Tokyo Bay Summer Night Cruise: The Definitive Tokyo Summer Experience
A cruise like a summer festival
The first question I asked myself after taking Tokyo Bay's summer night cruise (available from July 1 to September 30) as a reporter, was whether or not I would...
Summer Illumination at Meguro Gajoen
A display of Japanese lights
Meguro Gajoen is Tokyo's longest-running wedding venue, and one of the most gorgeous, too. Its resemblance to the bathhouse of Ghibli Studio's "Spirited Away" has often been pointed out, and we...
Aomori’s ancient festival of floats
Larger than life lanterns at the Aomori Nebuta Festival
Ready to celebrate Japan’s ancient traditions at a matsuri of massive proportions? Grab your geta, and head up to the Aomori Nebuta Festival on Aug. 1-7, one...
Iris in Wonderland Japan: Summer Fireworks
Hi, my name is Iris Woo and I'm Malaysian Chinese, born and bred in the capital of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur.
This is my first blog entry on my journey to chase my dream to become...
Aomori Nebuta Festival: Week Long Street Party
Every night this week till Friday, the sleepy streets of Aomori city roar into life with the chants of "ra-se-ra, ra-se-ra, ra-se-ra-se-ra-se-ra!" and thousands of feet spring off the ground as they dance to the...
Summer With A Bang! – Top 3 Fireworks Festivals in Japan 2016
Summertime in Japan isn't complete without watermelons, shaved ice, wind chimes, mosquito coils and last but not least, fireworks of massive proportions!
It's a great reason to put on a summer yukata, throng the streets...
Asagaya Tanabata Festival, larger than life
How a traditional Chinese festival became Japanese street art
Orihime and Hikoboshi are two lovers that represent the Vega and Altair star respectively. Normally the Milky Way separates them, but only once a year, on the...
Owara Kaze no Bon Festival
Owara Kaze no Bon: Enchanting evening wind festival
For a dreamlike festival under the darkness of night, the Owara Kaze no Bon will take you on a time slip to Toyama's traditional past.
Unlike many upbeat and...
Tenjin Matsuri: Osaka’s Festival of Fire and Water
If you are in Osaka tomorrow, you can catch this rare scene of a women-only contingent carrying a 200kg mikoshi (portable shrine) at the Tenjinbashisuji Shopping Street. This is the lead up to Osaka's...
Awa Odori: Japan’s Biggest Dance Festival
Awa Odori Festival Japan
"It's a fool who dances and a fool who watches! If both are fools, you might as well have fun dancing!"
The lyrics to the Awa Odori's thematic "Fool's Song" are a fitting...
