Like this post? Help us by sharing it! Autumn is one of the most popular times to visit Japan, and for good reason. The landscape (70% of it mountainous) bursts into colour with the arrival of koyo (autumn leaves). Vermillion maple trees shroud Kyoto temples, yellow ginkgo trees line Tokyo’s streets, and a warm-hued patchwork […]
Festivals & Events
Girl’s Day in Japan – A little bit about Hina Matsuri
Like this post? Help us by sharing it! In Japan, every year on the 3rd of March comes a traditional celebration known properly as momo-no-sekku (桃の節句) but more casually referred to as Hina Matsuri (雛祭り) or, in English, as Girl’s Day. Which is rather appropriate since the holiday is focused on a family’s hope that their daughter or granddaughter will […]
A Fiery Festival and a Red Hot Tip for a Nara Day Trip
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE
Hotei Statue
Like this post? Help us by sharing it! I’m lucky enough to call the historic city of Kyoto my home, but it’s also a destination that features on the majority of our Small Group Tours and also in the tailored Self Guided Adventures that we put together for independent travellers. Not only is Kyoto a […]
Taking part in a Japanese festival
Like this post? Help us by sharing it! Japanese festivals – matsuri – are an important part of life in Japan. You will find them in every region of the country during every season of the year. But the best time for catching matsuri is undoubtedly in summer, when festivals are so plentiful that it’s not uncommon to come […]
Inuyama Matsuri – Blossom and festivals
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE
Parade in full swing
Like this post? Help us by sharing it! Last weekend, Nate, Pepijn and I (all from the IJT Nagoya office!) headed to Inuyama festival (犬山祭り). Inuyama is a town just 20 minutes train journey from Nagoya, and is rapidly growing into a really vibrant tourist destination. It is home to Japan’s oldest castle (Well, sort […]
Six amazing Japanese fire festivals
Like this post? Help us by sharing it! On the fourth Saturday of every January, the city of Nara sets light to its mountain, Wakakusayama, in a huge blaze known as “Wakakusa Yamayaki” – and this year I was lucky enough to be able to witness it. [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSPIZVfy1iE] The origins of this festival are unknown, but […]
Like this post? Help us by sharing it! On the fourth Saturday of every January, the city of Nara sets light to its mountain, Wakakusayama, in a huge blaze known as “Wakakusa Yamayaki” – and this year I was lucky enough to be able to witness it. [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSPIZVfy1iE] The origins of this festival are unknown, but […]