Toukasan Festival: Hiroshima’s Official Start of Summer
May 23, 2017 By Jade Brischke
Toukasan (とうかさん) is not only the biggest festival in Hiroshima, but also one of the oldest of the summer festivals in the whole of Japan. Dating back some 400 years, the three-day festival is the event the highlights the fact that summer has officially begun. Held every June on the...[ Click to read more ]
Japan Alps Art Festival 2017
May 19, 2017 By Bert Wishart
While the area is famous for hiking in summer and skiing in winter, when one thinks of the mountanous prefecture of Nagano, art isn't exactly the first thing that springs to mind. However, this preconception may be about to change. Up in the northwest of the prefecture, from early June to...[ Click to read more ]
A Museum of Subterfuge – the Ninja Museum of Igaryu in Mie
Apr 17, 2017 By Justin Hanus
The existence of the Ninja Museum of Igaryu is testament to mankind's love of the subversive. Samurai warriors are the esteemed historic Japanese fighters, exuding bravery and honor. But when the job required less honorable methods it was time to call in the shinobi (the term ninja has more recently...[ Click to read more ]
Day Trips From Tokyo – Kamakura, the Kyoto of the East
By Bert Wishart
When tourist destinations claim to 'have it all', you can generally presume that this is short hand for 'there are a few things that are okay, but nothing of particular great note'. However, when it comes to Kamakura, a city with abundant nature, fantastic food, sports and an illustrious historical heritage, it is...[ Click to read more ]
Legoland Japan in Nagoya
Mar 21, 2017 By Admin
Theme parks are one of the best ways to entertain the family all day, leave them enthused and exhausted, and talking about their adventure for many years to come. Of course, Japan has its fair share of amusement parks, however most of these cater to older children and even adults....[ Click to read more ]
Sightseeing Loop Bus or the Maple Bus in Hiroshima!
By Jade Brischke
If you want a leisurely tour of Hiroshima, but don't feel much like stretching the legs and prefer to let someone else drive you around, then the Hiroshima Sightseeing Loop Bus or the Hiroshima 'meipuru-pu,' is just what you're looking for. There are three routes available: the orange, green and blue....[ Click to read more ]
Getting to know you: Osu, Nagoya
Feb 26, 2017 By Bert Wishart
Between Nagoya's central transport area of Meieki (Nagoya Station) in the west, and the lively shopping and commerce hub of Sakae in the east lies Osu, one of the city's more interesting and eclectic areas. Centered around its covered shopping arcade, Osu has an atmosphere similar to Tokyo's Harajuku, with aging hippies happily rubbing shoulders with...[ Click to read more ]
New Year’s Celebrations in Osaka: Ring in the Good Luck 2017
Dec 21, 2016 By Justin Hanus
Winter fun seeking in Osaka is an invigorating blend of the traditional and the modern. Consider the age-old practice of pounding rice to usher in the Japanese New Year. Foods made from mochi, the sticky paste that is molded into rice cakes, are considered a "Food for the Gods" and...[ Click to read more ]
Family Winter Sports Guide to Tokyo and Yokohama
Dec 14, 2016 By Ray Proper
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 ]
Lake Biwa – Take a Day trip, or Longer, to Japan’s Great Lake
Oct 20, 2016 By Bert Wishart
Lake Biwa (琵琶湖 or Biwa-ko) in Shiga Prefecture is the largest freshwater lake in Japan, and thanks to it being located just northeast of the former capital city of Kyoto, it is steeped in mystery, wonder, and is full of wonderful things to see and do. Named for its resemblance the lute-like musical...[ Click to read more ]
