Festivals Tsuruse Yosakoi Festival 2024 Late Oct Tsuruse Yosakoi Matsuri is a fantastic traditional dance festival with a small-town vibe. It is held annually on the 3rd Sunday..
Culture Mt. Konpira & Setogawa Cherry Blossom Festival 2025 Late Mar The Mount Konpira and Setogawa sakura festival takes place in early April, and includes taiko drum performances, a stage show, various..
Historical Cycle the Kibi Plain Suwannee Payne Not far from Okayama is a place perfect for bicycle touring. It is called the Kibi Plain. The plain has a 17 Kilometer bicycle route..
Historical Hokoji Temple and its Fatal Bell Takako Sakamoto Hokoji Temple in Kyoto has a very dramatic, fatal bell on its premises, which doomed and led the Toyotomi Clan to destruction. They..
Culture How to Visit a Shrine Japan Travel A shrine is a spiritual site related to Shintoism, Japan's indigenous religion. Shrines normally house any number of gods, known..
Culture Hiroshima Warmed Sake Festival 2025 Late Mar Held annually on the vernal equinox, the Hiroshima Warmed Sake Festival allows visitors to sample a variety of local brews hea..
Culture Akasaka Palace A hidden treasure in Tokyo is the majestic Akasaka Palace. As one of only two state guest houses of the Japanese government, along with the Kyoto State..
Museums Walk the Old Hakone Highway Tomoko Kamishima Can you believe that you can take a walk down the exact same road and see the exact same view that people did 400 year ago?