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…
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…
Do you have a tattoo? If not, perhaps you are thinking of getting one. 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.…
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…
With all the spring-themed crazes popping up here and there during this blooming season, it’s no wonder that even the most unusual items you could think of are getting involved. Snacks and beverages, clothing and footwear, and now even underwear?! FUNTY shop.funty.jp/ FUNTY is a Japanese lingerie site that provides comfortable and fashionable undergarments for…
Japanese spring is synonymous with beauty and flowers, especially during the hanami (sakura viewing) season. I love it best when the two come together to form some amazing and sometimes strange flavor combinations. Sadly, cherry blossom season has already come to a close. But do not despair! A pick me up has already been in…
April heralds a new beginning in Japan as the new academic and financial year kicks off. In the old lunar calendar (kyuureki), this month is called Uzuki (卯月), which has a number of interpretations as to how the name came about or what it means. The most widely accepted explanation is that April is the…
Yokohama’s close proximity to Tokyo means that it is a great choice for a day trip you can take just outside the capital. Being one of the first ports that opened to foreign trade, the city offers a wide range of sights such as the largest Chinatown in Asia, buildings and streets showcasing foreign influence…
