It’s a new year for a new hanami (花見 – flower viewing) experience! Year after year, tourists from all around the world specifically plan their Japan trips around the spring season to get a glimpse of the cherry blossoms’ surreal pink petals blooming in their full glory. It’s one of the country’s fleeting beauties that…

One of the perfect places to relax at is located in the middle of Japan. The prefecture of Shiga (滋賀県) is where you can find Lake Biwa (琵琶湖), the largest lake in the country. Shiga is a mountainous place as it is surrounded by Mt. Ibuki (伊吹山) to the east, Mt. Hira-san (比良山) and Mt.…

Winter is already here and the best way to celebrate it is, of course, to decorate all the city streets with colorful bright lights to express the joy of the season. While all countries do their best to impress their citizens with the blindingly bright decorations, there is something about the holiday season in Japan…

With the recent hype about Mie’s ninja museums (伊賀流忍者博物館) and trick houses, you may be lured to go out of your way just to catch a glimpse of these innovative and fun attractions. Yet, another thing you need to know is that beyond shinobis (ninjas) and shurikens, Mie (三重) has another ace up its sleeve…

Have you ever dreamed of visiting a country that has four seasons? Japan is definitely one of them! When you think of Japan, you can easily associate it with cherry blossoms. But have you ever wondered what other flower varieties are found in this beautiful country? Flowers and seasons are intimately bound to each other.…

Each and every country in the world have their own way of observing events and celebrations. Whether it’s a profound celebration or a simple birthday gathering, the celebration becomes more fun and lively thanks to the props that we use to shake things up. Party poppers are one of the most well-known and used celebration…

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…

Did you know that Japanese people love flowers? One of their favorites is the beautiful wisteria, which has captivated the interest of the Japanese for a long time. It consists of clusters of flowers which gorgeously sway in the wind, creating an enjoyable sight. There are actually several locations for one to witness wisteria in…

Mt. Yoshino (Yoshinoyama) is a mountain in Nara Prefecture that has been a subject in so many literary writings, and with good reasons: it is a gorgeous spot for cherry blossom viewing. It has also served as an important destination for religious purposes such as pilgrimages and the area continues to attract many foreign people.…

Fukuoka is located on the island of Kyushu in Japan and is well-known not only for its beautiful landscapes and architecture but also for its amazing festivals. Among many spectacular festivals across Japan, Hakata Dontaku can definitely be considered as one of those. It is an extravagant event which is also referred to as the…