Event

Sweet on You – Getting Valentine’s Chocolates in Tokyo

Feb 14, 2017 By Bert Wishart

Back home things can get a little crazy around Valentine's Day. Grandiose displays of affection have become something of the norm, as we shower our loved ones with extravagant gifts, often...[ Click to read more ]

Ume Plum Blossoms

Plum Blossom Viewing in Nagoya – Top Umemi Spots!

Jan 27, 2017 By Admin

Ume is not just half of an "umeshu," a Japanese liqueur made from unripe and green ume fruits. It is quite a lovely tree. "Prunus mume" is the tree species...[ Click to read more ]

Kobe’s International Cuisine Tour

Jan 23, 2017 By Justin Hanus

Although Kobe’s Chinatown is a major international attractor to the city, Chinese isn’t the only cultural influence worth exploring in this Kansai metropolis. Being a popular port city has brought...[ Click to read more ]

1 Comment

Getting Into the Spirit of Hiroshima’s Oyster Season

Jan 17, 2017 By Justin Hanus

As New Year’s well wishes fade from conversations across Japan, an unspoken but equally cheerful sentiment permeates the atmosphere of Hiroshima Prefecture: “Happy Oyster Season!” Echoes of this can of...[ Click to read more ]

Toka Ebisu Festival

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...[ Click to read more ]

1 Comment

Aichi Nagoya Yuki Festival

Dec 20, 2016 By

The Aichi Nagoya Snow Festival is 2000 tons of snow imported from Nagano and Gifu on an annual basis for our enjoyment! This family friendly festival offers an equivalent tonnage...[ Click to read more ]

Japan’s Winter Food

Dec 14, 2016 By Bert Wishart

[caption id="attachment_31602" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Oden, a Japanese winter favorite[/caption] As a Brit, I am used to winters being cold, wet and miserable, with skies as grey as the faces shielded...[ Click to read more ]

Kyoto Hanatouro Illumination Festivals

Nov 14, 2016 By Ray Proper

Hanatouro is an "illumination festival" that happens in Kyoto twice a year at two separate locations.  Actually there are two separate festivals that take place, the Kyoto Arashiyama Hanatouro and the Kyoto Higashiyama...[ Click to read more ]

Shorter Days + Cooler Weather = Momijigari

Oct 25, 2016 By Justin Hanus

There is only a relatively small band of latitudes across planet earth where the chlorophyll in the leaves of deciduous trees breaks down when the daylight shortens in the fall...[ Click to read more ]

It’s Fall in Japan; Time to get Nutty about Chestnuts

Oct 24, 2016 By Justin Hanus

For many folks autumn in Japan means chestnuts. Asia is known as both the largest producer and the largest consumer of chestnuts in the world. Scientists studying the remains of...[ Click to read more ]