World Heritage (6): Genbaku Dome
Genbaku Dome: Hiroshima's Relic of Hope
Exactly 100 years ago, visitors flocked to admire the newly-built Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall - a proud symbol of modernism with its European-style dome. Now, people from all over the world gather...
Shichigosan, 7-5-3
Every year on November 15th parents celebrate the growth of their children during Shichigosan. The name of this event literally means "seven, five, three" and corresponds with the age of your child. At the age...
Ichijodani Asakura Ruins, remnants of a powerful clan
The Asakura clan (朝倉氏) was one of the most powerful clans in Fukui during the Sengoku period (1467 - 1603). Ichijodani is the name of the city they built. At its height, Ichijodani had...
Snow at its Best: Yunishigawa Kamakura Festival
Toshogu Shrine and Lake Chuzenji are two of the most well-known attractions in Nikko. But do you know that Yunishigawa is also an attraction with historical significance? You don’t have to travel all the...
Gion: Geisha Street In Kyoto
Gion, one of the symbols of Kyoto, was founded in the Middle Ages in front of the Yasaka-jinja Shrine. It is a brilliant geisha district located on both sides of the Kamo-gawa River. The...
Bunmeido Nihombashi Café – Fit For Royal Tea –
Bunmeido started in Nagasaki Prefecture over 100 years ago and is the most famous castella cake maker in Japan. While this cake is said to originate from Castilla, Spain, no doubt the Japanese have...
History of Christmas in Japan
If you're in Japan during the Christmas season you might be wondering why Christmas decorations are so prevalent. After all, only about 2% of the Japanese population is Christian and as good as all...
Kanto Matsuri
Designated as one of Tohoku's top three festivals, the Kanto Matsuri is a sight to behold. The name "Kanto Matsuri" does not mean that it is in the Kanto region, "Kanto" is the name...
World Heritage (2): Himeji Castle
Himeji Castle: Japanese castle architecture perfected and preserved
After 5 and a half years of renovations, Himeji Castle reopened to the public in March in blazing white glory, with not just repainted walls and new roof tiles,...
Backstage at Sanja Matsuri in Asakusa
Hot nights, traditional costumes, portable shrines and the rhythmical beating of drums immediately spell out matsuri, summer festivals, to any Japanese person. One of the three biggest in Tokyo and one of the earliest,...
