Summer Evening of Prayer and Peace in Hiroshima
Jul 30, 2018 By Matt Mangham
Let’s say you arrive in Hiroshima for the August 6th Peace Memorial Ceremony a day early. You don’t feel like sitting around the hotel room watching TV, but what feels right to do the night before attending the anniversary of the A-Bombing of this lovely little city. Anyway, it’s Sunday...[ Click to read more ]
Myths & Legends in Kansai
Jul 27, 2018 By Justin Hanus
Japan is a country rich with mythology and fascinating tales. The Kansai region, with its many popular tourist areas and shrines to gods and kings, is no different. From folklore heroes to dark creatures, there are many tales associated with Kansai or have their roots in the region. Some are...[ Click to read more ]
The Most Popular Temples and Shrines in Kobe
Jun 26, 2018 By Justin Hanus
Japan is a melting pot of several religions in the East. There are religions that have immigrated from different parts of Asia and there are those that originated within the country. Some of them are still existing today and pilgrimages still take place regularly to worship their deities. Others are...[ Click to read more ]
Getting Away in Japan: Kanagawa
May 29, 2018 By Bert Wishart
Though Kanagawa Prefecture is often dismissed as 'that bit next to Tokyo', you shouldn't let its relatively small stature when compared to its glamorous neighbor fool you; from bright city lights, beautiful nature and a long, celebrated history, there is a whole lot to see and do in Kanagawa. Yokohama...[ Click to read more ]
Hiroshima’s Toukasan Festival
By Matt Mangham
For four hundred years, Hiroshima’s Toukasan festival has marked the arrival of summer for locals. Stretching over three days on the first weekend in June, the festival is officially in honor of Touka Daimyoujin, a deity enshrined at Enryu-ji, a temple one block north of Peace Boulevard on Chuo-dori. Also...[ Click to read more ]
What to Know When Visiting a Temple or Shrine
May 23, 2018 By Justin Hanus
When planning a trip to Japan, a few temples and shrines need to be on your list. Found across the country in large numbers in most cities and present even in the smallest towns, temples and shrines are two of the most popular types of tourist spots. It is important...[ Click to read more ]
Atsuta Shrine Festival in Nagoya
May 18, 2018 By Ray Proper
Atsuta Jingu, ranks in importance second only to the Great Shrine of Ise in Mie, which is the center of the Shinto religion in Japan, and draws over 9 million visitors a year to its gates. The shrine, located in Atsuta Ward of Nagoya City, dates back nearly 2,000 years,...[ Click to read more ]
Get Rid Of Your International Coin Collection Once And For All
Apr 26, 2018 By Jason Gatewood
Like any other expat living here in Japan, I’ve taken to using the proximity to the rest of Asia along with cheap airfare combined to go on some sweet vacations to places like Korea and Hong Kong. I even worked for a company based in Taiwan meaning there was a...[ Click to read more ]
Hakone and The Old Tokaido Road
By Jason Gatewood
Hakone is usually more synonymous with skiing or being a jumping off point for tours to Mt. Fuji but it’s actually a great place to check out almost anytime of the year since it’s easily accessible by way of the Odakyu Line or many direct express buses. Of the many...[ 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 ]
