Culture Haruna Shrine This beautiful Shinto shrine in Takasaki, Gunma Prefecture, was founded in 586 during the first year of Emperor Yomei's reign. The Haruna Shrine is..
Culture Yakushiji Temple Yakushiji Temple is regarded as one of the oldest and most important temples in Japan, which is no surprise given its impressive status. The temple is..
Festivals Hagi Camellia Festival 2026 Feb 21st - Mar 22nd Around 25,000 camellia trees in 60 species are planted around the foot of Mount Kasayama in Hagi, Yamaguchi Prefecture, and the..
Culture Oyamazumi Shrine In the middle of Honshu and Shikoku, there's an island named Omishima which plays host to a Shinto shrine that served as a samurai mecca for more..
Museums Namahage Museum in Akita Justin Velgus You can’t go anywhere in Akita without seeing references to the demon figures known as namahage. Find out what they are and wh..
Culture Oji Shrine Sleiman Azizi Oji Shrine is said to have been built around the same time its famous gingko tree was planted, some time in the early 14th century...
Culture Arao Rice Planting Festival 2026 Thursday - Jun 25th The town of Arao holds a rice planting festival to kick off the start of the annual growing season.
Culture Art Mix Japan 2026 Mid Apr Art Mix Japan (AMJ) is a unique cultural festival held every spring in Niigata City, incorporating a variety of performing arts..