Harvest Time in Kansai
Sep 24, 2020 By Justin Hanus
Harvest time in autumn/fall is important across the world. Each region has different rituals associated with this time of year (September – November). In Japan, the autumn harvest is celebrated...[ Click to read more ]
Diamond Magic – Witness The Diamond Fuji Phenomenon
Dec 26, 2019 By Bert Wishart
Diamond Fuji is a twice annually occurring phenomenon during which the sunrise and sunset align perfectly with Mount Fuji’s summit, looking for all the world like a bright shining jewel...[ Click to read more ]
Color Bathing at Sandan-kyo in Hiroshima
Oct 31, 2019 By Hugh Cann
photo by Netanya Fink Come Autumn (or Fall, if you’re from the USA or in the unlikely event that you’re from pre-industrial revolution England), the colours of the leaves change...[ Click to read more ]
Making sense of the Consumption Tax rate hike
Sep 27, 2019 By Jason Gatewood
It’s officially happening after many delays and false starts, Japan’s consumption tax (消費税 shohizei) will go from 8% to 10% on October 1st, 2019. The tax is levied on almost...[ Click to read more ]
How to ease the impact of Japan’s impending consumption tax hike
Sep 27, 2019 By Jason Gatewood
In order to ease the overnight transition into a higher tax bracket, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry has begun a program that will effectively refund the difference back...[ Click to read more ]
Tokyo Motor Show 2019
Sep 27, 2019 By Jason Gatewood
Japan's motorcar industry is one of, if not the most important exporter and revenue generator in the economy here. Brands like Toyota, Honda, Nissan, and Mitsubishi are known all over...[ Click to read more ]
Japanese Sake: Sake Festival in Hiroshima
Sep 27, 2019 By Hugh Cann
To begin with, we all know the word sake (pronounced sa-keh not sa-ki). But in fact, that is the generic term in Japanese for alcohol. If you want to order...[ Click to read more ]
Festival Tokyo – Theatre, Dance, Music, Visual art, and Film
Sep 27, 2019 By Jason Gatewood
One of the benefits of living in the world’s largest urban area is the simple fact that there’s always something going on in town for you, no matter what you’re...[ Click to read more ]
Kawagoe Hikawa Festival
Sep 25, 2019 By Jason Gatewood
Taking place annually on the 3rd Saturday and Sunday of October, the Kawagoe Festival is the pride of the City of Kawagoe every year and has over 360 years of...[ Click to read more ]
Brick or Treat – Getting Spooky at Legoland this Halloween
Sep 25, 2019 By Bert Wishart
Halloween in Japan is an odd time, in that it is mostly aimed at an older demographic. Street parties and nightclubs are boozy affairs, while costume shops almost exclusively trade...[ Click to read more ]
