your favorite outdoor spot as the temperature cools to bearable Picking, roasting, and eating "kuri," or chestnuts. Recipe for "kuri gohan" Tsukimi (moon-viewing), Tsukimi dango (rice cake) to eat while "celebrating the beauty...[ Click to read more ]
Summer Camping in Nagano, Shiga, and Gifu Prefectures
Aug 29, 2013 By First Admin
You might not think it, but there are opportunities for hiking, climbing and camping around Nagoya. In fact, near by Nagano, Shiga, and Gifu Prefectures offer some of the best opportunities in Japan. Camping areas in Japan tend to be a bit more formal than just hiking off the side...[ Click to read more ]
Play Mini Golf at Tsurumai Park
Jul 14, 2013 By First Admin
You can play mini golf, "putt putt" or "baby golf," in Japanese, at Tsurumai Park Baby Golf at Tsuruma Park near Tsurumai Station! This is a great way to kill a couple of hours with the family within the city, and it costs less than any drinks and snacks you...[ Click to read more ]
Hiking and Hot Springs: Highlights of a Weekend in Nagano
Apr 16, 2013 By Ray Proper
Guest post from Peter Ninnes, author of Nagano Onsen Guide: The Top 100 Day-Use Hot Springs Hiking, Walking and Biking Nagano: 16 Tours in Ueda City and Environs Hiking, Walking and Biking Nagano: 20 Nature, History and Culture Tours in Chikuma City Many expatriates and visitors from overseas visit Nagano...[ Click to read more ]
