Many people have tattoos that symbolize things that are important to them, such as people, places, or nostalgic memories. Tattoos have different meanings around the world; for example, they have held different significant meanings in various tribes and religions for years. Nowadays, in most western countries, they are considered to be simply personal body art.…
Sakura is the most famous seasonal flower in Japan. It is the symbol of spring. People from all over Japan look forward to this season, when they can unfold their picnic mats and gather over a neatly-packed bento with cans of beer while viewing the pretty cherry blossoms. It is the most awaited season after…
Japanese gardens in spring are always surrounded by so many beautiful flowers that it can sometimes be easy to mistake any pink flowers you happen to spot as the famous cherry blossom (sakura). But this is not always the case, there are certain features that differentiate the cherry, plum, and peach blossoms among all the…
Japan’s cherry blossom season is a spring of inspiration for film-makers around the world, who capture and interpret this beautiful time of the year in their own style and language. The essence of cherry blossoms is beautifully presented in these 3 films – a documentary on endurance and survival, an animated tale of fleeting joy…
It’s that time of year again! Predictions for the first and full bloom of the beautiful cherry blossoms, more affectionately known as “sakura” in Japan, have been floating around for a while since the beginning of the year. Given that it has been a comparatively warm year, the blossoms are expected to emerge earlier than in…
An IC (Integrated Circuit) card is a handy card that anyone staying in a city in Japan should have. They are easy to get and can be used in a variety of ways. Someone who is traveling around the city for a day will probably use their IC card at least once. So what is…
It is almost spring in Japan and stores are already getting ready to welcome it by bringing some colour and warmth into the grey,cold and monotonous landscape of February. Sakura (cherry blossom) themed goods and treats, spring limited editions are already making their appearance in stores, the soft pink colour of the cherry blossoms gaining…
Spring in Japan is well-known for the full bloom of sakura (桜; cherry blossoms). If you are going to visit Tokyo for the cherry blossoms this spring, then you can’t miss some of these popular spring festivals. Festivals, or matsuri (祭り), in Japan are common events. Almost every shrine celebrates their own festival. In Tokyo,…
Hanami season in Japan is a very special time. The cherry blossoms start to bloom bringing the arrival of beautiful spring, and everyone wants to get together and have a good time. But, the blossoms don’t last forever, so it’s essential to plan well if you want to have the ultimate hanami party! What is…
Fukushima Prefecture is located in the Tohoku region of Honshu. Its capital city is considered to be a ‘Kingdom of Fruits’ in Japan, owing to the bountiful seasonal fruits that are harvested all throughout the year (click here for more information about fruit picking). Though part of the prefecture was heavily devastated by the 2011…
