The Omiya Bonsai Village is the general name for the area on the north side of Omiya Park enclosed within the Tobu Noda Line and JR Utsunomiya Line. Known as one of the most outstanding bonsai cultivating areas in Japan, visitors can take delight in the bonsai all year round, as they change from one […]
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Also known as Chichibu Yomatsuri, the Chichibu Night Festival in Saitama, is considered one of Japan’s top three festivals to feature floats, and it is the principal festival at Chichibu Shrine, the main shrine in Saitama’s Chichibu region. Taking place annually on the 3rd of December, the Chichibu Night Festival is an astonishing matsuri, with […]
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We believe that Tokyo’s iconic Yamanote line does not need any any introduction. Still, if you are not familiar with it, let’s just say that the Yamanote is one of Tokyo’s most important train lines, circling the city and featuring 29 stations for a total length of 34.5km. First opened in 1885, the Yamanote started […]
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Chiba Port Tower is nothing more than an observatory tower located in the port-side area of Chiba city, in the prefecture of the same name. It is 125 meters tall, yet with only 4 floors, and located on the top of this tower is a cafe which sits alongside an observatory room. The tower was […]
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Chiba Shrine was erected in 1181, and dedicated to the Shinto deity Myoken, a “bosatsu” who is the personification of the Polaris Star. Myoken is believed to offer protection from bad luck and bad health. Located within walking distance of the city’s main station, the architecture of Chiba Shrine is set apart from what we […]
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Located a good hour away from Tokyo and in Chiba City, the Chiba Castle or Inohana-jo, was first built in 1126 by Tsuneshige Chiba. He was the first ‘gunji’ administrator of Sōma District, and was then transferred to the same position in Chiba District. For many centuries, the Chiba family ruled over the area from […]
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Kanda Shrine was first built during the Tenpyo Era (730AD) in the fishing village of Shibasaki, near the modern Ōtemachi district. It was only in 1616 that the shrine was moved to its current location and this was to accommodate the expansion of Edo Castle. Today it is conveniently located a short distance on foot […]
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Tsukiji Market, or Tsukiji Fish Market as we know and love it, is scheduled to close up and move to a new location in Toyosu by November 2016. While this decision will most probably have a beneficial impact on the business itself, it is on the other hand sad news for anyone who loved the […]
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Just one stop away from Akihabara Station, Ochanomizu Station is just your average train station that connects different subway and train lines to each other. Additionally it functions as a hub for anyone who wants to visit places such as the Nikolai Cathedral, Yushima Seido, Kanda Myojin, the Japan Football Museum, Tokyo Medical & Dental […]
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Koinobori is one of Japan many beautiful traditions that comes full of history and meaning. These carp streamers were originally created to celebrate the Tango no Sekku Festival, celebrated on the 5th day of the 5th moon in the lunar calendar. Today, Koinobori are flown to celebrate Kodomo no Hi, or Children’s Day all across […]
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Located a short walking distance from the famous Kanda Myojin Shrine, Yushima Seido is a shrine dedicated to Confucius, the well known and respected Chinese scholar. Confucianism was very popular in Japan during the latter part of the Edo period (1603 ~ 1867) and Yushima Seido used to be part of Confucian school during the […]
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It was in the 12th Century, that Kamakura quickly became a city of both Japanese politics and culture, as influential as Kyoto, with the iconic Tsurugaoka Hachimangu temple at its center. Because of its influence, Kamakura gathered a powerful army and as such had to train its troops and samurais in the latest combat techniques […]
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