Sake’ing it to ya, at the Nayabashi Sake Festival in Ngaoya
Feb 26, 2018 By Bert Wishart
Forget Asahi, Kirin or Strong Zero, there can be no doubt that the national drink of Japan is sake. ‘Nihonshu’, to give it its proper title (with ‘sake’ being a term...[ Click to read more ]
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,...[ Click to read more ]
Hinamatsuri, or the Doll’s Festival in Hiroshima
Feb 21, 2018 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...[ Click to read more ]
World Igloo Building Championship at Osorakan Snow Park
Jan 29, 2018 By Matt Mangham
Without a little advance planning, midwinter in Japan can seem bleak, especially in the city. Which is precisely why it makes good sense to get out of town. Whether you...[ Click to read more ]
Sake Tasting in Tokyo
Jan 20, 2018 By Bert Wishart
Sake, of course, is famous around the world for being Japan's national drink. Though the drinking of Chinese alcohol is thought to predate recorded history, it is believed that sake as...[ Click to read more ]
Tondo Festivals in Hiroshima 2017
Dec 22, 2017 By Matt Mangham
Across Hiroshima Prefecture, early to mid-January involves one final, festive bit of housekeeping with regard to the year just passed. Part of ‘Koshagatsu,’ which marks the traditional lunar new year,...[ Click to read more ]
Miyajima’s Daisho-in Temple near Hiroshima
Dec 22, 2017 By Matt Mangham
January is a wonderful month to make a trip to Miyajima. Whether you’re heading out early in the month for the year’s first ‘hatsumoude’ visit to the island’s World Heritage...[ Click to read more ]
Chinese New year Festival Nagoya 2018
Dec 20, 2017 By Bert Wishart
Although Japan adopted the Gregorian calendar in 1873, celebration of the Chinese year is still an important cultural event in the country. This year (2018) the Chinese New Year falls...[ Click to read more ]
Whisky Lovers Nagoya
Nov 22, 2017 By Admin
Recently, whisky is much more popular here in Japan than it was a decade ago. The TV drama “Massan” (story of Nikka whisky) is perhaps the key to this whisky boom,...[ Click to read more ]
Gujo Hachiman, an Edo Era Town That’s Much More Than a Song and a Dance
Nov 01, 2017 By Bert Wishart
You may recall that, back in July, we posted about the Gujo Hachiman Bon Odori festival, a four day extravaganza of all night dancing, perhaps the most famous event of...[ Click to read more ]
